Digital Commons Network^™

The Future Of Journalism At Unh: A Brand New Major, Ben Hickey

Digital Edition

No abstract provided.

Saudi Early Childhood Teacher Educators’ And Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives Of Early Field Experiences, Amani M. Alodwani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study explores how teacher educators perceive the integration of field experiences within the curriculum and their perspectives on the preservice early childhood education (ECE) teachers they supervise. It also examines preservice teachers’ views regarding their field experiences and how these experiences contribute to their professional preparation. The Ministry of Education (MOE) emphasizes that teacher preparation programs should provide extended field experiences that connect theoretical coursework with practical application. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three Saudi teacher educators and four preservice teachers from Kingdom University. Thematic analysis using inductive coding was employed to identify recurring themes and differences …

Sound Practices In Human Resources: A Critical Analysis Of How Ai Applicant Screening Tools Are Used With Deaf Individuals In The Hospitality And Tourism Sector, Sherry L. Gaynor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the intersection of Career and Workforce Education, Deaf Education, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies used in hiring practices. The purpose of this research is to identify potential barriers to equitable employment for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals and to propose effective methods for evaluating and assessing AI and machine learning applications utilized in recruitment and selection processes. Although AI is increasingly embedded in human resource management (HRM), there remains a significant lack of research addressing its use with special populations. In particular, no prior studies have examined how voice recognition software, facial analysis, psychometric testing, and virtual …

Statistical Challenges And Simulation Results For Pilot Clinical Trials, Weiliang Cen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: The effect size estimated from a pilot trial is often an inaccurate reflection of the true effect size observed in a large trial, leading to either underestimation or overestimation. Published data suggest that effect sizes from large trials are typically smaller than those reported in their corresponding pilot trials. To address this discrepancy, conservative or discount adjustment methods are widely recommended to modify pilot trial effect sizes when calculating sample sizes, thereby maintaining adequate statistical power. This study aims to assess effect sizes from both pilot and large trials and to evaluate the performance of existing adjustment methods.

Methods: …

From The Editors, Rully Karim Dr.

Journal of Project Management & Construction

The Journal of Project Management and Construction (JPMC) is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the field of project management and construction, grounded in the principles outlined in the PMBOK 6th Edition. Our focus encompasses the ten knowledge areas essential to successful project management: Integration, Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Resource, Communications, Risk, Procurement, and Stakeholder Management.

JPMC publishes original research papers written in English that provide deeper insights into these knowledge areas and contribute to the development of best practices in project management and construction. Submissions may include theoretical analyses, computational models, experimental observations, or a combination of both theoretical …

Critical Success Factors Of Lean Construction Implementation To Improve Construction Project Efficiency In Indonesia, Onal Putra, Rossy Armyn Machfudiyanto

Journal of Project Management & Construction

Inefficiency is still a problem in the construction industry in Indonesia and in the world. Inefficiency leads to delayed deadlines, budget overruns, and inappropriate quality. It is caused by a lot of waste in the form of activities that use resources but do not produce the expected value. Lean construction is one approach to address this problem by eliminating waste and maximizing value for users or customers. This research aims to identify and determine the critical success factors that most influence the implementation of lean construction to improve the efficiency of construction projects in Indonesia as well as the development …

Development Of Knowledge Base Of Audit Process In High-Rise Building Works With Design-Build Contract Based On Iso 19011:2018 And Regulation Of The Minister Of Public Works And Housing No. 10 Of 2021, Zafira Alysha Fadli, Danang Budi Nugroho

Journal of Project Management & Construction

In achieving the long-term development goal of Advanced Indonesia, the Government continues to accelerate the completion of infrastructure development, such as strategic and priority projects that support economic transformation. Infrastructure development is still one of the main focuses of the Indonesian government, the 2024 state revenue and expenditure budget (APBN) is allocated to the infrastructure budget. The massive construction of high-rise buildings in Indonesia, the number of accidents is getting higher, so it is necessary to implement an audit process on construction work. The audit process is to know and monitor directly the procedures that have been applied optimally. Therefore, …

