Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Grief Experiences Of Pet Loss Among African Americans, Michele Lisa Whitney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Disenfranchised grief responses and associated stigma from pet loss have been documented among researchers; however, the unique lived experiences of African American adults facing pet bereavement have been underrepresented in research. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to deepen the understanding of grief responses after pet loss, specifically focusing on African Americans’ experiences of human–pet bereavement. Grounded in the dual process model of coping with bereavement, which emphasizes the oscillation between loss- and restoration-oriented coping strategies, this study explored how African American pet owners experience and make meaning of grief following pet loss. A phenomenological design was employed with a purposeful …

Mda Services: These Three Companies Can Help You Establish Your Own Practice, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Starting or acquiring a dental practice is a significant but rewarding endeavor. The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) endorses three key companies to assist dentists in this process: Bank of America Practice Solutions for financing, Bridge Commercial Realty for real estate guidance, and PPO Negotiation Solutions for optimizing insurance participation. These vetted partners offer essential support in securing loans, selecting practice locations, negotiating leases, and managing insurance networks, ensuring dentists establish financially sound and sustainable practices.

Staff Matters: Onboarding Vs. Orientation: How To Start Employees Off Right, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article distinguishes between employee orientation and onboarding, explaining that onboarding is a more comprehensive, months-long process of integrating new employees into an organization. While orientation is a single-day event focusing on initial introductions and paperwork, proper onboarding encompasses four key stages: pre-boarding, orientation, training and development, and integration. The article emphasizes that investing in a robust onboarding process leads to improved employee satisfaction, faster proficiency, and reduced turnover, ultimately benefiting the practice's bottom line.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Camaraderie For All, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The 2025 Michigan Dental Association Annual Session returns to Detroit from April 23-26, 2025, at the Renaissance Center. This premier event offers continuing education (CE) courses, social gatherings, and keynote speakers. Attendees can earn up to 18 CE credits across specialized tracks, including leadership, new dentists, and dental business professionals. Featured events include the MDA Foundation Sparkling Smiles Celebration, a Women’s Leadership Event, and keynotes by Hoan Do and Sean Astin. With networking, entertainment, and professional growth opportunities, this event is a must for the dental community.

Mda Insurance: Simple Tips To Improve Your Property’S Insurability, Jeff Spindler Mda Ifg

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article discusses the importance of proactive home maintenance in maintaining property insurability and managing insurance premiums. It highlights how insurance companies are responding to increased claims from weather events, particularly wind and hail damage in Michigan. The author emphasizes that while insurance covers unexpected damage, it doesn't cover normal wear and tear or deferred maintenance. The piece provides six practical tips for homeowners to reduce risk and prevent insurance claims, ultimately helping to stabilize premium rates.

From The President, Ben Carter

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Improving The Measurement Of Gender In Surveys: Effects Of Categorical Versus Open-Ended Response Formats On Measurement And Data Quality Among College Students, Dana Garbarski, Jennifer Dykema, James A. Yonker, Rosie Eungyuhl Bae, Rachel A. Rosenfeld

Sociology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

While researchers have some recommendations for measuring gender identity in surveys based on research and other sources that are summarized in a series of working group and panel reports, we continue to refine our understanding and practices. Gender identity is usually measured in surveys using a categorical selection response format with a small number of response options (e.g., "female,""male,""nonbinary") and an open text response field to capture additional responses ("not listed, please tell us"). There is limited research guiding researchers on the use of other response formats. This study reports results from a between-subjects experiment embedded in a campus climate …

Performance Of A Wild Sesame (Sesamum Spp) Phytochemical Extract For Water Disinfection, Adeyemi Ojutalayo Adeeyo, Joshua Akinropo Oyetade, Titus Alfred Msagati, Nkosi Colile, Rachel Makungo

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The study sampled wild Sesame from open field in South Africa. The samples were pretreated while the extracts were screened for phytochemical compositions and applied for water purification using standard procedures. The physicochemical properties of sampled raw and purified water (pH, total dissolved solids, salinity turbidity and conductivity) were analyzed in situ before and after treatment in the lab, respectively. The plant’s phytochemical extract from the leaves and stem was prepared using selected solvents (methanol, cold water and warm water). The results revealed the presence of phytochemicals including tannins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, anthraquinone, terpenoids, saponins, and phlobatannins in both the …

Fostering Value Cocreation Using An Agency-Style Client Project In Marketing Education, Chiharu Ishida, Peter Kaufman, Mark Gibson, Gary Hunter

