Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating The Glycemia Risk Index Into Clinical Practice And Research: A Consensus Report, Guillermo E Umpierrez, Viral N Shah, Veronica Brady, Mark A Clements, Juan Espinoza, Elizabeth Healey, Michael A Kohn, David M Maahs, Ralph Oiknine, Jane J Seley, Steven P Weitzman, David Kerr, Halis K Akturk, Grazia Aleppo, Mohammed E Al-Sofiani, Eda Cengiz, Francis J Doyle, Osagie Ebekozien, Steven V Edelman, Laya Ekhlaspour, Guido Freckmann, Lutz Heinemann, Irl B Hirsch, Victoria C Hsiao, Sun H Kim, Boris Kovatchev, Rayhan A Lal, Marcus Lind, Julia K Mader, Nestoras Mathioudakis, Tracey Mclaughlin, Sultan A Meo, Deborah A Osafehinti, Moshe Phillip, Priya Prahalad, David Scheinker, Michael P Snyder, Jing Wang, Jenise C Wong, Eugene E Wright, Mandy M Shao, Agatha F Scheideman, Ashley Y Dunova, David C Klonoff

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A panel of experts in the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data in the treatment of diabetes met in Burlingame, California on October 27, 2025 to discuss the utility of the glycemia risk index (GRI) for clinical care research and population health management. The GRI composite metric is a single number (on a 0-100 percentile scale-lower is better) based on an expert-determined weighting of the seven individual components in the existing ambulatory glucose profile (AGP). The GRI describes the quality of glycemia based on glucose values collected in a 14-day CGM tracing, thus providing additional insights into CGM profiles …

Pelvic Health: Lived Experience, Needs And Resources For Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Louise Carroll, Catherine Doody, Cliona O’ Sullivan, Carla Perrotta, Brona M. Fullen

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects up to 50% of women and can substantially impact physical function, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life. Despite its prevalence, gaps remain in understanding the experiences and support needs of reproductive-age women, particularly within the Irish healthcare context. This thesis aimed to explore the lived experience of women with POP, examine knowledge and care gaps among women and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and develop an intervention to support self- management. A mixed-methods approach was used. A systematic review identified limitations in the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and highlighted opportunities to better capture biopsychosocial characteristics …

Am I Walking Straight? Gait, The New Frontier Of Biometric Identification, Ruhi Anand Finn

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that integrates Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Realities. Each modality presents new forms of digital experiences, offering unique opportunities, benefits and risks. Additionally, newer iterations of XR leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance numerous applications. This enhancemen is sustained through new levels and contexts of data capture, including continuous biometric data collection (gaze, face and gait) and incidental bystander capture. This paper investigates the implications of XR technologies on data privacy, and the need for considerations of collective social privacy. The paper argues that, given the very narrow definition and categorization of biometric data …

When Irl Is Not An Option: Social Media Bans And The Exclusion Of Autistic Youth, Melanie Gruben, Ashley Sheil, Anne Ryan Duffy, Jacob Camillleri, Michelle O'Keeffe, Hazel Murray

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

After the roll-out of the social media ban in Australia in 2025, policy makers are considering psychosocial benefits and logistical implications. However, the needs of autistic people, who may rely more on the Internet for social connection earlier in life, should be taken into account. This white paper proposes a responsibility to support alternative means of social connection for autistic young people where bans are considered, as IRL (in real life) socialising is not always accessible.

Selfhealth: Continuous Semantic Intelligence For Privacy-Aware Lifelogging, Allie Tran

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

Lifelogging — the continuous digital recording of everyday experience through wearable cameras and sensors — has long promised benefits for memory augmentation, health monitoring, and lifestyle analysis. However, current systems follow a capture–store–retrieve model that delays analysis until after data collection, limiting their practical usefulness and creating significant privacy risks through prolonged retention of sensitive raw data. This paper argues that lifelogging should instead analyse data at the moment of capture, enabling timely, context-sensitive support and safer handling of personal information through privacy-by-design. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach through SelfHealth, an early prototype system built on a custom …

Recent Progress In The Application Of Graphene In Forest-Derived Products, Papiya Bhowmik, Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Xinfeng Xie, Reza Hosseinpourpia

