Digital Commons Network^™

A Practical Primer On How To Detect And Treat Depression In Ckd, L Parker Gregg, Lynnel Goodman, Ella Q Carroll, S Susan Hedayati

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Detection and management of depression have special considerations in people with kidney disease. Screening should be done every 6-12 months using a self-reported questionnaire. Clinicians should rule out symptoms from medical conditions such as dialysis inadequacy or hypothyroidism and confirm the presence of sadness or anhedonia. Sertraline has shown limited efficacy and an increased risk for adverse effects such as gastrointestinal symptoms, so cautious, gradual dose titration is warranted. Cognitive behavioral therapy has potential benefit for depressive symptoms in people with kidney disease. Current trials are evaluating behavioral activation therapy. Physical activity has many benefits and likely improves depression.

Genetic And Embryonic Transcriptome Analyses Reveal The Molecular And Developmental Basis Of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome, Na Chen, Xi Cheng, Sen Zhao, Hengqiang Zhao, Chenglu Qin, Yaru Zhang, Xijuan Lin, Qing Li, Yuan Wang, Jia Kang, Jing Yu, Jianbin Guo, Qianqian Gao, Jiali Duan, Yuchen Niu, Jianzhong Su, Zhihong Wu, Terry Jianguo Zhang, Wanlu Liu, Pengfei Liu, Shan Deng, Nan Wu, Lan Zhu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) is characterised by aplasia of the uterus, cervix and upper part of the vagina. The genetic aetiology remains incompletely understood.

Methods: We performed gene-level and gene set-level burden analyses based on exome sequencing/genome sequencing data from 727 probands with MRKHS and 2504 female control individuals. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on human and mouse embryonic metanephros at different developmental stages. Genetic and transcriptomic data were integrated to prioritise suboptimal genetic signals, identify relevant cell types and determine key developmental stages. Potential digenic inheritance was assessed and prioritised using coexpression patterns from scRNA-seq data.

Results: We …

Commodification, Spatialization, And Structuration In Collaboration Between Local Media And Local Government In West Java, Awang Ruswandi

JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA

In the era of local government autonomy and decentralization, numerous collaborations have emerged between local governments and local media, particularly in reporting government activities. Utilizing Vincent Mosco's political economy of communication framework, this study aims to elucidate the power relations manifested through commodification, specialization, and structuration between local media and government. This qualitative case study gathers data through in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that local government media cooperation funds serve as a mechanism to secure special coverage spaces with positive content about governmental activities, not in the form of advertising or advertorial, but in the form of news. While financially beneficial …

Development Of Artificial Intelligence-Based Learning Media Using Powtoon Animation With A Joyful Learning Approach To Support Ppl Activities For Pre-Service Ppg Students, Zihan Novita Sari, Evania Yafie, Muhammad Alfan, Qorry Armen Gemael, Paundra Wangsa Fajar Kusuma

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to create adaptive and engaging instructional media, its application in the teaching practicum of pre-service teacher education students remains suboptimal. During field teaching practice, most pre-service teachers still rely on conventional methods and non-interactive media, resulting in learning that is teacher-centered, less engaging, and unable to accommodate diverse student needs. This condition leads to limited student participation, low classroom interaction, and ineffective delivery of material. Therefore, the development of AI-based learning media is necessary to support more interactive, personalized, and meaningful teaching practices aligned with 21st-century learning demands. This study aims to develop …

The Effects Of Visual And Audio Secondary Cognitive Tasks During Landing: A Statistical Parametric Mapping Analysis Of Hip And Knee Biomechanics, Hillary Nguyen, Amber Lyle, Kevin Tran, Dominic Espinoza, Gerwyn Hughes

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(7): 1367-1380, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/KGHI3479 ACL injuries often occur when athletes perform cognitive tasks while performing a landing/cutting movement. This study investigated the effects of secondary cognitive tasks on hip and knee biomechanics during single limb landing. Sixteen recreational athletes (10 females and 6 males, age: 21.6 ± 2.5 years, mass: 65.2 ± 8.9 kg, height 1.66 ± 0.07 m) performed landings on their dominant limb as a single task and while simultaneously performing secondary cognitive tasks (mental arithmetic) provided through audio and visual means. Hip and knee joint angles and moments were calculated in all …

