Digital Commons Network^™

Ai-Powered Pacifier With Intraoral Sound Analysis For Neonatal Pulmonary Monitoring, Shiva Shokouhmand, Md Motiur Rahman, Saeka Rahman, Indya Mooney, Guoliang Zhang, Smriti Bhatt, Namasivayam Ambalavanan, Colm P. Travers, S. Abdollah Mirbozorgi, Miad Faezipour

Purdue Polytechnic Graduate Student Poster Symposium

Respiratory monitoring in neonates remains a clinical challenge due to the limitations of existing pulmonary function assessment tools and the infant’s delicate physiology. This work-in-progress presents an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven framework for intraoral respiratory analysis using a smart pacifier platform that integrates acoustic sensing, embedded electronics, and deep learning. The proposed AI model is based upon a deep convolutional neural network that processes intraoral breathing sound reflections passively, or in presence of active sound stimuli. By learning complex temporal-spectral features from the breathing sound signals, the AI model will estimate key cardiorespiratory measures (e.g., respiratory rate, lung capacity) and the …

Adaptive Focus Agent For Video-Based Software Learning, Shengyang Luo, Yingjie Chen

Purdue Polytechnic Graduate Student Poster Symposium

Not every learner has a powerful computer or a dual-monitor setup. Some follow software tutorials with only a laptop, or even a phone, squinting to catch tiny cursor movements and clicks meant for larger screens. These moments slow their progress, break their flow, and make advanced digital skills feel farther away than they should be. Our work aims to explore how an AI-assisted dynamic zoom system can help. By automatically detecting interaction moments and enlarging the relevant region in tutorial videos, we aim to make subtle actions clearer, support confident learning across device conditions, and bring expert-level instruction closer to …

Adaptive Droop Control Gain Tuning Of Grid-Forming Inverters For Stability Enhancement Of Diesel-Plus-Battery Islanded Microgrids, Ram Shankar Yallamilli, Xiaonan Lu

Purdue Polytechnic Graduate Student Poster Symposium

This paper presents an adaptive gain tuning approach to enhance frequency stability in islanded microgrids consisting of diesel generators and grid-forming (GFM) inverters. Although GFM inverters provide voltage and frequency regulation capabilities, their interaction with diesel generators can introduce dynamic challenges such as reduced system inertia and frequency deviations during load transients. Existing studies have focused on small-signal modeling and damping methods but often overlook data-driven techniques for improving transient stability under varying diesel-to-GFM power ratios and inverter droop settings. To address this gap, this work investigates frequency stability behavior across different diesel and inverter power rating ratios and analyzes …

A Smarter Way To Watch Over Alpacas In Peru, Nicolas Rendon-Arias, Juyoung Kim, Walter Daniel Leon-Salas

Purdue Polytechnic Graduate Student Poster Symposium

In the Andean region of Peru, alpacas are more than animals. They are a lifeline for entire families who rely on them. Shepherds, many of whom live in remote mountain areas, spend countless hours watching over their herds. Without fences or boundaries, alpacas can spread out for miles, sometimes vanishing behind valleys or hills. When this happens, shepherds may spend hours searching for them. In these high-altitude areas, phone signals are rare, and internet connections are unreliable. As a result, families face stress, lost time, and even financial losses when animals go missing. At Purdue’s Tiny Lab, we focus on …

Yield And Size Of Direct-Seeded Onions In Southern Minnesota With Three Row Arrangements, Charlie Rohwer, Jesen Hosch

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

Dry bulb onions are a minor crop in Minnesota, grown mostly by small-scale market farmers. Most onions are grown as transplants, likely due to the shorter growing season and easier weed control. We undertook a study to understand yield potential of four direct-seeded (unpelleted) onion varieties, and the impacts of between-plant spacing at a single population on onion yield, size, and size variability. Four onion varieties were seeded on 9 April using a Jang JP6 push seeder in one of three row arrangements: four evenly-spaced rows, two double-rows, or three rows with seeds scattered in the middle row. All were …

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 …

Development And Initial Validation Of The Comprehensive Ai Integration Readiness Survey (Caiirs), Richard D. Amoako, Jennifer A. Morrow

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in higher education, improving learning and optimizing administrative operations. However, the adoption and integration of AI in learning environments have received limited research attention until recently. Consequently, this research aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess readiness and preparedness among higher education faculty members for the integrative adoption of AI in learning and teaching practices. A nationwide survey was used to collect data from faculty at universities and colleges in the United States. The CAIIRS scale was developed after an extensive review of scholarly literature. Exploratory factor analysis was …