Michigan Tech Publications

The global requirement to mitigate environmental challenges demands a paradigm shift towards sustainable materials. Forest-based products, primarily derived from wood, present a promising path due to their abundance and renewability. However, enhancing their properties to meet modern demands remains a challenge. This review article, the first of its kind, explores the transformative potential of incorporating graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials into forest-based products to overcome the challenges associated with mass-scale applications. Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, has emerged as a multifunctional additive with exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Functionalization of graphene through covalent or non-covalent modifications has emerged as a …

Sigrescuer: A Pan-System Framework For Noise Correction And Mutational Signature Identification Across Sequencing Platforms, Peter T. Nguyen, Maria Zhivagui

Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine Faculty Research

Introduction: Mutational signatures serve as molecular fingerprints of the biological processes and exposures that shape cancer genomes. However, accurate signal recovery remains challenging due to pervasive background variants, sequencing artifacts, technical noise, and platform-specific biases that obscure true mutagenic patterns, hampering biomarker discovery, and mechanistic interpretation. Methods: Here we introduce SigRescueR, a rigorous, pan-system, computational framework based on Bayesian inference designed for noise correction and mutational signature identification. SigRescueR applies statistically robust baseline correction to effectively disentangle true mutational signals from confounding noise and artifacts. Results: When applied to extensive datasets spanning experimental models and human cancers, SigRescueR reliably identified …

Differences Between Sexual Orientations Regarding Perceived Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Lgbtia+ Persons Among Athletic Trainers, Julianne Goza, S. Andrew Cage, Meredith Decker, Brandon J. Warner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: LGBTQIA+ athletic trainers and patients encounter difficulties in their workplaces and sport communities. Several medical professional associations have produced statements claiming their commitment to fostering an patient-centered environment for healthcare for LGBTQIA+ patients. To date, there has been little research on the factors that impact perceived knowledge of and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community among healthcare providers. With more information on what factors impact perceived knowledge of and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community, better interventions for improving perceived knowledge and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community could be created. The purpose of this study was to determine differences between sexual …

Awareness Of Native American Living Conditions Among Athletic Trainers, Laurel Trail, Brandon Warner, Rebecca Peebles, Robert French, Lynzi Warner, S. Andrew Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Native Americans and First Nations People have dealt with healthcare disparities that have been documented in previous studies. One factor that appears to have played a role in these disparities was the Indian Removal Act of 1851 which established the first Native American reservations. The foundation of these reservations led to many Native Americans being displaced from areas where the United States was establishing new population centers. This has led many individuals not understanding the conditions that Native Americans live in. Lack of knowledge of the conditions patients live in may negatively affect clinicians’ ability to provide optimal healthcare. …

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Compared To Common Flexor Tendon Repair With Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Series, Amanda Dubois, Melissa Long

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is found in the medial aspect of the elbow joint capsule and is commonly injured in baseball pitchers. The common flexor tendon (CFT) is also found in the medial elbow and is less commonly injured. Both structures are key in overhead throwing, repaired via surgery, and injured due to valgus stress placed on the elbow. There is research on UCL injuries but very little on CFT injuries. There is not substantial research on the return to play protocol or rehabilitation process for either of these two structures after surgery. Patient Information: The patients for …

Cancers 2025: Growing With Quality, Samuel C Mok

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

As we enter 2026, we take a moment to reflect on the progress of Cancers over the past year [...].

Assessing The Presence Of Biasing And Non-Biasing Unblinding In A Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Home-Use Tdcs Device: An Exploratory Analysis, Fredrik Hieronymus, Nathan T M Huneke, Daniel Månsson, Erik M Rehn, Melker Hagsäter, Rachel D Woodham, Jair C Soares, Allan H Young, Rodrigo M Vieira, Sudhakar Selvaraj, Cynthia Fu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Better-than-chance guessing of treatment assignment raises concerns about unblinding as this opens efficacy estimates up to being influenced by factors other than the true efficacy of the intervention. However, such accuracy does not necessarily indicate that efficacy estimates are biased.

Objective: To assess whether unblinding was biasing (impacting on efficacy estimates) or non-biasing (not impacting on efficacy estimates) in a sham-controlled trial of a home-use transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) device, in which treatment allocation guesses at endpoint were unbalanced.

