Digital Commons Network^™

Using Virtual Reality For Immersive Learning In Medical Physiology, Imaan Benmerzouga

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

The use of virtual reality (VR) in medical education has been shown to be effective by increasing student engagement and learning. VR is an immersive approach that allows students to interact with a virtual environment that mimics the real world, transforming their experience from passive knowledge acquisition to active application. Medical Physiology is an intensive 10-week course at the Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM) taken by first-year medical students. In the fall of 2023, we piloted the use of VR to supplement lectures covering the anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system, utilizing two immersive learning …

Classroom Success With International Students: Strategies From An International Student Turned Faculty Member, Priya Krishnakumar

Learning and Educational Center Virtual Teaching and Learning Conference

Description of the session: This session will delve into successful strategies and perspectives for promoting classroom success with international students. Though the lessons learned in teaching international students and personal experience of the presenter, participants will examine the challenges faced by international students, including language barriers, cultural differences and adjustment to the educational system in the U.S. The session will offer practical solutions to foster inclusivity, strengthen student engagement and enhance academic success for diverse learners.

Session objectives:

• Identify common challenges faced by international students in the classroom
• Examine effective teaching strategies that promote inclusivity
• Describe practical solutions for supporting …

Structural Studies Provide Insight On The Fate Of 1,5-Dithiacanes: Two Electron Reversible Oxidation Versus Irreversible Oxidation, Michael D. Ryan

Chemistry Research Data

File types are Excel, Word, and fchk. Total file size is 86 MB, and contains 17 files.

Ethical Responsibility In The Design Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Systems, David K. Mcgraw

International Journal on Responsibility

This article aims to provide an overview of the ethical questions surrounding the responsibilities of designers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. First, the author delves into the philosophical underpinnings of this responsibility, examining various ethical theories to grasp the moral obligations individuals have towards others and society. The author contends that designers of technology bear the responsibility of considering the broader societal implications of their creations. Subsequently, the author scrutinizes the fundamental question of whether AI systems present unique ethical concerns compared to conventional technologies, pinpointing factors such as complexity, opacity, autonomy, unpredictability, uncertainty, and the potential for significant social …

The Social Determinants Of Sexual And Reproductive Health In Integrative Sex And Couples Counseling: A Structural Competence Perspective, Ayla J. Goktan, Melissa C. Henry

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2015) call for counselors to address equity issues via social justice and advocacy. One equity issue relevant to counseling sexology is sexual and reproductive health inequities. This article applies the social determinants of sexual and reproductive health (SDSRH) to counseling sexology, specifically integrative sex and couples counseling, to address health inequities. A fictional case study incorporates the SDSRH from a cross-theoretical structural competence perspective. Future research should further elaborate SDSRH frameworks and evaluate the efficacy of their clinical applications.

Predictors Of Trauma Symptoms In Adults Living With Hiv: The Role Of Social Connectedness And Sexual Orientation, Melissa Zeligman, Taewon Kim, Jamian Coleman, Moneta Sinclair, Rico Curtis-Davidson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has claimed over 740,000 lives in the United States since the 1980s, and further brought a host of mental health concerns, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), primarily brought on by the discrimination and stigma felt by people living with HIV (PLWHA). Social connectedness may serve as a buffer to the trauma often felt by PLWHA. However, rejection and discrimination can limit access to this needed support, especially for sexual minorities living with HIV. The present study (N = 396) examined relationships between social connectedness, trauma symptoms, and sexual orientation for PLWHA. Results showed that social …

Association For Counseling Sexology And Sexual Wellness Exemplary Practices For Counseling Sexology And Sexual Wellness, Amber L. Pope, Brean'a M. Parker, Bianca R. Augustine, Clark D. Ausloos, Juliana J. Lytle

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

In this document, we present exemplary practices for counseling sexology and sexual wellness. These professional guidelines advance practice, research, and education in sexuality and sexual health within the counseling profession. The exemplary practices are grounded in critical theories to center the experiences of diverse clients, contextualize the role of culture, environment, and history in shaping our sexualities, and celebrate varied ways of being. We detail 12 exemplary practice areas for sexuality counseling across the following domains: a) attitudes, beliefs, & understanding of historical influences; b) knowledge; c) counseling skills; d) action and advocacy; and e) counselor education and supervision.