Dam Construction Project Planning: A Case Study Of Watershed Management In Poncol District, Fikrian Fajar Muhammad, Audy Christian Rayvano Kalalo

Journal of Project Management & Construction

Despite the rapid growth of infrastructure development in Indonesia, water resource management remains a major concern, especially in regions with high climate variability like Poncol District. This study aimed to identify and analyze the Watershed (DAS) in Poncol District, East Java, using a comprehensive approach integrating GIS technology and hydrology software. The Poncol watershed, covering 19,637 km², was mapped using DEMNAS maps and analyzed with flow direction and flow accumulation. Hydrological analysis via WinTR-20 included verification, sub-area identification, cross-sectional analysis, and storm analysis. Calibration results showed consistency between manual and digital methods, while land use analysis revealed significant impacts on …

Existing Precast Company Condition In Indonesia With Five Innovation Processes For Continuous Improvement, Ranti Hidayawanti, Vincent Gasperz

Journal of Project Management & Construction

It is revealed that Indonesia’s Innovation in 2021 is ranked 87th out of 132 countries based on the Global World Index. It is a two-place drop from 2020 where Indonesia was previously ranked 85th. The sectors that appear to have the lowest innovation scores are the business progress sector, human development and research, scientific output, and creative output. This innovation rank indicates that business people in general, including in the precast concrete business sector in Indonesia, have not made good innovations in working on and maximizing their market potential and result in the weak competitiveness of domestic companies with foreign …

Development Of Work Breakdown Structure (Wbs) Dictionary And Checklist Integrated With Building Information Modelling (Bim) On Concrete Bridge’S Care And Maintenance Work To Improve Maintenance Performance, Dina Benua Lalitya, Yusuf Latief

Journal of Project Management & Construction

According to The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing of Republic of Indonesia (Kementerian PUPR), there was a significant decrease in national bridge condition in year 2021 compared to year 2018. One of the crucial factors that led to the collapse of the bridge was the lack of bridge management and maintenance to ensure the bridge’s serviceability. To cope with this condition, the solution needed is to carry out effective, efficient, and economical care and maintenance works. In bridge’s care and maintenance works, good project management can be improved with Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and the use of integrated …

Semiconductors & Microelectronics In Middle School Technology & Engineering: Integrating Emerging Stem Workforce Contexts Into The Classroom, Greg J. Strimel, Deana Lucas, Yubin Lee, Victoria Constantine, Tamara J. Moore, Morgan Hynes, Selcen Guzey

School of Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This case study explores the integration of microelectronics contexts and content into middle school classrooms as part of a workforce development initiative intended to address national labor force needs arising from increased investments in the semiconductor industry. The study follows four middle school technology and engineering teachers as they develop, implement, and refine an instructional unit designed to introduce students to microelectronics production and semiconductor-related careers. Through classroom observations and iterative curriculum development, this exploratory case study reviewed how emerging STEM workforce contexts, such as semiconductors and microelectronics, can be integrated into middle school instruction. The results provide a practical …

Pathways And Challenges In The Clinical Translational Of Radiopharmaceuticals For Pediatric Investigations, Erik Stauff, Hanieh Karimi, Heidi H. Kecskemethy, Thomas H. Shaffer, Reza Vali, Lauren W. Averill, Xuyi Yue

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Radiopharmaceutical development and clinical translation face numerous scientific, ethical, and regulatory challenges, particularly within the pediatric population. Although molecular imaging holds significant promise for improving diagnosis and treatment across a spectrum of diseases, including pediatric-specific conditions like Kawasaki disease, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and neuroblastoma, the path from discovery to clinical application remains problematic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides three primary pathways-traditional Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, exploratory Investigational New Drug application (eIND), and the Radioactive Drug Research Committee (RDRC) mechanism-to facilitate clinical translation of radiotracers. However, these frameworks are not specifically tailored to pediatric needs. …

Comparative Analysis Of Serum Resistin And Omentin Levels Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Salam Ismael Abdulkareem, Dler Rostum Ali

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic condition marked by insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and persistent hyperglycemia. Adipokines such as resistin and omentin play critical roles in mediating inflammatory responses and insulin sensitivity, making them important biomarkers for T2DM progression.

