Digital Commons Network^™

Mind Over Measure: The Role Of Self-Care Practices In Mitigating Mental Health Strain Among K-12 Educators, Jerry Burkett, Ryan Hulla

School Leadership Review

Teacher mental health is a critical concern in K-12 education, with high rates of burnout demanding effective protective strategies. This study investigated the relationship between five dimensions of teacher self-care (Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Spiritual, and Professional) and overall mental health outcomes, while specifically exploring differences between elementary (K-5) and high school (9-12) educators. A sample of K-12 teachers completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) and the Self-Care Inventory. Correlational analysis found that all five self-care dimensions were significantly and positively associated with mental health, with Professional Self-Care demonstrating the strongest link (r=.48, p

Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty In Ccr Management: A Panel Discussion, Mark Rokoff, Richard Huggins, Martha Thomsen, Roger Clarke

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The only certainty in CCR management is regulatory uncertainty! As we approach 2026, the industry and “CCR Universe” faces significant challenges and uncertainties due to the proposed EPA rule expected early in the year. This panel discussion will bring together a diverse group of industry experts, including representatives from associations (e.g. EEI), legal professionals, utility representatives, and consultants, to address the hard questions head-on and provide insight to and understanding of the implications of these regulatory changes. Key discussion points will include: • Legal Ramifications and Possible Pathways for 2026: Exploring the potential major pathways considering the proposed regulations and …

Coal Combustion Residual Impoundment Closure And Capping Impacts To Groundwater, Danielle Sylvia Cofelice, Thomas Haskins

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Closure of coal combustion residual (CCR) impoundments is a critical step in mitigating long-term environmental risks, particularly to groundwater quality. This presentation evaluates spatial and temporal behavior of key groundwater contaminants during and following closure that included excavation and capping of CCR impoundments at one coal fired electric generating facility. The assessment integrates spatiotemporal plume mapping, plume area and concentration trend charts, and dissolved mass in place metrics to assess contaminant concentration, migration, and attenuation in post-closure environments. Observed trends include both increasing and decreasing concentrations of key constituents during and following closure activities, suggesting complex interactions involving residual CCR …

Life History, Stock Status, And Movement Ecology Of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus Commerson (Lacépède, 1800) In The Southern Arabian Gulf, Mohamed Abdulla Almusallami

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson, is the most commercially valuable pelagic fish species in the Arabian Gulf. This thesis integrated three studies to comprehensively assess the life history, stock status, and movement ecology of this species in Abu Dhabi waters. Life history traits were characterized from data collected during a 15-month monitoring program (January 2019–May 2020). Fork length ranged from 30.5 to 132 cm. Growth parameters were k = 0.14–0.15 year⁻¹ and L∞ = 128.9–135.4 cm for males and females, respectively. Size-at-maturity (Lm₅₀) was 78.7 cm FL for females and 69.7 cm FL for males. The spawning season occurred …

Principals’ Questioning Practices As Drivers Of Innovation And School Improvement, Miguel M. Gonzales, Tiberio Garza, Elizabeth Leon

School Leadership Review

The art of asking questions plays a pivotal role in leadership and organizational change. This study examined the questioning practices of school principals for school improvement. The Discovery Skill of questioning, as illustrated in the Innovator’s DNA Framework outlined by Dyer and colleagues (2019), was adopted as the guiding framework. Data were gathered with a survey with open-response items from 124 school principals on their questioning behaviors for school improvement. Findings showed principals’ questioning from the qualitative investigation confirmed that most principal questioning habits resided in the description territory within the Innovator’s DNA Framework context. The findings suggest that school …

Dictionary Of A Vietnamese-American* Borderland, Ngọc Hải Nguyễn '26

Senior Scholarly and Creative Symposium

This project, composed of a contextualising research paper and an autoethnographical writing creative component, explores the conceptualisation of Anzaldúa's (2021) borderlands by applying to the author's own experience as a Vietnamese-native student growing up along multiple cultural points of inquiry (primarily the American culture). The core research question of this paper is What does it mean to be at the crossroads of many cultures? In the research paper, the author first contextualises the current discourse on borderlands, along with a justification for their usage of storytelling as a mode of inquiry. The author implements a framework theorised through Loveless (2019) …

Engineering Stormwater Resilience In Steep Valley Ccr Landfill Construction, Kevin Resnik, Grant Phelps

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Construction of a CCR landfill within steep geography presents unique challenges related to stormwater management, erosion control, and establishing placement and compaction practices over an extended construction timeline. This presentation builds upon prior work focused on temporary rain cover and wet-weather resiliency, expanding the discussion to practical strategies implemented during the prolonged startup and subsequent phases of waste placement. Key topics include: Stormwater management during active construction, with emphasis on intercepting, conveying, and controlling runoff in a topographically constrained setting. Breaking up drainage areas to reduce flow concentrations, prevent channelized erosion, and improve maintainability as grading evolves. Erosion control approaches …

