Digital Commons Network^™

01.01.12. Blue-Winged Teal, Spatula Discors, Z. B. Holmes, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

The expansive breeding range of Blue-Winged Teal stretches from the Canadian Arctic to northern Texas while, in the eastern United States, their non-breeding winter range extends from Florida and continues south throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. In the United States, the highest winter densities occur in southern Texas and peninsular Florida in early January, but teal are present in Florida throughout the year.

01.01.17. Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes Cucullatus, B. H. Anderson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

“Hoodie” is not only a nickname given to a hooded sweatshirt, but to the exquisitely patterned Hooded Merganser by hunters and birders, alike. Mainly piscivores, mergansers differ from most other ducks by having a long, rather narrow bill, serrated along the edges to firmly secure the prey they capture while diving.

01.01.14. Mallard Hybrids, K. M. Mcbride, A. Auger, A. T. Fanning, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

The Mallard complex of ducks is a suite of 14 closely related species found throughout the world whose genetics are just beginning to be understood. Within the complex, the wild-type mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is the sole ancestor to most domesticated ducks.

01.01.15. Mottled Duck, Anas Fulvigula, K. M. Mcbride, A. Auger, A. T. Fanning, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

The Mottled Duck, a southern relative of the American Black Duck and the Mallard, inhabits peninsular Florida and coastal marshes along the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama west and south to Tampico, Mexico. Established populations also exist in South Carolina and Georgia because of introductions.

01.01.09. Muscovy Duck, Cairina Moschata, M. J. Walters, S. K. Robinson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Of the roughly 100 bird species introduced to Florida over the years, 14 are considered established species, including the Muscovy Duck. The native range of this large, bulky duck species includes Central and South America, Mexico, and the southernmost regions of Texas.

01.01.10. Wood Duck, Aix Sponsa, Z. B. Holmes, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

01.01. <em>Anatidae</em> - Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

In the early 1900s, wood ducks were threatened with extinction due to overhunting and loss of habitat, however, protections beginning in 1918 with the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act coupled with management plans saved this species from extinction. Wood Ducks breed throughout the United States and into southern Canada, predominantly following freshwater sources bordered by shrubby or forested swamps.

Growing A Partnership: Developing Inclusive Educator Preparation Programs, Leigh Ann Prugh, Sara Kersten-Parrish, Deborah Kuchey, Lisa M. Shoaf, Kathleen G. Winterman

2026 Faculty Bibliography

This paper describes a collaborative initiative between Xavier University and John Carroll University to develop an innovative dual licensure program in Primary Education and Special Education. Critical teacher shortages now impacts Ohio, this cross-institutional partnership leverages each university’s strengths: Xavier’s expertise in Special Education and John Carroll’s foundation in Primary Education. The partnership is rooted in the principles of Ignatian spirituality, promoting social justice by responding to the pressing need for inclusive, equity-focused teacher preparation programs. Through coordinated curriculum redesign, joint field placements, and administrative alignment, the institutions developed a sustainable model for inclusive educator preparation. A structured advisory board, …

A Field Test Of The Role Of Biofluorescence In Territorial Salamanders, Kasey Watterson, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Carl Anthony

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Biofluorescence is recognized as an important form of visual communication, yet its function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence of the postcloacal gland is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males. Because fluorescence can be displayed during territorial contests, we hypothesized that fluorescence in male P. cinereus would be positively related to resource holding potential (RHP) of territorial residents in the field. To test this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between fluorescence and two separate variables: body condition (as a proxy for RHP) and territory quality (the expected payoff from …

The Red Hands Of Ulster, Philip Metres

2026 Faculty Bibliography

No abstract provided.

