Digital Commons Network^™

The “Four Concentric Circles Of Russian”: Toward A Model, Timothy G. Reagan

Russian Language Journal

Braj Kachru suggested that one way of understanding the role and use of English around the world was to distinguish among three concentric “circles”: the inner circle, the outer circle, and the expanding circle. In this article, I will use Kachru’s model as the foundation for the development a similar model for positioning the Russian language in the contemporary world. The historical differences in Anglo-American linguistic expansion and Russian linguistic expansion lead to somewhat different divisions among speakers of the respective languages. The model proposed here has four concentric circles: an inner circle (consisting of the Russian …

Book Review: Water, Whiskey, And Vodka: A Story Of Slavic Languages., Ronald I. Kim

Russian Language Journal

There are more speakers of Slavic languages in Europe today than of the continent’s two other major Indo-European branches, Romance and Germanic. Yet over a generation after the end of the Cold War, despite economic growth, tourism, and steadily increasing cultural exchange, ignorance among North Americans and Western Europeans about the basic facts of the Slavic languages remains sadly widespread. Even from speakers of Slavic languages themselves one continues to hear all sorts of linguistic myths, such as that all Slavic languages sound essentially identical to Russian or, at the other extreme, nationalistic claims that Polish and Ukrainian are nothing …

Spotlight: Resources For Ukrainian, Margaret Godwin-Jones

Russian Language Journal

The Digital Resources Corner (DRC) offers reviews of new digital resources that could be beneficial in the teaching and/or learning of Slavic languages. It is intended for instructors looking for or evaluating different materials to use in the classroom.

Applying A Neo-Bakhtinesque Concept Of Dialogue In The Elementary Russian Classroom, James M. Curtis

Russian Language Journal

This forum piece invites readers to consider how Bakhtin’s concept of dialogue can reshape the teaching of elementary Russian. Instead of treating beginners as passive recipients of rules and forms, a neo-Bakhtinian, constructivist approach views them as active co-creators of meaning whose prior experiences, beliefs, and anxieties matter for learning. The author argues that engaging students in genuine dialogue—about their assumptions, about English–Russian contrasts, and about how grammar is named and presented—can reduce intimidation, increase confidence, and make Russian feel more accessible. In this way, Bakhtin’s ideas move beyond literary theory into the practical realities of the introductory language classroom.

The Role Of Working Memory In The Acquisition Of L2 Russian Case, Natalia V. Parker

Russian Language Journal

With the development of cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics, the view of individual differences has been evolving and now includes concepts such as cognitive processing and Working Memory (WM) (e.g., Doughty, 2019; Jackson, 2020; McConnell, 2023; Wen & Teng, 2023). The present study contributes to this line of research by investigating the relationship between WM capacity and the accuracy of L2 Russian case inflection production by complete beginners in instructional settings, which is an under-researched area. The data are part of a larger study, which involved a 20-week teaching intervention with English-speaking volunteers (n=27), who were taught two Russian cases (Prepositional …

Teaching Russian Verbs Of Motion Through Russian-Language Cinema: A Cognitive Perspective, Sergei Motov

Russian Language Journal

The practice of foreign language teaching is paradoxical in nature. On the one hand, such teaching is communicative; on the other hand, it often continues to rely on structuralist linguistic theory, which contradicts its communicative nature. In the case of teaching Russian verbs of motion to second-language learners, the dynamic nature of these verbs is often considered not dynamically, but statically—in the form of abstract textual examples or static images—which is also paradoxical. Such an abstract treatment of verbs of motion contradicts a number of postulates of modern cognitive science and certain areas of cognitive linguistics. From the perspective of …

Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Surveillance: A Delphi Panel Consensus, Juan Alban, R. Christopher Bowen, David A. Reichstein, Meredith Mckean, Jose Lutzky, Ezekiel Weis, Richard D. Carvajal, Susan Dulka, Brian G. Morse, Marcus O. Butler, Suthee Rapisuwon, Kevin B. Kim, Sanjay Chandrasekaran, Allison Betof Warner, Jonathan S. Zager, Bartosz Chmielowski, Sapna P. Patel, Leonel Fernando Hernandez-Aya, Zelia M. Correa, Leslie A. Fecher, Yana G. Najjar, Kamaneh Montazeri, Alexander N. Shoushtari, Asad Javed, Dan S. Gombos, April K. S. Salama, Katy Tsai, Frank H. Miller, Nikhil Khushalani, Rino S. Seedor, Evan J. Lipson, Sunil A. Reddy, Elizabeth Buchbinder, Shailender Bhatia, Anna Pavlick, Inderjit Mehmi, Thomas Aaberg, Alexandra P. Ikeguchi, Ivana K. Kim, Scott D. Walter, Arun D. Singh, Ryan J. Sullivan, Jacob S. Choi, Basil K. Williams, Marlana Orloff, Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, Megan D. Schollenberger, Namita Gandhi, J. William Harbour, Sunandana Chandra