Objectification Of Others Scale: Confirmatory And Exploratory Factor Analysis In A Sample Of Emerging Adults, Zachary D. Bloom, Shedeh Tavakoli, Madelaine Romito

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The objectification of others is an important phenomenon in the cycle of objectification. However, few instruments measure the construct of other-objectification. This study examines the psychometric properties of Objectification of Others Scale using a sample of emerging adults (N = 1,584). Two random subsamples (n = 792) of the dataset were used to conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, resulting in a two-factor model that explained 72.37% of the variance. We address limitations of the instrument and make recommendations for future research.

Pre-Emptive Heating, Ventilation, And Air Conditioning System Preparation For Arriving Occupants, Anonymous

Defensive Publications Series

In very cold or very hot ambient conditions, when an arriving occupant enters the vehicle and uses the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in the vehicle, there can be a significant delay until the conditioned air coming out of the vents is close to the desired temperature. To avoid this delay, a method is proposed that will pre-emptively prime the HVAC system based on the estimated arrival time of the occupant which is determined by estimating the location, trajectory, and speed of the arriving occupant. Based on the estimated time off arrival, the vehicle will then activate the …

Mrs. Beulah Mae Cooper

African American Funeral Programs

Cooper, Beulah.pdf - Funeral program for Beulah Mae Cooper

Mrs. Inez Cope

African American Funeral Programs

Cope, Inez.pdf - Death notice for Inez Cope

Little Miss Lashanta Coston

African American Funeral Programs

Coston,Lashanta.pdf - Death notice for Lashanta Coston

Modeling Of Radio Array Distribution, Yahya Emran Abdelhadi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

In the quest to understand the mysteries of the universe through radio astronomy, selecting the right tools and methods is crucial. Just as radio astronomy provides a unique lens through which to study the universe, the adoption of open-source software, such as Python, similarly offers a distinct advantage in scientific research. Today most research is done on open-source code which reduces the limitation to have access to the science and research resources to improve the quality and the contributed researcher. For some people, access to software and tools is very expensive and limited. This work focuses on converting the IDL …

Developing A Framework For Digital Twin Data Quality And Security Controls, Ahmad Abdelbaset Hassan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis is concerned with the data quality and security of the digital twin and how it is going to impact its adoption, trustworthiness, and potential for real-world applications. By addressing the potential vulnerabilities and ensuring the integrity of data, this research aims to contribute to the development of robust and trustworthy digital twin standards and policies that is going to complement the existing international standards across different domains. Moreover, it underscores the important need to establish robust standards to ensure the successful and secure deployment of digital twins across industries. Previous research, while valuable, may not have fully addressed …

The Legal Regulation Of The Internal Oversight Committees In Islamic Financial Institutions, Samya Bakheet Alnahdi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study deals with the legal organization of internal Shari’ah Supervision Committees ISSC in light of the modern federal legislation of the UAE and the standards of Shari’ah governance, after a legislative vacuum that lasted for nearly 9 years since the establishment of Dubai Islamic Bank in 1975 as the first Islamic bank according to the modern concept of banks in the UAE and the world as a whole, until the issuance of Law No. (6) of 1985 regarding Islamic banks, financial institutions and investment companies as the first legislation regulating Islamic banking in the UAE, and the study aims …

Hybridizing Reinforcement Learning With Metaheuristics For Improved Traffic Signal Control And Optimization In Urban Transportation Networks, Jiyana Nikhil Jaisinghani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Managing road traffic in metropolitan cities is a crucial aspect of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The rapid growth of population and vehicles has led to increasing traffic congestion, which negatively affects travel times, fuel consumption, and air quality in urban areas. Intersections and their traffic lights are key contributors to this congestion, making efficient and adaptable Traffic Signal Control (TSC) and Traffic Signal Scheduling (TSS) essential. TSC manages traffic flow at intersections, while TSS optimizes the timing and sequencing of traffic signals. The techniques, Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Metaheuristic Optimization (MO), have shown promising results in addressing traffic control challenges …

It’S Complicated: The Level Of Risk Assigned To A Missing Person, Time They Were Missing For, And The Tasks Performed By Police Investigators., Karen Shalev, Craig Collie

International Journal of Missing Persons

This study examines the number of tasks police investigators perform by the level of risk assigned to cases and the length of time the investigations take to resolve. It analyses 40,091 solved cases from 2019 using data from eight English police forces, as part of a wider research project of missing person investigations demand on police resources. The findings show that (1) low and high risk with a search area cases have a relationship to the duration of the investigation; (2) there is a relationship between the risk classification and the number of tasks assigned to the case; (3) the …

