Digital Commons Network^™

Utilising Reflective Journals As An Assessment Tool: A Case Study Of Kurdish Efl Post Graduate Students At Salahaddin University-Erbil, Qismat Mohammed Zahawi

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

This study accentuates the notion that reflection profoundly aids students to profit from their own experiences. It aims at revealing Kurdish post-graduate students' perceptions toward utilising journal writing as an assessment tool. It also tries to uncover their language progress, metacognition, and self-awareness as a consequence of journal writing. Finally, it elicits challenges encountered by students when writing their journals. The current study is of qualitative-interpretive nature. Students' journal writing is the main tool of the study. Thematic analysis is carried out on data collected from reflective journals and a focus group interview including twelve Kurdish post-graduate students. Journaling resulted …

Dimensions Of The Dramatic Character In The Poetry Of Farouk Gouida, Haneen Dawood Jabbar, Ali Aziz Saleh

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The portrayal of character in Arabic poetry has evolved, encompassing various forms of expression. Different poets have sought to represent character in unique ways, as seen in the works of the Egyptian poet Farouk Gouida. Born and raised in the Beheira region, Gouida began writing poetry at the age of 14.This study examines the dimensions of character in his poetry through multiple chapters: the first chapter explores character types in Gouida's poetry, while the second focuses on the dimensions of the dramatic character in his works.

The Sequence Of The Creation Of The Universe And The Rest Between Jewish Thought And The Interpreters Of The Imamiyyah (Al-Tibyan And Al-Mizan As A Model), Haider Abbas Kadhim, Khalid Ahmed Hussein

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The Torah talks about the creation of the universe in the Book of Genesis, as this book tells the sequence of this creation, and that it was completed in six earthly days consisting of morning and evening, so according to the order of the Torah, the earth, light, darkness, and water were created, then the sky was created when he placed a skin between waters and waters, then the waters gathered under the skin that was called the sky, so the land was formed and the grass and herbs grew, then the sun, moon, and stars were created above the …

Investing The English Academic Writing Lesson For Developing College Of Languages Graduates Employability, Farah Muayad Issa

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

Employment and employability requirements are currently a substantial concern for many Iraqi and international institutions and universities due to their vital role in empowering and enhancing graduates' opportunities of obtaining a job that suits their specializations and mends the gap between job applicants and employers. Most Iraqi universities and institutions lack a supportive mechanism that provides employment skills, requirements, and training courses to empower an eligible applicant. This study invests academic writing lesson to qualify (110) students from the English department who participated in a one-month training course aimed at raising awareness of the importance of understanding and mastering employability …

The Effect Of A Proposed Strategy For Teaching Sociology In Developing High-Order Thinking Among Fourth-Grade Literary Students, Basheer Abdul-Kadhim Mohsen, Saad Ali Zair

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The problem of the current research is summarized in the usual method adopted in most educational institutions (preparatory and secondary schools), which is limited to dictation, memorization and indoctrination and does not take into account individual differences between students, which leads to students not interacting with the material. Therefore, the objectives of the current research are determined by identifying the name (The effect of a proposed strategy for teaching sociology in developing high-level thinking among fourth-grade literary students). The research community represented the fourth-grade literary students, numbering (66 students), as the research sample. The researcher used the experimental design. Then …

Pictures Of The Interactive Model Of The Saying Of The Original Model, A Reading Of The Qur’Anic Representations, Tahrir Qasim Saadoun, Nima Dahsh Farhan

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The importance of this research comes in accordance with the research in cognitive psychology and cognitive linguistics related to the renewed concept, along with the work of Roche, which presented anthropological and mystical concepts that investigate the mystical constants that have a universal form. The concept of the saying in the theory of archetypes depends on the concept of mental image and referential connotation, to highlight the relationship between perception and language within the framework of experimental realism, which is the basic starting point in cognitive theory. The problem of the research appears from the possibility of considering the associative …

Perceived Social Exclusion Among Mothers Of Autistic Children, Rahim Hamli Maraj, Zainab Hussein Dawood Salman

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

Interaction with the environment is one of the basic pillars of the process of building civilization, as it represents the vital relationship between man and the surrounding nature. Investing in natural resources and harnessing them to serve society is what ensures the continuity and growth of civilizations. Hence, it becomes clear that any civilization cannot be built in isolation from the environment, as it is the incubator that provides man with raw materials, and it is also the field in which he tests his abilities to innovate and develop.The ancient Egyptian civilization is a prominent example of how to interact …