Methods: Interrelations between i) treatment allocation, ii) treatment allocation guesses, iii) adverse event reports, and iv) depressive symptom severity, as …

Impressions And Gastrointestinal Tolerance Of An Electrolyte Hydration Beverage Among Individuals Participating In Collegiate Baseball, S. Andrew Cage, Alexander Jacobsen, Brandon Warner, Jessie Gibson, Derek Lege, Robert French

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Performing physical activity in numerous environmental conditions often results in mild to moderate dehydration. Dehydration can be problematic for the physically active population, as it can lead to decreases in physical and cognitive performance. This places emphasis on making sure individuals are properly hydrated during exercise. One of the barriers to appropriate hydration behaviors that has been identified in physically active individuals is a dislike of available hydration options. This highlights the need for sports medicine professionals to provide physically active individuals with appealing hydration options. Currently there is a lack of research exploring the flavor appeal of hydration …

Differences Between Genders Related To Perceived Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Lgbtia+ Persons Among Athletic Trainers, Brandon J. Warner, Julianne Goza, Meredith Decker, S. Andrew Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Previous literature reports that healthcare providers and student-athletes identifying as LGBTQIA+ encounter difficulties in their respective communities. A number medical professional associations have published statements affirming their commitment to providing access to patient-centered healthcare for LGBTQIA+ patients. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research related to the factors that influence perceived knowledge of and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community among healthcare providers. More information on what factors impact perceived knowledge of and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community would assist with creating interventions that improve perceived knowledge and attitudes toward the LGBTQIA+ community. The purpose of this study was to …

Hyoid Bone Fracture In A Division 1 Football Player: A Conservative Management Case Study, Kynnedy Louis, Andrew Crane, Mark Knoblauch, Layci Harrison

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: The hyoid bone plays an important role in speaking, swallowing, and supporting the tongue. Hyoid bone fractures account for 0.002% of all fractures and are typically seen in cases dealing with strangulations or a blunt force trauma such as occurs from vehicle accidents or martial arts injuries. Signs and symptoms of hyoid fractures can include dyspnea, pharyngeal tear, or subcutaneous emphysema, and if not recognized early can significantly damage the airway. Patient Information: A 23-year-old male collegiate football player sustained blunt trauma to the anterior part of his neck due to a tackle forcing the helmet chin strap against …

Sleep And Stress Experienced By Collegiate Baseball Players During A Fall Season, Andrew R. Gallucci, Katie M. Lee, Eric Rash, Jeremy A. Bigalke, Jason R. Carter

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: College students are notoriously poor sleepers due to academic and social demands. Collegiate athletes have additional athletic responsibilities that can also affect sleep. During a season, baseball players experience prolonged bouts of high intensity activity that increase the need for recovery and sleep. Athletes can also experience higher perceived stress levels, a factor also known to impact sleep. Reduced sleep quality and quantity during a competitive season can impede recovery and decrease performance. The present study sought to determine the relationships between sleep [Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Efficiency (SE), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), Awakenings] and stress over a …

Extensor Hallucis Longus Focal Dystonia In A Patient With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Study, Jessika Truax, Linda Bobo, Keilea Sumrall

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects a person’s ability to produce dopamine and control motion of the body. PD affects 1% of people over the age of 65, but the disease can occur earlier and later in life. The uncontrollable movement of any body part involved with PD is referred to as a tremor. Pathophysiology of PD causes the thalamus to have a decreased activation of the frontal cortex, thus decreased motor activity. Patients commonly have dystonia mostly in the foot resulting in striatal toe. Optional pain relief is a tenotomy of the extensor hallicus …

Sacroiliac Dysfunction In A Middle-Aged Female Runner: A Case Study, Blair Bradshaw

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Research has indicated an increased prevalence of low back pain (LBP) due to SIJ dysfunction, with some reports suggesting it is the main source of pain in 15- 30% of cases. Women are more prone to incidence of SIJ pain due to a wider, more uneven, less curved, and posteriorly rotated sacrum. Additionally, women have increased mobility at the SIJ which increases stress and shear loading. Repetitive loading such as running can further contribute to SIJ dysfunction. Research suggests that female runners with SIJ pain had common biomechanical patterns putting them at more risk for injury including decreased knee …

Breaking Barriers: Disparities Among Minority Collegiate Athletes In Concussion Reporting, Josette Villanueva, Melissa Long