Integrated Optimization And Data-Driven Modeling For Seawater Intrusion Mitigation And Prediction, Assaad Hassan Kassem

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Seawater intrusion (SWI) threatens the reliability of coastal groundwater especially in hyper-arid settings, where climatic stress and pumping accelerate salinization. This dissertation advances two complementary approaches to managing SWI: Part A optimizes mitigation measures, hydraulic (pumping/injection) and physical barriers (cutoff walls, subsurface dams) on benchmark models; Part B predicts SWI in the hyper-arid Fujairah (UAE) coastal aquifer using total dissolved solids (TDS) as a proxy, through machine learning-based models, spatially and dynamically. A bibliometric synthesis first maps the evolution of SWI models and mitigation strategies, identifying gaps that motivate the subsequent methodological developments. Part A employs the classical Henry problem …

Collaborative Learning In Occupational Therapy Graduate Education: Student And Faculty Perspectives, Erin Simpson, Caren Schranz

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Collaborative learning is noted as an effective strategy for learning and engagement in graduate school. Collaborative learning specific to occupational therapy (OT) graduate learning supports opportunities to work with peers and prepare for professional practice by expanding critical thinking, interpersonal and teamwork skills. This study explored the benefits and challenges of collaborative learning in occupational therapy graduate programs from the perspective of both students and faculty. A cross-sectional descriptive design gathered student and faculty perspectives through closed and open-ended questions. Data analyzation used descriptive statistics of close-ended questions and content analysis of open-ended questions using frequency of the words or …

Extremism Governance In The United Arab Emirates: Acase Study Using Qualitative Policy Framework, Haya Saleh Almansoori

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis investigates how the United Arab Emirates governs extremism using various models of governance and Gareth Morgan’s metaphorical organizational models. This research goes beyond a focus on security, and looks at extremism as a governance and policy problem related to social cohesion, institutional trust, and legitimacy. The research utilizes a qualitiatve case study design through analyzing federal laws and national strategies, as well as institutional frameworks to understand how authority, coordination and meaning are organized in the UAE’s governance of extremism.

The results show that the UAE’s governance of extremism is characterized as a hybrid governance model with hierarchical …

Exploring Family-Friendly Policies In The Uae, Mariam Sultan Al Kaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The Family constitutes the fundamental pillar of societies, fostering stability and driving progress. However, contemporary families in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face increasing challenges due to the growing participation of women in the labor market. While this shift reflects significant social and economic progress, it simultaneously intensifies the pressures on parents to reconcile professional and family responsibilities. Moreover, the scarcity of family-friendly policies (FFPs) exacerbates these challenges even further. This study explores the lived experiences of working parents with young children in the UAE, examining how existing workplace arrangements facilitate or hinder family engagement. A qualitative research design was …

Single Vs. Whole Muscle Group Assessments: Does The Specific Muscle Influence Its Association With Performance?, Carina M. Velasquez, Kealey J. Wohlgemuth, Mckenzie M. Hare, Kathryn E. Southall, Jacob A. Mota

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 11, 2025. Biometric Muscle size and echo intensity are thought to influence muscle function. Unfortunately, previous works often will examine a single muscle from a group of agonists as a metric of whole muscle performance. This approach may not always be the most appropriate to assess performance outcomes. The purpose of the study was to 1) quantify the association of muscle size and echo intensity with vertical jump performance (VJ), 2) Compare the associations between individual and whole muscle group size and echo intensity, 3) determine whether single or …