Intergroup Bias Among University Students, Abdul Halim Rahim Ali, Hassan Hamid Abdul Obeidi

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The current research aimed to measure intergroup bias among university students, according to the variables of gender and nationality. The intergroup bias scale was prepared according to the social identity theory of (Henri Tajfel, 1982) and consisted of (29) paragraphs. The descriptive approach was employed. The research sample was selected using a simple equal random sample method, from (8) colleges distributed over (3) universities (Baghdad, Al-Qadisiyah, and Kirkuk). The scale was applied to the statistical analysis sample of (600) students. They extracted the psychometric properties of the scale from validity and reliability. The reliability of the scale reached (0.72) by …

Geographical Distribution Of Traffic Accident Deaths In Iraq For The 2023 Year, Abeer Falih Dheyeab Nasir

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The research aims to study the distribution of deaths in traffic accidents according to the governorates of Iraq for the year 2023 and their variation from one place to another and study their concentration, as the deaths were concentrated in Baghdad Governorate by (20.37%) of the total deaths in Iraq due to the population weight formed by the governorate as the capital and the increasing huge numbers of vehicles of various kinds, and the percentage of deaths in traffic accidents constituted (4.1) of the total public deaths in Iraq, and the study showed that the causal death rate reached (1.8), …

High Dietary Fiber Is Associated With Improved Outcomes In Patients With Melanoma And Sarcoma Treated With Immunotherapy Regardless Of Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis And Social Vulnerability, Brittany C Fields, Raymond S Traweek, Kai Jiang, Russell G Witt, Ashish Damania, Yi-Ju Chiang, Nadim Ajami, Elise Nassif-Haddad, Emily Z Keung, Manoj Chelvanambi, Xiaotao Zhang, Christine B Peterson, Jennifer A Wargo, Carrie R Daniel, Christina L Roland, Ashley M Holder

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Social vulnerability, dietary fiber, and the gut microbiome have been individually implicated in clinical outcomes for melanoma and sarcoma patients. This study hypothesized that increasing social vulnerability is associated with insufficient dietary fiber intake and negatively associated with microbiome composition and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Clinicopathologic data, baseline fiber intake, and gut microbiome profiles were assessed in 153 patients with melanoma or sarcoma treated with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and prospectively followed. Patients' social vulnerability index (SVI) and fiber intake were evaluated for associations with microbiome composition, treatment response, and overall survival (OS).

Results: SVI percentile was 0.4 (interquartile ratio …

Radiation Doses To Cardiac Substructures Predict Elevation In High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T Levels In Radiation Therapy For Lung Cancer, Xinru Chen, Xiaodong Zhang, Ting Xu, Radhe Mohan, Ruitao Lin, Mei Chen, Rachel C Maguire, Yao Zhao, Efstratios Koutroumpakis, Nicolas L Palaskas, Anita Deswal, Ali Ajdari, Joshua S Niedzielski, Sanjay S Shete, Laurence E Court, Jinzhong Yang, Zhongxing Liao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Cardiotoxicity is a major concern for patients undergoing thoracic radiation therapy. This study compared the predictive power of radiation dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and radiomic/dosiomic features of the whole heart (WH) and cardiac substructures for elevated circulating high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), a biomarker for early detection of cardiac adverse events.

Methods and materials: A retrospective cohort of 160 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from a completed prospective trial and a prospective cohort of 57 patients with NSCLC enrolled in an ongoing trial were analyzed. The endpoint was hs-cTnT elevation, indicated by an increase of ≥5 ng/L …

Termination Of Conceptual Search: A Structural Account Of Meaning Stabilization And Conversion, Griselda Poe

Publications and Research

Conceptual definitions form a recursive structure: words are defined by other words, which themselves require further definition. Traversing such definitions produces an open-ended branching process. Because the lexical system contains no intrinsic endpoint, conceptual understanding requires a termination operation that stabilizes meaning. This paper proposes that conceptual processing functions as an open-ended search over a definition graph and that stabilization occurs when this search is terminated. The termination mechanism depends on which cognitive layer is foregrounded. When Empathic modulation is foregrounded, termination occurs through contextual translation: concepts are stabilized once they can be mapped onto socially recognizable meanings. When Core …

Why General Ai Inherited The Body: A Structural Account Of Embodied Modulation Under Monolithic Imitation, Griselda Poe