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Concussions are a serious concern in sports medicine because of their potential long-term effects on cognitive and neurological health. However, many athletes, especially those from minority groups, hesitate to report symptoms due to fears of being sidelined, pressure to keep playing, and challenges like limited access to education, language barriers, and distrust in healthcare systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the barriers to concussion reporting among Division I collegiate athletes, with a particular focus on demographic differences, particularly racial and ethnic disparities. The goal was to identify key factors that hinder self-reporting and to propose strategies …

Overcoming Thoracic Outlet Syndrome In A Young Athlete: A Case Study, Cormia Lewis, Christina Fry, Mark Knoblauch, Layci Harrison

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a rare and complex condition caused by the compression of neurovascular structures in the thoracic outlet. TOS is estimated to affect 3 to 80 individuals per 1,000,000 annually, with neurogenic TOS accounting for approximately 95% of cases. Athletes who perform repetitive overhead motions are at higher risk due to increased stress on the brachial plexus. Diagnosis can be challenging as symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness, often mimic other conditions such as nerve entrapment or tendon pathologies. Treatment for TOS typically begins with a conservative approach, including postural correction and strengthening, activity modification, …

Evaluation Of Il-10 And Il-12 As Early Diagnostic Biomarkers In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Mariam Sami Shail, Israa Hussein Hamzah

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly recognized as a complex metabolic disorder associated with immune dysregulation and chronic low-grade inflammation Objectives: This study aimed to quantify serum levels of (IL-10) and (IL-12) in patients with (T2DM) and to explore their potential role as early diagnostic biomarkers in comparison with healthy controls. Methods:  A case–control study be situated showed including 120 participants: 80 patients with T2DM and 40 healthy controls. Serum concentrations of IL-10 and IL-12 were quantified using ELISA. Hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed using standard automated methods. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, correlation analysis, and receiver …

Discussion Of The Parameters Affecting The Boiling Point In The Distillation Test Of The Kerosene Product, Semaa I. Khaleel, Ahmad A. Aabid, Islam K. Saeed, Muneef Mahjoob Mohammed, Ali Mohammed Saleh, Ibrahim Awad Mohammed, Omar Abed Habeeb, Mahmod A. Abdulqader

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Currently the kerosene fuel is very important for use in the heating, cooking, and fuel of the jet engines. The study aims effected of mixing different lite bit and same of gasoil to three different type of kerosene samples, and study the initial boiling point (IPB) during of distillation test. This study focused on targeting the IPB of the kerosene samples by finding the specific gravity (Sp.gr) test, the American Petroleum Institute (API) degree, and distillation test. However, these samples of kerosene were characterized and labeled (kero-01, kero-02, and kero-03, respectively) before the dealing processes, while the samples after the …

Main-Chain Ion-Pair Polybenzimidazole Membranes Enabling Reduced-Temperature Ht-Pemfc Operation (Down To 120°C), Huina Lin, Brian C. Benicewicz

Faculty Publications

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising for clean and efficient energy conversion across diverse applications. High-temperature PEM fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) using phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) can operate up to 200°C, but at lower temperatures, water-induced PA loss often leads to performance degradation and reduced durability. In this work, we present a new class of main-chain ion-pair PBI membranes by integrating the imidazolium-biphosphate ion-pair units directly into the PBI backbone. This design results in membranes with high acid content, stronger acid-polymer interactions and stabilized acid retention. In single-cell tests, the Im⁺-PBI15-3 wt.% exhibits peak power densities …

Habitat And Conditions Of Poisoning Of Toxic Plants In North America, Michael H. Ralphs

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

This paper presents a list of important poisonous plants in North America that are toxic to both livestock and humans. The aim of this paper is to present information to help reduce the risk of poisoning. The paper emphasizes the particular plant communities in which these plants grow. Some of these plants are endemic, growing on specific soils or specific ecological sites. Others are distributed more broadly throughout a vegetation type. A few of the plants are widespread, ranging over several broad ecosystems. In diagnosing poisoning, it is important to know what plants are expected to grow in the communities …

Effect Of Tall Oil-Based Hydrophobic Emulsions On The Mechanical And Water-Related Properties Of High-Density Fibreboards, John Tosin Aladejana, Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Benjamin Voogt, Valeri Naydenov, Adrien Letoffe, Svante Nordänger, Conrad M. Sala, Piotr Koprowski, Stergios Adamopoulos, Andreas Stephan, Reza Hosseinpourpia

