Digital Commons Network^™

Holding Space For Complexity: Remembering Leslie Combs, Kimberly A. Morelli

Journal of Conscious Evolution

This tribute reflects on the teaching legacy of Allan Leslie Combs, focusing on his capacity to hold space for complexity during intimate online salons conducted with students and colleagues. Drawing from my experience as a participant in these gatherings, the essay highlights Leslie’s emphasis on relational, creative inquiry over rigid theory. Rather than positioning development as linear progress or achievement, these conversations were experienced as an ongoing, reflective inquiry into consciousness itself. Leslie’s mentorship fostered deep personal reflection and affirmed lived experience as a valid and generative source of knowing. His legacy endures not only through his scholarship, but also …

Are We Leaving Donors Behind? An Evaluation Of Accessibility Of Higher Education Donor Webpages And Leadership Priorities, Lauren E. Baldwin

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the web accessibility and readability of U.S.-based nonprofit higher education institutions (HEIs) across the Foundation home, donation, and contact pages of selected websites. Utilizing a combination of manual verification and computer-automated analysis techniques, this study analyzes (n=101) institutional websites. Quantitative analysis reveals these webpages frequently contain WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility error types that are likely to affect the perceivability, operability, and understandability of the user’s experience, especially for individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency. Further, these tests reveal significant differences by sector across multiple WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility error types, indicating that …

Study Of Isocyanate-Free Vegetable Oil-Based Polyurethane Coating With A Silicon-Based Compound For Coating Properties, Ajay Kumar

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The development of sustainable and environmentally friendly polyurethane coatings has garnered significant attention in recent years. This research focuses on the development of isocyanate-free coatings derived from carbonated soybean oil (CSBO) using a solvent- and catalyst-free approach. The coatings were synthesized by reacting CSBO with ethylenediamine (EDA) and varying weight percentages of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), which were added to enhance the coating property, as it contains silicon in it, to evaluate their mechanical and thermal properties. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful formation of urethane linkages, with a significant reduction in C=O peak intensity after 10 days of curing, …

A Generalized Framework For Singular Spectrum Analysis: Data-Adaptive And Regularized Extensions, Ishmael Jesse Narh Adikorley

Dissertations (1934 -)

Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) has emerged as a powerful nonparametric tool for time series analysis, enabling decomposition, reconstruction, and forecasting of structured signals without reliance on strong model assumptions. However, traditional SSA frameworks face notable limitations when applied to high-dimensional, noisy, and functional time series data commonly encountered in modern applications. This dissertation presents a comprehensive generalization of SSA through the development of a unified Hilbert space-based framework that systematically integrates both data-adaptive and regularized extensions. The proposed framework, termed Hilbert Space SSA (HSSA), extends classical SSA by embedding time series in Hilbert spaces, thus encompassing scalar, multivariate, and functional …

Evaluation Of Remote Sensing Technologies For Bull Kelp Detection In The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Melina Shak

Master's Projects and Capstones

The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS), located off the coast of Northern California contains approximately 90% of the region’s bull kelp. Bull kelp is a foundational species that provides food and shelter supporting diverse marine ecosystems, but due to recent anthropogenic stressors, 90% of kelp forests along the California coast have been lost. The Greater Farallones Association (GFA) is actively working on restoration efforts, where monitoring is essential for assessing recovery success. My research addresses GFA’s need to reduce reliance on intensive, time-consuming Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) surveys by identifying accurate, cost-effective, and scalable remote sensing technologies for kelp …

Enhancing Fall Prevention Through Post-Fall Huddles In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Eliza R. Galimba

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Falls in skilled nursing facilities increase the risk of injury, readmissions, and higher healthcare costs. This facility’s rates remained high due to inconsistent post-fall protocols, no standardized review process, and insufficient communication. Seventy-five falls were documented in the first eight months of 2025, exceeding the national benchmark of 3–5 per 1,000 patient-days (AHRQ, 2024). Aim: This quality improvement project will occur over a 5-week period from October 1, 2025, to November 5, 2025, and aims to decrease the fall rate by 25%, from 4.3 falls per 1,000 patient-days to 3.3 falls per 1,000 patient-days, through improved team communication and …

Suprasegmentals And Small Talk Skills: An Adult Esl/Efl Teacher Training And Curriculum Design, Katya Davida Landau

Master's Projects and Capstones

There is inadequate education and training for Adult ESL teachers on how to teach pronunciation, especially the essential suprasegmental feature of intonation. This leads to the perpetuated issue of lowered intelligibility amongst ESOL learners, which limits their opportunities in English-speaking settings. Through the provision of innovative curriculum and teacher training videos that share pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) on the subject of suprasegmental phonemes, these issues can be addressed.