Publications and Research

General AI has pursued the replication of human-level intelligence without first decomposing human cognition into structurally distinct components. Human cognition, however, is shaped by embodied constraints such as mortality, survival pressures, finite lifespan, and physiological states. This paper argues that when cognition is treated as a single undifferentiated whole, embodied modulation is not accidentally introduced into AI systems but structurally entailed. Any attempt to imitate “human intelligence” under a monolithic model necessarily incorporates variability shaped by mortal embodiment. The tensions observed in contemporary AI systems are better understood as consequences of copying an undecomposed target rather than isolated implementation errors. …

Wasting The Risk, Or Risking The Waste? Understanding The Trends Of Critical Raw Material Loss Into Waste Streams During Copper And Aluminium Processing, Ella Lausberg, Joël Brugger, Rahul Ram, John R. Owen, Deanna Kemp, Micheal S. Moats, Jonathan Hamisi, Vanessa N.L. Wong

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many critical raw materials (CRM) necessary in the transition to carbon-neutral energy reside in the waste streams of mining projects, as they are by-products and often not recovered alongside the primary metal. This work aims to document (i) the loss and potential recovery of by-product metals during the host commodity processing and (ii) the consequences of non-recovery, via a multi-scale risk–reward analysis. The information on the deportment of by-product metals through processing circuits is crucial for treating them as a resource, without which they risk near-permanent loss when treated as 'waste'. We review the deportment of tellurium and selenium as …

Characterisation Of Pouch Secretions From Breeding Tasmanian Devils, Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, Emma Peel, Angéla Juhász, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Katherine Belov, Michelle L. Colgrave, Carolyn J. Hogg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), like all marsupials, give birth to altricial young. Here we employ proteomic analysis to identify components of devil pouch secretions that may contribute to offspring survival and development. Proteins were extracted from five samples and analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Peptide-level evidence revealed proteins involved in a diverse set of immune pathways, including those mediating iron-ion transport, defence responses to bacteria, innate immune responses, and antigen processing. A core set of 200 proteins was identified across at least three samples, 63 of which were associated with antimicrobial or immunoregulatory functions. These included immunoglobulins, components of …

Speleoco: An Open, Low-Cost Arduino Co₂ Datalogger For Cave Microclimate Monitoring, Christos Pennos, Dimitrios Christaras

International Journal of Speleology

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) dynamics in caves are critical for karst processes, speleothem growth and dissolution, microclimate regulation, and caver safety. In cave atmospheres, CO₂ commonly derives from soil respiration, epikarst degassing, microbial activity, and, in tectonically active regions, deep-seated fault-related emissions. Fault-related CO₂ degassing may also track tectonic activity. However, continuous monitoring remains limited due to the cost and inflexibility of commercial instruments. Here we present an open-source, low-cost Arduino-based CO₂ datalogger designed for cave applications. The logger integrates a COZIR NDIR CO₂ sensor, a DS1337 real-time clock, microSD storage, and power-gating for extended deployment in humid environments. Firmware and …

Cemented Femoral Fixation In A High-Risk Periprosthetic Fracture Cohort – A Case Series, John Spak, Philip C. Aurigemma, Yaser C. Rahim

The Lahey Journal

Introduction:
Periprosthetic femur fractures (PPFx) are a major cause of early revision after total hip arthroplasty (THA), accounting for nearly 20% of early failures. Cementless fixation, though widely used, has been associated with an increased risk of early PPFx, particularly in elderly or osteoporotic patients. Cemented femoral fixation may reduce this risk in high-risk populations.

Case Presentation:
We performed a retrospective review of 430 consecutive primary THAs conducted between July 2022 and July 2025 at a single institution. Cementless fixation was used in 390 patients and cemented fixation in 40 high-risk patients (mean age 81.7 vs. 65.9 years; BMI 24.5 …

Simulated Hearing Loss In Healthy Young And Older Adults Results In Poor Reaction Time In Older Adults., Victoria Kowalewski, Nicoleta Bugnariu, Rita M. Patterson, Jessica Hartos

Pacific Journal of Health

Emerging evidence links hearing loss to increased fall risk in older adults, yet mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the impact of simulated hearing loss on reactive balance control in healthy young and older adults. Participants performed dual-task scenario involving auditory sentence repetition and unexpected surface translations. Hearing loss was simulated using Adobe Audition, applying frequency-specific attenuation based on moderate sensorineural hearing loss levels from the literature.