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Uveal melanoma is a rare but aggressive intraocular malignancy that metastasizes in up to half of patients, most commonly to the liver, despite effective local treatment. In the absence of robust evidence, there are no standardized guidelines for post-treatment surveillance, resulting in wide variation in imaging modalities, frequency, and duration across physicians and institutions. This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations for surveillance strategies in patients with uveal melanoma.

METHODS: A modified Delphi method was conducted across three iterative survey rounds between September 2024 and February 2025 using an online platform. Panelists included medical oncologists, ocular oncologists, radiologists, …

Implementasi Pelaksanaan Program I-Help (Integrated Help Promoting School) Pada Sekolah Menengah Pertama Di Jakarta, Rachma Dhiyaa' Arroyyan, Sarah Handayani

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. The I-HELP (Integrated Help Promoting School Programs) initiative is a school-based behavioural change intervention that integrates health values and belief-related variables into daily school activities. This program was developed as a follow-up to the collaboration between Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. Hamka (UHAMKA) and SEAMEO RECFON.

Aim. his study aims to describe implementation of the I-HELP (Integrated Help Promoting School Programs) at the junior high school level in Jakarta in 2022.

Method. This qualitative research employed a case study design conducted at SMP Muhammadiyah 4 and SMP Muhammadiyah 36 Jakarta. Data collection techniques included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), …

Social Learning Theory Dan Status Merokok Pelajar Smp Negeri, Alya Putri Ansyari, Nur Rohmah, Lies Permana, Annissa Nurrachmawati, Rina Tri Agustini

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. The prevalence of adolescent smokers aged 10–18 in Indonesia increased from 7.2% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2018. Approximately 70 million people in the country are active smokers, with 7.4% of them aged 10–18 years.

Aim. This study aims to investigate the association between knowledge, attitude and subjective norms with smoking status among students at a public junior high school in Samarinda.

Method. This study uses a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach. A total of 159 respondents were randomly selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire and …

Hubungan Persepsi Manfaat Terhadap Kesadaran Kesehatan Pengguna Wearable Device Di Kota Banda Aceh, Raihanil Fitri, Tahara Dilla Santi, Hafnidar A. Rani

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. Wearable devices are portable technologies designed to be worn directly on the body and capable of collecting and analyzing data related to various aspects of a user's health. Aim. This study aims to analyze the influence of perceived benefits on users' health awareness among wearable device users in Banda Aceh City.

Aim. This study aims to analyze association of perceived benefits on users' health awareness among wearable device users in Banda Aceh City.

Method. This research applied a descriptive quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 106 active wearable device …

Korelasi Antara Intensitas Doomscrolling Konten Negatif Kehamilan Di Media Sosial Dengan Tingkat Stres Dan Kecemasan Ibu Hamil, Besse Aismaria Am, Yudiarsi Eppang B, Jusniati C

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background.The rapid development of social media has significantly influenced information-seeking behavior, including among pregnant women. One emerging phenomenon is doomscrolling, defined as the excessive consumption of negative information, which may trigger stress and anxiety.

Aim. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the intensity of doomscrolling of negative pregnancy-related information on social media and levels of stress and anxiety among pregnant women in Pare-Pare City.

Method. This study employed a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of all pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health centers in Pare-Pare City, …

Pengaruh Pendidikan Pencegahan Kekerasan Seksual Berbasis Animasi Terhadap Pengetahuan Dan Sikap Remaja, Lulu Lutpia Muharomah, Irma Darmawati, Asih Purwandari Wahyoe Puspita

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. Sexual violence is a major problem that impacts the physical and psychological health of adolescents. Prevention efforts are needed through health education that is in accordance with the characteristics of adolescents. Animation media is considered effective because it can convey messages audio-visually and attractively.

Purpose. This study aims to assess the influence of Animation-Based Education on adolescents' knowledge and attitudes regarding the prevention of sexual violence.