Michigan Tech Publications

This study unravelled the intricacy of bio-based hydrophobic formulae as a substitute for the conventional emulsified paraffin wax (hydrowax), a hydrophobic additive currently utilised in high-density fibreboard (HDF) fabrication. Utilisation of hydrowax is not a sustainable practice due to the potential depletion of its fossil-based sources. The industrial acceptability of a renewable hydrophobic additive depends on several stages of trials. Therefore, through a pilot-scale trial, this study explored the substitution effect of bio-based tall oil distillation product (TODP) in the HDF panels, establishing its mechanical and water-related properties. While the mechanical properties of the panels were not primarily influenced by …

Fiber Optic Polarimetric Stress Sensor Improvements, Maxwell R. Richter, Max Randall, Mark C. Harrison

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

The progression of diseases such as cancer has been correlated with tissue stiffness. For example, breast cancer tissue has been found to be stiffer than healthy mammary tissue. At present, stiffness measurement devices are not suitable for nondestructive, high-resolution measurements on small, delicate samples. We report a compact, portable, and sensitive fiber optic stress sensor that overcomes many of these limitations and is suitable for soft materials such as tissue. We demonstrate several improvements to a previous fiber stress sensor in physical hardware, software, and data analysis. We have designed and fabricated a custom enclosure to shield the sensitive setup …

Athletic Trainers’ Motivations For And Satisfaction With Transition To The Physician Practice Setting, Abigail G. Overstreet, Nicolette A. Harris, Cailee E. Welch Bacon

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

An increasing number of athletic trainers are transitioning from traditional settings, such as secondary schools, colleges, universities, and professional sports, to physician practice. Although research suggests athletic trainers may be changing settings in search of better working conditions, little is known about their motivations for and satisfaction with the setting transition. The objective of this research was to explore athletic trainers’ motivations for and satisfaction with transition to the physician practice setting. A qualitative design was used to collect and interpret data. Eleven certified athletic trainers (6 women, 5 men; age 1⁄4 38.5 6 10.0 years) who transitioned from a …

Improving Entry-Level Athletic Training Student Confidence In Emergency Care: A Pilot Study, Michele Pye, Cade Watts, John Hunt, Kimberly Pritchard

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Immediate and emergency care is essential to athletic training education and clinical practice. Athletic training students (ATS) may have limited exposure to emergencies during their clinical experiences, which can undermine their confidence. AT educators can improve ATS confidence and clinical reasoning using a simulation-based, learner-centered SNAPPS approach. SNAPPS consists of Summarizing the history and findings, Narrowing and Analyzing the differential diagnoses, Probing peers about uncertainties or confusion, Planning management, and Selecting case-related knowledge gaps for self-directed learning. This empowers students to control the learning environment while adding realism to encounters. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine …

Trust, Culture, And Conversation: How Athletic Training Leaders Navigate High-Stakes Interactions, Nicole A. Wilkins, Ashley B. Thrasher, Ericka P. Zimmerman

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: Engaging in difficult conversations is central to leadership growth and requires sustained effort to refine and strengthen these skills. Leaders not only need to navigate the complexities of their role within an organization, but also the intersectionality of interpersonal dynamics, emotional intelligence, structural hierarchies, and the nuanced environments that influence how communication occurs. Furthermore, leaders must adapt to role expectations that shift across clinical, academic, and administrative contexts, adjusting their approach to engaging in conversations based on these complexities. As part of a larger research project examining difficult conversations, this portion of the study explored how leaders in athletic …

Integrating Wearable Technologies Into Athletic Training: Bridging Innovation And Clinical Practice, Michael Douglas

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Athletic training is entering a transformative period driven by the convergence of wearable technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced biomechanical modeling. Historically, wearable technology in sport was primarily used for performance tracking, including workload monitoring, heart rate assessment, and movement quantification. However, advances in sensor accuracy and data analytics have expanded the clinical relevance of wearable systems, allowing athletic trainers to monitor fatigue markers, movement asymmetry, and neuromuscular control patterns that inform injury risk and rehabilitation progression. Wearable sensor technologies provide objective data that can support clinical decision-making when integrated with traditional evaluation methods.¹Despite these advancements, wearable technologies present persistent …