Digital Commons Network^™

Prosocial Behaviour, Individualism, And Future Orientation Of Chinese Youth: The Role Of Identity Status As A Moderator, Zhengmin, Kelly Peng

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

There is a lack of research directly examining the relationships between future orientation, individualism, prosocial engagement and identity status among Chinese youth. This study focuses on the moderating role of identity status in the relationship between individualistic values, future orientation and prosocial behaviours. The study sample consists of 1817 Chinese youth aged between 15 and 28. Six patterns of identity statuses were identified by a hierarchical cluster analysis. Path analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the independent variables and youths’ prosocial engagement and the moderating effects of identity status. The results showed that future orientation is significantly related …

Minimizing Hotel Employees’ Negative Responses To Adverse Change Practices: The Application Of Attribution Theory, Zhengmin, Kelly Peng

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

Hospitality organizations need to make changes from time to time, which usually result in adverse human

resource (HR) practices, such as readjustments to job duties or salary cuts. To reduce negative employee responses to these adverse practices, scholars suggest the important role of change communication. However, it

remains unclear how change communication can alter employees’ cognition to minimize their negative responses. Drawing on the HR attribution theory, we hypothesize that high-quality change communication can

reduce employees’ turnover intentions through well-being attribution. We further argue that this indirect effect

depends on the seriousness of the negative impact on employees. We test …

Carbon Capture And Storage And Infrastructure Innovation In The Presence Of Transboundary Pollution: A Differential Game Analysis, Yingxuan Zhang

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

This study employs a differential game approach to examine the

carbon capture and storage (CCS) and infrastructure innovation strategies of

two countries in the context of transboundary pollution. The game model

incorporates three key elements: (i) the quantity of CO2 captured by each

country depends on its capital stock of CCS infrastructure; (ii) both countries

engage in infrastructure innovation activities; and (iii) an incentive equilibrium mechanism is developed to foster sustained cooperation between the two

countries. Our findings reveal that when emission levels remain constant, the

system exhibits a steady-state equilibrium with a saddle point in both non[1]cooperative and cooperative …

Ai-Assisted Diffuse Correlation Tomography For Identifying Breast Cancer, Shun Wan Chan

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Significance: Diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) is an emerging technique for the noninvasive measurement of breast microvascular blood flow, whereas its capability to categorize benign and malignant breast lesions has not been extensively validated thus far, due to the difficulties in instrumentation, image reconstruction algorithms, and appropriate approaches for imaging analyses. Aim: This artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted DCT instrumentation was constructed based on a unique source–detector array and image reconstruction algorithm. Approach: The DCT images of breasts were obtained from 61 females, and AI models were utilized to classify breast lesions. During this process, the blood flow images were either extracted as …

Development Of Chinese Medicinal Ointment With Antibacterial Properties From Tripterygium Wilfordii, Ching Tung, Dawn Au

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Background: Chinese medicinal ointment was first recorded in the Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas). Different formulations of Chinese medicinal ointments have been made based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Many TCMs possessed antibacterial properties that were used as microecological regulators to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria, “Escherichia coli.” Purpose: To develop and make an antibacterial ointment by Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) and evaluate its antibacterial function. Materials and Methods: The methodologies included physical (cream selection), chemical [ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD)], and biological (agar assay) experiments for making TW ointment. …

An Overview Of The Current Scientific Evidence On The Biological Properties Of Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench (Okra), Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady’s finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds …

Engineered Bioactive Glass-Chitosan Hybrid For Dual Tissue And Bone Regeneration Multifunctional Healing, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

The treatment of complex wounds, particularly those arising from conditions such as diabetes or trauma, presents a significant clinical challenge. These wounds often necessitate long-term care for soft tissue and bone repair, creating an urgent need for multifunctional wound dressings. This study introduces a chitosan-silica hybrid dressing enhanced with bioactive glass (BG), specifically designed to address this need. The hybrid material achieves molecular bonding through coupling agents, with the organic chitosan component providing swelling and hemostatic effects, while the inorganic silica and BG release ions (Si4+, Ca2+), promoting tissue regeneration and bone healing. With a controlled degradation profile (lasting 3 …