An Exploration Into Why There Is An Overrepresentation Of Bame People In Missing Person Cases, Phoebe Sleigh-Johnson, Fiona Gabbert Dr., Adrian J. Scott

International Journal of Missing Persons

The overrepresentation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in missing person cases is an issue that is not understood within society and has largely been neglected within academic literature to date. This study, therefore, aims to explore why this overrepresentation might exist by obtaining the views and opinions of 24 professionals (including police officers) working within the field of missing people. The study used a qualitative, exploratory method and an anonymous online survey containing a series of open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was performed on the data, and three main themes were identified; the first related to the idea …

Supporting & Protecting Repeat Missing Children From Different Residential Environments: A Scoping Review, Kirsty Bennett Dr, Petra Salisbury, Rebecca O'Keefe, Sharon Vincent, Bethany Mccarthy

International Journal of Missing Persons

Repeat missing children pose a significant financial burden onto services, including the police, social services, and health providers. Recognising that 37 to 65 percent of missing child reports each year are repeats, efforts have been made by academics and practitioners to understand this societal problem. Research has identified the risks causing children to go missing and the harms that they experience, but these focus primarily on children missing from residential care only. This PRISMA (2020) scoping review of 76 studies explores strategies implemented to prevent repeat missing episodes, and the role/influence of the home environment (e.g., with parents/guardians, and foster …

Racial Bias In Risk Allocation And Resource Utilisation: A Contributing Factor To Ethnic Minority Overrepresentation In Missing Person Investigations?, Amy Van Langeraad, Fiona Gabbert, Adrian J. Scott

International Journal of Missing Persons

Statistics from the National Crime Agency reveal that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are over-represented within the missing population in the United Kingdom, and previous archival studies have shown there is a discrepancy in the recovery of ethnic minority missing persons compared to White missing persons. A wider body of research shows that racial bias is prevalent in the criminal justice system and law enforcement, resulting in different outcomes for victims depending on their racial background. Such outcomes have yet to be examined in the context of missing persons. Therefore, this study tries to address this gap in the literature …

Gait Measurement Descriptions Of Human Tracks, Robert Speiden

International Journal of Missing Persons

Search and rescue missions use a variety of tools to find missing persons, one of which can be visual tracking. Trackers detect, interpret and document information about human contact with the ground. Humans typically move on two feet at various speeds. Movement as an obligate biped leaves a series of footprints that alternates from one side to the other. This pattern of footfalls is rather simple, and the footfalls can be easily divided into descriptive dimensions.

This work summarized published measurements of bipedal gait ground contact points in 70 resources. Four resource types were surveyed including 33 biomechanical gait analysis …

The Criminal Confrontation Of Discrimination Crimes In Uae Law Under Federal Law By Decree No (34) Of 2023 Concerning Combating Discrimination, Hatred And Extremis, Hamda Mohammed Alshamsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Discrimination is a reprehensible act that undermines equality and fair opportunities. International efforts and national penal legislation have responded by criminalising this behaviour and enforcing penalties, given its threat to national peace and human dignity. The United Arab Emirates, with its unique diversity of citizens and residents differing in colour, gender, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, fosters coexistence under the rule of law and equality. The UAE legislature has proactively taken steps to combat discrimination, enacting specific preventive legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2023 on Combating Discrimination, Hatred, and Extremism.
This study offers a critical analysis of the criminal prosecution …

Role Of B Cell Mediated Immune Responses During Skin ‘Atopic Dermatitis’ Disease, Hidaya Mohammed Abdul Kader

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most prevalent non-infectious skin allergies with approximately 10-30% adults and 40% children being affected worldwide. It is clinically characterized by eczema tic lesions and elevated IgE levels and is a multifactorial disease that is heterogeneous in nature. AD results in a dominant Th2 polarized immune response. Until date, there is no cure for this disease. B cells are key players of humoral immune responses and contribute significantly to allergic responses through IgE secretion. However, recently a subset of B cells termed regulatory B cells (Bregs) were discovered that were shown to have a protective role …

Evolving Awareness In Popular Culture And Pedagogy [Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal Of Popular Culture And Pedagogy, Volume 8, Issue 1 (February 2021)], Miriam Sciala, Anna S. Cohenmiller