Any curriculum developed to teach suprasegmentals must consider the role of creative and engaging activities to inspire learners, comprehensibility and intelligibility, embodied pronunciation techniques, and the impact of explicit, communicative, and task-based …

Lost In Translation: Navigating Cultural And Linguistic Barriers For Indian Learners In Tesol Classrooms, Shivam Jaynarayanbhai Gohel

Master's Projects and Capstones

ABSTRACT

This thesis examines the cultural, linguistic and emotional issues of the Indian multilingual students in the U.S. TESOL classroom and explains the value of decolonized and culturally responsive pedagogies to ameliorate foreign language anxiety and create equitable education. Based on the frameworks of Culturally Responsive/Sustaining Pedagogy and Affective Filter Theory, the study integrates existing and existing research to investigate the role of colonial heritage in influencing TESOL practice, the undermining effect of anxiety on academic achievement and the empowering effect of instructions that are inclusive and responsive. Chapter I presents the problem, including how multilingual and multicultural identities of …

Sex Disparities In Prescription Opioids Associated Cardiovascular Adverse Events, Li Ma

Theses and Dissertations

The opioid crisis in the United States has evolved from a medical response to pain into a nationwide public health emergency. The prescription opioids (POs) – associated cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) remain insufficiently studied, especially in relation to sex disparities. This dissertation investigates sex disparities in PO-associated cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) through an analytic framework integrating artificial-intelligence-assisted literature mining and real-world pharmacovigilance analytics. In the analytic framework, first, AI powered topic modeling was employed to uncover POs-associated CVAEs risks with a focus on sex differences. A total of 1,837 PubMed abstracts were analyzed using two methods, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) …

Courage To Lead Translational, Dissemination And Implementation Sciences, Mary A. Dolansky

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This presentation describes the bold foundations of nursing leadership in evidence-based quality improvement and patient safety and points to present and future directions in the field. National initiatives have surged forward to achieve the goal of safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient centered care. The nursing perspective in this rapidly expanding field of translational science is essential to achieve the greatest impact on best practices, strong care systems, and improved population health.

National Resources To Maximize Nursing’S Implementation Capacity And Influence, Kathleen R. Stevens

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This presentation will describe the current availability of capacity building resources, pointing to ways of leveraging existing national resources and adding the nursing perspective. The panel’s consensus strategies will be outlined. Panelists will engage the broad base of nurse scholars in attendance to further delineate strategies. Recommendations will be solicited regarding implementation science theories, methods, and strategies that inform practice change and implementation science research through a nursing lens. The session will be summarized with a focus on the next bold steps to increase nursing capacity and influence on implementation science in research and practice.

Represent: Glmc Bringing Sigma’S Global Regions Together, Viji George, Dorette Sugg Welk, Juana Mercedes Gutierrez Valverde, Elizabeth Wescott

Biennial Convention (CONV)

As professional nurses and Sigma members, the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), with its outreach, connects Sigma’s vast diversity and capability of representing global nurses, a Sigma Call to Action (2023-2025).¹

Purpose: To understand the impact of GLMC on serving as ambassadors of Sigma, coming together through mentoring relationships to build a cross-cultural leadership platform, and seeking collective solutions for global healthcare issues.

Background: Sigma brings nursing expertise across the globe and emphasizes how nurses play key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDM),² Global nurse leaders impact healthcare and cost-effectiveness on quality, safety, and outcomes.³ Mentorship …

Respect: Glmc Forming Cross Cultural Values And Relationships, Yeow Chye Ng, Kylie Patricia Russell, Intima Alrimawi, Krista A. White, Sylvia Oger Ofosu Dwamena, Jennifer Bail, Beth Tigges, Wendy Sergeant, Maureen P. Lall, Jennifer J. Miller, Miriam Wagoro

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: In leadership, the mentor-mentee relationship fosters professional growth and development. Central to this dynamic is the principle of respect, which serves as the foundation for effective cross-cultural communication, trust, and empowerment.^1,2

Purpose: This paper explores the significance of respect in mentor-mentee interactions within the fifth cohort of the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), which spans from 2023 to 2025 and includes participants from six continents across Sigma Theta Tau International’s Global Regions. Through real-life examples, we will illustrate the profound impact of respect on mentoring relationships and leadership development.