Development Of Iron Oxide Based-Upconversion Nanocomposites For Cancer Therapeutics Treatment, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Administration of therapeutic strategies alongside magnetic multifunctional nanocomposites has displayed improved cancer prognosis. However, the clinical use of this combination is limited owing to poor bioimaging performance, low biocompatibility, restricted tissue penetration in ultraviolet/visible regions, and low therapeutic efficacy of nanocomposites. To overcome these existing challenges, we designed iron oxide (Fe3O4)-based upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via facile solvothermal method and incorporated into mesoporous silica (mS) layer (Fe3O4@mS). Fe3O4@mS nanoparticles were further decorated onto the surface of the UCNPs as a core material (UCNP-Fe3O4@mS, FMUP). Methotrexate (MTX) an efficient anticancer drug was loaded onto the mesoporous silica to …

Pharmacological Elucidation Of Novel Frug-Leads For The Treatment Of Parkinson's Disease Through Multiple Tergets, Shing Hung Mak

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. PD might cause the dysfunctions of motor neuron in patients. Although the causes of PD still remain to be elucidated, multifactorial pathogenesis have been suggested. Currently available single-targeted drugs only provide symptoms-relieving benefits, but not delay or reverse the progress of PD. Thus, the "one-compound-multi-target ligands" strategy might be a promising strategy for the development of new drug for PD.

Recent studies have also demonstrated that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/ myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) might be important therapeutic targets for treating PD. Here, by …

Combined Use Of Esculetin And Probiotics In Preventing Parkinson’S Disease In Mice, Shun Wan Chan, Meng Zhang, Huan Zhang

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 0.1-0.2% of the population, with a higher prevalence among the elderly [1]. As the disease progresses, its motor symptoms worsen, significantly impairing patients' self-care abilities and quality of life. Due to the lack of definitive early-stage diagnosis and effective treatments to slow neurodegeneration, developing preventive measures is essential to alleviate the social and economic burdens associated with PD. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary components, such as probiotics, can modulate the gut-brain axis to potentially prevent PD development. Previous research has highlighted esculetin, a natural coumarin, for its neuroprotective properties in …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Esculetin And Probiotics In 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Parkinson’S Disease, Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan, Meng Zhang, Huan Zhang, Kam Wah, Daniel Mok

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive impairment of motor and non-motor functions, particularly affecting aging populations. Approximately 0.1-0.2% of the global population is impacted, with the rate significantly higher among the elderly. Currently, an estimated 10 million individuals are living with PD, a number projected to rise to 25 million by 2050 due to aging demographics. The burden is notably greater in males, and prevalence increases with age. As PD progresses, it leads to debilitating motor decline, severely compromising patients' independence and quality of life. These challenges are compounded by the current inability to definitively …

An Overview Of The Current Scientific Evidence On The Biological Properties Of Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench (Okra), Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan, Tsun Ka, Carten Kwok, Yam Fung Ng

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady’s finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds …

Developing Arduino-Based Equipment For Low-Cost, Low-Skill Environmental Monitoring, Shing Him, Louis Lee

Department of Construction, Environment and Engineering

Open-source monitoring equipment has been adopted by environmental scientists. A popular development platform is Arduino. However, most existing Arduino-based datalogger designs are complicated for environmental scientists whose main duties are outside equipment development. This research aimed to develop a low-cost and low-skill datalogger for the purpose of environmental monitoring. An Arduino-based datalogger called Delayable Latching Logging Module (DLM) was developed. A small circuit board called Compact Air Sensor (COMPASOR) was also developed. The data-logging parameters, namely the logging interval and the delay until the first logging event can be configured by modifying the text files in the MicroSD on DLM. …

Precise Kidney Stone Localization In Medical Imaging Via A Capsule Network, Omar Hammad Jasim, Daniah Abdul Qahar Shakir, Mohammed Shihab Hamad, Waleed Kareem Awad

