Digital Commons Network^™

Virginia Team Nutrition Training Grant Workshop Participation Increased Intention To Change In Specific Topics, Rachel A Liebe, Kathleen J Porter, Valisa Hedrick, Elena Serrano, Kelly Shomo, Sandra Curwood, Sarah Misyak

Journal of Extension

Team Nutrition is implemented nationally to improve school food environments. Yet evidence on factors impacting implementation is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the execution of the Team Nutrition Training Grant (TNTG) in Virginia elementary schools using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework. The TNTG grant was implemented through two train-the-trainer workshops that were conducted with school nutrition directors (SNDs). Overall, SNDs from 84% of school divisions attended at least one workshop. Intention to change increased significantly from pre- to post- for both workshops in some target areas. This evaluation could help practitioners guide the development of evaluation …

How Wisconsin Extension Educators Talk About Climate Change Without Talking About ``Climate Change'', Sky Hershberger, Todd P. Newman

Journal of Extension

Climate change touches all areas of Extension's programming. To understand how educators approach talking about climate change with constituents, we interviewed 15 Extension educators and three program managers in Wisconsin. Crops and Soils educators view climate change as interwoven with their work, Financial Education educators view it as mostly disconnected, and Community Economic Development educators range between these extremes. Educators in all three programs avoid the polarizing phrase ``climate change,'' instead focusing on specific, local, and relatable issues. Educators show empathy and emphasize resilience (adaptation) rather than mitigation. These findings can inform Extension's organizational strategy on climate change.

Study Of Blood Linear Rna Nominates Cd55 And Dld As Early-Stage Biomarkers For Parkinson's Disease, Aleksandra Beric, Sarp Sahin, Santiago Sanchez, Zining Yang, Ravindra Kumar, Isabel Alfradique-Dunham, Jessie Sanford, Daniel Western, Bridget Phillips, John P Budde, Richard J Perrin, Paul T Kotzbauer, Joel S Perlmutter, Scott A Norris, Carlos Cruchaga, Laura Ibanez

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second leading neurodegenerative disease, pathologically characterized by the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the brain and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Despite the intensive efforts to identify diagnostic biomarkers for PD and nominating prospective candidates such as such as CSF α-synuclein seed amplification assay or α-/β-synuclein ratio, establishment of minimally invasive biomarkers remains the focus of PD research. We leveraged transcriptomic data from 4343 participants from four independent datasets to robustly identify PD-associated transcripts. Following the differential abundance analyses, we integrated our findings with several brain transcriptomic, CSF proteomic, plasma …

Application Of Close-Kin Mark-Recapture To An American Black Bear Population Using Harvest Samples, Anthony Sévêque, Robert C. Lonsinger, Lisette P. Waits, Kristin E. Brzeski, Sarah L. Mayhew, D Cody Norton, Maya Weissman, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) offers a promising alternative to traditional mark-recapture methods for estimating wildlife population parameters. CKMR estimates demographic parameters by identifying genetic relationships between individuals, effectively "recapturing" parental genotypes through their offspring's genetic profiles. One key advantage of CKMR over traditional methods is the ability to estimate abundance without recapture, facilitating the use of lethally collected biological samples. Here, we present an application of CKMR to a terrestrial species using samples collected from harvested individuals. We analyzed genetic data from 1767 American black bears (Ursus americanus) harvested over two consecutive years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Using Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing …

Assessment Of Osteoporosis Detection Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scanning: Analysis Of Patients At Baqubah Teaching Hospital, Huda Hameed Salman

Muthanna Medical Journal

Background: Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones brittle and vulnerable to injury, which has become a major global health issue. However, relevant clinical data on Iraqi patients have long been very limited, and there has always been a lack of sufficient research support for the local incidence, diagnosis, and treatment status of the disease. This study aimed to analyze the detection rate of osteoporosis via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density scans (DEXA scan) at Baqubah Teaching Hospital and to analyze the correlation between T- and Z-scores, which are used to assess bone health, and patients' basic information including age, …

