Digital Commons Network^™

Usa V. Zachary Williams

2026 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Usa V. George Alexander

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Term Limit Effects In Indonesia: Local Government Revenue Vs. Spending, Hanik Susilawati Muamarah

Jurnal Akuntansi dan Keuangan Indonesia

Background: The term limit of local leaders creates a puzzle between the "lame-duck effect" (declining performance) and the "competence effect" (improved performance). This study contextualizes this dilemma within the Indonesian context, which has strong incentives for non-re-election, such as the formation of political dynasties. We investigate this puzzle by examining the relationship between term-limited leaders and two distinct fiscal policy areas: regulation-bound tax revenue and discretionary capital expenditure. Methods: A fixed-effects model was employed to analyze panel data from 438 regencies and municipalities from 2017 to 2023. Findings: In the high-discretion area of spending, term-limited leaders increase capital expenditure, supporting …

Protecting Graduate Students From Burnout With Self-Compassion And Authenticity, Michael S. Leeman, Joshua J. Castleberry, Anna A. Ellenson, Morgan Wallbrown

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study investigated whether practicing self-compassion and embracing one's authentic self could protect graduate students from burnout. Researchers also empirically examined the mediating effect of authenticity in the relationship between self-compassion and burnout. A total of 318 master's degree students in a helping profession completed surveys assessing their levels of self-compassion, authenticity, and burnout. Results found that graduate students with higher levels of self-compassion and authenticity tended to have lower levels of burnout. Additionally, authenticity mediated the relationship between self-compassion and burnout. The findings suggest that practicing self-compassion and embracing one's authentic self may lead to lower levels of burnout …

Extended-Phase Anticoagulation For Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism After Einstein Jr, Nathan Wilken, Jun Teruya

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Oncocytic Intraductal Carcinoma Of The Parotid Gland With Strn::Alk Fusion, Reham H Soliman, Chris Shi, Kevin E Fisher, Hong Yu, Fouad El-Dana, Xu Cao, Li Liang, Pei Ying, Songlin Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) of the salivary gland is an uncommon epithelial neoplasm characterized by a predominantly intraductal or intracystic proliferation rimmed by a myoepithelial cell layer. Advances in molecular profiling have revealed recurrent gene fusions in IDC, most frequently involving RET, although fusions implicating other kinase genes have also been described. Among these, ALK rearrangements are rare and remain poorly characterized. Herein, we report a case of oncocytic IDC of the parotid gland harboring a STRN::ALK fusion, further expanding the molecular landscape of this tumor. Although this fusion has been previously reported in intercalated duct IDC, to our knowledge, this …

The Efficiency-Profitability Paradox: A Comparative Analysis Of Digital And Conventional Customer Acquisition In Islamic Banking, Andra Prayudha

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

This study investigates the strategic dilemma faced by banking institutions in allocating resources between digital and conventional customer acquisition channels. Using a unique panel dataset from 38 Islamic bank branches, we analyze the comparative effectiveness of digital (Online Onboarding) and conventional (Payroll and Branch Registration) strategies on branch-level financial performance. Our findings reveal a significant efficiency-profitability paradox: a digital-dominant strategic orientation is associated with superior operational efficiency but does not translate into higher profitability. Furthermore, our analysis uncovers a critical nuance in conventional strategies through the discovery of inconsistent mediation: the institutional Payroll channel, while directly boosting margins, simultaneously erodes …

Women’S Participation In Middle Eastern Politics: Between Cultural Norms And Democratic Aspirations, Siham Abidi, Thomas Sheku Marah

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

Women’s political participation in the Middle East remains shaped by the complex interaction of cultural norms, religious interpretations, and democratic reform processes. While existing scholarship has examined these factors extensively, limited attention has been devoted to explaining why women’s political participation varies across states with broadly similar socio-cultural and religious contexts. This study addresses this gap through a qualitative comparative analysis of Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. Guided by Feminist Institutionalism and Political Opportunity Structure theory, the study draws on secondary data from peer-reviewed literature, legal documents, and policy reports. The findings demonstrate that women’s political participation is not determined …

Michael Nelson V. Taylor

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Principal Leadership As A Predictor Of Teacher Performance: Evidence From An Indonesian Elementary School, Irminapinem Pinem, Antonius Remigius Abi, Hamela Sari Sitompul

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Teacher performance is a critical determinant of educational quality and student achievement, making the identification of factors that influence teacher effectiveness an important area of educational research. Among these factors, principal leadership has been recognized as a key organizational variable that shapes teachers’ professional practices and instructional performance. This study aimed to examine the relationship between principal leadership and teacher performance at State Elementary School Raya Kahean, Simalungun Regency, Indonesia. The study employed a quantitative correlational research design involving 52 teachers selected through total sampling. Data were collected using two structured questionnaires measuring principal leadership and teacher performance. The principal …