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) face significant limitations in medical imaging when detecting small, spatially variable objects such as kidney stones, primarily due to their inability to preserve pose information and spatial correlations through max pooling operations. While previous CNN-based studies achieved approximately 93% accuracy in kidney stone detection, they struggled with the precise localization of small or partially obscured stones, creating a critical research gap in automated urological diagnostics. This study develops and evaluates a capsule network (CapsNet) framework that leverages dynamic routing and vector-based capsules to increase kidney stone localization accuracy in computed tomography (CT) images while maintaining …

Hybrid Quantum-Assisted Deep Learning Model For Early-Stage Alzheimer’S Disease Classification Based On Mri Images, Eman A. Radhi, Mohammed Y. Kamil, Mazin Abed Mohammed

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents significant diagnostic challenges owing to the subtle morphological similarities observed in the early stages, with traditional deep learning approaches often struggling to distinguish between the various stages of disease progression via structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data. Quantum computing offers unique advantages for medical image analysis, leveraging superposition and entanglement capabilities to process high-dimensional feature spaces beyond the limits of classical computation. This study introduces a hybrid quantum-classical neural network architecture (HQC-Net) for accurate four-class Alzheimer's disease classification, which uses quantum processing to detect patterns that are often invisible to classical spatial analysis methods. The proposed …

Shared Generator-Based Serverless Multimodal Federated Learning For Medical Image Analysis, Mohammed Adel Al-Shahe, Ahmed Saihood, Mustafa Asaad Hasan

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Medical image analysis constitutes the foundation of the diagnosis of potential life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer. Nevertheless, AI model construction in this context is hindered by strict privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR), the variability of imaging protocols, and the paucity of large annotated datasets. These barriers constrain centralised machine learning and dampen interdisciplinary research. To overcome such barriers, this paper introduces shared generator-serverless federated learning (SGS-FL), a decentralised multimodal medical imaging framework. By employing a shared generator and multidiscriminator architecture, SGS-FL eliminates centralised dependency via cross-modal synthesis, while the communication burden is reduced by embedding a sharing protocol. By …

Uniform Resource Locator Protection Scheme For The Mitigation Of Man-In-The-Middle Stripping Attacks, Duaa Sameer Zhraw, Mohammed Abdulridha Hussain, Zaid Ameen Abduljabbar, Vincent Omollo Nyangaresi, Ali Hasan Ali, Husam A. Neamah

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks reduce Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), compromising network communications to potential exploitation. Attackers exploit application-layer vulnerabilities, and the attack often occurs on LAN. This study addresses the problem by introducing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) protection mechanism that combines encryption with secure key exchange. A browser built with Python and PyQt5 encrypts URLs before transmission. The router decrypts, processes, re-encrypts, and returns data securely. The Diffie–Hellman algorithm generates a new session key for each connection, and the Advanced Encryption Standard with Galois Counter Mode (AES-GCM) technique to encrypt. The system was tested …

A Novel Ai-Based Dependency-Aware Algorithm For Prioritizing Software Requirements In Large-Scale Projects, Nahla Mohamed, Waleed Helmy, Sherif Mazen

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Requirement engineering, Requirement prioritization, Requirement, Analytical hierarchy process, Large language models

Teacher Retention In The Wake Of The Inclusion Movement: A Mixed Methods Study On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy, Tessa Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation studied the problem of the national teacher shortage by considering the impact of the inclusion movement on general education teachers’ self efficacy. This mixed-methods study sought to contribute to the body of literature examining factors responsible for poor teacher retention and factors responsible for low teacher self-efficacy. Nine participants were interviewed and administered the Teacher Effective Inclusion Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, and Attitudes Measure. The researcher conducted coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and six themes emerged. The researcher scored the questionnaires and compared the scores to the responses provided in the interviews.

