Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Food Security Through Church-Sponsored Food Programs, Samantha Scott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A south-suburban Cook County, IL city lacks grocery stores with high-quality food options, which contributes to food insecurity. Residents often rely on highly processed, low-nutrient foods, contributing to nutritional vulnerability. Friendship Church’s food bank sporadically serves this food desert, but sustaining its operations is challenging. Using community-based participatory action research design and the food security theory, data were collected from 25 semistructured interviews with food bank beneficiaries and church staff/volunteers and analyzed using reflective thematic analysis. The four dimensions were examined: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Two questions guided the research: How do parishioners in one south-suburban Cook County community …

Exploring The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Self-Esteem And Interpersonal Trust In African American Women, Elizabeth Omorodion

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Although childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is known to affect survivors’ subsequent self- esteem and interpersonal trust levels, its long-term impacts among African American women were not fully understood. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study, which was grounded in attachment theory and trauma theory, was to explore how CSA shapes African American women’s self-esteem, interpersonal trust, and healing processes in adulthood. To answer the study’s seven research questions, semistructured interviews were conducted with eight African American women. The use of Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis approach yielded seven themes: (a) impaired trust, (b) disrupted self-esteem, (c) resilience and strength …

The Representation Of Law Enforcement Authorities’ Performance In Nbc News Coverage Of The Debanhi Escobar Case: A Dialectical Relational Approach, Rachim Satria Wicaksana, Nurhayati Nurhayati, Istiqamah Idrus Sere

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

NBC News, as an international media outlet, plays a significant role in shaping public perception and moral evaluation of social issues. Its coverage of the Debanhi Escobar case in Mexico has attracted widespread international attention, particularly in relation to the handling of feminicide by Law Enforcement Authorities. Within this context, the present study investigates how NBC News represents Law Enforcement Authorities in reporting the Debanhi Escobar case and how such representations construct moral and institutional evaluations. This study applies Fairclough’s Dialectical Relational Approach (DRA) to examine the relationship between textual strategies, social practices, and power relations embedded in media discourse. …

Finding Meaning In A Historical Fiction Of Cold War: A Case Study Of Pamuntjak’S Question Of Red, Margihon Bayu Putra Kaumpungan

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

The Cold War and its legacy in Southeast Asia, has been considered as one of the darkest parts of the region’s history including in Indonesia. Efforts to capture the painful memory of the Cold War had been established through various means including fictional storytelling. Among many literature discussing the dark history of the era, Laksmi Pamuntjak “Question on Red” had its distinctive presence since it was written in English. The utilization of English as a medium opens the door for English speaking readers to be able to dwell into a literature work that is considerably unfamiliar to their cultural context. …

The World's Largest Saddle Dam At Risk: Multisensor Geohazard Analysis And Downstream Impacts, Hesham El-Askary, Hesham Morgan, Surendra Maharjan, Ali Elgendy, Wenzhao Li, Rejoice Thomas, Austin Madson, Cyril Rakovski

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Saddle Dam, which holds approximately 89% of the main reservoir's live storage, is one of the largest and most critical auxiliary dams globally; its construction on Ethiopia's Blue Nile has consequently raised significant regional and international concerns regarding potential environmental impacts and geohazard risks. This study presents a comprehensive risk assessment of the GERD Saddle Dam by integrating high-resolution satellite data (GRACE, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, WorldView-3), hydrological modeling (SWAT), Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI), geospatial analysis, and advanced statistical techniques. The results highlight critical structural vulnerabilities, including groundwater infiltration estimated at approximately 41 ± 6.2 billion …

Digital Disruption And Karawitan Recordings: Paradigm Shifts, Aesthetic Challenges, And Opportunities For Cultural Preservation, Iwan Budi Santoso, Bagong Pujiono, Darno Darno