Motor Vehicle Accidents In Grand Cayman: Assessing Trends And Police Enforcement And Prevention Strategies, Sheldon Stephenson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) pose a persistent public safety concern in Grand Cayman, yet limited local evidence existed on when and where crashes occurred or whether police enforcement predicted daily accident counts. The purpose of this quantitative archival study was to examine temporal and spatial patterns in MVA patterns and assess whether daily traffic ticket and driving under the influence (DUI) arrest counts predicted daily MVAs during 2023 and 2024. Routine activity and deterrence theories guided the study. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service archival data included 6,299 accident records 731 daily observations. Analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Spearman …

Strategies For Non-Profit Organizations To Archive In The Cloud, Latonya Edmond

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Information Technology (IT) managers of nonprofit organizations are concerned about the loss of archival data, which often contains history and other valuable information they seek to preserve. Non-profit organizations face the risk of data loss due to a lack of strategies for migrating archival information to the cloud. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies for IT managers of nonprofit organizations to implement cloud-based archiving. The participants were 5 IT managers from nonprofit organizations in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly …

Impact Of Nurse Residency Programs Compared To Direct Hire Models On Competence, Retention, And Job Satisfaction In New Graduate Nurses, Courtney Cole Hiscox

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Background: The transition from student nurse to practicing registered nurse is a challenging period marked by role overload, emotional stress, and inconsistent preparation. In healthcare organizations, varied onboarding pathways create a critical practice gap that can compromise clinical confidence, lower job satisfaction, and trigger nurse turnover. Purpose & Methods: The purpose of this doctoral quality improvement project was to evaluate whether participation in a structured nurse residency program (NRP) improves transition-to-practice outcomes compared to direct-hire onboarding at a tertiary care center in West Tennessee. Utilizing a retrospective matched cohort design, de-identified data from new graduate nurses hired between August 2024 …

Detector Orientation Matters: Consequences For Gravitational-Wave Background Detectability, Nelson Christensen, Joseph D. Romano, Mairi Sakellariadou, Jishnu Suresh

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Cross-correlation searches for gravitational-wave backgrounds depend on the geometrical configuration (physical separation and relative orientation) of the detectors comprising the network. Applying standard techniques to a few simple examples, we illustrate how the relative orientation of a pair of Earth-based L-shaped laser interferometers can drastically impact the detectability of both isotropic and anisotropic gravitational-wave backgrounds.

Effect Of Sterilisation Time On The Physicochemical Properties Of Palm Oil Produced In A Special Palm Oil Plant, Oseni Kehinde Owolarafe, T. A Folawiyo, Thomas Adedayo Ayorinde, Adekunle. Temidayo Atta, Adams. A Salami

Engineering and Technology Journal

Crude palm oil produced by small and medium scale palm oil mills is often of varying quality due to inadequate process control, particularly during sterilisation. The current research assessed the impact of sterilisation time on the efficiency and quality of crude palm oil extracted from the new Special Palm Oil (SPO) mill built at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Fresh fruit bunches were subjected to two sterilisation times: Sample A - 45 minutes and Sample B - 60 minutes, while maintaining a pressure of 5 bar. The parameters like oil yield, extraction percentage, free …

Mitigating Collapse Potential In Gypseous-Sand Through Nanoclay Integration: Comparative Oedometer Analysis Of Soils, Mustafa Jamal Abrahim, Mahmood R. Mahmood, Mohammed Shakir Mahmood

Engineering and Technology Journal

Collapsibility upon wetting is one of the major geotechnical problems associated with gypseous soils, primarily due to gypsum dissolution and the consequent loss of interparticle bonding, which may adversely affect the stability of structures and foundations. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoclay in improving the collapse, compressibility, and rebound behavior of two gypseous sandy soils with different gypsum contents: G-29, containing 29% gypsum, and collected from Najaf Governorate, and G-55, containing 55% gypsum and collected from Tikrit Governorate. The behavior of both soils was evaluated using single oedometer tests (SOT), initially in the untreated condition to investigate …

Impacts Of Climate Variability On Infiltration And Groundwater Recharge In The Southeastern Coastal Region Of Côte D'Ivoire, Oulai Jean-Gautier Kpan, Assa Fabrice Yapi, Malan Ketcha Armand Kablan, Yeï Marie Solange Oga, Jean Biemi

