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Spectrum, Volume 57, Issue 4,, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Writing History: Students Earn Journalism Awards -- Flossing into Fall 2028! -- Floods of Families -- It's Sweater Weather! -- Nobody Walks Alone -- Bump, Set, Spike: Women’s Volleyball Starts Strong -- What the Cornell Case asks of Catholic Students

Decentralized Renewable Energy And Sustainability By Integrating Solar Ovens Into Urban Living, Nuno Soares Domingues

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Urban households account for a substantial share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with domestic cooking representing an often-overlooked component of residential energy demand. Low-cost solar cooking technologies offer a promising pathway towards urban decarbonization by harnessing renewable solar energy while reducing dependence on grid electricity and promoting circular resource use. This study evaluates the contribution of two experimentally developed low-cost solar box ovens to urban sustainability under Mediterranean climatic conditions in Lisbon, Portugal. A recycled cardboard prototype and a timber-based prototype were assessed through controlled outdoor experiments involving thermal performance, cooking capability, energy savings, and environmental evaluation. …

Improving Market Acceptance Of Agrivoltaic Implementation In Japan, Divya Suresh, Yuxin Qin, Kenichiro Hiramoto, Takuma Otaki, Abhishek Choudhury, Xiao Chen, Rajib Shaw

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Agrivoltaics (AV) enables the simultaneous use of land for solar energy generation and agricultural production. While AV has been widely studied from technical and economic perspectives, limited attention has been paid to market acceptance among farmers, particularly in Japan, where adoption remains constrained despite policy interest in renewable energy and rural revitalization. Existing studies identify regulatory, financial, and technical barriers, but insufficiently explain how farmer-level acceptance is shaped across different agricultural contexts or how project co-benefits can support adoption. This study examines farmers’ market acceptance of AV in Japan through a multi-case analysis of six projects in rice-cultivation areas, mountainous …

Good Governance In The Concept Of Climate Justice: Decarbonisation Policies In Economic Considerations Of Losses And Sacrifices, Daryanti Daryanti, Albertus Sentot Sudarwanto, Erna Dyah Kusumawati, Rosita Candrakirana

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Projections of losses resulting from the impacts of climate change in Indonesia are estimated to reach USD 30.5 million, affecting four key sectors: agriculture, water supply, health, and the maritime sector. This study shows that good governance based on climate justice in the implementation of decarbonization policies is the most important factor in avoiding long-term economic losses caused by the adverse impacts of climate change or investing in climate resilience. This study employed a normative methodology using a statutory approach to examine efforts related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The findings of this research indicate that regulations in Indonesia, …

Climate Change Mitigation And Forest Conservation: A Sdg-Aligned Framework For Malaysia, Hui Nee Au Yong, Chuan Chew Foo, Maryam Kalhoro, Irfan Rashdi

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked global crises that require integrated governance approaches, particularly in biodiversity-rich countries such as Malaysia. This study develops and empirically tests a climate biodiversity sustainable development goal (SDGs) nexus model that integrates forest governance, carbon sequestration, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK), and sustainable practices to explain climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation outcomes. Survey data were collected from 412 respondents across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesised relationships. The analysis examines direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among governance, social, technological, and policy factors. Forest governance …

Self And Other, Translingualism And Pan-American Race Thinking In Xul Solar's San Signos, Thomas Genova

Spanish Publications

This article deals with translingualism, race thinking, and Pan-Americanism in Argentine polymath Xul Solar’s Los san signos. The purportedly autobiographic, mystical text is written in Neocriollo, an artificial creole that the author created as a lingua franca for the Americas. Based on visions that he claims to have received using the I Ching, Xul Solar elaborated his work during the 1920s, a period marked by transnational debate on the meaning of Pan-American politics in light of US imperialism and race thinking. Los san signos mobilizes the mystical union of self and Other as a trope for regional unity, …

Fabrication And In Vitro Evaluation Of A Triphala–Chitosan Nanocomposite Gtr Membrane With Multifunctional Regenerative Potential, Tanmayi Mishra, Priyangha P.T