Corrective Action Alternative Evaluation For Surface Impoundment Remedy – Two Case Study Examples, Qian Zhang, Andrew Bittner

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Illinois Administrative Code Part 845 requires owners and operators of coal combustion residual (CCR)-containing impoundments with groundwater protection standard (GWPS) exceedances to perform a Corrective Action Alternatives Analysis (CAAA) to evaluate viable remedies prior to selecting and implementing corrective action. The goal of a CAAA is to holistically evaluate a range of factors for the various corrective actions being considered at an impoundment. This presentation summarizes two CAAAs conducted for surface impoundments (SIs) at two power plants. Each CAAA applied a consistent decision framework that evaluates corrective action options using multiple performance criteria, such as: • Magnitude of Reduction of …

Capping And Closure Of Two Pennsylvania Ccr Landfills: Progress Update And Key Insights, Cory White, Ron Harris, John Klamut

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This project consists of the ongoing capping of two, 200-acre, coal combustion residual (CCR) landfills with geosynthetic capping systems consisting of 15 to 24 inches of final cover soil over eight ounce per square yard filter/separation geotextile over Super Gripnet geomembrane with drainage studs along top and friction spikes along the bottom over a prepared subgrade consisting of in-place cover soil. Approximately 80 acres were capped at each landfill from 2023 to 2025. To comply with Title 25, Pennsylvania Code §288.234(d), requiring closure within one year after cessation of waste placement, approximately 30 acres of each 200-acre site must be …

Rapid Field Methods To Distinguish Coal Ash And Soil, Benjamin Gallagher, Klaudio Peshtani, Lee Slater, Rebecca Kreuzer

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Some coal ashes exhibit soil-like textures and colors. If the coal ash and native soil at an impoundment or landfill site have similar appearances, it can be difficult to distinguish these materials in the field. Therefore, field and lab methods may be needed to supplement visual and manual observations. The results of a laboratory investigation of rapid screening methods (induced polarization, magnetic susceptibility, nuclear magnetic resonance, and colorimetry) for the discrimination of coal ashes and soils are discussed. Across five series of lab-created soil and coal ash mixtures, lab measurements of induced polarization and magnetic susceptibility values both showed strong …

Change Of Accessibility In The Izu Islands Before And After Tourism Development In The Pre-World War Ⅱ Period, Kantaro Takahashi

International Journal of Islands Research

This study compares accessibility on the Izu Islands, an inhabited archipelago. part of Tokyo Prefecture, from around the 1910s to the 1930s, during the early years of tourism development. Most islands in the archipelago started attracting tourists during the economically prosperous 1960s and 1970s; uniquely, Izu Oshima, the largest island, had been a tourist destination since before World War II. Tourism research on this region and period has predominantly employed a descriptive approach; quantitative studies have been rare owing to the dearth of data. Addressing this gap, this study conducts a network analysis of data acquired from the books of …

Tva Paf Gypsum Stack Final Closure – Lessons Learned And Planning For Future Use, Brooke Alison, Nicholas Golden, Gabe Lang, Shane Harris

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This case study involves review of the closure design and construction of a 250-acre gypsum stack at TVA's Paradise Fossil Plant using Watershed Geo's ClosureTurf final cap system. The design review will include the selection criteria of the final closure cap system, the use of a flatter-than-conventional 150-acre top deck grade, discussion of the storm water management strategy, and the planning for future use which potentially includes solar development and future harvesting of the CCP. Lessons learned will be presented including performance of the flat top deck, challenges associated with access roads over ClosureTurf, and geosynthetics documentation processes.

Unlocking Data Integrity: How Historical Data Review Enhances The Accuracy Of Laboratory Results, Danielle Coles

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Due to the implementation of the CCR rule and longstanding state regulatory guidelines, many utilities have built robust historical data sets associated with their groundwater monitoring programs. Data collected through these monitoring programs are used for many purposes including generation of statistics and site evaluation along with reporting to regulators and the public. Often, trends in data are evaluated long after data reporting to look at large scale trends or movement of constituents in the groundwater across a CCR landfill or entire site, but historical data sets can be used in real time to help determine the accuracy of current …

Coal-Derived Fly Ash – The Outlook Is Bright In The Uk, Nigel Cooke

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The global imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is reshaping industrial strategies across all sectors, with construction facing particular scrutiny due to its significant embodied carbon footprint. In response, greater emphasis is being placed on proven materials that can deliver both performance and environmental benefits. Coal-derived fly ash (CDFA) has a long and successful history within the UK construction sector. It is widely recognised for the technical advantages it brings to concrete and mortar performance, as well as its established use in applications such as autoclaved aerated concrete, grouts, and secondary aggregates. As the UK commits to achieving net-zero carbon …