The Development Of An In Silico Vaccine Design-Based E-Module To Improve Students' Biological Literacy, Qairinasherin Qwine Ferendi, Rusdi Rusdi, Hanum Isfaeni

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Low levels of biological literacy among students, particularly in biotechnology, highlight the need for innovative digital learning media that facilitate meaningful and contextual learning experiences. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an interactive biotechnology e-module based on in silico vaccine design to improve students’ biological literacy. The study employed Educational Design Research (EDR) using the Hannafin and Peck model, which consists of three phases: needs assessment, development, and implementation. The participants included 73 tenth-grade science students and one biology teacher from SMAN 68 Jakarta, Indonesia. The e-module was developed using Canva and Heyzine to create an interactive flipbook integrating …

Patterns Recognized In Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Scoping Review, Marica Botha, Janine Van Der Linde, Zoe Mailloux

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Associations between scores on tests of sensory integration functions demonstrated in numerous studies over six decades have contributed to the development of Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) theory and practice. Understanding these "patterns" aids therapists in their interpretation of assessment results, ensuring appropriate and effective intervention. This study aimed to describe and discuss published research on identified patterns related to constructs in the Ayres Sensory Integration® approach. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist were used. The literature review search was guided by the following …

Kenneth Thornton V. Beaver County

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Prognostic Factors Related To Histopathological Diagnosis Of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Meta-Analysis, Rani Ahmad

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: With the heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and the significant impact of histological subtype on treatment planning, there is a critical need for robust predictive for strong predictive factors. Treatment options for tumors vary by stage, grade, type, and location, reflecting the significant heterogeneity of STS.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate and quantitatively synthesize the available evidence regarding the prognostic significance of clinico-pathological factors in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS).
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess overall survival among STS patients between 2010 and 2023. Ten studies were …

Metabolomic Associations Of Atorvastatin In Human Blood, Ahmed M. Alsehli

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Atorvastatin is one of the most widely prescribed lipid-lowering therapies worldwide. Although its cholesterol-lowering effects are well established, the broader systemic metabolic signatures associated with atorvastatin exposure across large human populations remain incompletely characterized. We performed a retrospective metabolomic meta-analysis of human blood samples from approximately 4,000 individuals across six cohorts to identify metabolites most positively and negatively associated with atorvastatin levels. Circulating metabolites spanning both lipid and non-lipid classes were identified as associated with blood atorvastatin levels. Atorvastatin levels were associated with a distinct blood metabolomic signature comprising coordinated changes across multiple metabolite classes. Negatively associated metabolites were dominated …

Activities Of Daily Living Limitations In Middle-Aged And Older Adults With Joint Disorders And Osteoporosis: Indonesia Longitudinal Aging Survey 2023, Desfalina Aryani, Mufti As Siddiq As Siddiq M. Irzal, Agustina Sianipar

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Population ageing is associated with an increasing prevalence of limitations in activities of daily living. Joint disorders and osteoporosis are common health problems among older adults and may begin to emerge during middle age, potentially accelerating functional decline. However, studies examining the association between these conditions and limitations in activities of daily living in Indonesia remain limited. This study aimed to analyse the association between joint disorders and osteoporosis and limitations in activities of daily living among middle-aged and older adults in Indonesia. This study employed a cross-sectional design using data from the Indonesia Longitudinal Aging Survey (ILAS) 2023. The …

Clinical Epidemiology Of Stroke In The Productive Age Population In Indonesia: A Scoping Review, Satria Akbar Putra Asmara, Ulil Albab Habibah

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) demonstrates a marked increase in stroke prevalence, rising from 7% in 2013 to 10% in 2018. This upward trend is accompanied by a notable epidemiological shift, with stroke no longer predominantly affecting older adults ≥65 years, but increasingly occurring among the productive-age population (15–64 years). This scoping review was conducted in February 2026 in accordance with the JBI methodological guidelines and PRISMA-ScR. Searches were conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, Garuda, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria include articles published within the last 10 years (2016–2026), articles discussing the characteristics of stroke patients in …

Navigating The Future: Language Learning, Career Readiness, And Professional Identity, Maria Shardakova, Rebecca Cravens