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This study addressed the need for a multifunctional, naturally derived guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane by fabricating a Triphala–chitosan nanoparticle-based membrane and evaluating its physicochemical and in vitro biological properties for periodontal regeneration. Triphala provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, while chitosan nanoparticles improve structural stability and cell interactions, offering a novel multifunctional regenerative membrane.
Materials and Methods: An aqueous Triphala extract was prepared, and chitosan nanoparticles were synthesised by ionic gelation. Triphala extract (3% v/v) was incorporated into the nanoparticle suspension (pH 4.5–5.5), cast into membranes, air-dried, neutralised with 1% NaOH, and conditioned. The membranes were characterised by …

Secondary School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Risk And Protective Factors Associated With A School Shooting, Emily M. Hudson, Susana Verdinelli

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

School shootings have devastating impacts on those directly or indirectly exposed to them. Most school shooters are current or former students. Teachers can play a crucial role in intervening, but their support for intervention strategies can vary depending on their perceptions of the underlying associated factors. This generic qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore 10 secondary education teachers’ perceptions of the risk and protective factors associated with the perpetration of a school shooting. Teachers identified four interrelated domains shaping the risks for and protections against school shooting perpetration: emotional stability and support, the influence of social networks, the normalization …

How Does Ai-Generated Assessment Compare To Expert Assessment In Simulation-Based Experiences: Analyzing Ai-Human Interrater Reliability., Margaret Brace, Gail Furman, Lisa Diewald, Rebecca Shenkman, Stephanie H. Felgoise, Tracy Oliver

PCOM Scholarly Works

BACKGROUND: In the health professions, artificial intelligence simulation-based experiences (AI-SBEs) are increasingly used to evaluate learner performance and provide feedback. Benefits of AI-SBEs include providing instantaneous feedback, allowing more practice opportunities than feasible using traditional methods, and reducing educator burden. However, methods for calibrating AI feedback are underdeveloped.

METHODS: This study evaluated the feedback provided by a generative AI-based software program (SimConverse) when assessing simulated patient interactions using the Weight Sensitivity Instrument (WSI), a checklist used to assess learners' weight bias-related clinical behaviors. A two-phase interrater reliability (IRR) approach was used. First, iterative prompt engineering was guided by AI-human IRR …

The Soundscape Wheel: A Conceptual Map For Tourism Geographers, R. Keller, N. Wilsnach, U. Ruiz-Arana, G. Cerwén, J. Martin, C. Van Bendegom, Y. Hu

Professional Services

Soundscapes are receiving increasing attention in tourism studies. Much focus is given to noise generated by tourism, whereas the role of sound in experiences of place has received less attention. To address this gap, we introduce a ‘soundscape wheel’ as a theoretical and applied tool that can inform transdisciplinary work across tourism studies. The aim of this conceptual map is to discern the ways soundscapes are addressed in the literature spanning natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with the hope of better informing tourism geographers’ engagement with sound and other sensorial elements of place. This conceptual map was derived by …

Social Media Use And Health Literacy Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Alaa Mohammad Arafah, Fatima Kherdm, Remas Alharbi, Noor Baswaid, Badr Fahad Alduqsi, Fayaz Khan

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Health literacy (HL) plays a critical role in managing chronic conditions, as it empowers patients with MS to effectively access, understand, and apply health information to improve their well-being. With the rising prevalence of MS in Saudi Arabia, understanding the role of social media in health communication and its relationship with the health literacy of patients with MS is essential.
Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the health literacy levels among patients with MS in Saudi Arabia and investigate association between social media use and level of health literacy.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 adult patients …

Depressive, Anxiety, And Stress Symptoms Among Respiratory Therapists In Two Tertiary Hospitals In Saudi Arabia: Differences According To Sociodemographic Characteristics, Budour Almutairi, Atheer Alsubaie, Reem Alenzi, Hala Alghemlas, Khalid Almutairi, Fouad Almutairi, Mansour Alshoaibi, Yaser Alnafea, Mona Almutairi, Salem Alqahtani

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Respiratory Therapists (RTs) work in high-stress environments, predisposing them to psychological distress. This study evaluated the proportion of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms and their differences across sociodemographic groups among RTs in two Saudi Arabian tertiary hospitals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2023 at two tertiary hospitals in Jeddah and Riyadh. Out of 355 invited RTs, 112 completed an online questionnaire comprising sociodemographic items and the validated Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).
Results: Of the 112 participants, 61.6% were female, 47.3% were married, and 58.0% were Saudi nationals. The overall proportion of participants …

Winonan, Winona State University

The Winonan - 2020s

This issue of the Winonan, the Winona State University student newspaper, was published on October 7, 2026.