Implications: Throughout this program, we have learned that …

Respond: Glmc Investing In Nursing Leadership To Address Global Health Challenges, Elizabeth Rosser, Julie Grady, Sylvia Waweru, Beth Chiatti, Katherine Chike-Harris

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Responding to the global challenges of investing in nursing leadership and the demands of modern nursing care is a key aspect of the Sigma Call to Action.¹ The World Health Organization² and the International Council of Nurses³ both recognize the health, economic, social, and emotional benefits of investing in nursing leadership to the individual, the workforce, and the wider community and, by being more culturally aware,⁴ influence health more widely.⁵ Sigma’s Global Leadership Mentoring Community is one strategy that responds to this challenge.^6,7

Purpose: To present insights into participants’ expectations and short-term achievements …

Incomplete (A3) Versus Complete (A4) Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: Results From A Prospective International Multicenter Cohort Study, Jin W. Tee, Barry T. S. Kweh, Alex R. Vaccaro, Klaus J. Schnake, Mohammad El-Sharkawi, Eugen C. Popescu, Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran, Lorin M. Benneker, Sebastian F. Bigdon, John France, Jerome Paquet, R. Todd Allen, William F. Lavelle, Miguel Hirschfeld, Spyridon Pneumaticos, Richard J. Bransford, Andrei F. Joaquim, Harvinder S. Chhabra, Ulrich Spiegl, Hauri Dimitri, F. Cumhur Oner, Marcel Dvorak, Gregory D. Schroeder, Charlotte Dandurand

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare incomplete (A3) versus complete (A4) thoracolumbar burst fractures managed nonoperatively or operatively with respect to reaching minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score.

METHODS: A prospective observational international multicenter cohort study was conducted. After stratification using the AO Spine Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System, A3 and A4 outcomes were analyzed separately within nonoperative and operative management groups. Outcomes included absolute and relative improvement in ODI scores between discharge and 12-month follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated and compared with the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression models were constructed. The Cox regression models …

The Cytotoxicity And Anti-Inflammatory Properties Of 1’S-1’-Acetoxychavicol Acetate (Aca) On Oral Cells, Nur Umairah Atiqah Sabri, Nor Syazwani Muhammad Zahidan, Zulfahmi Said, Siti Noor Adnalizawati Adnan, Normaliza Ab Malik

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Mouthwash is widely used to maintain oral health by reducing the prevalence of pathogenic microbiomes. Nonetheless, chlorhexidine, a common active ingredient, is associated with side effects including teeth staining, mucosal peeling, mouth and tongue numbness. This has prompted interest in natural alternatives. This study aimed to identify the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of 1’S-1’-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) isolated from Alpinia conchigera rhizome against human primary gingival fibroblast and keratinocyte (HPGF and HPGK). Methods: Cytotoxicity of ACA (1.57 mg/mL) against HPGF and HPGK was assessed using the MTT assay. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory property of ACA was analyzed based on …

Factors Affecting Interest In Orthodontic Treatment Among Adults In Jakarta, Joko Kusnoto, Lia Hapsari Andayani, Budi Kusnoto

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: The misalignment of teeth and/or jaws caused by abnormalities in the dynamic process of craniofacial growth and development is known as malocclusion. Over half of children and adolescents worldwide experience some form of malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment is the process of adjusting the position of teeth and jaws to achieve optimal occlusion. In recent decades, there has been a global surge in the need for orthodontic treatment among adults. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting interest in orthodontic treatment among adults in Jakarta. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023. A total …

Prevalence Of Bruxism And Its Association With Stress Among Dental Students: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ketavatu Durga Prasad Naik, Prasanthi Gortha, Madhu Varma, Mohan Kumar, Rama Laxmi Koruprolu, Mounika Rameswarapu