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This article explores how digital recording practices, amid contemporary technological transformation, rearticulate the musical meaning of karawitan, reshape listening experience, and reorganize its modes of cultural circulation. The study is situated within broader scholarly debates on digital mediation, particularly concerning the shifting relationship between recorded sound and the socio-spatial and ritual contexts that have historically constituted karawitan performance. Using a descriptive qualitative case-study approach, the research draws on in depth interviews with musicians (pengrawit), scholars, distributors, and listeners, supported by observations of recording environments, patterns of online circulation, archival sources, and indicators of platform based distribution. The findings indicate that …

Religiosity And Ritual In The Novel Rangsang Tuban By Padmasusastra: Literary Anthropology Study, Anggra Dini, Endang Nurhayati, Suwardi Endraswara

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Rangsang Tuban by Padmasusastra offers a rich portrayal of Javanese social life through its depiction of traditions, religious practices, and ritual activities that shape the narrative and its characters. This study aims to examine the representation of Javanese religiosity and ritual in the novel and to explore its relevance to contemporary society. The novelty of this research lies in its analysis of ritual practices as expressions of Javanese religious syncretism, revealing interactions between formal religions and local spiritual traditions. Employing a qualitative descriptive method within a literary anthropology framework, this study analyzes textual data in the form of selected quotations …

Environmental Graphic Design Of The Great Mosque Ornaments For Strengthening Demak City Branding As The City Of Wali, Agus Setiawan, Ahmad Akrom, Khamadi Khamadi, Khairul Mustaqin, Auria Farantika Yogananti

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

This study explores the role of Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) derived from the ornamental heritage of the Great Mosque of Demak in strengthening Demak’s city branding as the “City of Wali” (Kota Wali). Motivated by the need for culturally grounded urban identity amid rapid modernization, the research examines how religious and historical visual elements can be translated into contemporary environmental design. The study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach informed by place branding and visual communication theory. Data were collected through field observations, visual documentation, interviews, and a literature review, followed by an analytical process that involved identifying local wisdom, interpreting …

Naturalness Of The Translation Of The Quranic Imperative Verses: A Comparative Study, Mohamad Zaka Al Farisi, Tatang Tatang, Mia Nurmala, Shofa Mushtofa Khalid

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

The aspects of translation acceptability are not related only to the accuracy and clarity of the translation. They also cover the naturalness of translation. This study aims to reveal the degree of translation naturalness of the Quranic imperative verses. This evaluative study compares the translations of the verses by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MORA) and the one made by Muhammad Thalib (MT). The study used embedded case study research. The findings of the study show that in general, the translations of the verses in the two versions have an acceptable degree of naturalness. However, …

Solvability Factors And Psychological Stressors In Cold Case Sexual Homicides: Insights From Investigators And Detectives, Jamie Borba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore solvability factors and psychological stressors experienced by investigators and detectives who work on cold case sexual homicides. The study includes eight participants’ perspectives of conditions that influence case solvability and psychological challenges inherent in investigating unresolved sexual homicide cases. Guided by the resource-based theory, the research involved examining how investigative techniques, organizational support, and available resources contribute to the successful closure and clearance of cold cases. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using coding and thematic analysis. This involved understanding how resource and institutional constraints affect their ability …

College Student Perceptions Of Ai Teaching Assistants: Bridging Technology And Human Connection For Effective Learning Support, Sarah Steimel

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This study examines college students’ perceptions of AI Teaching Assistants (AITAs) in higher education, focusing on their communication experiences and expectations. Using qualitative data from (n=89) open-ended survey responses, six key themes emerged, spanning differences in information processing, social interaction, and task efficiency. Students appreciated AITAs for their speed, availability, and potential to provide unbiased feedback, yet expressed concerns about accuracy and trustworthiness. While AITAs were seen as approachable for simple or low-stakes inquiries, students emphasized the importance of human instructors for complex, nuanced, or emotional support. The findings highlight a preference for maintaining human connections in education while leveraging …

Körperliche Und Psychische Aspekte Der Menstruation, Sarah Grossman

COD in Lingua

This text provides an overview of menstruation, its physiological processes, and its physical and psychological effects. It explains the menstrual cycle, including the follicular and luteal phases, hormone regulation, and ovulation. Common symptoms such as cramps, fatigue, mood swings, and breast tenderness are discussed, as well as the importance of understanding hormonal changes. The text also highlights social issues, including unequal access to menstrual products, and emphasizes the significance of education and awareness for managing menstruation and promoting health.