Faculty Publications – Marketing

Experiential learning is key to any discipline, and in marketing it is of particular interest to foster mastery and a sense of professionalism through a client project in the classroom. In the marketing education literature, the value of client projects is well documented. Building on the value cocreation (VCC) stream of research and project-based learning, we propose that a multicourse, full-service “agency-style” structure allows classes to realize VCC beyond the traditional client-based project. We define agency-style projects as those in which teams from different courses are assigned unique, interrelated tasks and ultimately offer a comprehensive recommendation for the client’s multidimensional …

The 2024 Whippoorwill Award: Gathering Stories Of Indigeneity, Connection, And Belonging, Erika L. Bass, Michael J. Young, Alan Hoffman, Jacqueline Yahn, Monica Roe, Devon Brenner, Chea Parton

The Rural Educator

No abstract provided.

Nrea Policy And Advocacy: An Interview With Outgoing Executive Director Dr. Allen Pratt, Devon Brenner

The Rural Educator

In December 2024, Dr. Allen Pratt stepped down as Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association (NREA). During his eight years as executive director, the membership of NREA grew, and the organization became increasingly visible in state and national rural education policy. Policy Brief editor Devon Brenner sat down with Dr. Pratt to learn more about the advocacy work of NREA and key issues facing rural schools. Below is an excerpted transcript of that conversation.

A Systematic Review Of Research On The Experiences Of Rural Black Men Attending Four-Year Institutions Within The Us Since 2002, Jarvis Marlow-Mccowin

The Rural Educator

This systematic literature review focuses on the experiences of rural Black men attending four-year colleges and universities within the US. The review addresses three research questions: How is rurality defined within the literature reviewed? What characteristics (e.g., identity dimensions) are included within the literature? What does the available research say about the experiences of rural Black students, mainly rural Black men, specific to factors explored and identified to foster success? These research questions were answered by reviewing literature published in academic journals from 2002–2023. Findings from the data collection, extraction, and analysis process are relevant to how rurality is discussed …

“We Don’T Have To Take Things So Seriously”: Humor, Queer Livability, And Homonormativity For A Rural English Language Arts Teacher, Brandon Haskey-Valerius, Ryan Schey

The Rural Educator

Extending and challenging existing research about LGBTQIA+ life in rural educational contexts, this ethnographically informed qualitative study describes how Lulu—a white, cisgender, queer secondary English language arts teacher in a rural, public school in the Midwest—discursively constructed the functions of her humor with respect to teaching, queerness, and their interrelations. Drawing on social theorizations of humor, particularly queer theorizations of humor, this article argues that Lulu described her humor as having three functions: building relationships, facilitating learning, and opening possibilities for queerness. These findings illustrate tensions in that Lulu leveraged humor to build a livable, joyous career in which she …

The Rural Affinity Advantage: Reimagining Schools As Entrepreneurship Incubators, Gregory R. L. Hadley

The Rural Educator

This article, which combines research with lived experience, discusses how youth entrepreneurship education stands as a promising pedagogy in rural contexts. The author situates the research by sharing experiences teaching in rural schools at a time of declining enrollment and rampant outmigration. The article then explores educational pathways, through entrepreneurship education, that rural educators may follow to contribute to the cause of rural sustainability. Entrepreneurialism is positioned as a useful set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that rural youth can use to better dictate the terms of their future, and schools are envisioned as entrepreneurship incubators.

Parental Emotional, Social And Transitional Health In The First 6 Months After Childhood Critical Illness: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study, Pei Fen Poh, Matthew C. Carey, Joseph C. Manning, Jan Hau Lee, Jos M. Latour

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Aim: To explore the experiences and support needs of parents in the first 6 months after paediatric critical care. Design: Longitudinal qualitative design. Methods: Sequential semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 28 parents in succession at 1 month and at 6 months (n = 22) after their child's discharge from paediatric critical care using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using the adapted five-stage framework analysis. Results: Data were developed into eight synthesized themes, three domains and an overarching theme: Regaining Normalcy. Families of children requiring medical treatment at 6 months showed signs of adaption to daily care …

Understanding The Risk Factors For Student Attrition Across Pre-Registration Nursing And Midwifery Programmes In A United Kingdom University: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study, Francis Thompson, Gary Hodge, Danielle Edge, Sarah Howes, Caroline Jamison, Margaret Fisher, Aled Jones