Method. The study used a one-group pretest–posttest design with 59 student respondents in Cimahi City. The intervention was in the form of an educational animated video on sexual violence prevention of ±5 minutes …

Efikasi Diri Dalam Melakukan Diet Sehat Pada Masyarakat Desa Cipacing, Sumedang, Hilmi Khairun Nisa, Neti Juniarti, Adelse Prima Mulya

Perilaku dan Promosi Kesehatan : Indonesian Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior

Background. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 57 million deaths (71%) worldwide and 73% of all deaths in Indonesia. Eating habits are one of the factors contributing to the incidence of NCDs. In the process of improving a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet, self-confidence or self-efficacy in maintaining a healthy diet is necessary.

Objective. This study aims to identify the level of self-efficacy in maintaining a healthy diet among the community in Cipacing Village, Sumedang.

Methods. This study was conducted using a quantitative descriptive research design among the community of Cipacing Village, Sumedang Regency, West Java. The sample was …

Perspectives Of Russian Language Educators On Meeting The Needs Of Heritage And L2 Learners In Mixed Classes, Maria Goebert

Russian Language Journal

In less commonly taught languages, such as Russian, heritage and non-heritage learners often share the same classes. Teachers in these settings must differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students. Online teaching adds an additional layer of complexity that instructors must address in their course design. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of 12 Russian language educators, working across various educational settings, on the language learning needs of heritage and non-heritage learners in mixed classes. It examines how these teachers adapt their instruction to support their students and meet the demands of different teaching modalities. The study also …

Dynamic And Stable Motivation Patterns In Intensive Second Language Learning: Insights From A Russian Summer Immersion Program, Dmitrii Pastushenkov

Russian Language Journal

Understanding what shapes student motivation is essential to improving second language (L2) programs. While motivation is among the widely studied individual differences (IDs) in second language acquisition (SLA), research has largely focused on commonly taught languages, limiting broader applicability. This mixed-methods study, grounded in Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), explores the motivational development of learners studying a less commonly taught language (LCTL), Russian, during an eight-week summer immersion program. Data were collected from 52 students across four instructional levels. Motivation was assessed through two brief online surveys, developed based on research by Gardner, Dörnyei, Lanvers, Thompson, and others, and administered during …

Why Russian? Language Choice And Enrollment In U.S. Universities, Emma Calderwood, Teresa R. Bell, Jennifer Bown, Grant H. Lundberg

Russian Language Journal

Russian language enrollments at U.S. universities have declined steadily since 2009 (MLA, 2023), yet little research has examined current student motivations for studying Russian, particularly after the 2022 escalation of the Russo–Ukrainian War. This study surveyed two groups: (a) students enrolled in any 101-level language course at University X and (b) students in Russian courses at six U.S. universities. Results show that motivations for studying Russian are primarily integrative—general interest in the language, desire to converse with Russian speakers, aspirations to travel to Russian-speaking countries, and previous Russian knowledge—rather than instrumental. Students who considered but did not choose Russian most …

Variability Of Individual Learner Trajectories In A Transformative Language Program, Victoria Hasko, Anastasiya Smith

Russian Language Journal

This qualitative multiple case study investigates how individual learner differences manifest and evolve within a transformative, proficiency-oriented undergraduate Russian language program. Drawing on complexity theory and transformative approaches to language education, the study explores how learners’ motivations, identities, and professional aspirations develop in a curriculum that integrates advanced language learning with long-term career planning. Three focal participants were followed longitudinally across their undergraduate trajectories, using a combination of standardized proficiency assessments and in-depth reflective interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes shaping learner development: evolving orientations toward language learning, the curriculum as a transformative scaffold, emerging professional identities, and growing …

The Mediating Role Of Positive Psychology: Mindfulness And Learner Beliefs In The Russian Language Classroom, Kelly Knickmeier Cummings

Russian Language Journal

Language learning is an inherently emotional process, shaped by both positive and negative experiences that influence the individual difference of learner beliefs. This article explores the mediating role of positive psychology (PP) in second language acquisition (SLA), with a particular focus on mindfulness and its potential to reshape learner beliefs in the Russian language classroom. Drawing on theories such as Seligman’s PERMA model and Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory, as well as evidence-based interventions, the article argues that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) provide practical tools for cultivating positive learner beliefs and inclusive, growth-oriented classroom environments. Examples of MBIs—including practices of noticing, savoring, exploring …

International Education And Spiritual Emptiness A Reflection From Europe, Nitya N. Timsina