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Evolving Awareness in Popular Culture and Pedagogy [Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, Volume 8, Issue 1 (February 2021)]

Editorial

Evolving Awareness of Popular Culture and Pedagogy: A View into Celebrity, Song, Narrative, and Superheroes, Miriam Sciala and Anna S. CohenMiller

Articles

The Power of Cool: Celebrity Influence in Higher Education, Jena Hawk

Society Doesn’t Owe You Anything: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas & Video Games as Speculative Fiction, Marc A. Ouellette

The Many Ways of Wakanda: Viewpoint Diversity in Black Panther and Its Implications for Civics Education, Justin Frank Martin

Guiding Students Down that “Old …

Guiding Students Down That “Old Town Road:” Writing Pedagogy, Relatability And The Sitch, Lynn D. Zimmemran

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This study draws on media literacy to suggest pedagogical techniques that aim to combat boredom and enhance student engagement in freshman writing classes. Students often complain they cannot relate to course work; they maintain that course materials do not connect to their real lives and are therefore uninteresting. Because writing classes can serve as an introduction to academic discourse and skillful writing promotes academic success, negative attitudes about writing matter. Instructors craft courses to achieve learning outcomes but also to foster the habits of mind effective writing demands. I contend that discussing and writing about timely, controversial topics from students’ …

The Many Ways Of Wakanda: Viewpoint Diversity In Black Panther And Its Implications For Civics Education, Justin Frank Martin

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Like many of its superhero film predecessors, Black Panther (2018) achieved widespread popularity both domestically and internationally. Although the film examines the focal character T’Challa’s (Black Panther) attempt to balance his dual responsibilities as king and protector of Wakanda, the viewpoint diversity displayed by its citizens suggests that the film’s central character is Wakandan society. Drawing on events and themes from the film, the essay argues that social domain theory (SDT)—a theory that attempts to explain the development of sociomoral concepts across the lifespan—provides a useful lens to examine Wakandans’ viewpoint diversity as portrayed in the film, specifically with regards …

Society Doesn’T Owe You Anything: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas & Video Games As Speculative Fiction, Marc A. Ouellette

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, popular and scholarly commentators have been looking for speculative and/or dystopic literary works that might provide analogues for the Trump-era. Perhaps the most famous of these was the renewed popularity of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. In this regard, though, video games remain an underexplored fictional form. With its exaggerated and parodic satire of an America ruled by the corruption and greed of extreme right-wing populism, Grand Theft Auto (GTA): San Andreas (2004) offers a speculative fiction that players can enact as well as imagine, and simulate as well as prepare. …

The Power Of Cool: Celebrity Influence In The Ivory Tower, Jena L. Hawk

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Since the earliest of times, student orations and student debates served as the main attractions at college and university commencement ceremonies. However, these elements faded over time, and commencement speakers, specifically politicians or academics, eventually replaced student performances. Often, the commencement speaker emphasized the students’ rite of passage into adulthood as well as the development of their moral character. During the 1800s, celebrities began to receive invitations to serve as commencement speakers, and since then, celebrity influence has increased greatly in higher education as celebrities now teach classes at colleges and universities. The use of celebrities allows colleges and universities …

Editorial: Evolving Awareness Of Popular Culture And Pedagogy: A View Into Celebrity, Song, Narrative, And Superheroes, Miriam Sciala, Anna S. Cohenmiller

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Editorial for Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy, Volume 8, Issue 1 (February 2021), Evolving Awareness in Popular Culture and Pedagogy.

Habitat Preferences Of The Hiwassee Crayfish (Cambarus Hiwasseensis) And Appalachian Brook Crayfish (Cambarus Bartonii Cavatus) In A Headwater Stream, Johnathan G. Davis

Georgia Journal of Science

The Hiwassee crayfish Cambarus hiwasseensis (CH) is an endemic species to the Hiwassee River watershed in north Georgia and western North Carolina that is sympatric with the more widespread Appalachian Brook crayfish Cambarus bartonii cavatus (CB). This was the first study to investigate CH habitat use, comparing CH habitat to CB habitat in Corn Creek, a small, second-order stream in the Hiwassee River watershed. From August to November 2016 and January to April 2018, 15 habitat parameters were measured for 154 1-m² quadrants randomly sampled from an 800-m stream reach. Mann-Whitney U tests compared habitat parameters between present and …