Engineering and Technology Journal

This study assesses the impacts of climate variability on infiltration and groundwater recharge within the southeastern coastal corridor of Côte d'Ivoire, spanning from Abidjan to Aboisso. The methodology integrates the Pettitt test to detect rainfall stationarity breaks, followed by water balance modeling using the Thornthwaite and Tixeront–Berkaloff methods to quantify infiltration. The analysis relies on a multi-decadal meteorological dataset, including a 54-year rainfall series (1960–2014) and a 43-year temperature record (1971–2014), coupled with a 23-year historical groundwater level monitoring dataset (1982–2005) obtained from deep boreholes. precipitation fluctuations were correlated with piezometric level variations across 30 shallow wells and 9 deep …

Hardware-Isolated Thermodynamic Coprocessor For Appliance-Aware Multi-Zone Climate Control And Anticipatory Time-Of-Use Tariff Scheduling, Rohan Garg

Defensive Publications Series

This publication describes a climate control node (e.g., a smart thermostat) that includes a hardware-isolated thermodynamic coprocessor. In an example implementation, the coprocessor intercepts or otherwise receives power-related telemetry that appliances broadcast on a local low-power mesh network and converts that telemetry into anticipated heat loads for individual zones of a building. For instance, a radio baseband may capture mesh-network frames, a hardware filter may match application-layer cluster identifiers such as electrical power measurement and device energy management clusters, and matched payloads may be transferred by direct memory access into an isolated memory buffer that the coprocessor reads. In certain …

Technical Disclosure Specification: Eckesonium™ - Spec 173, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This technical specification details the synthesis, chemical composition, and quantum structural mechanics of Eckesonium™ (Ek), a standalone interstitial metastable high-entropy alloy (iMHEA) engineered for extreme isotropic ductility, universal solid-solution compatibility, and an infinite fatigue limit under cyclical mechanical deformation. Moving beyond traditional metallurgy paradigms that enforce an inverse trade-off between hardness and brittleness, Eckesonium™ leverages a finely tuned Stacking Fault Energy (SFE) boundary grid.

This triggers simultaneous Twinning-Induced Plasticity (TWIP) and Transformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) under macrovascular stress inputs. This specification registers the exact atomic configuration, thermodynamic derivation, and thermo-mechanical processing matrix into the public domain as defensive …

An Exploration Of Psychosocial Determinants Of Cybercrime Intention Among Youths In Oyo State, Nigeria, Moromoke Nimota Raji, Musa Adeyemi Ogunsola, Jamiu Agbolade Ogunsola

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Cybercrime has become a pressing issue among adolescents and youths, particularly in Nigeria, where a growing number of young individuals engage in cyber-related offences. This study explores the relationship between key risk factors and the intention to commit cybercrime. Utilizing a descriptive correlational survey design, 300 students from six secondary schools in Ibarapa East were randomly selected as participants. Data collection was conducted using validated instruments, including the Cybercrime Intention Scale (α = 0.88), Levenson’s IPC scale  (α = 0.78), Materialistic Value Scale (α = 0.74), Parenting Style Scale (α = 0.77) and Peer Influence Scale …

Indigenous Religion And Community Order: Crime Prevention Strategies Among Worshippers Of Igbe Orhe In Nigeria, Onoseme Fortune Afatakpa Dr

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This ethnographic study examines crime prevention strategies within Igbe Orhe, an indigenous African religious tradition practiced in Delta State, Nigeria. While existing security studies primarily emphasize formal and direct approaches to crime prevention, this research foregrounds the less explored structural mechanisms embedded in cultural spirituality. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants, including the Uku Supreme (global leader), High Priests (Uku), High Priestess (Omote Uku), Chief Priests (Inori), Chief Priestesses (Ini Igbe), and Votary Singers (Akpine). Two focus group discussions were also conducted with female and youth members of selected …

Victim Behaviour And Phone Snatching In Kano Metropolis: A Literature Review Based On Victim Precipitation Theory, Mu'azu Ya'u Abdullahi

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

This paper reviews studies on the problem of phone snatching in Kano Metropolis, with focus on the behaviour of victims. Many studies have explained the crime by linking it to poverty, unemployment, and weak policing among others. However, less attention has been given to how people’s everyday actions may increase their risk. Using Victim Precipitation Theory, this review shows that behaviours such as openly displaying phones, walking alone in unsafe places, or using phones while distracted create easy chances for offenders. The review also notes that wider issues, such as poor street lighting and active black markets, combine with victim …

Workplace Stress And Coping Mechanisms Among Law Enforcement Officers In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria: An Empirical Study, Akaninyene O. Unaam, Akanimo A. Unaam Esq.