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This essay is a revolt against a biased understanding called “internationalization” in education which grounds all historical, geographical, philosophical, ecological, and cultural distinctions in the world into a Platonic absolute. The key to this problem, this essay argues, lies in the drive to ontological, conceptual, or theoretical understanding in our approach to knowledge with its primacy in the Western thought. This essay calls into question this absolute sphere of influence, power and mastery enjoyed by the Western sciences, and a sense of space and authority it enjoys to make others impossible in the world. It does so by bringing different …

Understanding The Fidelity And Specificity Of Dna Polymerase I, Bill R. Miller Iii, Andrew V. Yeager, Jake A. Collins, Alexis Blake, Elise Tate, Carol A. Parish, Eugene Y. Wu

Chemistry Faculty Publications

High-fidelity DNA polymerases employ complex mechanisms to catalyze template-dependent DNA synthesis while quickly discarding mismatches. Atomic-level structural details about short-lived states during nucleotide discrimination are necessary to gain insight into the kinetic checkpoints that contribute to fidelity. We performed microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of DNA polymerase I, large fragment, from Bacillus stearothermophilus (Bacillus fragment, or BF) in complex with a template guanine and a mismatched thymidine triphosphate to observe the early events in the process of selection against a mismatch. Although the nucleobases formed a wobble base pair early, the mismatched pair was blocked from fully entering the active site …

Novel Physical And Biological Applications Of Carbon Ion Radiotherapy, Danushka Seneviratne, Prapannajeet Biswal, Sunil Krishnan

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT) is a high-LET radiotherapy, which distinguishes itself from traditional low-LET radiation, such as photons and protons, through its unique physical aspects, biological attributes, and the dramatically increased damage it causes within cellular DNA. Given its distinctive characteristics, it is expected to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation treatments and enhance treatment outcomes in traditionally radiation-resistant tumor histologies. Despite these unique properties, much remains to be understood regarding the clinical use of CIRT before its full potential can be realized. In this review, we summarize the distinct advantages of CIRT with regard to its physical and …

Mental Health And Beliefs About Abortion Access Following Changes To Reproductive Healthcare Laws In 2022: Findings From Oklahoma, Munjireen Sifat, Laili K. Boozary, Tina N. Le, Julia Mcquoid, Brittany Zaring-Hinkle, Sarah Tonkin, Lizbeth Benson, Bingjing Mao, Motolani Ogunsanya, Ruosi Shao, Amy M. Cohn, Allyson Shortle, Darla E. Kendzor

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was conducted to characterize beliefs about abortion access in Oklahoma, measure stress associated with the overturn of Roe vs. Wade (2022), and evaluate the potential relationship between post-Roe stress (PR stress) and mental health.

METHODS: From August through September 2022, adult Oklahomans (N = 1793) were surveyed about their sociodemographic characteristics, beliefs about abortion access, frequency of past-month stress related to the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, and mental health. Beliefs about abortion access were characterized overall and within sociodemographic groups. The relationship between PR stress and mental health was evaluated, and …

Knowledge Of Cpr And Code Status Discussions In Traumatically Injured Older Adults: Does Health Literacy Matter, Mokunfayo O Fajemisin, Ashna S Karpe, Stephanie Martinez Ugarte, Gabrielle E Hatton, Krislynn Mueck, Lillian S Kao, Martin L Blakely, Gina H Khraish, Aanand Naik, Shreyans Sanghvi, Jessica L Lee, Thaddeus J Puzio

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Code Status Discussions (CSDs), CPR understanding, and health literacy is understudied in traumatically injured older adults. We hypothesized that traumatically injured older adults and their families would have limited understanding of CPR and code status, and that lower health literacy would be associated with reduced advance care planning knowledge. We surveyed injured adults ≥65 or their surrogates to assess baseline code status, health literacy, and CPR discussions. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. Among 201 respondents 55% had low health literacy. Only 38% had discussions about CPR, and 21% were asked about code status during admission. Surrogates similarly overestimated CPR …

Revitalizing The Application Of Pancasila Values Through Modeling The Lonto Leok Culture Of The Manggarai Community, Eastern Indonesia, Yulius R. Effendi

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This study explores the potential for integrating Lonto Leok culture as a character education model based on Pancasila values in schools. This research employs a qualitative approach utilizing a case study methodology. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis in Manggarai communities and schools that have integrated the Lonto Leok cultural tradition into their learning processes. The data analysis confidently employed a triangulation approach to solidify the validity of the research outcomes, ensuring their credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. The research results indicate that the values espoused in Lonto Leok culture, including religiosity, deliberation, unity, peace, and justice, …

Documenting Death: Maternal Mortality And The Ethics Of Care In Tanzania (Adrienne E. Strong 2020), Luluk Oktavia, Megawati Sukarno