Russian Language Journal

The decline in Russian language enrollments reflects a broader trend of diminishing confidence in higher education, particularly in the humanities and language studies. Many Americans question whether an undergraduate degree effectively prepares students for meaningful careers, fueling skepticism about the value of language programs. Meanwhile, the job market has undergone significant shifts, with fewer lifelong careers and more frequent job transitions. In this evolving landscape, graduates must develop not only professional skills but also career management skills, including the ability to envision career paths, articulate their qualifications to employers, and construct compelling professional narratives.This longitudinal study examines the effectiveness of …

An Integrative Approach To Professionalizing Russian Language Learning And Teaching, Victoria Hasko, Olga Thomason, Alexandra Shapiro

Russian Language Journal

This article proposes an integrative framework for embedding career readiness into advanced Russian language teaching. Drawing on the experience of a U.S. Russian Flagship Program, the authors argue that career readiness requires deliberate programmatic choices: a proficiency level sufficient for meaningful disciplinary engagement and study abroad immersion; a flexible open-architecture curriculum that admits interdisciplinarity into the core of the program; faculty preparation that makes embedded career advising possible; and institutional partnerships that give language work standing in professional contexts. Framed through the Connections standard of the World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, the article positions interdisciplinary engagement not as an enrichment …

Redesigning Our Curricula To Foster Career Readiness, Benjamin Rifkin

Russian Language Journal

Undergraduate majors are not engraved in stone; curricula have been adjusted and changed over the course of the history of higher education and now is the time to change our curricula once again. This article proposes a reconceptualization of the undergraduate major in Russian away from the framework of “coverage of the humanistic canon” to a framework focusing on the development of transferable or durable skills, i.e., skills that can be deployed in numerous employment contexts throughout an individual’s career trajectory to support career-readiness, in accordance with powerful frameworks offered by prominent educational organizations. This approach helps us support the …

Russian As A Lingua Franca In A Security Cooperation Context: Designing Career-Oriented Language Training Programs, Daniel Medford

Russian Language Journal

As Slavic language programs seek to align their curricula with workforce needs, the role of Russian and other Slavic languages in military and government service presents unique challenges and opportunities. This paper examines how linguistic training, particularly in Russian, can be better structured for students at American universities and colleges who wish to pursue government and security-related careers. Drawing on 30 interviews with native and non-native Russian speakers serving in the U.S. Army, this study explores the implications of using Russian as a lingua franca for U.S. military cooperation with former Soviet states. Given the political sensitivities surrounding the Russian …

Russian Language In An Interdisciplinary Setting: A Case Study, Foreign Area Studies At The United States Naval Academy, Joan Chevalier

Russian Language Journal

Russian language enrollments have been dropping in recent years at colleges and universities in the United States. In contrast to this national trend, the number of students studying Russian language at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) has remained robust over the past decade and is poised to increase in the near future as a relatively new interdisciplinary major, Foreign Area Studies (FAS), is expanded and revised. This paper traces recent developments at USNA that have led to the development and expansion of Foreign Area Studies, integrating language study into an interdisciplinary curriculum featuring courses related to nations and cultures …

Development Of Tier 2 Fugitive Emission Factors For Malaysia's Oil And Gas Systems, Nabila Farhana Jamaludin, Syaza Izyanni Ahmad, Siti Indati Mustapa, Nor Amirah Safiah Muhamad, Nur Syahalisah Nurdin, Nurul Aishah Nabila Azhar, Halimatun Syafiqah Mohd Radzi, Syarifah Mardhiah Syed Salim

Platform: A Journal of Engineering (PAJE)

Accurate estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil and gas (O&G) systems is essential for strengthening Malaysia’s national greenhouse gas inventory and supporting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Current inventory estimates rely predominantly on Tier 1 default emission factors, which may not adequately represent country-specific operating conditions and gas characteristics. This study develops Tier 2 country-specific emission factors (CSEF) for venting, flaring, and all other fugitive emissions across Malaysia’s O&G systems. Emission factors were derived from gas composition based on operational data collected over five years from major O&G assets, representing over 80% of fugitive …

Microalgae As Sustainable Biofactories For Bioplastic Production: Challenges And Future Perspectives: A Review, Zahraa Hussein Obaid, Noor S. Naji, Jasim M. Salman, Layla Mustafa A.A. Alkatrani

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The widespread use of traditional plastics, combined with their slow breakdown, has exacerbated environmental and health problems. Therefore, it has become imperative to find alternatives. Due to their simplicity of cultivation, quick growth, tolerance to challenging growing conditions, and low cost, microalgae are being used more frequently as a bio-source for bioplastics lately. Additionally, a variety of biopolymers, including polyhydroxybutyrate, polylactic acid (PLA), starch, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), protein, and cellulose, could be produced by microalgae. These polymers show promising qualities including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity under various cultivation conditions. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the potential of microalgae …