Exploring Family-Friendly Policies In The Uae, Mariam Sultan Al Kaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The Family constitutes the fundamental pillar of societies, fostering stability and driving progress. However, contemporary families in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face increasing challenges due to the growing participation of women in the labor market. While this shift reflects significant social and economic progress, it simultaneously intensifies the pressures on parents to reconcile professional and family responsibilities. Moreover, the scarcity of family-friendly policies (FFPs) exacerbates these challenges even further. This study explores the lived experiences of working parents with young children in the UAE, examining how existing workplace arrangements facilitate or hinder family engagement. A qualitative research design was …

Leadership Development Of Primary School Teachers Graduated From The “Program Pendidikan Guru Penggerak” In Sleman Regency, Abdulloh Bustomi, Dwi Esti Andriani

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The main focus of this research aims to find out: 1) principals' views on teacher leadership; 2) principals' views on the urgency of teacher leadership development; and 3) the extent of teacher leadership development that has been carried out by principals. This study used a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. Qualitative data were obtained from 8 principals at the primary school level in Sleman Regency whose schools have teachers who are graduates and non-graduates of the teacher leadership education program. The method used was semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis used a thematic analysis model to analyze the principals' views. …

Framing Sustainability Governance In Uae Federal Public Policies: An Interpretive Analysis, Fatima Ahmed Al Zaabi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis explores the framing of sustainability by the UAE federal government through the public policy documents and legislation. The primary aim of this study is to map the integration of sustainability across key development sectors and identify the federal entities responsible for governing those mandates to understand the sustainability themes. This study employs a qualitative methodology using interpretive policy analysis through collecting official documented federal public policies and legislation from UAE Legislation Portal, using targeted keyword to trace development sectors coverage, federal entitles leading it and key sustainability themes. The findings reveal that UAE government frames sustainability not only …

What Lies Beyond Batik, Irian S. Christie

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

As an artist with both Indonesian and Southern American roots, I explore how batik—an Indonesian textile art using wax and dye—can speak to identity, family, and memory. Batik has been a constant symbol in my life, worn with care at gatherings and linked to respect, heritage, and cultural pride. The patterns and clothing brought my family together. Today, I carry that forward in my own way. I use traditional wax-resist methods—cotton, beeswax, and natural dyes—but instead of repeating patterns, I create portraits. This change lets me mix batik’s history with stories from my life. My work reflects the physical and …

The Uae's Role In Developing Strategies To Combat Money Laundering And Terrorism At The Local, Regional, And International Levels, Aisha Nabeel Alnaqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis presents an analysis of the UAE's role in developing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing strategies at the local, regional, and international levels, focusing on a key problem: whether current strategies are sufficient to address the complexities of financial crimes in the digital age and how their effectiveness can be improved. The study relies on a descriptive analytical approach that includes an analysis of official documents, legislation, and reports at the national and international levels, in addition to a chronological tracing of the country's policies from 2002 to 2025, and an institutional comparison across the three levels (local/regional/international). The …

Berberine–Piperine Co-Treatment As A Potential Therapeutic Strategy For Triple Negative Breast Cancer: An In Vitro Study, Aysha Suliman Alshamsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Massive applications were implemented to limit the risks of breast cancer, especially for the aggressive and treatment-resistant subtype triple-negative breast cancer that pose substantial obstacles for conventional approaches; therefore, natural substances have come to light as potential alternatives for anticancer therapy, especially in aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this respect, berberine (barberry) and piperine (black pepper) are natural substances found in plants that have received extensive attention for their role as phytotherapeutic agents. Berberine has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Piperine is known to improve the bioavailability of other medications and has its own anticancer …

Forhan Bin Emdad, Forhan Emdad

Faculty Research Mixer

No abstract provided.