Anthropogenic Lithologic Characterization Through Use Of Advanced Visual Tools As A Means Of Identifying Coal Ash, Stephen Papageorge, Lucas Mangold

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Identification and differentiation of particular Anthropocene strata such as coal ash and historic fill intermixed with native unconsolidated overburden presents significant challenges. To make specific determinations about origin and composition, a variety of tools are available such as our well-defined lithologic characterization processes. However, additional tools are required, as important and defining characteristic evidence isn’t available or obvious to our senses in the field. One challenge is the absence of surficial evidence of ash areas. Secondly, we are faced with limited access, as the responsible party no longer owns the site, there is new construction in the area of historic …

Screening Novel Secreted Proteins For Their Effects On Pancreatic Islet Function Using Qpcr-Based Gene Expression Analysis, Deepti Agarwal, Neha Mishra, Marcus Seldin

Cumberland Medica

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) involves progressive dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells and systemic insulin resistance. Although a handful of secreted factors acting on pancreatic islet have emerged as important therapeutic targets, many additional signaling processes remain unknown. The identification of such mediators can make a new contribution to the regulation of islet biology and serve as another approach for disease treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether three novel peptides could modulate islet-specific gene expression in vivo. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with proteins then pancreatic tissues were collected six hours post-treatment. Total RNA was isolated, converted to cDNA, and …

Ensuring Quality Geosynthetics Installations Throughout The Project Lifecycle, Glen Toepfer

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Geosynthetics serve numerous functions in containment systems used within the Coal Ash Industry and ultimately protect the site owner from liability. A failure in the geosynthetics containment system exposes the owner to liability; therefore, it is imperative that these geosynthetic containment systems be installed correctly to mitigate the risk of failure. Avoiding failure is not just the responsibility of the geosynthetics installer – it is the responsibility of every party involved in the project lifecycle from conception through post-closure. In fact, the success of the field installation is largely determined before the first panel of geomembrane is ever installed. The …

Research Week 2026 Awards, Scholarly Communications

Liberty University Research Week

The Research Week 2026 Awards includes a list of winners and the ceremony program.

Germanium And Gallium: Evaluating Their Potential In Coal Ash, Ari Campanaro

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Germanium (Ge) and gallium (Ga) have been classified as critical minerals by the Department of the Interior due to their unique properties and security risk to the supply chain. Recent restrictions on Ge and Ga imports have exacerbated the need for domestic Ge and Ga from resources such as coal ash, the largest source of industrial waste in the U.S. Understanding the abundance and modes of occurrence of Ge/Ga in a specific fly ash source is essential to evaluate its feasibility as a Ge/Ga resource. Microbeam Technologies, Inc (MTI) is evaluating fly ash resources from coal combustion and gasification systems …

Novel Use Of Ped-Xrf For Identification Of Ccr In Fill Units And Comingled Media, Charla Barnes, Harris Byers, Eric Hageman

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The EPA CCR Legacy Rule requires utilities to identify any areas of land on which noncontainerized accumulation of CCR is received, is placed, or is otherwise managed. While performing preliminary delineation efforts for implementation of the Legacy Rule, it has become apparent that not all encountered materials are easily identified through visual means. Depending on unit location, previous uses of the land underlying the potential CCR Management Units, and the type of native soils present, there may be uncertainty if an encountered material is CCR, native soil, or another non-CCR material. In cases where the color/texture of CCR fill is …

Tuning Boilers To Reduce Carbon In Fly Ash - Making Salable Ash, Rod Hatt

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This paper will describe various coal quality and combustion improvement facts and methods. Impact of fuel parameters like calorific value, ash, HGI, and volatile will be briefly covered. The main focus of this paper is on pulverizer performance and balancing combustion to lower carbon in fly ash. Pulverizers operating with larger than design coal particles tend to create an unbalanced pipe to pipe coal flow. This results in zones of low excess O2, even if average O2 settings are maintained. Impact on coal size and pipe balance of classifier settings and primary air flow will be covered. The importance of …

Evaluation Of Bottom Ash For Beneficial Use, Danielle Sylvia Cofelice, Thomas Haskins

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Historically, bottom ash has been beneficially used as a drainage layer within the final cover system for a coal combustion residual (CCR) landfill, positioned above the linear low-density polyethylene liner and below the protective soil cover and topsoil layers. This sustainable approach not only diverts bottom ash from waste management streams but also conserves natural resources by replacing the need for virgin materials, resulting in significant cost savings for ratepayers. To support the continued use of bottom ash in this application, an environmental assessment was completed. The assessment included sampling of bottom ash, an alternative drainage layer composed of virgin …