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Bruxism has been described as a parafunction associated with a multifactorial etiology, but primarily as a psychological factor. This study determined the prevalence of bruxism among dental students and explored the potential contributing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among dental students across various academic years. The prevalence of bruxism (awake and during sleep) was assessed along with stress levels, lifestyle factors, and demographic variables. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of bruxism was significantly associated with stress and academic workload. Most participants exhibited moderate to severe …

Dental Students’ Preferences In Selecting Artificial Teeth For Older Adults' Dentures, Muhammad Afif Sapie, Nur Hanim Farhana Mohamad Hilmi, Aiemeeza Rajali, Nik Rahayyu Nik Zulkifeli, Nor Wati Nur Atikah Mustafa, Hazem Mofreh Dakhilallah Al Tarawneh

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Selecting and arranging acrylic resin teeth for dentures is essential to achieve a natural appearance; however, limited understanding and older adults’ aesthetic expectations may result in inconsistencies and increased patient visits. This study aimed to explore the methods and factors dental students prefer when selecting artificial teeth for dentures for older adults. Method: A validated questionnaire, including consent, demographics, and six domains of the methods with related factors for selecting acrylic teeth, was distributed to dental students of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The participants responded using a five-point Likert scale and closed-ended questions. Result: 161 dental students participated …

Evaluation Of Maxillary Posterior Teeth Proximity To The Adjacent Sinuses In A Turkish Subpopulation: Implications For Dental Education And Clinical Practice, Damla Yiğit, Gizem Dolaşir, Sabri Çelik, Rüya Sessiz, Raif Alan

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the proximity of upper posterior tooth roots to adjacent sinus borders using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Turkish subpopulation and to assess dental students’ competence in identifying this anatomical relationship. Methods: CBCT scans of 171 patients were analyzed. The vertical relationship between premolars and molar roots, and the maxillary sinus (MS) border was categorized into four types (Type 0–3). Interrater agreement between three final-year dental students and an experienced radiologist was measured. Results: Type 0 was the most frequent classification, except for first molars, where Type 2 and Type 3 predominated. MS-root distances …

Musculoskeletal Disorders In Dentistry: An Insight Into Dental Techniques And Practices, Mehwash Kashif, Aman Ashar, Amna Rehman, Abdul Aleem, Sidra-Tul-Muntaha Hashmi, Muhammad Yousuf Ali

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common workplace hazards in dentistry resulting from poor ergonomics and static postures, which lead to back, neck, and upper limb (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand) problems among dentists, resulting in harm to their health, productivity, and career. This study aimed to assess the frequency of MSDs, risk factors related to MSDs, and awareness of ergonomics among clinicians. Methods: Data were collected from 400 dental professionals, including house officers, postgraduate trainees, general dentists, and teachers/consultants, each with at least 12 months of practice. Data were collected using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire. Before data collection, ethical approval …

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (Mmp-9) Levels In Dentinal Fluid As A Diagnostic Biomarker For Irreversible Pulpitis, Aryo Megantoro, Valeria Widita Wairooy, Ratna Meidyawati, Endang Winiati Bachtiar

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Pulpitis is an inflammatory condition of the dental pulp. The inflammatory status can be accurately assessed by histological examination. Biomarkers, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), are effective indicators of inflammation severity. Among these, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has emerged as a key mediator of inflammatory processes associated with pulpitis. However, its clinical application as a biomarker remains limited owing to challenges in its extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MMP-9 extracted from the dentinal fluid as a biomarker for pulpitis. Methods: Dentinal fluid was collected using the blunt tip of a sterile paper point, following clean …

Individualized Oral Care Using Photobiomodulation And Tailored Brushing Method In A Patient With Maxillofacial Trauma – A Case Report, Shruthi Reghunath, Roshni Ramesh, S Santhosh Kumar, Anoop Sasi, Shahana C. Mohamed, Bilha Joy, Aswathy Jayasree

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Patients who report to the dental outpatient department following maxillofacial trauma often exhibit suboptimal oral hygiene, which is frequently attributed to challenges in sustaining oral care stemming from pain and restricted mouth opening after the injury. This case report aims to provide an individualized protocol of oral care and pain management for patients with maxillofacial trauma. Case report: A treatment protocol combining the Tailored Brushing Method (TBM), a personalized approach for at-home oral hygiene, and photobiomodulation using low-level laser was performed on a 24-year-old patient with maxillofacial trauma and poor oral hygiene. Results: The TBM is successful in achieving good …

Raising Awareness Of Oral Cancer At The Royal Cornwall Hospital, Alison Brown, Guy Lambourn, Ness Avery, Safiya Robinson, Tanya Lommerse, Casper Jonker

Peninsula Dental School

No abstract provided.