Interfaith Transposed: Interfaithlessness In The Age Of Religious Exit, Kristen Tobey

2026 Faculty Bibliography

This article examines so-called interfaithless initiatives in the United States, in which exes from different high-demand religious groups participate together as they navigate the difficult process of religious exit. Sustained attention is focused on an Interfaithless Beach Party held regularly between 2014 and 2022. I argue that associating interfaithlessness with interfaith becomes legible by thinking of interfaithlessness not as peripheral to but rather as a transposition of interfaith. Indeed, these are examples of interfaith encounter at its best, showing not just proximity between exes from different religions, but meaningful interreligious exchange that complicates assumptions about the growing nonreligious population in …

The Hierarchy Of Humanization: A Theory Of Victim Visibility In News Narratives, Maurice Emelu, Chika Nwugo, Regina Tuma, Sean Sims, Mariah Moulds, Elijah Williams, Felipe Covarrubias

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Journalism frames events and distributes human recognition in public discourse, yet little is known about how narrative attention is allocated among individuals within the same event. This study introduces Victim Visibility Theory (VVT), conceptualizing news stories as systems of narrative allocation in which victims receive unequal levels of humanization. Drawing on a content analysis of 433 articles from four U.S. elite newspapers covering 52 victims across four mass shootings, it examines how identity cues, symbolic capital, and structural narrative prominence shape representation. The findings show that humanization is allocated at two levels: first between events, where whole tragedies are humanized …

Exploratory Data Analysis On Stress In America: The Impact Of Health, Age, And Employment, Liv E. Bookhammer, Olivia Turkal, Rebecca Fang

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Over the past few decades, stress levels in America have increased significantly. This study explores the relationship between stress and key demographic and health-related variables using the 2018 Stress in America survey data. The research aims to examine how age, employment status, physical health, mental health, and mental health treatment influence average stress levels in the U.S. Previous studies have highlighted that younger adults, particularly those aged 18-34, experience higher levels of stress, while individuals with employment tend to report greater stress than those without. Furthermore, stress is known to be linked to physical and mental health, with severe stress …

Ben-Porath Dd, Mekhel V, Mekhel R, Ghanem M, Akouri C, Yost Jh. A Cross-Temporal Comparison Of Depression Stigma Among College Students: Gen X Versus Gen Z. J Am Coll Health. 2026, Denise Ben-Porath, Veronica Mekhel, Rebecca Mekhel, Mohammed Ghanem, Celine Akouri, John H. Yost

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether undergraduate students today (i.e., Gen Z; born: 1997–2012), exhibited the same level of mental health related stigma when compared with college students, studied approximately two decades ago (i.e., Gen X [born 1965–1980]).

Participants: 379 undergraduate students from a private midwestern university participated in the experiment.

Method: Participants were randomly assigned to read one of four vignettes about a fictitious student, “Tom” who either (a) was depressed and sought treatment, (b) was depressed and did not seek treatment, (c) suffered a back injury and sought treatment, or (d) suffered a back …

Comprehensive Psychometric Evaluation Of The Child/Adult And Family Quality Of Life Scale : Third Edition, Thomas Frazier, Nissa Van Etten, Richard M. Kubina Jr, Ben Knaebel, Allison Frazier, Yagnesh Vadgama, Lacey Chetcuti, Mirko Uljarevic

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Purpose Quality of life (QoL) has become a key concept for understanding the impact of neurodevelopmental conditions and for monitoring intervention progress. Existing QoL measures often focus on health-related QoL in neurotypical populations or were developed specifically for autism. The CFQL was designed to bridge this gap. The present study describes evaluation of the second revision of the CFQL - the CFQL-3/AFQL-3.

Methods Psychometric evaluation was conducted in two samples: a large validation sample and a clinical intervention sample.

Results Results indicated a clear factor structure, measurement invariance across demographic and clinical factors, good scale and conditional reliability, adequate or …

Your Wellness Wheel [Activity], Alyssa Lemmermann, Kendra Lewis

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

05.01.03. Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus Minor, B. H. Anderson, Ann Hodgson, Florida Ornithological Society

05.01. <em>Cuculidae</em> - Cuckoos

One of those “Florida specialties” that draws out-of-state birders to the Sunshine State, the Mangrove Cuckoo breeds regularly nowhere else on the mainland U. S. and adjacent barrier islands.