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

In recent decades, global efforts to reduce maternal mortality have become a primary focus in health development agendas. However, challenges in providing quality healthcare remain complex, especially in resource-limited countries. Adrienne E. Strong’s book, Documenting Death: Maternal Mortality and the Ethics of Care in Tanzania, offers an ethnographic perspective on the relationship between bureaucratic structures, resource constraints, and healthcare practices in Tanzania. This review examines Strong’s key concepts, such as good enough care, documented care, and fierce care, which highlight the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare workers in delivering care under administrative pressures and limited facilities. The critique of the …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Captive Solar Power Systems For Tanzania’S Manufacturing Sector: Barriers, Opportunities, And Feasibility, Edson Uhale, Sarah P. Ayeng'o

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of the barriers, opportunities, and feasibility of adopting captive solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Tanzania’s industrial manufacturing sector. Despite Tanzania’s high solar irradiation potential, averaging 4.5 to 7.0 kWh/m²/day, the uptake of captive solar systems remains minimal, with only 2.3 percent of surveyed firms currently using solar energy, primarily for non-productive uses such as security lighting. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 43 manufacturing firms in the Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions through structured questionnaires, supported by PVSyst simulations and financial modelling to assess two system configurations: grid-connected PV systems …

Spatial Distribution Of Meteorological Parameters Over Suez Gulf, Egypt, Mahmoud Ibrahium El Saman

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

The Gulf of Suez is a large, elongated Gulf bordered by the Sinai Peninsula from the east and the eastern desert from the west. It extends for about 300 km with about 50 km width at its widest point. Gulf is surrounded by the Red Sea Mountains from both sides. The meteorological conditions (Air temperature, relative humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction and the rain), were investigated periodically from beginning of January 2021 to ultimately December 2021. The obtained results illustrated that the Gulf of Suez can be divided into three different metrological zones, Zone I includes the northern region …

Effect Of Supplementation With Valine, Isoleucine, And Tryptophan Amino Acid On Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, And Nitrogen Excretion, Of Broiler Chickens Fed Low-Protein Diets, Ahmed Abd-Elaziz Abdallah, Mona A. Mahmoud, Mohamed M. Khalifah, Marwa R. El-Deken, Bahaa M. Abou-Shehema, Mohamed E. Farag, Mervat S. E. Yossef

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

This study investigated the effects of supplementing low-protein diets with valine (Val), isoleucine (Ile), and tryptophan (Trp) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, and nitrogen excretion in broiler chickens. A total of 168 one-day-old unsexed Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into six groups: a positive control (PC) fed a basal diet, a negative control (NC) fed a low-protein diet supplemented with six essential amino acids, and four groups fed the NC diet with additional Val+Ile (5% or 10%) and Trp (5% or 10%). The results showed that the NC+5% Val+Ile group had significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) …

A Comparison Of Social, Economics, And Communication Factors Between Adopting And Non-Adopting Conservation Agriculture Wheat Farmers In Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, Mahmood Khalaf Wasmi Alkhulaifi, Abid Ali Hasan Al-Doski

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

The research aimed to examine and compare the key socioeconomic and communication factors influencing wheat farmers’ adoption and non-adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) techniques in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, during the 2023–2024 agricultural season. A total of 450 respondents were selected for the study—225 adopters (representing the entire group of CA adopters) and 225 non-adopters—drawn from a total farming population of 1,061 within the same adoption areas of Nineveh Governorate.

A combination of descriptive and quantitative analyses was employed to process the data, utilizing both t-tests and z-tests. The significance analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between CA adoption and several socioeconomic …

Integrated Vermicompost And Microbial Inoculation Enhance Growth, Yield, And Volatile Oil Composition Of Coriandrum Sativum L., Fatma Ahmed Fouad, Fatima A.A. Al Otaibi, Ahmed Ali Mahmoud

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

An eleven-treatment field trial examined the effects of different rates of vermicompost (vermi.) (100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended dose) in combination with bio-fertilizers [Azotobacter sp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)] on the performance of Coriandrum sativum L. during the winter seasons of 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The treatments comprised an unfertilized control and all factorial permutations of vermicompost level with Azotobacter and/or AMF inoculation (100% vermicompost, 100 % vermicompost + Azotobacter, 100% vermicompost + AMF, 100% vermicompost + Azotobacter + AMF, 75% vermicompost + Azotobacter, 75% vermicompost + AMF, 75 % vermicompost + Azotobacter + …