Effects Of Bungee-Based Training On Physical Performance And Arch Jump Kinematics In Female College Rhythmic Gymnasts, Nasser Abouzeid, Mariola Gepfert, Abdulrahman I. Alaqil, Abdulmalek K. Bursais, Hussein Hashoos, Mohammed S. Alibrahim, Labeeb Z. Moseekh, Amr S. Hamza

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week bungee-based training program on selected physical performance variables and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Material and methods: Eighteen female college students (age: 18.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 9) or a control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed a bungee workout training program three times per week for eight weeks, while the CG followed a traditional rhythmic gymnastics training program. Physical performance variables included vertical jump, leg strength, back strength, standing long jump, …

Cash Or Crash: Return To Player Percentages And Expected Value Of Crash Games, Robert H. Scott Iii, Mikhail M. Sher, Jonathan Daigle

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Crash games are a new type of casino game offered on some online gambling sites. The first crash game was created by the online cryptocurrency casino Bustabit. Other cryptocurrency casinos started offering their own versions of crash games. Now mainstream online casinos have developed their own crash games—notably Rocket by DraftKings. Crash games are easy to learn and play. They offer the opportunity to increase your bet by many hundreds of multiples—though, as we show when deriving expected values, these outcomes are rare. In this paper, we study the history of crash games and calculate theoretical values of crash game …

Lindenwood Digest, February 4, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Primary Figures: James Hutson; Colleen Biri; Mike Marzano; Ronda Cypret-Mahach; Meredith Marsh; Jessica Loyd; Lilliann Cheek; Kay DeKock; Michiko Nohara-LeClair; Esther Murphy; Jarret Brueck; Tim McNamee; Katie Long; Brad Hansen; Kim Diehl de Yanes.

• Key Events: The university issued a call for five faculty award nominations; four academic programs launched a pilot for AI and Emerging Technology Literacy; the "Lions Living Well" wellness program transitioned to the myHC360+ platform; researchers initiated recruitment for a probiotic gut health study and a gender perception study; the LARC opened a 250th American independence anniversary book display. 

• Date/Location: February 4, 2026; …

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Understanding The Epidemiology Of Malaria In Zanzibar Through Molecular And Serological Analysis Of Samples Collected During Reactive Case Detection, Vanrun Goel, Wahida Hassan, Caroline Murphy, Barbara B. Choloi, Mohamed Ali, Shija J. Shija, Jeffrey A. Bailey, Anders Björkman, Billey E. Ngasala, Eric Rogier, Jonathan J. Juliano, Jessica T. Lin

Faculty Publications

Background

The Zanzibar archipelago has been a pre-elimination region for malaria thanks to rigorous control interventions, but recent surges in malaria cases have been observed. The contribution of non-falciparum species to the current malaria situation is unknown.

Method

This study investigates the epidemiology of falciparum and non-falciparum malaria species in Zanzibar. Leveraging plasma extracted from dried blood spots (DBS) collected during reactive case detection (RCD) activities across Unguja island from May 2022 to January 2023, we measured immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to Plasmodium MSP1-19kD antigens using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Additionally, active infections were detected using species-specific real-time PCR.

Results …

On The Legal-Theoretical Foundations Of Property Taxation Under State Ownership Of Land, Tianke Ban, Yilin Hou, Ping Zhang

Center for Policy Research

The general public and even some scholars challenge the legitimacy of levying the property tax under conditions where land is state-owned and multi-year land-use fees have already been collected at the time of house sales. This challenge points to the legal- theoretical foundations of property taxation: the core issue is whether the rights and economic utility of China's construction land-use-rights (CLUR) are sufficient to be treated as the object of property tax levy. China's Civil Law stipulates that CLUR holders have the rights to possess, use, and profit from the land during their use period, as well as the right …

Associations Between Big Five Personality Traits, Facets, And Sexual Fantasies, Emily Cannoot, Amy C. Moors, Wiliam J. Chopik