Impacts Of Coastal Development And Tourism On Fisheries And Aquatic Biodiversity Of The Red Sea: A Review, Lafi S. Al Solami

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The Red Sea boasts a diverse coastal environment, unique coral reef biodiversity, and fisheries that support rapidly growing marine tourism. Its excellent tourism facilities make it a popular destination. However, intensive tourist activities such as swimming, boating, diving, and fishing have a negative impact on the coastal and marine ecosystem. Additionally, in line with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has launched mega projects along the Red Sea coast, increasing tourist activity and leading to human intrusion into critical yet vulnerable marine ecosystems like coral reefs, fish, sea grass beds, and mangrove stands. With the rise in tourism activities and disruptions to …

The Influence Of Reef Shape On The Fish Community Structure Around Coral Reefs Off Jeddah Coast, Red Sea, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Safaa Alowaidi, Lara Aljarafi, Lina Aloufi, Zekra Albeishi, Fay Al-Salem, Lama Alnebehi, Mohamed Abu El-Regal

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the reef profile on the associated fish community. Two stations with different reef shape and depth, Bayada and Abotair islands located off Jeddah coast on the Saudi Arabian Red Sea were studied. The reef check was used to determine the proportion of hard coral, soft coral, algae, and other benthic components. A 20 m long by 5 m belt was used to determine the number and colonies and genera of hard and soft corals. Fish were counted using the underwater visual census (UVC) technique along a transect that is …

Microplastics Contamination In Marine Environment: Sources And Management Strategies, Aishah Hamdi, Mohammad Oves, Naser Alkenani, Majed Alshaeri

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as emerging global pollutants because of their persistence, mobility, and significant ecological impacts. These particles, which result from the degradation of plastic waste and from various industrial and consumer activities, are now widespread in marine environments. The capacity of MPs to adsorb contaminants and bioaccumulate within food webs increases their ecological and health risks, prompting substantial concern regarding their long-term consequences for marine ecosystems and human health. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the composition, sources, transport, mechanisms, and environmental behavior of microplastics (MPs), with particular emphasis on marine systems. In these environments, the persistence …

Clinical And Hematological Correlates Of Common Viral Respiratory Infections In Patients With Acute Illness In Iraq, Israa Habeeb Naser

Journal of Bioresource Management

Background: Acute viral respiratory infections are considered as the leading causes of illness and hospitalization worldwide. Influenza virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Adenovirus are general respiratory pathogens linked with significant clinical problems in Iraq. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of common respiratory viral infections and their clinical and hematological associations between Iraqi patients with acute-illness.

Methods: This a cross-sectional study was done on 160 patients showing acute febrile and/or respiratory-symptoms. Viral detection for Influenza virus, RSV and Adenovirus was performed using rapid-antigen and ELISA assays. Hematological tests including total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, hemoglobin and …

Endophytic Actinobacteria: Deciphering Therapeutic And Industrial Potential, And Prospects Of Genome Mining In Novel Products Discovery, Yusra Waheed, Rabia Shahdin, Imran Sajid

Journal of Bioresource Management

Endophytic actinobacteria are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria with high G+C content, which inhabit plants’ internal tissues, and represent a significant yet underexplored reservoir of bioactive secondary metabolites. In host plants, a remarkable repertoire of metabolites, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, anticancer, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory compounds, is synthesized by these microbial allies, carrying significant medicinal and agricultural potential. These endophytes, in contrast to their soil relatives, have developed unique biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) strongly influenced by plant-associated factors, leading to the production of structurally novel metabolites. In recent years, the advances in genome mining, metagenomics, and metabolomics have accelerated …

Sensitivity Of The Mangrove Forest In The Joal-Fadiouth Marine Protected Area (Senegal) To Climate Variability (Rainfall And Temperatures), Eugenie Marie Mossane Sene, Elhadji Faye, Sylvie Brizard Zongo, Hippolyte Ditona Tsumbu, Jean-Claude Micha

Journal of Bioresource Management

Mangroves provide coastal communities with a multitude of ecosystem services. This is the case in Joal-Fadiouth. A study on its mangrove dynamics revealed a decline in area between 1974 and 2004, followed by a gradual trend after it acquired Marine Protected Area (MPA) status in 2004. Given the importance of this mangrove, the research focused on analyzing its evolution associated with rainfall and temperature variability. To do this, Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient was performed between mangrove areas in 10-year increments from 1974 to 2024 and values of climate parameters studied for each increment, with n (number of pairs) = 6. …