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 3, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: The amount of genetic variation within any racial group is large, the amount of shared within-group variation is large, and the amount of between-group variation is small.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 2, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: There is genetic variation both within AND between racial groups. The amount of genetic variation within a racial group can be modeled by increasing or decreasing the size of a circle; the amount of genetic similarity between racial groups can be represented by the amount of overlap between circles.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 6, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: An accurate causal model of human trait variation shows that the environment has a large effect, genetic factors a small effect, and unknown factors a moderate to large effect on human trait variation.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 4, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students: Construct an accurate consensus model of human genetic variation that visually represents high within-group variation, high shared-within group variation, and low between-group variation.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 8, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: Genes can be a cause of variation within a group if all group members experience the same environment. But, because different races experience different environments, and because racial disparities change across environments, we should be skeptical of anyone who claims that racial disparities boil down to genes alone.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 1, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: Racial disparities exist in representation in the NFL and STEM, and there are different possible explanations for why these disparities exist.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 9, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: Misinformation about racial disparities can be refuted with scientific evidence.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 5, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students: Support an argument with evidence that most genetic variation occurs within racial groups and there is very little genetic variation between racial groups.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 7, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

In this lesson of the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC), students figure out: There is evidence that environments differ between races in the US. When environments are more equal, disparities between racial groups are smaller.

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Student Materials Lesson 0, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

Science classes require students to engage in academically rigorous conversations to understand difficult concepts. In order to create an environment for students that is as safe as possible and facilitates academically productive conversations, it is important for teachers and students to agree upon behavioral norms they will follow when interacting with one another. In this lesson, the teacher and students will co-construct, agree upon, and practice these norms in groups to establish an environment that fosters productive academic conversations. We encourage teachers to implement this lesson toward the beginning of the year so students are skilled in using these norms …

Humane Genetics Curriculum (Hgc) Teacher Materials, Phillip Keck, Brian Donovan, Monica Weindling, Andrew Brubaker, Robbee Wedow

Humane Genetics Curriculum

These are the comprehensive teacher materials for the Humane Genetics Curriculum (HGC). The materials include an overview of the unit, connections to aligned NGSS standards, and detailed instructions and guidance for implementing each lesson of this curriculum in your classroom.

After A Wildfire: Considerations For Building Environmental Testing, Andrew J. Whelton, E. Bollens, C. Ferrarezzi

Resilience to Emergencies and Disasters

No abstract provided.

Efficiency Evaluation Of Different Methods For Nitrogen Removal In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: An Integrative Review, Cristiane G. Ferrarezzi, Juliana Canto Duarte

The School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) Graduate Student Publications

Domestic wastewaters present high nitrogen levels due to the urea and ammonia, which are excreted into urine. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) normally face some challenges in keeping their treated wastewater at a low total nitrogen concentration, since the majority of their wastewater is domestic. Low nitrogen levels in the treated wastewater are important to avoid increasing eutrophication of the receptor body, which receives the treated wastewater. This work presents an integrative review considering studies related to denitrification in domestic WWTPs published from January 1st, 2018, to April 30th, 2023. This review aims to identify the most effective methods for …

High Stakes Literacy Testing: Indiana’S Iread-3, Christy Wessel Powell, Karyn Tomkinson, Whitney Rippy

Science of Reading

Indiana is one of a few states to enact a high stakes literacy test in third grade, the IREAD-3 test. High stakes testing is often a useful way to ensure a particular level of academic proficiency is met to allow students to succeed in a new setting, like college, or leave high school with desired skills. However, the requirement to automatically retain third graders who do not pass the IREAD-3 test without additional information or considerations, is not supported by research (AERA, 2000). These data highlight the critical need for educators and administrators to understand high-stakes standardized tests, as they …

Associations Between County-Level Vape-Free Air Law Coverage And E-Cigarette Use Behaviors Among U.S. Adolescents In Monitoring The Future, James H. Buszkiewicz, Yanmei Xie, Catherine A. Vander Woude, Steven Cook, Bukola Usidame, Megan E. Patrick, Michael R. Elliott, James F. Thrasher, Nancy L. Fleischer

Department of Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications

Purpose

We examined whether workplace and hospitality vape-free air law (VAL) population coverage was associated with adolescent e-cigarette use and related disparities in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed associations between county-level workplace and hospitality VAL coverage (100% vs. < 100%) and current e-cigarette use (2014–2022) and first e-cigarette initiation (2015–2022) among US 8th, 10th, and 12th graders using nationally representative, cross-sectional Monitoring the Future data. We implemented weighted, grade-stratified, modified Poisson regression models, adjusted for individual-, county-, and state-level confounding factors, examining disparities by sex, race and ethnicity, parental education, and college educational expectations through two-way interactions.

Results

Workplace and hospitality VAL coverage was not associated with adolescent e-cigarette use or initiation overall. However, we did find that VAL coverage was associated with lower current e-cigarette use in some sociodemographic subgroups. Full (100%) hospitality VAL coverage was linked to lower e-cigarette use among male 8th and 12th graders, 12th graders with parents without a bachelor's degree, Hispanic 8th …

Planting Forest Trees And Shrubs In Indiana, Ron Rathfon, Douglass Jacobs, Lenny Farlee

Purdue Extension Numbered Publications

Discover the essential guide for anyone looking to plant forest trees or shrubs in Indiana. Whether you're a first‑time landowner or an experienced conservationist, Planting Forest Trees and Shrubs in Indiana walks you through the 10 proven steps for establishing healthy, resilient plantings that thrive for generations. From choosing the right species to preparing your site, planting with confidence and ensuring long‑term success, this publication distills expert forestry knowledge into clear, practical advice.