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Law enforcement officers face unique occupational stressors that can impair well-being and performance. This study examined stress levels and coping mechanisms among police officers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, within Lazarus and Folkman's transactional framework. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 400 randomly selected officers. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Brief COPE inventory. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and hierarchical multiple regression were employed. Moderate stress levels predominated (52.5%), with high stress reported by 32.5% of officers. The mean PSS score was 24.6 (SD = 5.8). Significant associations emerged between stress and years of service …

Vocation, Grace, And Redemption In J. R. R. Tolkien’S Legendarium, Yoshie Shimai

Journal of Tolkien Research

Abstract

This essay reads Frodo's trajectory of vocation, sacrifice, and salvation in The Lord of the Rings through Aquinas's account of the cooperation of grace and free will (Summa Theologica I-II, qq. 109–114), and reads Gollum and Gríma as two unwitting mediators of grace. It does not argue that Tolkien consciously adopted this doctrine, but that his characters enact it. Frodo freely accepts two vocations, the destruction of the Ring and the protection of the Shire, yet cannot complete either by his own strength. Their completion comes through the two fallen figures: Gollum at the Crack of Doom, and …

Core Stability Training And Sports Performance: A Bibliometric Mapping (2000–2025), Mimi Guo, Muhamad Hafiz Bin Ismail, Diyana Z. Abdul Ghani, Qi Liang, Yifei Gao

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Core stability training has become an important topic in sports science because of its proposed role in athletic performance enhancement, injury prevention, and neuromuscular control. This study aimed to map the knowledge structure, research trends, and collaboration patterns in this field. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection. Articles and reviews published between 2000 and 2025 were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. A total of 559 publications were included and analyzed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny. Results: Scientific output increased markedly over time, particularly after 2020. The USA and China were …

Short-Term Effects Of The Hypopressive Exercises In Women With Mild Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Duygu Sahin Altac, Nebahat Uzunay, Doruk Cevdi Katlan, Türkan Akbayrak

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of the hypopressive exercises (HE) in women with mild pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively using the data of 25 women who were diagnosed with stage 1,2 POP and treated as two groups [Group 1: Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) (n = 10), Group 2: PFMT combined with HE (n = 15)]. EMG device was used to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activation responses (EMG-work average and EMG-rest average); total score of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) and its all sub-scales [Pelvic Organ Prolapse …

Hope On Three Legs: Umka’S Journey From Ukraine To A New Beginning, Kathleen Rowan

WellBeing News

After years in a Ukrainian shelter, Umka faced a severe leg injury that ultimately required amputation. With compassionate care, rehabilitation, and cooperation among animal welfare organizations in Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, Umka overcame his physical and emotional challenges and found a loving forever home.

Editors' Note: From Scientific Discourse To Clinical Competence: Preserving Human Accountability In The Age Of Generative Ai, Arvie Vitente, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

From Anatomy To Safe Action: The A2d And Scope-D Frameworks For Teaching Clinical Reasoning And Referral Communication In Physical Therapist Education, Arvie Vitente, Pamela Taylor, Christopher Dela Rosa, Art Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Physical therapist learners may accurately recall anatomy yet struggle to translate it into testable hypotheses, recognize discordant findings, select proportionate actions, and communicate uncertainty within scope. Existing frameworks address clinical reasoning or structured communication, but limited guidance connects anatomy-based hypothesis testing directly to patient-centered referral communication when findings do not fit. This theory piece pairs Anatomy-to-Decision (A2D) with SCOPE-D to address that curricular gap.