Is Public Website Design An Administrative Burden? The Case Of Snap, Guangli Zhang, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

How do websites for public-benefit programs affect access to benefits?

This brief examines the state websites for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), investigating whether there is a relationship between site design and experience of administrative burdens in SNAP. The authors examine page design using Google’s Lighthouse service and draw upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility Survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,511 low-wage U.S. workers to examine administrative burdens in SNAP. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are used to investigate the relationship between SNAP page design and SNAP quality-control measures. The finding suggest …

Rebuttal Comments To The Us Trade Representative On The Operation Of The Usmca Agreement, Barry Appleton

Other Publications

These rebuttal comments incorporate insights from US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's public remarks on December 10, 2025 to the Atlantic Council,2 that sheds additional light on the administration’s approach to the USMCA, its overall US trade strategy, and the nature of this review. This better understanding of the USTR’s approach permits a more informed rebuttal commentary. My core submission remains the same as in my oral statement: law, not leverage, builds North American prosperity.

Concurrent Tb And Hiv Therapies Control Tb Reactivation During Co-Infection But Not Chronic Immune Activation, Riti Sharan, Yi Zou, Bindu Singh, Vinay Shivanna, Edward J Dick, Shannan Hall-Ursone, Xi Luo, Guanlin Guo, Shabaana A Khader, Xavier Alvarez, Jyothi Rengarajan, Zhao Lai, Smriti Mehra, Hulin Wu, Deepak Kaushal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Most HIV-negative individuals exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) control infection as latent TB infection (LTBI), but HIV co-infection greatly increases progression to tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces LTBI reactivation, immune control of Mtb is not fully restored, as shown by persistent TB incidence in PLHIV on cART. In macaques, skewed pulmonary effector memory CD4⁺ T-cell (TEM) responses and new TB lesions persist despite cART. We hypothesize that concurrent anti-TB therapy with cART would improve bacterial control and immune restoration compared to cART alone. Using …

How The Intake Of Pulses May Impact Metabolic Disorders And Dementia Risk: A Narrative Review, Lisa Michelle Belzer Salinas, Maricarmen Marroquin, Mariana Mendez, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Juan Carlos López-Alvarenga

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

We present a narrative review focusing on pulses’ geographical origin and distribution, their impact on human evolution and history, and their influence on human health. Pulses, including dry peas, beans, and lentils, are renowned for their richness in chemical antioxidants. Despite containing antinutrients, processing techniques preserve their health advantages. Epidemiological research has consistently demonstrated that the consumption of pulses is associated with favorable effects on metabolism. This evidence is further supported by molecular and clinical research, which has elucidated potential nutrigenomic mechanisms and effects on gut microbiota composition underlying their health benefits. However, the literature lacks randomized controlled clinical trials …

What We Can Learn From Comenius About Why We Educate, David I. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

As we wrangle repeatedly over the purposes of schooling and who gets to define them, what might we gain by taking a moment to listen to a thoughtful voice from a place and time not defined by our own mix of prejudices? I invite you to listen to such a voice, one speaking from a different era amid different anxieties and in a different idiom yet addressing questions that remain pressing. It is a voice shaped by a lifetime of educational engagement and reflection in the constant shadow of violence, yet, to the last, invested in the pursuit of delight. …

Implementing A Standardized Doula Awareness Tool To Improve Team Collaboration And Patient Understanding, Stephanie Wong

Master's Projects and Capstones

Setting: 22-bed, Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit in the Bay Area serving diverse birthing patients. Problem & Context: The unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their roles, or communicate their value. Evidence shows that doulas feel unseen by other hospital staff (Kett et al., 2022) and report that their role can be misunderstood, undervalued, or unrecognized, creating barriers to effective partnership (Louis-Jacques et al., 2024). Pre-survey: Only 19.2% of the participating volunteer doulas felt patients understood their role as a doula, and 11.5% felt patients were only slightly knowledgeable. In terms of collaboration, just 15.4% felt consistently …