Understanding Behavioral Patterns: A Case Study Of Emirati Ex-Offenders In United Arab, Salim Ali Al Naqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Research on desistance has helped criminologists to better understand how people change their criminal identity and exercise personal choice. Yet in the UAE, these ideas has not often been applied to prisoners serving one or multiple offenses, even though incarceration and reoffending remain important social concerns. Because of this, desistance theory has not been fully used to study how rehabilitation is managed in UAE prisons, which means that some useful lessons may be missed. This study begins to close that gap by looking at the personal stories of 15 Emirati participants that were formerly incarcerated by adapting a qualitative and …

Treadmill Exercise And Indoor Cycling: Self-Selected Intensity, Perceived Enjoyment, And Importance Of Preference For Activity Mode, Ernst A. Hansen, Jonathan Ipsen, Jari Schneider, Simon Petersen, Alexander Petersen, Marianne Lindahl

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(5): 1344-1354, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/NCPI2090 For advancement of public health through exercise, exercise intensity and enjoyment are important. We aimed at testing whether self-selected exercise intensity was higher during treadmill exercise than during indoor cycling. Secondly, the enjoyment associated with the two activities was evaluated. Thirdly, in a person-centered analysis, taking into account the participants’ preference for mode of activity, we assessed whether preference for one of the activity modes was accompanied by greater intensity. Healthy adults (n=21) participated in the repeated measures crossover-designed study. They performed 16-min bouts of treadmill exercise and indoor cycling at …

Acute Physiological Responses To Rope Climbing Ergometer High-Intensity Interval Training In Males And Females, Hannah K. Eberhardt, Matthew F. Brisebois, Matthew A. Yeomans, Patrick G. Saracino

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 1355-1366, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70252/EAFV3707 This study aimed to assess the acute physiological responses to a single bout of rope climbing high-intensity interval training (RC-HIIT) and compare the responses between sexes as no data currently exists on this training modality. Following an overnight fast, body composition was assessed, and resting measurements were recorded. Participants then completed an exercise protocol consisting of 10 rounds of maximal effort rope climbing using a 30:60 second work:rest ratio. Gas analysis and heart rate (HR) were recorded continuously. Blood lactate (BLa) was measured following the final work interval. Participants remained seated …

Book Review: "Take Your Own Advice" By Jeffrey Marsh, Kristy Carlisle

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

This review examines Take Your Own Advice by Jeffrey Marsh as a teaching tool for cultivating ethical presence, mindfulness, and professional identity in human services and counseling education. Grounded in compassion-based, trauma-informed principles, Marsh’s eight guiding rules invite readers to shift from control and perfectionism toward authenticity, acceptance, and values-based living. These concepts directly reflect mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) practices and expound upon self-compassion, boundary awareness, and cultural humility. Through workbook activities, students find ways to practice emotional regulation and ethical reflection. Drawing connections to the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) and Council for …

Distinguished Ornithologist 2024: Mark Peck, Jean Iron, Gerard Binsfeld, John Carley

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

An Unusual Northern Mockingbird Nest In York Region, Ontario, Roy B.H. Smith

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

First Limpkin Sighting In Ontario, Josh Mandell

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

An Unusual Case Of Common Terns Nesting On A Rooftop In Ontario And An Attempt To Relocate The Colony, David J. Moore, Jeffrey N. Costa, Alexis L. Stupich

Ontario Birds

A variety of gull and tern species have adapted to urban environments by nesting on rooftops and other human-made structures. Previous reports of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) breeding on rooftops have generally involved small numbers of nests (≤25). Here, we report an occurrence of an unusually large number of Common Terns nesting on a rooftop in Port Credit, Ontario, in 2013. A complete survey of the roof was conducted on 31 May, when 1,011 Common Tern nests were counted. A similar number of breeding pairs used this roof in 2014, but the site was largely abandoned by 2015, due to …

Table Of Contents, Ontario Field Ornithologists

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Ontario Field Ornithologists

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Cover, Barry Kent Mackay

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

A Review: Tree Swallows As Indicators Of Environmental Contaminants, Kailee Hopkins, Melissa Mckinney, Kim Fernie

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Ontario Bird Records Committee Report For 2023, N. Anthony Kaduck, Nicole M. Richardson, Alvan D. Buckley, Amanda C. Guercio, Kiah R. Jasper, Dan J. Macneal, Michelle A. Martin, David E. Szmyr

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.