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Background: The World Health Organization estimates a global shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives by 2030, which presents a significant problem for workforce planning. Despite aspirational United Kingdom (UK) government policy targets and ongoing efforts, the number of nursing and midwifery vacancies continues to increase. One contributing factor is student nurse and midwife attrition. Aim: To identify risk factors that contribute to nursing and midwifery students interrupting or withdrawing from pre-registration programmes. Design: Sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Setting: A University School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Southwest of England. Participants: 534 pre-registration nursing and midwifery student …

The Pickleball Phenomenon: A Strategic Analysis Of America’S Fastest-Growing Sport, Sherry Andre

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This presentation will delve into the demographic trends driving pickleball's popularity, particularly its strong appeal among older adults while also gaining traction with younger players. We will explore the role of community engagement, celebrity involvement, and strategic investment in the sport’s rapid growth. Finally, we will discuss the potential future of pickleball as it continues to expand its footprint across the country and potentially the world.

Industry Peer Information And The Equity Valuation Accuracy Of Firms Emerging From Chapter 11, Bingxu Fang, Sasan Saiy, Dushyantkumar Vyas

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Valuation plays a central role in determining Chapter 11 reorganization outcomes. However, obtaining accurate valuation estimates of reorganized firms is challenging because of limited firm-specific market-based information and the oft-conflicting incentives of claimholders. We examine the role of industry peer information in reducing misvaluations and its implications for unintended interclaimant wealth transfers and postreorganization performance. First, we find that the availability of relevant industry peer information is negatively associated with equity valuation errors for firms emerging from Chapter 11. Cross-sectional results suggest that the relation between industry peer information and valuation errors varies substantially with debtors’ information environment and case …

Green Innovation And Firms’ Financial And Environmental Performance: The Roles Of Pollution Prevention Versus Control, Qiang Cheng, An-Ping Lin, Mengjie Yang

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This study examines the effects of firms' green innovation on their future financial and environmental performance. If pollution is primarily a manifestation of wasted resources, then investments in pollution prevention technologies can both reduce the environmental impact of production and improve financial performance. In contrast, investments in pollution control technologies likely reduce the environmental impact of production without improving financial performance. Using green patents to capture firms' investments in these two types of technologies, we find that the value of a firm's pollution prevention patents is positively associated with its future financial and environmental performance, and that the positive impact …

Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Agroecological Vegetable Cropping Systems By Smallholder Farmers In Tanzania, Essy C. Kirui, Michael M. Kidoido, Komivi S. Akutse, Rosina Wanyama, Simon B. Boni, Thomas Dubois, Fekadu F. Dinssa, Daniel M. Mutyambai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Vegetable production is vital to smallholder farmers, who often struggle to overcome pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Agroecological cropping systems offer sustainable solutions to these issues but their adoption rates in Tanzania remain low. This study examines the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ adoption of selected agroecological cropping systems for vegetable production in Tanzania, which remains underexplored. Using a multistage sampling technique, cross-sectional data were gathered from 525 crucifer and traditional African vegetable farming households within the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Multivariate probit regression analysis, which accounts for the simultaneous adoption of multiple systems, revealed several significant variables influencing adoption. The …

Climate Effects On Honey Bees Can Be Mitigated By Beekeeping Management In Kenya, Malena Sibaja Leyton, H. Michael G. Lattorff, Nkoba Kiatoko, Fabrice Requier

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

In recent decades, worldwide concerns about the health of honey bees motivated the development of surveys to monitor the colony losses, of which Sub-Saharan Africa has had limited representation. In the context of climate change, understanding how climate affects colony losses has become fundamental, yet literature on this subject is scarce. For the first time, we conducted a survey to estimate the livestock decrease of honey bee colonies in Kenya for the year 2021–2022 to explore the effects of environmental conditions, such as temperature and precipitation, on livestock decrease. We define “livestock decrease” from the beekeeper's perspective, including dead colonies …

K-12 Leaders And Their Self-Perceptions Of Social Emotional Learning Competence, Karla S. De Luna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research on the impact of social-emotional learning on the competencies of school leaders is limited, posing challenges for developing targeted professional development programs. This causal-comparative study aimed to examine K-12 principals' perceptions of their social-emotional competencies, highlighting the need for effective professional development to address the challenges faced in their roles. The study also explored potential differences in perceptions between elementary and secondary principals and between male and female leaders. The study utilized 45 CASEL SEL Leadership survey questions regarding the principals' perceptions of their own social and emotional competence. The 45-item instrument, Personal Assessment, and Reflection—SEL Competencies for …