Methods. Integrative conceptual design drew on literature concerning physical therapist clinical reasoning, illness scripts, cognitive load, dual-process reasoning, hypothesis-oriented patient management, safety screening, and communication of diagnostic uncertainty. These foundations were translated into features intended …

Interrater Reliability Of Software Optimized Movement Assessment With Traditional Methods And Video-Based Functional Movement Screen Scoring And Compensatory Movement Identification, Joshua Paul Verdillo, Nj Ermina, Tanya Mariel Capilla, Russel James Balane, Evriel Prince Apura, Daryl Reymon Apla-On, Ressyl Love Salvador

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a seven-part movement assessment used to identify injury risks caused by faulty biomechanics. There are three barriers in traditional FMS assessments that could affect the tool’s validity: the subjectivity of human scores that could cause bias, the need for in-person evaluations which limit access for remote patients, and the requirement of specialized training to use the tool, which makes it less accessible. This study investigates the effectiveness of SOMA, an AI-based web application that uses the MediaPipe framework to automatically assess (FMS) performances.

Methods: This study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional, comparative design to …

A Tool For Assessing The Effectiveness Of Speed Humps As Traffic Calming Measure, Abdulrazak Mzamiru Kachwamba, Enock W. Nshama

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Urban population growth and increasing motor vehicle usage continue to raise concerns regarding road safety in rapidly developing cities. Although previous studies have assessed traffic-calming effectiveness using multiple criteria, they have analysed the criteria separately and have not developed a composite tool for classifying overall effectiveness. This study develops a quantitative assessment tool designed to compute a weighted composite score for evaluating the effectiveness of speed humps as a traffic calming measure. Stakeholder questionnaire responses, complemented by descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis, were used to identify key indicators of effectiveness and the variables influencing them. Findings indicate that speed …

Artificial Neural Network-Based Modelling And Prediction Of Key Performance Indicators In Road Construction Projects, Hussein Mativila, John M. Kafuku, Beatus A. T. Kundi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Road construction projects in developing countries including Tanzania experience several challenges including cost overruns, schedule delays and poor quality. The causes of these challenges include complex interdependencies project’s uncertainty factors. This makes traditional methods for predicting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) less effective. This study has developed a robust Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for accurate modelling and predicting KPIs for road construction projects in Tanzania. The analysis was based on data obtained from 281 projects implemented by TANROADS in 11 regions from 2015 to 2025. Fourteen uncertainty factors were measured on a five-point Likert scale and screened using Principal Component …

Differences In Sustained Attentional Engagement With Emotional Targets In Individuals Reporting High And Low Worry, Jinu J. Mathew

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Attention bias towards emotionally salient or threatening information has been well documented across various populations, and it has been thought to contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety. While previous research has identified early-stage attentional differences in individuals reporting elevated anxiety symptoms, less is known about how worry might impact later-stage processes involving sustained attentional engagement and visual working memory. The present study examined behavioral and electrophysiological indices of attentional processing during a modified visual search task in individuals reporting high compared to low levels of worry. Sixty-eight participants were recruited and classified into high and low worry groups …

Catalogue Of The State Normal College, Florence, Ala. (1887-1901), State Normal School

Documents

Catalogues fifteen through twenty-eight of the State Normal School, a predecessor of the University of North Alabama. The document contains information on faculty and staff, course requirements and offerings, as well as students enrolled in the institution.

Neurodiversity In Professional-Practice, Creative-Technical Disciplines In Third Level Education – Towards A Compassion-Based, Practical Toolkit Designed To Foster A Positive Environment, Brian Carty, Naoise Collins, Colm Delaney

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

This study examines neurodiversity within creative-technical disciplines in Irish higher education, focusing on how learning environments can both support and constrain neurodivergent students. Drawing on survey data from 198 students at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, supplemented by qualitative interviews, the research identifies a substantially higher self-reported prevalence of neurodivergence (45%) than is reflected in institutional records. Across both quantitative and qualitative data, clear communication, structured learning environments, and compassionate teaching practices emerge as critical factors in supporting student engagement and wellbeing. While flexibility in assessment and access to support services remain important, results indicate …