Speech-in-noise performance significantly declined under simulated hearing loss for both age groups (p < .001), confirming effective simulation, but not significant differences were found between age groups. Maximum COP-COM displacement (the scalar distance between Center of Pressure and Center of Mass) increased with perturbation intensity (Level 1 vs. Level 2: p < .001), but no significant differences were found between hearing conditions or age groups (p > .05), suggesting compensatory step execution was preserved.

Reaction time analysis revealed a significant interaction between hearing condition and perturbation level …

Decision-Making At The Edges Of Capacity: Brain Science And Caregiving, Dr. Julie Yonker

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Keynote address at the Disabilities Resources Symposium at City Hope Church in Grand Rapids on 3/14/2026. Attached is her powerpoint.

• Describe why our brains don’t like decisions
• Understand the impact of different types of decisions
• Value suggestions for more sustained decision making
• Consider a faith perspective

Vascular Contribution To Cognitive Impairment And Dementia (Vcid): Proceedings Of 2025 Workshop Of The Jackson Laboratory., Mehwish Anwer, Tetiana Poliakova, Ricardo D'Oliveira Albanus, Mohammad Iqbal H Bhuiyan, Adam M Brickman, Soumilee Chaudhuri, Leah Cuddy, Maxwell Eisenbaum, Kate Foley, Douglas B Gould, Catherine Hall, Costantino Iadecola, Olivia J Marola, Christopher M Norris, Alaina M Reagan, Julie Schneider, Donna Wilcock, Isabella Xu, Andrew Yang, Gareth R Howell, Cheryl L Wellington

Faculty Research 2026

The first Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID) Workshop, held on May12-16, 2025 at The Jackson Laboratory, provided scientific content and career development training in the latest developments in VCID and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD). The Workshop aimed to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and empower the next generation of diverse scientists to advance ADRD research from mechanism to intervention. The meeting placed a strong emphasis on neurovascular pathology, its central role in ADRD pathogenesis, its modulation by both central and peripheral factors, and the critical need to dissect the mechanistic basis of VCID through experimental models. …

Vascular Contribution To Cognitive Impairment And Dementia (Vcid): Proceedings Of 2025 Workshop Of The Jackson Laboratory., Mehwish Anwer, Tetiana Poliakova, Ricardo D'Oliveira Albanus, Mohammad Iqbal H Bhuiyan, Adam M Brickman, Soumilee Chaudhuri, Leah Cuddy, Maxwell Eisenbaum, Kate Foley, Douglas B Gould, Catherine Hall, Costantino Iadecola, Olivia J Marola, Christopher M Norris, Alaina M Reagan, Julie Schneider, Donna Wilcock, Isabella Xu, Andrew Yang, Gareth R Howell, Cheryl L Wellington

Faculty Research 2026

The first Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID) Workshop, held on May12-16, 2025 at The Jackson Laboratory, provided scientific content and career development training in the latest developments in VCID and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD). The Workshop aimed to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and empower the next generation of diverse scientists to advance ADRD research from mechanism to intervention. The meeting placed a strong emphasis on neurovascular pathology, its central role in ADRD pathogenesis, its modulation by both central and peripheral factors, and the critical need to dissect the mechanistic basis of VCID through experimental models. …

From Classroom To Leadership: Anchoring My Leadership In Literacy, Character, And Equity, Amanda Patty-Ingram

Dissertations

My leadership journey as an urban educator has evolved through multiple roles—beginning as a classroom teacher, growing into an academic instructional coach, and now serving as an assistant principal. Across these roles, three values have consistently guided how I lead: literacy, character education, and equity. These are not separate initiatives—they are the foundation of my decisions, relationships, and instructional leadership.

Over time, I have come to understand that effective literacy leadership must be grounded in both character education and equity. Yet in practice, these values are often treated as disconnected: literacy becomes test prep, character becomes behavior compliance, and equity …

Advancements In Extracellular Vesicle Research, Lucia R. Languino

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The AAEV (American Association of Extracellular Vesicles) Annual Meeting at the John P. McGovern Commons in Houston, TX convened over 300 leading re- searchers, clinicians, and industry experts from around the world to advance the rapidly evolving field of extracellular vesicle (EV) science. EVs, nanoscale lipid- bound particles released by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, trans- porting proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that influence a wide spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. Their involvement in immune modulation, tissue regeneration, cancer progression, metabolic regulation, and other complex biological functions positions EVs as promising …