A Nonlinear Viscoelastic 3d Bellows Microspring Fabricated With Two-Photon Polymerization, Harris J. Hall, Tyler Grunzke, Samuel Campbell, Hengky Chandrahalim

Faculty Publications

In the past decade, two-photon polymerization (TPP) based 3D printing has gained popularity for prototype fabrication of micro and nanoscale structures and mechanical metamaterials. However, practical considerations including response uniformity, nonlinear behaviors, and material aging effects remain challenges for device maturation and are seldom reported. In this work, a pair of cylindrical microscale bellows springs (~ 100 μm diameter), fabricated with a commercial TPP 3D printer, are shown to exhibit nonlinear stiffness profiles under compression (up to ~ 7%), with distinct linear and nonlinear regions, that change significantly after ~ 9–10 months of open air exposure in ambient lab conditions. …

Developing A Digital Facility Management Framework For Enhancing Operation And Maintenance Of Public Parks In Egypt, Alaa Ezzat, Alia Amer, Yasser M. El Sayed

HBRC Journal

Public parks in Cairo represent important urban assets, however, their operation and maintenance (O&M) face many challenges due to fragmented information, reactive maintenance practices, organizational constraints, and limited digital integration. Digital Facility Management discipline still lacks the tailored framework that adequately addresses the operational needs of public parks in Egypt with all its specific details. This study develops an integrated digital FM framework for improving the efficiency of the management process of public parks. A four-phase methodology was adopted, comprising a literature review, framework development, technical system specification, and expert assessment. The proposed framework integrates BIM, COBie, CMMS, IoT technologies, …

Renewable Research Frontiers In The Weight-Loss Evaluation Of 4-(4-Chlorobenzylideneamino) Antipyrine As An Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor For Mild Steel In Hcl, Mohanad Muzahem Khalaf, A. M. Mustafa, Ayad Abbood Abdulhasan

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

This study evaluates 4-(4-Chlorobenzylideneamino) antipyrine as an organic corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1.0 M HCl using weight-loss measurements and SEM surface analysis. The inhibitor produced a clear concentration-dependent protection effect: the corrosion rate decreased from 0.452 mpy for the uninhibited solution to 0.014 mpy at 500 ppm, while the inhibition efficiency increased from 41.84% at 100 ppm to 96.90% at 500 ppm. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, indicating the formation of a protective adsorbed layer on the steel surface. The calculated Δ Gads value of approximately -29.78 kJ mol-1 suggests spontaneous mixed adsorption involving both …

Wind Energy Pathways Toward Sdg 7 And Sdg 13 For Affordable Clean Energy And Climate Action, Ahmed Jamal Jasim

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Wind energy has emerged as one of the most cost-competitive and rapidly scalable pathways toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (SDG 13: Climate Action). This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of wind energy technologies, innovation pathways, system integration challenges, and future research frontiers within the dual framework of energy access and climate change mitigation. It covers the full spectrum of wind turbine technologies from established onshore horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) to cutting-edge offshore floating platforms, vertical-axis turbines, and airborne wind energy systems alongside digitalization strategies including artificial …

Battery Energy Storage Systems For Renewable Research Frontiers, Mohanad Muzahem Khalaf, A. M. Mustafa, Ayad Abbood Abdulhasan, Hussain Zuhailawati

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) have emerged as a cornerstone technology enabling the large-scale integration of variable renewable energy sources and the transformation of conventional electricity networks into intelligent, resilient, and low-carbon energy systems. This article provides a structured review of BESS within the science-energy (sci-energy) nexus by organizing the discussion around five analytical axes: battery chemistry families, battery management and estimation strategies, thermal and safety engineering, renewable-grid integration pathways, and sustainability and circular-economy issues. The review covers mature lithium-ion systems together with sodium-ion, solid-state, and redox flow batteries, and also examines battery management systems, thermal management, state-of-charge and state-of-health …