Themes revealed that the …

Vcu's Yellow Brick Road: Connection, Safety, & Navigation, Karen Bjork, Robert Chisley, Samuel Kessler, Taylor Mackillop, Sarah Midkiff

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Yellow Brick Road is an initiative designed to strengthen the connection between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and downtown Richmond by promoting outdoor activity, sustainable mobility, and shared community experiences. The project aims to enhance the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff through walking meetings and a proposed VCU-branded e-bike fleet, while also deepening VCU’s engagement with the urban community through events such as the UNCOMMON Street Festival. Together, these efforts reflect VCU’s vision as a university fully embedded in the city, guided by the question: How can VCU thrive with Richmond, not apart from it?

Introduction To Hydroponics- 2025-2026 Workshop Handbook, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Hydroponically grown plants grow faster than traditional production systems, with greater productivity, greater palatability, and having optimal visual character. Three principal components of a system include the plant support platform, a nutrient solution reservoir, and an interface for the root-solution. This publication provides in-depth explanation to system design, evaluation of water quality, nutrient formulation, and prototype systems that can be easily constructed for those wanting to explore hydroponics, such as educators, organizational leaders, or home enthusiasts.

The Entrepreneurs Handbook: A Practical Meets Academic Guide For Both Current And Budding Business Owners And Risk Takers, Howard J. Friedman

Open Educational Resources

This work has been created with the intention of being used as a practical guide for the budding entrepreneur. The concepts are presented to optimize creative thinking and find a path to a fully realized business. From idea through funding, the company life cycle. This work is meant to provide the reader with all the materials that will be needed to make a real-world decision. Effort has been made to combine academic and practical data to offer a straightforward guide to finding, funding, and realizing your dream.

Female Brain And Endocrinological Research–Veteran (Fember-Vet) Study: A Study Protocol For Identifying Endocrinological, Lifestyle And Psychosocial Determinants Of Brain Health Outcomes In Female Veterans For Future Intervention Success, Tamlyn Watermeyer, Elliott Atkinson, Glyn Howatson, Gill Mcgill, Christina Dodds, Paul Ansdell, Chinedu Momoh

Brain and Mind Institute

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated a greater risk of dementia in female veterans compared to civilians; with the highest prevalence noted for former service women with a diagnosis of psychiatric (trauma, alcoholism, depression), and/or a physical health condition (brain injury, insomnia, diabetes). Such findings highlight the need for increased and early screening of medical and psychiatric conditions, and indeed dementia, in the female veteran population. Further, they call for a better understanding of the underlying biopsychosocial mechanisms that might confer heightened risk for female veterans, to tailor preventative and interventional strategies that support brain health across the lifespan.

Methods …

Investing In Equitable Healthy Aging: Why Africa Must Reform Social Pension Schemes To Improve Alzheimer's Disease And Dementia Outcomes, Cyprian Mostert, Najat El Mekkaoui, Shehzad Ali, Chinedu Momoh, Olivera Nesic, Karen Blackmon, Thomas Thesen, David Andai, Zul Merali, Mary Karanja

Brain and Mind Institute

The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub-Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pension at age 62. Men had a similar situation—a life expectancy of 62 years and a healthy life expectancy of 53 years, spending 10 years in poor health before becoming eligible for pensions at age 63. Many men do not receive pensions due to early death. Delays and low pension payouts …

Patterns Of Self-Harm Presentations At A Tertiary Urban Hospital In Kenya: A Retrospective 5-Year Study (2018–2022), Willie Njoroge, Catherine Gitau, Everline Onchari, Linnet Ongeri, Linda Khakali, Murad Khan, Zul Merali, Lukoye Atwoli, Jasmit Shah

Brain and Mind Institute

Introduction Self-harm represents a complex and multifaceted public health issue of global significance, exerting profound effects on individuals and communities alike. It involves intentional self-poisoning or self-injury with or without the motivation to die. Although self-harm is highly prevalent, limited research has focused on the patterns and trends of self-harm among hospital populations in low- and middle-income countries, particularly within Africa. This study aims to explore the socio-demographic and clinical profile of patients presenting with self-harm and determine the common self-harm patterns at a tertiary facility in Kenya.