Objectives: To investigate serum levels of resistin and omentin among controlled and uncontrolled T2DM patients in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and assess their associations with glycemic status and metabolic parameters.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 90 T2DM patients aged 40–70 years, categorized into controlled (n = 30) and uncontrolled (n = 60) groups. Clinical data …

Borrowed Competence: Socially Extending The Mind To Extend Digital Practices, Cordelia R. Stewart, Sheau-Fen (Crystal) Yap, Krzysztof Kubacki

More Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Research

This study extends current understanding of digital competence by exploring alternative skill sets harnessed by digitally disadvantaged groups that enable their practices to continue. By combining practice theory with the socially extended mind framework, we address the research question: What forms of offline competence support the integration of digital practices among a disadvantaged consumer group, and how do these competences influence the cohesion and continuity of their practices? Through an ethnography of a ‘Street Church’ community, we demonstrate how different forms of offline social interaction (i.e., sequential, synchronised, substitutive) and group culture
function as valuable resources for guiding digital practices, …

Providing Library Instruction For An Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program Course, Susan Direnzo Ashby, Marilia Antunez

Research, Publications, and Presentations

In the Spring Semester of 2025, two librarians collaborated to deliver in-person library instruction sessions for a section of an undergraduate communications course held at a women’s community correctional facility in Ohio. This section of the course was offered as part of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. This presentation will explore the unique challenges and innovative solutions involved in preparing and conducting library sessions in a non-traditional academic setting, which included both incarcerated students and university students.

Art As Real Property, Edward W. De Barbieri, Patricia Youngblood Reyhan

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

Personalized Resistance Exercise With Peer Support For Women With Pcos Using A Smart Home Video Device: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Guided By Self-Determination Theory, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Cynthia F. Corbett Phd, Rn, Faan, Kesheng Wang

Faculty Publications

Background

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) report exercise barriers as stigma-related stress, lack of peer support, and facility issues. “Resistance exercise (RE) with peer support and bands/ball and digitally-based supervision” (REPS w/BANDS) was designed to help mitigate exercise barriers. Underscored by self-determination theory (SDT), the 12-week intervention was remotely delivered via digital technology and inclusive of peer support.

Purpose

The purposes of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) were to test the feasibility and acceptability of REPS w/BANDS and explore signals of within- and between-group differences on outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms and fitness).

Methods

Participants (N = 25) …

Great Lakes Water Levels: Curve Fitting, Statistics, And The Unacceptable-Value Statistical Approach, Brian Barkdoll

Michigan Tech Publications

Water levels in the Great Lakes fluctuate over time. Excessively high levels can cause flooding, erosion, property damage, and loss of human life. Excessively low values inhibit shipping since boats cannot reach the ports and docks due to low draft, thereby causing loss of economic resources. Water level prediction has proven elusive, thereby requiring a new approach to analyzing the historical record of water level values. Methods attempted here include curve fitting, conventional statistics, and a newly introduced Unacceptable-Value Statistical Approach (UVSA). The UVSA comprises only analyzing flooding and drought events. All remaining values are acceptable and, therefore, are not …

On Univariate Process Capability Indices: Some Issues And Applications, Kuntal Bera