Recommendations For Preparticipation Cardiovascular Screening For Athletes In Saudi Arabia: A Consensus Statement From The National Heart Center, Saudi Heart Rhythm Society, And National Center For Sudden Death, Alwaleed Aljohar, Bandar S. Al-Ghamdi, Abdulrahman Y. Sabbagh, Fahad Almehmadi, Fayez Bokhari, Naeem Alshoaibi, Yahya Alhebaishi, Wael Alqarawi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Vigorous sports participation provides substantial physical and psychological benefits but may be accompanied by a small risk of sudden cardiac arrest and death in individuals with previously unrecognized cardiovascular disease. Preparticipation cardiovascular screening aims to identify athletes at increased risk, facilitate appropriate evaluation and management, and promote safe participation in sport. Despite growing international experience, no national recommendations have previously existed for Saudi Arabia. Recognizing the rapid expansion of organized sports participation driven by Saudi Vision 2030, an expert panel convened to develop consensus recommendations for the implementation of a nationwide preparticipation cardiovascular screening program. A comprehensive review of contemporary …

Academics’ Experiences Of Integrating Open Educational Resources Into Study Guides In Sri Lankan Distance Education, W.M.A.P. Sandamini Fernando, Fareed Mohamed Nawastheen

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Open educational resources (OER) can provide additional learning materials for distance education students. However, limited research has examined academics’ experiences of using OER in distance teacher education study guides. This study examined academics’ perceptions and experiences of integrating OER into the study guides of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme at a university offering open and distance education in Sri Lanka. The study used a survey design with 30 purposively selected academics involved in developing courses for the programme. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing 25 items rated on a five-point scale and three open-ended questions. The responses were …

From Consumers To Makers: A Community-Based Model Of The Diy Food And Beverage Kit Ecosystem, Mark Mitchell, Richard Martin, Sheila Mitchell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The market for do-it-yourself (DIY) food and beverage kits continues to expand as consumers seek experiences that combine convenience, learning, creativity, and participation. This conceptual paper proposes a four-community ecosystem model consisting of consumers, makers, marketers, and consumption communities. Drawing on value co-creation, prosumption, experiential consumption, and diffusion of innovation theories, the model suggests that participation in DIY production transforms consumers into makers, fosters a maker identity, and encourages engagement in product-category consumption communities. Through sharing experiences and outcomes, participants attract new consumers into the marketplace, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth. The framework extends value co-creation theory by explaining …

Brand Gravity And Instant Adoption: Consumer Visitation, Loyalty, And Trip Chaining Following The Entry Of A New National Coffee Chain, Mark J. Sciuchetti Jr., Jianping Huang

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study examines how consumers adopt a strong national brand immediately after its entry into a small regional market. Using anonymized mobile location data from the first twenty-nine weeks of a new Starbucks location in Anniston, Alabama, the analysis evaluates weekly visitation, repeat behavior, visitor origin distance, trip chaining, and temporal demand. The store opened above its subsequent steady state, indicating activation of preexisting demand rather than a gradual diffusion process. Repeat visitors generated 82.6% of visits within the observation window, showing rapid movement from trial to habitual use. The entrant also exhibited a flatter distance decay gradient than adjacent …

Where Shoppers Look First: How Navigation Bar Design Shapes Visual Attention Online, James Coyle, Linh Nguyen, Lee Hillman

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract

Despite the crucial role that a website navigation bar can play in affecting consumer behavior, there has been a lack of theory-driven studies to investigate how to most effectively design navigation bars. Grounded in cognitive fit theory and visual attention theory, this study investigates how the effects of navigation bar design and content can influence visual processing of an unfamiliar online retailer’s website. A total of 40 subjects participated in a controlled experiment in which we gathered eye-tracking data. We find that navigation bar placement strongly affects how quickly participants locate the navigation bar: an unexpected placement more than …

Reducing Cognitive Load To Strengthen Customer Engagement: The Strategic Role Of Digital Tools, Neda Mossaei, Maryam Tofighi