Methodology We carried out a descriptive retrospective study and included patients from …

The Female Brain Health And Endocrine Research In Africa Study (Fember-Africa): Identifying Endocrinological, Lifestyle, Psychosocial And Socio-Cultural Targets For Alzheimer’S Disease Prevention In Women Of African Ancestry, Chinedu Momoh, Rachel Maina, Edna Bosire, Linda Khakali, Sarah Gregory, Karen Blackmon, Thomas Thesen, Samuel Gitau, Anne Njogu, Cynthia Smith, Sylvia Mbugua, Sheila Waa, Jasmit Shah, Kendi Muchungi, Zul Merali

Brain and Mind Institute

Background The Global Dementia Action Plan 2017-2025 specifies key targets, with an emphasis on building research infrastructure and capability across the Global South. However, to date, only 0.1% of total research in Africa constitutes dementia research, the lowest volume of all LMIC regions. Several biomarker and risk models of the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are proposed as optimal junctures for disease prevention, yet they ignore the influence of biological sex/gender on cognitive and disease processes, despite female sex/gender constituting a major AD modifier. Similarly, the application of these models in ethno-racial and culturally diverse cohorts is …

Assessing Iot Intrusion Detection Computational Costs When Using A Convolutional Neural Network, Mathew Nicho, Brian Cusack, Christopher D. Mcdermott, Shini Girija

All Works

IoT systems face vulnerabilities due to their data processing requirements and resource constraints. With 13 billion connected devices globally, this research investigates the economic viability of AI-based intrusion detection systems (IDSs), specifically analyzing the automation costs of implementing a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) for classifying malicious sensor traffic. This study introduces an innovative framework that evaluates six distinct architectural components of CNN and LSTM: image input processing, convolutional layer operations, max pooling layer functionality, fully connected layer characteristics, softmax output activation, and class determination mechanisms. The framework employs six metrics: matrix size, feature vector number, …

Energy, Exergy, Economic, And Environmental Analyses (4e) Of Geothermal Power Plant With Double Flash System For Power And Heat Production, Mamdouh El Haj Assad, Yashar Aryanfar, Imen Ben Salem, Shek Atiqure Rahman, Laveet Kumar, Ahmad K. Sleiti, Mohammad Alhuyi Nazri

All Works

Geothermal energy is a reliable and sustainable renewable energy source due to its continuous availability and eliminating the need for energy storage systems. Among various types of geothermal power plants, double flash (DF) geothermal plants are among the most widely utilized. This paper presents a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of a DF geothermal power plant, integrating energy, exergy, economic, and exergoenvironmental (4E) evaluations. The study examines the influence of key parameters, including the high-pressure separator and geothermal production well temperature, on the system performance. The results indicate that the expansion valve of the high pressure separator exhibits the highest exergy destruction …

Victoria Welby's Semiotics, Significs And Gender: Through A Modernist Lens, Zoe Hurley

All Works

While there is an established body of scholarship discussing Victoria Welby's contribution to semiotics, her philosophical ideas engage with many of the intellectual currents that would later define the modernist movement. Exploring Welby's extensive articles, letters, speeches, and monographs - through a genealogical framework and modernist lens - conveys Welby's semiotic portrait of language and gender as both building upon and extending the classical semiotic approaches of Peirce as well as demonstrating nascent modernist elements. This casts a new light on the importance of Welby's semiotic concepts of Significs and mother-sense. Yet, although Welby's works correspond with proto-modernist concepts, including …

Green Project Finance For Infrastructure And Building Construction: Instruments And Benchmarks, Yunping Liang

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

It is counterintuitive that both the practice and research on green project finance for infrastructure and building construction are ascendant and still have limited precedents, considering that individually, the two parts (i.e., project finance and sustainability in the built environment) are both familiar to the communities. To narrow the gap and facilitate the financing of the built environment’s sustainable transformation, this study systematically reviews the common instruments for financing green infrastructure and building projects. Benchmarking questions distinguishing the profile of green project finance from common construction project finance are developed based on the literature review and then are used for …