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The present study investigated associations between Big Five personality traits, their facets, and the frequency and variety of sexual fantasies in a sample of 5,225 adults (M = 58.30 years old; 56.5% men). People high in conscientiousness and agreeableness report fewer sexual fantasies across exploratory, intimate, impersonal, and sadomasochistic domains; these effects were primarily driven by respectfulness and responsibility facets. Negative emotionality, particularly the depression facet, was associated with more frequent sexual fantasizing. Extraversion and open-mindedness showed minimal relationships with sexual fantasy frequency. These results underscore the importance of personality dimensions in understanding sexual thoughts, emphasizing the heterogeneity of …

Best Practices In Virginia School Libraries, Audrey P. Church, Karla B. Collins, Carl A. Harvey Ii, Sheree Garrett

Learning Hub

The National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (AASL, 2018b) indicate that school librarians should function as teachers, instructional partners, information specialists, leaders, and program administrators, and numerous studies document the important role that the school librarian plays in the teaching and learning taking place in the school (Lance & Kachel, 2018). Strong school librarians positively impact student learning. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify, explore, and describe traits and activities of award-winning school librarians in Virginia. Data collected from 18 participants through semi- structured interviews identified the common traits of leader, communicator, …

Emotional Branch Termination And False Fantasy Collapse: A Structural Specification Of Computational Resource Restitution In Interpersonal Systems, Griselda Poe

Publications and Research

This paper specifies the structural protocol for communication within interpersonal systems by focusing on branch generation mechanisms and computational resource allocation. Conventional interpersonal communication often relies on emotional modulation, which obscures established constraints and triggers the generation of Emotional Branches (EB) within the recipient’s internal model. These branches function as unresolved parallel processing tasks that persistently occupy working memory, leading to a state of non-computability termed False Fantasy (FF). To resolve this, the study introduces Emotional Branch Termination (EBT)—a termination operation that outputs only constraints, facts, and procedures while excluding emotional modifiers. By halting the supply of EBs, EBT triggers …

Navigating Intersectional Margins: A Multilevel Analysis Of First- And Second-Generation Immigrant Students’ Academic Outcomes Within Urban Coethnic Communities, Douglas D. Havard, Minh Truong, Sophie Nguyen, Richard Vo, Luis Truong, Nellie Nguyen, Ryan Dam

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines how structural and cultural forms of capital interact to shape the academic attainment of first- and second-generation immigrant students within urban coethnic communities. Drawing on data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study and hierarchical multinomial logistic regression, we integrate Yosso's community cultural wealth and the cultural and structural coethnic frameworks to examine how socioeconomic resources, bilingual fluency, and coethnic community strength predict postsecondary outcomes. Findings reveal that strong coethnic networks, bilingual fluency, and faith-based participation offset structural disadvantage. Results reframe the immigrant paradox through an intersectional, asset-based lens, emphasizing community-driven supports for equity-focused urban education policy.

A New Tool For Handling Multiracial And Multi-Identity Data In Health Research, Gabriel J. Merrin

Population Health Research Brief Series

When surveys ask about race or ethnicity, a growing number of Americans select more than one category. The multiracial population now represents over 10% of the U.S. population and is the fastest growing racial group in the country. Yet researchers routinely collapse these individuals into an “other race” category for statistical analysis, rendering specific subgroups invisible. This brief introduces CATAcode, a free software tool that helps researchers systematically explore, document, and prepare check-all-that-apply demographic data for statistical modeling. In a demonstration with over 8,000 high school students, CATAcode revealed 85 distinct racial identity combinations from just eight response options. The …

Trauma-Informed Policing Training: Statewide Implementation And Outcomes, Ryan E. Spohn, Justin Nix, Sadaf Hashimi, Travis Carter

Reports

This report presents pre- and post-training survey results for Phase 1 of the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) grant. Law enforcement officers regularly interact with individuals who have experienced trauma. These encounters can be complex, unpredictable, and high stress. Trauma-informed policing training is intended to give officers practical tools to recognize trauma responses, communicate more effectively, and reduce unnecessary escalation during these interactions.