Improving The Prediction Accuracy Of A Model Using Svr With Genetic Algorithm, Rand Haitham Abdul Hussein, Suhail Najm Abdulla

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The enhancement of predictive accuracy of the first-order integer autoregressive (INAR 1) model is the focus of the study through the effective amalgam of machine learning techniques and classical statistics. INAR (1) model structures are key elements for the prediction of nonnegative integer-valued time series processes. Conventional estimation methods include Classical Least Squares (CLS), Conditional Maximum Likelihood (CML), and Yule-Walker (YW) as compared with advanced methods like Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Genetic Algorithms (GA). A new clustering algorithm was created (with SVR to GA) to determine optimal INAR (1) model parameters. Computer simulation studies confirmed the effectiveness of the …

Cal Poly Humboldt Library Digest, February 2025, Cal Poly Humboldt Library

Library Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Dynamic Capabilities On High Performance: An Analytical Study Of Administrative Units In Anbar Governorate, Hakeem Khalill Ibraheem, Hussam Ali Mhaibes

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The present study analyses the impact of dynamic capabilities on the high performance that can be developed in administrative units under the Anbar Governorate of Iraq. Sensing, learning, coordinating, and integrating capabilities are dynamic capabilities that actually represent the organization's capacity to adjust itself to changing environments and its sustainable growth. High-performance organization could be reflected through continuous improvement, quality management, excellence in human resources, orientation, and commitment, considering it the measures of organizational effectiveness in reaching strategic objectives. Research shows that the dynamic capabilities and high performance of the administrative units studied were at moderate levels. The results of …

Comparing Methods For Estimating Gamma Distribution Parameters With Outliers Observation, Taha Hussein Ali, Dlshad Mahmood Saleh, Qais Mustafa Abdulqader, Awaz Omer Ahmed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The purpose of our research is to work to maintain parameters for the Gamma Distribution within a better frame of precision in the context of other methods and dealing with outliers. Outliers are common and pose a threat to modelling because one little outlier scales a statistical model and brings about the estimations of parametric index validity. The objective of this study was to find useful applications for the detection and mitigating effect of outliers accomplished through the Hampel filter, the nonlinear fit of the Gamma distribution using the Median Rank Regression (MRR) method for the calculation of the shape …

The Impact Of Autocratic, Democratic, And Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles On Employee Motivation “An Analytical Study At Several Directorates Within The Ministry Of Interior In The Soran Independent Administration”, Murad Hamze, Sabir Sadiq

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This study examines how autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire styles of leadership affect employee motivation in the different directorates of the Ministry of Interior, otherwise known as Soran Independent Administration. Research has proven that such styles of leadership are going to affect the way employees engaged and committed themselves to the performance outcome for the sake of organizational success. High levels of democratic leadership or participative decision-making and inclusivity-related structures would, however, create conditions conducive to employee motivation. Recommendations for further research have been made in relation to the study variables. An additional area for further development includes the relationship between …

Comparing One Stage, Chromogenic Assay Results And Discrepancies With Bleeding Phenotype And Genetic Variants In Females With Hemophilia A, Lakshmi Srivaths, Joanna Larson, Sepideh Saroukhani, Mohammed Said, Deborah Brown, Nidra Rodriguez, Neethu Menon, Miguel Escobar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Increasing evidence in females with hemophilia A has shown significant bleeding symptoms. Accurate factor (F) VIII activity (FVIII:C) measurement is essential to assign correct diagnosis and severity. Assay discrepancies reported in male patients with hemophilia A are not well studied in females.

Objectives: Our research sought to assess the association of FVIII:C levels by one-stage versus chromogenic assays and the assay discrepancy with bleeding phenotype and genetic mutation in females with hemophilia A.

Methods: Data from 64 females with hemophilia A from our center were reviewed with center's institutional review board approval. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Bland-Altman …

In Which Patients Should A Custom-Made Acetabular Implant (Triflange Cup) Be Used?, Alisagib A Dzhavadov, Wei Huang, Huiwu Li, Syed Shahid Noor, Javad Parvizi, Alisina Shahi, Neil P Sheth, Kevin Tetsworth, Rashid M Tikhilov, Jorge A Villafuerte, Luigi Zagra

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Is There A Difference Between Modular Versus Monoblock Femoral Stems Used During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty?, Alisina Shahi, Hari Bezwada, Daniel Kendoff, Fouad Sadek, Margarita Veloso Duran, Heinz Winkler, Weijun Wang, Xiaogang Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.