Knee Arthroscopy Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging In The Diagnosis Of Acl Injury – A Comparative Study, Hussein Habeeb Mhawesh, Ayoub Yosif Hamdan, Ahmed Khalaf Hamad, Alseddiq Oday Latof

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Accurate diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is critical for selecting appropriate treatment strategies and preventing long-term knee dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, while arthroscopy remains the gold standard. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRI against arthroscopic findings in ACL injuries and to assess its current performance in clinical settings for the years 2024–2025. Methods: A total of 40 patients (31 males, 77%; 9 females, 23%) aged 20–50 years (median age 35 years) who presented with suspected ACL injury were enrolled. All patients underwent MRI …

Childhood Cancer In Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq: Trend Analysis From 2020 To 2023, Sahar Hassan, Hasan Alwan Baiee, Faten Ali Abd-Alzahra Albarki, Rajaa Ali Moheiseen Al-Taee, Mustafa Muqdad

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The lack of comprehensive cancer registries and underreporting of cases may further complicate efforts to assess disease patterns and implement effective control measures. Objectives: This study aims to analyze cancer trends in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq from 2020 to 2023, addressing gaps in local data and providing insights that could inform future healthcare strategies and resource allocations. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Middle Euphrates Oncology Center and the Statistics Department for Cancer Research at Al-Najaf General Health Directorate. The study included children younger than 18 with histologically and hematologically verified cancer from January 2020 …

Prevalence Of Sensory Neural Hearing Loss In A Sample Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Erbil City, Hazha Othman Kanabi, Karwan Hawez Sulaiman Dzayii

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Globally, the prevalence of T2DM has risen dramatically, becoming a significant public health concern due to its various complications. The diabetic patients may have a higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) compared to the non-diabetic population. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of SNHL among diabetic patients in clinical settings in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with a comparative group was designed for the current healthy and type II diabetic patients. The study was conducted at Galiawa Diabetes Center and Rzgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil city (October 2024 - October …

Validity And Reliability Of A Survey Questionnaire Assessing Pharmacists' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices About Potential Drug Interactions Among Cancer Patients, Amat Aljabar Faisal Abbas, Ali Mohammed Abd Alridha

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Cancer patients often undergo complicated treatment plans that involve numerous medications throughout therapy. Pharmacists' knowledge about the potential drug interactions in cancer patients and their practices is essential to reduce avoidable drug-related problems and increase the efficacy and compliance of chemotherapy. A validated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire regarding pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to potential drug interactions among cancer patients isn't available. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess pharmacists' knowledge of possible medication interactions with cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among …

Stromal Vascular Fraction And Plasma-Jet: A Synergistic Approach To Enhance Acne Scar Treatment Outcomes, Pary Mohammed Ali, Jalal Hamasalih Fattah

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Acne scars represent a significant dermatological concern, manifesting as marks and indentations on the skin surface following severe or prolonged acne. Both Plasma-Jet and Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) have been used in a synergistic approach to treat moderate to very severe types of acne scars. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining SVF and Plasma-Jet in the management of acne scars. Materials and Methods: This prospective single-arm clinical trial was conducted from September 2024 to September 2025 at Rizgary Teaching Hospital and Zheen International Hospital in Erbil, Iraq. Twenty patients aged …

Age Of Menopause Among Women In Mosul City, Iraq, Omaima A. Zubair

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Low women's awareness of their health during the menopausal period is creating a global hidden problem that affects women's quality of life and their related families and communities. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find changes in the menopausal age after wartime conflict and assess women's knowledge of their health during this critical period. A mixed-method design was adopted. A mixed approach of a multistage cross-sectional study with a sample of 382 women aged ≥ 60 years attending primary health care centers in Mosul, Iraq, was included, supported by private in-depth qualitative interviews with 14 women. Proper …

Hba1c, C-Peptide, And Other Biochemical Indicators In The Management Of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review, Israa M.Ali Alameen, Sumayah Mahmood Rafid, Baqer K. Hothefa, Farah Ali Hameed

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

The number of children and adolescents who are suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in Iraq is continuously increasing. Nutritional management and biochemical markers play a major role in controlling the disease. Several criteria are essential for assessing glycemic control and the course of the disease. Methods: This review examined published Iraqi research addressing two topics that have a direct effect on type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): nutritional aspects (carbohydrate counting and dietary education) and biochemical markers (HbA1c and C-peptide). The findings were compared with those of other international studies. Results: Iraqi studies consistently recorded higher HbA1c levels and …