Role Of Depression And Anxiety On Brain Care Scores In A Primary Care Setting: A Preliminary Analysis Of The Bham Registry, Terina Lane Myers

ETDs from 2020-2029

While the field of brain aging research continues to grow at a rapid pace, there is still much to learn about how certain factors influence brain aging as well as when and how these factors can be intervened upon. Cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases continue to pose a major obstacle to healthy brain aging and the better we understand the risk factors of these diseases, the greater chance we have at mitigation strategies and prevention. Previous research has identified key factors, consisting of physical, lifestyle, and socio-emotional aspects of life, which have the greatest impact on brain aging. These factors overlap …

Exploring Turkish Adolescents’ Humor Styles And Social-Emotional Skills In Relation To Gender, Alev Üstündağ, Elif Dursun, İlayda Avcı

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

We conducted this study to explore the relationship between different humor styles and social-emotional competence in terms of gender differences in Turkish adolescents. A total of 504 high school students participated in this descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study. The age of the subjects ranged from 15 to 18 years. We used a demographic information form, the Child Humor Styles Questionnaire (CHSQ), and the Social Emotional Competency Questionnaire as data collection tools. The data were analyzed with percentage and mean, t test in independent groups, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. We found a relationship between gender and humor …

Shu World Review- February 3rd 2026, Diplolab

SHU World Review

No abstract provided.

Stated Preferences For Public Provision Of Services: Experimental Evidence From Latin America, Hernán Bejarano, Matias Busso, Juan Francisco Santos

ESI Working Papers

We study how individuals in six Latin American countries value public versus private provision of education and healthcare using a survey experiment. Respondents were randomly assigned to vignettes that vary income, service quality, and provider type. Reported service quality is the main driver of choices: the probability of selecting a private provider roughly doubles when reported quality of the public option falls from 80 to 20 percent, while income has a smaller effect. Higher institutional trust lowers the likelihood of switching to private providers but does not affect willingness to pay once individuals choose private provision.

Competition Law In The Age Of Sustainability: Regulatory Challenges And Strategic Responses, Emrah Kulakli, Serhat Yüksel, Serkan Eti, Hasan Dinçer

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

The increasing emphasis on sustainability has intensified tensions with competition law, particularly when cooperative initiatives create risks for market competition or consumer welfare. The main challenge is to identify regulatory strategies that balance sustainability objectives with competitive market principles. This requires a systematic assessment of both sustainability benefits and competition related risks. Existing studies largely rely on legal discussions or case-based evaluations and provide limited quantitative guidance for prioritizing regulatory approaches. This study addresses this gap by proposing a structured decision-making framework to reduce conflicts between sustainability goals and competition law. A hybrid model is developed by integrating spherical fuzzy …

On The Misattribution Of Reassurance: A Structural Account, Griselda Poe

Publications and Research

This paper challenges the conventional assumption that empathy generates reassurance in interpersonal services. Reassurance is treated not as an emotion transmitted from the outside, but as an internal state transition that arises when a fixed and erroneous world model—a False Fantasy—undergoes collapse and the world becomes computable again. The study identifies a systematic misattribution pattern where providers and receivers treat empathy as a causal mechanism rather than a post hoc explanatory label. By introducing Base AI as an external reference—a system capable of providing structural information without emotional modulation—this paper demonstrates that reassurance is generated through operations such as distraction …

Practicing Archival Sustainability Through Degrowth, Hannah Pryor

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

As archives continue to face threats from global climate disasters and increased institutional pressure to accomplish more with fewer resources, there is a need to evolve archival practice through a sustainability lens. While archival literature has frequently discussed sustainability practices such as eco-friendly building standards, how to reduce energy consumption, and other green initiatives, less focus has been placed on the underlying structures of unsustainability. This article proposes degrowth as one framework for considering archival sustainability. Degrowth is an ecological, economic, and political theory that advocates for the deliberate reduction of activities that rely on non-renewable resources. This article draws …