Fifteen Years, 450 Acres: Inside The Tva Gallatin Ash Pond Closure, Brian Egan, Shane Harris

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This presentation is focused on the TVA Gallatin Ash Pond Complex Closure. The project team embarked on a major coal ash pond remediation effort in 2023, targeting a 450-acre site with operations expected to continue over a 15-year period. The long-term and massive scope of this dig and haul project required the design and construction of extensive supporting infrastructure, including haul roads suitable for large earthmoving equipment, major pipelines for process water rerouting, and a robust water treatment facility. Key components of the work include maintaining slope stability, conducting comprehensive air quality monitoring, and ensuring high standards for coal ash …

Humanism And Theology, Werner Jaeger

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

Marquette University Press [©1967] Call # : B778 .J3 1967   Contains marginalia, underlining and marginal lining    PDF Information : 2.9 MB, 13 Pages

Liquefaction Susceptibility And Brittleness Of Coal Ash - A State Parameter Approach, Suafa'i Manson, Benoit Wentzinger, Scott Lines

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Limited data exists on the liquefaction susceptibility of combined fly ash and bottom ash deposits. Their low plasticity and settling density pose a risk of liquefaction under certain triggers. The liquefaction potential is linked to the in-situ state, defining its shearing behaviour as dilative or contractive based on relative density and effective confining stress. This can be assessed using the state parameter (Ψ) concept from critical state soil mechanics theory. This paper presents findings from a follow-up to our 2021 study, which used cone penetration test (CPT) based methods to estimate the in-situ state parameter and perform liquefaction susceptibility screening. …

ÜBer Den Beryll, Nicholas Of Cusa Cardinal

Hannah Arendt Marginalia - All

Leipzig : F. Meiner, 1938.

Call # : B765.N53 F5 Contains underlining and marginal lining   PDF Information : 40 Pages, 11.8 MB

Soundtrack Of Struggle: Racial Injustice, Resistance, And Redemption In To Pimp A Butterfly, Carson Yee

Culture, Society, and Praxis

This paper explores and analyzes the extent to which Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly, is a profound examination of the contemporary socio-political scene within the United States of America. In the introduction, the topic of protest art is discussed, highlighting the album’s role in addressing America’s ongoing struggle with racial justice. A context surrounding Kendrick Lamar and the formation of the To Pimp a Butterfly album follows, which then sets the stage for a thorough analysis of the various lyrical, musical, and contextual elements that suggest this album is a deeper evaluation of socio-political issues in America. …

Framing And Diffusion Of The 4b Movement: Why We Are Seeing A Resurgence, Kendall M. Goodwin

Culture, Society, and Praxis

In this study I examine how framing and diffusion has played a role in the resurgence of the 4B Movement over social media. First, I reviewed literature on sociological concepts and theories such as social movement framing and diffusion as well as Almeida’s social movement model. From there, I made a coding chart where I utilized the literature review to know what to code for. Then, I began collecting data. From November 2024 to January 2025, I collected and coded 656 TikTok videos. I then analyzed each of these videos, finding that social movement framing coupled with specific environmental factors …

Paternalism Under The Guise Of Partnership: How Modern Treaties In Canada Fall Short In Building Nation-To-Nation Relationships Between Indigenous Governments And The Crown, Maci Clements

Culture, Society, and Praxis

Indigenous nations in Canada have an inherent right to self-determination of their governments and traditional territory; however, how best to implement and ensure this right remains up for debate within Indigenous scholarship. In contrast to such debates, the Canadian State boasts the modern treaty process as the apex tool of Indigenous self-governance, permitting legitimate nation-to-nation relationship building. In this paper, I use an Indigenous feminist analytical framework to investigate if the negotiation and arrangement of existing modern treaties successfully accomplish the goal of creating a nation-to-nation partnership between Indigenous nations and the Crown. Following a critical reading of the modern …

Carbon-Negative Supplementary Cementitious Materials Produced From High-Calcium Coal Ashes, Hongyan Ma

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

High-calcium coal ashes, traditionally considered challenging for use in blended cements, offer unique opportunities for the development of carbon-negative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This study explores innovative processing and carbonation strategies to transform high-calcium ashes into reactive binders that not only reduce clinker demand but also permanently sequester CO2. Through multiple optimized and enhanced carbon mineralization pathways, the treated ashes exhibit enhanced pozzolanic performance, durability, and compatibility with Portland cement systems. Life-cycle analysis confirms that the dual benefits of CO2 capture and clinker displacement yield a net carbon-negative profile, advancing both decarbonization of cement production and sustainable coal ash management.