Doctoral Theses

Process capability indices (PCIs) are proposed to assess the performance of manufacturing processes. PCIs evaluate the process performance by comparing the manufacturing tolerance with the natural variability of the process. Since process parameters are unknown, therefore, PCIs are estimated based on a random sample. Assessment of performance of a process based on estimated PCI values may be unreliable due to sampling fluctuations. Hence, it is essential to study the statistical properties of the estimators of PCI. Thus far, most of the studies on PCIs have been done under the assumption that the quality characteristic under investigation follows an independent and …

On Perturbed Best Response Learning And Equilibrium Selection In Homogeneous And Bayesian Evolutionary Games, Sayan Mukherjee

Doctoral Theses

Evolutionary game theory is a sub-field of game theory concerned with the behavior of large populations of strategically interacting players who recurrently revise their strategies based on the availability of better payoff opportunities. In such games, rather than directly focusing on the equilibrium analysis (as in the case of static/one-shot games), the strategic behavior of the population is modeled via an evolutionary game dynamic (a differential equation on a suitable state space of the population). Consequently, the theory aims to study the asymptotic properties (such as stability, convergence) of these evolutionary dynamics. An important class of evolutionary dynamic studied in …

Development And Initial Validation Of An Instrument To Measure Teachers’ Socioscientific Issues Instruction Perceptions, Michael Edward Mitchell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about how high school science teachers perceive Socioscientific Issues (SSI) on a broad scale, including what factors shape their views of a pedagogical shift to adopt SSI. To address this critical gap, I constructed the Teachers’ Socioscientific Issues (SSI) Perceptions Survey (TSPS), the first instrument specifically designed and initially validated to measure teacher perceptions of SSI integration. This study presents the development and validation of the TSPS, offering robust evidence for its reliability, fairness, and construct validity.

Survey development adhered to gold-standard psychometric protocols (Bandalos, 2018; Crocker & Algina, 1986; DeVellis, 2012; McCoach et al., 2013) and …

Spatio-Temporal Characterization Of Trace Metals Across The West Florida Shelf And During The Decline Of The North Atlantic Spring Bloom, Delfina Paola Navarro-Estrada

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Phytoplankton in the marine environment require the trace metals manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) to catalyze cellular processes driving photosynthesis, including macronutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon) acquisition, light harvesting, and protection from oxidative stress. The high biological demand for these elements, coupled with their low concentrations in the ocean, can limit primary production and shape community composition in marine ecosystems, highlighting the need to understand the drivers behind trace metal distributions and their interplay with phytoplankton growth across biogeochemical regimes. This dissertation characterizes the spatial and temporal distributions of dissolved …

The Nurse's Role In Patient Preparation For Discharge To Optimize Patient Outcomes And Reduce Readmissions, Marie-Antoinette Chevrin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

For this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, I created a staff education initiative aimed at enhancing nurses’ understanding of heart failure (HF) and clarifying their role within clinical pathways for managing decompensated HF. HF is a common and complex condition, accounting for 1-2% of hospital admissions. In response to the rising 30-day readmission rate and lack of a standardized discharge protocol, an evidence-based staff education program was developed. According to the “ACC/AHA/HFSA 2022 HF guidelines”, effective prevention and management require nurses to understand causes, risk factors, and pathophysiology of HF, along with their role in patient-centered care. Nurses routinely …