Optimization Of Roasting Conditions Of Salak Seed As Coffee Substitute And Its Physicochemical Properties, Aqilah Basir, Siti Roha Ab Mutalib, Wan Saidatul Syida Wan Kamarudin, Syed Abdul Illah Alyahya, Junaidah Mat Jusoh, Adi Md Sikin

Baghdad Science Journal

The growing attention towards utilizing salak seeds as a substitute for coffee has increased due to the presence of caffeine and its health-enhancing properties. The present study aimed to determine the optimum roasting conditions for salak seed coffee (SSC) with high total phenolic content (TPC) and desirable lightness (L*) using response surface methodology (RSM). Regular SSC was produced at optimal roasting temperature and time of 189.36 °C and 39.54 min, respectively. An instant SSC was produced by hot water extraction at 90∘C of regular SSC, followed by freeze drying. Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of regular and instant …

Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Leaf Extract-Mediated Green Synthesis Of Tio2 Nanoparticles And Their Optical Characteristics, Nofrijon Sofyan, Andriayani, Yetria Rilda, Fiona Angellinnov, Mouna M'Rad, Muhammad, Aga Ridhova, Akhmad Herman Yuwono, Donanta Dhaneswara

Baghdad Science Journal

This work aims to explore the characteristics of TiO2 NPs green-synthesized via an environmentally friendly method using oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf extract as a green medium and capping agent by utilizing titanium tetra isopropoxide (TTIP) as precursor. The oil palm leaves were extracted with different solvent concentration variations. The natural extract was characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) and infrared spectroscopy for active chemical contents and functional groups. The obtained TiO2 NPs were also characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the functional groups, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-DRS) for the optical characteristics, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the phase …

Hematite/Nio/Graphene Composites: Enhancing Humidity Energy Harvesting Through Temperature Variations, Nurul Syafiqah Mohamed Mustakim, Dayana Kamaruzaman, Norfarariyanti Parimon, Mohd Khairul Ahmad, Suriani Abu Bakar, Mohamad Hafiz Mamat

Baghdad Science Journal

Harvesting energy from humidity is a new approach that has emerged as a potential renewable energy source. However, there are drawbacks to current humidity-based energy-harvesting technologies, such as the absence of a long-term conversion mechanism in hygroscopic materials. In this study, we developed hematite/nickel oxide/graphene (hematite/NiO/Gr) on a cellulose-based substrate as the hygroscopic material for humidity-to-energy applications. We successfully synthesized a novel hematite/NiO/Gr composite using a cost-effective sonicated solution immersion method at different synthesis temperatures. Results indicated that the prepared hygroscopic material is hydrophilic, with a water contact angle of 67.83°. The fabricated humidity-to-energy device utilizing these hygroscopic materials yielded …

Effect Of Ba2+ Substitution At A-Site On Structural, Electrical, And Magnetic Properties Of Sm0.5Ca0.5Mno3 Perovskite Manganite, Nuraina Hanum Abdulruhim, Rozilah Rajmi, Muhammad Zulharmi Taqzim Kamaruzzaman, Norazila Ibrahim

Baghdad Science Journal

Mixed-valence perovskite manganites have attracted considerable attention due to their intriguing properties, such as colossal magnetoresistance and charge ordering (CO). In this study, Sm_0.5Ca_0.5-xBa_xMnO₃ (x = 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40) manganites were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction method to investigate the effect of Ba²⁺ substitution on their structural, magnetic, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that all samples were single-phase and crystallized in an orthorhombic structure with a Pnma space group. Rietveld refinement indicated an increase in unit cell volume with increasing Ba²⁺ concentration, suggesting the successful …