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper examines how advanced technological interfaces, particularly chatbots and augmented reality, influence customer engagement by reducing the cognitive effort required to interact with firms. As digital tools become increasingly embedded in everyday life, companies are leveraging these technologies to streamline communication, personalize experiences, and foster long-term relational outcomes. Guided by cognitive load theory, this study argues that minimizing mental effort in customer–firm interactions improve engagement by making interactions more seamless and intuitive. At the same time, relationship marketing theory emphasizes that reducing cognitive barriers can cultivate customer engagement, trust, and loyalty over time. Together, these perspectives suggest that implementing …

Pandemic Power Plays: Environmental Deregulation & Erosion Of Indigenous Rights In Latin America During Covid-19, Sabrina Prado

Latin American & Caribbean Law Review

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped global politics. Many governments used their emergency powers under the pretense of maintaining public health and sustaining the economy. However, in Latin America, these powers were exploited and the pandemic became a guise for expanding executive powers and propounding corporate friendly rollbacks which weakens environmental protections and minority rights. This paper will examine how emergency laws were used to sidestep the democratic process and facilitate policies that benefited corporate interests at the expense of environmental regulation and indigenous rights specifically. Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia were three countries whose leaders centralized power and accelerated environmentally destructive policies …

Constitutions, The State And Law In Republican Venezuela (1830-2025), Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo

Latin American & Caribbean Law Review

This panoramic article poses the question of the relation between the state, the constitution and the law in Venezuelan republican history. In the 19th century, Venezuela became independent, congresses approved constitutions that organized the national state, comprehensive legal codes and legislation were produced and the universities developed legal studies and produced a small number of lawyers. Nevertheless, the law had little impact on a turbulent and impoverished country, and lawyers mainly found occupation in the state and political system. In the 20th century, Venezuela constructed a powerful state that pacified the country that created conditions for a relatively prosperous economy. …

Oct. 2026 - At The Table: How Mda Advocacy Turns Member Concerns Into Action, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The cover story provides an in-depth examination of the Michigan Dental Association’s grassroots advocacy framework, highlighting the successful enactment of Senate Bill 105. SB 105 addresses "virtual credit cards" by requiring dental insurers to offer reimbursement options without transaction fees. The article details how MDA staff, legislative leaders, and Political Action Committee (PAC) donors collaborate to identify member priorities, build legislative relationships, and educate policymakers. Emphasizing the essential role of practicing dentists in state capitol discussions, the story illustrates how grassroots participation turns practice challenges into legislative victories.

Oct. 2026 - 5 Clinical Questions. Better Clinical Decisions., Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature previews the continuing education program presented by Dr. Melissa Seibert at the 2027 Sun, Sand & CE Cruise. Focusing on minimally invasive caries management and evidence-based restorative dentistry, the article outlines five daily clinical challenges faced by practitioners. Topics include determining when to restore versus monitor lesions, evaluating caries risk, selecting therapeutic agents, and translating dental research into practical workflows. The piece emphasizes practical decision-making and peer networking to help clinicians improve patient outcomes and return to practice reenergized.

Oct. 2026 - A Lifetime Of Saying Yes To Service, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This biographical feature profiles Dr. Raymond Gist, celebrating his receipt of the key to the city of Flint, Michigan, and his six-decade career in dentistry. Tracing his journey from Flint to becoming the first Black president of the American Dental Association (ADA), the story highlights his dedication to patient care, mentorship, and leadership within organized dentistry. Dr. Gist encourages early-career and underrepresented dentists to embrace leadership roles and community involvement, demonstrating how committing to service elevates the profession and advances oral health equity.

Oct. 2026 - Lead: Find Your Place In The Room, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article spotlights the Michigan Dental Association’s Leadership Exploration And Development (LEAD) program, designed to cultivate early-career dental leaders. Featuring experiences from program participants during a visit to ADA headquarters, the piece highlights insights on emerging practice models, demographic shifts, and membership trends shared by national experts like Dr. Marko Vujicic. The article details how LEAD fosters generational diversity, governance training, and peer networking, encouraging early-career Michigan dentists to apply for upcoming cohort opportunities.