Staff Education To Improve Staff Knowledge On Self-Care Management Of Hypertension, Zainab Kebbie Turay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This DNP staff education project focused on improving staff knowledge on self-care management of hypertension. The overarching patient care problem at the project site was uncontrolled hypertension among adult patients with lack of staff knowledge and confidence in delivering related patient education. Addressing uncontrolled hypertension is vital within nursing practice due to its impact on public health and the opportunity for a nurse-led evidence-based intervention to improve patient outcomes. The practice-focused question for this project was: “In adults with uncontrolled hypertension, does staff education program on hypertension self-care management improve staff knowledge on how to educate patients on self-care …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline For A Comprehensive Care Partner Program For Postpartum Women, Abibat Yusuff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project focuses on the development of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) aimed at addressing a critical gap in postpartum care, particularly postpartum depression (PPD), inconsistent follow-up, and low breastfeeding continuation rates, which disproportionately affect African American women and other underserved populations. These gaps contribute to preventable morbidity, poor maternal experiences, and health inequities, making this issue a priority for nursing and public health. The guiding practice-focused question asked if an interdisciplinary team would achieve consensus on a clinical practice guideline for the development of a comprehensive care partner program for postpartum women. Analytical strategies included a systematic evidence …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The National Professional Development Policies And Mathematics Performance In Guyana, Nicola Marcia Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Ministry of Education in Guyana has focused on improving primary students’ performance in mathematics; however, low student performance persists. The problem addressed in this study was the limited understanding of how Guyanese primary teachers used the national professional development policies (NPDP) to address the low performance of students on the Math National Grade 6 Assessment (MNGSA). Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Senge’s systems thinking theory, the purpose of this study was to explore Guyanese primary teachers’ perceptions of their successes and challenges using the NPDP to address the low performance of students on the MNGSA. For this …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Advance Nurse Knowledge In Comprehensive Care Of Patients With Congestive Heart Failure, Jessica Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education intervention to increase nursing staff knowledge. Congestive heart failure (CHF) remains one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and has the highest readmission rates within 30 days of a previous admission. Consistent evidence reveals improving nursing knowledge reduces complications, improves self-management support, lowers readmission rates in this particular patient population. The DNP project was developed as a staff education intervention and focused on 30 nurses working on a telemetry unit in an acute care hospital. The project question was whether an educational intervention would increase general nursing knowledge caring …

Citrobacter Sedlakii As A Rare Cause Of Brain Abscess In A Late-Preterm Omani Infant: Case Report And Literature Review, Mohammed S. Al Reesi, Moza Al Mamari, Sara Magzoub, Yasser Abdulrazek

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Brain abscess in neonates is rare but remains a severe, life-threatening complication of meningitis with significant morbidity and mortality. While Citrobacter koseri and Citrobacter freundii are commonly implicated in brain-abscess formation, Citrobacter sedlakii is an uncommon causative pathogen. To date, only two cases of neonatal brain abscess caused by C. sedlakii have been reported in the literature. Early diagnosis, timely surgical intervention and prompt antibiotic therapy are critical to achieving a favourable outcome. A third case of a C. sedlakii brain abscess in a preterm infant, presenting in 2024 to a tertiary-care hospital in Oman, is reported together with a …

Beyond Distraction: Music Therapy For Chronic Pain Management In People With Advanced Cancer, Joke Bradt, Lynn Gumert, Carrie Cottone, Ming Yuan Low, Clarissa Lacson, Kate Myers-Coffman, Karolina Bryl, Preethi Selvan, Jacelyn Biondo, Allison Millstein, Anna Cephas, Stephenie Sofield, Brooke Worster, Amy Leader

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Effective, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management for people with advanced cancer that can enhance quality of life while minimizing adverse effects are urgently needed. While music therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain-related outcomes across various patient populations, it has not been specifically examined in addressing chronic pain among people with advanced cancer. This study aims to enhance understanding of how people with advanced cancer experience music therapy for pain management.

METHODS: As part of a mixed methods intervention trial, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 25 outpatients with advanced cancer …

Enhancing Teacher Wellbeing And Engagement During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Critical Role Of School Leaders In K-12 Schools In The Uae, Soulafa Al Khatib, Zeina Hojeij

All Works

The success of institutions, especially during crises, heavily relies on the well-being of their employees. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economies, significantly impacting employees’ well-being, including teachers who faced job insecurity and the rapid transition to online teaching. This study explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers’ well-being in 12 schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and how school leadership can enhance this well-being to foster organizational engagement. The findings reveal that the pandemic had positive and negative impacts on teachers, highlighting the critical role of leaders’ motivational language and self-determination in enhancing organizational engagement. This study …