Cross-Domain Antimicrobial Resistance In Poultry Farming: A One Health Assessment Of Antimicrobial Use And Multidrug Resistance In Kiambu County, Kenya, Ann Kangai Munene, Peter Muiruri Mwangi, Lilly Caroline Bebora, Christine Minoo Mbindyo, John Muthini Maingi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major One Health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in humans, animals, and the environment. Poultry production is recognized as a key reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, yet few studies in Kenya examine AMU and AMR across interconnected human–animal–environment domains. This study assessed AMU patterns among poultry farmers in Kiambu County and characterized phenotypic resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from humans, chickens, and chicken environments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2024, involving 102 poultry farms. Farm demographics and AMU data …

Mapping Robusta Coffee (Coffea Canephora) Cropping Systems In Uganda: A Two-Step Pixel And Sub-Pixel Based Approach With Sentinel-2 Data, Getachew Kebede, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Onisimo Mutanga, Tobias Landmann, John Odindi, Natacha Motisi, Fabrice Pinard, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Coffee is a highly valued commodity and a widely consumed beverage, playing an important role in global trade. However, coffee farming landscapes are increasing transitioning into smaller-scale agricultural setups. This transformation highlights the critical need for accurate classification and mapping of coffee cropping systems (CS), especially in countries like Uganda, where dense vegetation and complex terrain present substantial challenges to traditional land survey methods. Moreover, understanding the spatial distribution of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) CS is essential for developing site-specific management strategies, guiding extension services, and informing evidence-based policy decisions. To address this gap, the present study aimed to enhance …

Smallholder Farmers' Willingness To Pay For The Farmbetter Mobile App-Based Agricultural Extension: Evidence From A Bdm Experiment In Tanzania And Burkina Faso, Cool Dady Mangole, Kelvin Mulungu, Christian Kamala Kaghoma, Maurice Tschopp, Menale Kassie

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Financial contributions from farmers are increasingly acknowledged as a sustainable mechanism for funding extension services. However, the literature on willingness to pay (WTP) for digital agricultural extension is limited. Conducting a thorough assessment of WTP for digital extension is critical for designing effective pricing policies and ensuring financial sustainability. This study examines the WTP for a novel digital extension platform named farmbetter, leveraging primary data collected in Tanzania and Burkina Faso. The Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) experiment was used to elicit the amount farmers are willing to pay. We applied the Lasso machine learning to predict the relevant drivers of WTP and …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Mosquito Arboviral Infections Detected Through Xenosurveillance In Africa: A Focus On West Nile, Rift Valley Fever, And Chikungunya Virus Infections, Mxolisi Mgongoma, Armanda Bastos, Abel Ramoelo, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This systematic review and meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the mosquito arboviral infections with West Nile virus (WNV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and chikungunya virus (CHIV), detected through xenosurveillance, reported in mosquito vectors across Africa in the last 25 years (2000–2024). The study analysed xenosurveillance data from 45 studies conducted with over 115,000 mosquito specimens, and incorporated moderator analyses to assess the influence of trap type, seasonality, regional location, settlement type, and screening methods on virus detection rates. The estimated pooled prevalence of WNV was 1.18% (95% CI: 0.60–3.43%), with higher rates observed in Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens, particularly in …

Optimal Control Analysis Of Malaria Transmission In The Presence Of Insecticide Resistance And Climate Variability In Kenya, Lorna Chepkemoi, Titus Okello Orwa, Samuel Mwalili, Rachel Waema Mbogo, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Daisy Salifu, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Malaria remains a major public health concern in Kenya, where changing climatic conditions, insecticide resistance, and mosquito behavioral adaptations continue to challenge control efforts. This study develops and analyzes a climate-sensitive malaria transmission model that incorporates mosquito behavior, insecticide resistance, and vector–human ecological dynamics to identify optimal control strategies for the Kenyan context. The model’s well-posedness was established, the basic reproduction number (R0) computed using the next-generation matrix method, and the stability of equilibrium points assessed. Spatial analysis of R0 was performed using temperature and rainfall raster data to map transmission risk across Kenya under varying insecticide use scenarios. Results …