A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, And Threats (Swot) Analysis Of Chatgpt In Academic Help-Seeking, Fan Yang

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

This study explores the use of ChatGPT as a help-seeking tool in educational contexts, examining both its potential benefits and costs through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various internal and external factors that either promote or hinder the use of ChatGPT for academic help-seeking. The strengths of ChatGPT, such as its 24/7 availability to provide immediate responses, non-judgmental tone, and the ability to provide personalized help based on specific prompts, position itself as a valuable resource for help-seekers. However, the low quality of the responses generated by …

Evaluation Of 10 Pickling Cucumber Cultivars For Machine Harvest In Michigan’S Thumb In 2025, Saltanat Mambetova, Ben Phillips

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

Michigan is the leading producer of pickling cucumbers in the United States in both processed production and total acreage. This trial evaluated parthenocarpic pickling cucumbers varieties at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan, a major production area for pickling cucumbers. Ten parthenocarpic (seedless) varieties were included in the trial and were donated by Bejo (BJ), Nunhems (NU), PanAmerican (PA), and Rijk Zwaan (RZ) seed companies. Growing conditions during the trial were generally favorable. Yield results showed that half of the evaluated varieties exceeded the generally accepted yield benchmark of 250 bushels per acre. Quality data were …

Statistical Analysis Of Log Transformation Effectiveness In Air Traffic Movement Forecasting During Covid-19 In South Africa, John Lehlaka Masekoameng

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study evaluates the effectiveness of log transformation in enhancing multiple regression models used to forecast air traffic movements (ATMs) in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 60 monthly observations from October 2016 to September 2021, the analysis incorporates variables such as revenue, lockdown levels, COVID-19 metrics, exchange rates, gross domestic product, and population. Two models are compared: one using raw ATMs and another with log-transformed ATMs as the dependent variable.

While the untransformed model shows stronger explanatory power (R² = 0.904, adjusted R² = 0.891) compared to the log-transformed model (R² = 0.772, adjusted R² = 0.741), the …

Climate Change Impact On Cooling Energy Demand Of Major Airports In Nigeria, Abdullah C. Salihu, Yahaya Z. Ibrahim, Rukayyat Abdulkarim, Emmanuel I. Aruya

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are intensifying the cooling energy demands of critical infrastructure, including airports. This study assesses the impact of climate change on the cooling energy needs of five major international airports in Nigeria (Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt) using cooling degree days (CDDs) derived from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) multi-model ensemble climate projections. Monthly and annual CDD calculated with a base temperature of 18°C were obtained from the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) at a spatial resolution of 25 km × 25 km. Percentage changes in CDD were analyzed …

Advanced Qualification Program Assessments In Aviation Higher Education: A Theoretical Framework, Jorge L. D. Albelo Ph.D., Victor M. Fraticelli Rivera Ph.D.

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study investigates the integration of an Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)-centered approach into aviation higher education, aiming to refine assessment methods and enhance the educational experience of future aviation professionals. Guided by research questions exploring the strengths, limitations, key characteristics, and potential improvements of AQP-centered assessments, the study reveals a strong consensus among students and faculty. The AQP model, traditionally an alternative to conventional pilot training under 14 CFR Parts 121 and 135, offers a structured, industry-relevant framework emphasizing clear evaluation processes, multilevel knowledge and skill assessments, and high academic performance. Findings indicate that effective AQP assessments balance theoretical knowledge, …

Integrating Human Factors, Technology, And Mental Health: A Mixed-Methods Framework For Aviation Maintenance Safety In The Philippines, Arthur Dela Peña

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

A complex interaction of human factors, mental health, organizational dynamics, and emerging technologies influences aviation maintenance safety in the Philippines. This study aims to develop an integrated framework to address these aspects and reduce maintenance-related errors. Using a mixed-methods approach based on Creswell’s pragmatic paradigm, the research surveyed 200 participants, including aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs), supervisors, and managers, and conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups. Quantitative analysis revealed that fatigue was a significant contributor to maintenance errors, accounting for 45% of recorded incidents and exhibiting a strong correlation with error rates (r = 0.71, p = 0.005). Incorporating human factors …

Exploring The Reduction Of Runway Incursions Through Training, Vasilios (Billy) Constaintine Metallinos

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Runway incursions are prevalent aviation safety issues that result in adverse outcomes. The focus of this qualitative case study was exploring the reduction of runway incursions through training for pilots. Applying social cognitive theory (SCT) provided this study with a theoretical underpinning. Conducting interviews and a focus group with 17 participants allowed for the collection of enough data and resulted in identifying the importance of training in preventing runway incursions. Based on the thematic analysis conducted, it was identified that evidence-based, scenario-based, and continuous training can be used to reduce runway incursions caused by pilot deviations. The results contribute to …