Editorial: Sustainable Management Of Tuta Absoluta, Ahmad A. Omar, Inusa Jacob Ajene, Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), remains one of the most devastating global threats to tomato production. Its rapid invasion across continents, exceptional reproductive potential, cryptic foliar-mining behavior, and accelerated evolution of insecticide resistance have significantly complicated management efforts. The persistent failure of conventional chemical strategies underscores an urgent need for integrated solutions that combine molecular innovation, ecological engineering, and rigorous resistance monitoring. This editorial synthesizes key insights from recent contributions by Ullah et al., Bavithra et al., and Adams et al., which collectively outline a transformative, multi-dimensional framework for sustainable T. absoluta suppression.

Life Cycle Assessment Of Marine Composite Recreational Craft Manufacturing And Operations, Badr Moutik

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Marine composite recreational craft are growing in number. Sectoral roadmaps for sustainable development are increasing pressure to demonstrate life cycle environmental performance. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been identified as a key strategic decision support tool. However, current practice is undermined by sparse, non-representative data and methodological inconsistencies. These weaknesses increase the risk of biased or misleading interpretation, constrain wider uptake of LCA, and limit the sector’s ability to respond credibly to tightening environmental sustainability expectations. This thesis assesses the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of a market-representative glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) motor yacht across 16 impact categories. The research builds on …

Modelling And Optimisation Of Dynamic Power Cable Configurations For Floating Offshore Renewable Energy, Anna Holcombe

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Floating offshore renewable energy requires dynamic power cables to transmit generated electricity from the floating device to the seabed, or to an adjacent device, so that it can be exported to shore. Dynamic power cables are connected at the top end to a floating device, and traverse the water column, subjected to loading at the hang-off, and direct hydrodynamic loading from waves and currents. Their reliability has been a concern within industry and research, particularly due to historically high failure rates of static subsea cables. It is essential that design and analysis of dynamic power cables is accurate, to mitigate …

Staphylococcus Aureus Strain Heterogeneity Modulates Virulence Traits Associated To Dual-Species Biofilms With Candida Albicans, Laure Nicolas Annick Ries, Beata Adrienn Brezniczky, Binduja Srelatha Pradeep, Esther Olabamiji, Lee Hutt, Glenn M. Harper, Alexander Strachan, Gyorgy Fejer

School of Biomedical Sciences

Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal Gram-positive bacterium and opportunistic pathogen that exhibits substantial variation in antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits. S. aureus is frequently co-isolated with the fungus Candida albicans, and together they represent the most common microorganisms recovered from biofilm-associated infections originating from both biotic and abiotic surfaces. Despite this clinical relevance, the impact of bacterial intra-species variation on interkingdom interactions remains poorly understood. This study therefore investigated how S. aureus strain heterogeneity influences C. albicans within dual-species biofilms. The majority of the 60 S. aureus strains tested suppressed fungal growth in a contact-dependent manner across different nutrient conditions …

Making The Implicit Explicit: Leadership In Primary Care Dental Practice, Sally Hanks, Debby R.E. Cotton

Peninsula Dental School

Objectives: This paper reports on research aimed at understanding leadership activities in primary care dental practice, an under-explored area within the extant literature. Methods: The research employed a qualitative, exploratory paradigm, using Video Reflexive Ethnography (VRE) and Activity Theory (AT) to capture the lived experiences of seven participating dentists. Results: The research outlines the ways in which dentists demonstrate leadership skills in their daily work, identifying three interacting activity systems that define leadership in this setting: Patient Care (PC), Running the Surgery (RS), and Running the Practice (RP). Findings emphasise that leadership is directly related to patient care and is …