Digital Commons Network^™

An End-To-End Concatenated Cnn Attention Model For The Classification Of Lung Cancer With Xai Techniques, Fariha Haque, Mohammad Asif Hasan, Md. Abu Ismali Siddique, Tonmoy Roy, Tonmoy Kanti Shaha, Yamina Islam, Avijit Paul, Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

In the field of medical imaging, deep learning (DL) techniques have made significant contributions to the detection and classification of various cancers. Identifying the precise regions in medical images containing cancerous cells plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process. Early and accurate cancer detection is essential for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. However, manual diagnosis is labor-intensive, requiring the specialized expertise of radiologists, and the increasing number of cancer cases presents challenges in processing large volumes of image data efficiently. To address these challenges, an end-to-end concatenated Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) attention model has been proposed for automatic …

Utah People And Environment Poll 2024/25 Descriptive Report, Jessica Schad, Sydney Fisk, Zubair Barkat

Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP)

In spring of 2023, faculty and graduate students at Utah State University (USU) started the Utah People and Environment Poll, or UPEP, to survey adult Utah residents about their perceptions on environmental issues of importance to the state. From November 2024 to January 2025 the second iteration of the survey was conducted. While some questions remained the same, others were added to account for new interests of the team and emergent environmental issues of interest.

Thousand Cankers Disease Of Walnut (Geosmithia Morbida), Claudia Nischwitz, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Digital Accessibility For Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Learners- Innovative Strategies For Inclusive Education, Felicia Rutledge Ph.D.

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This research-to-practice brief explores innovative strategies to enhance digital accessibility for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH) learners, focusing on practical applications for inclusive K-12 education. Despite advances in digital learning, D/HH learners face unique barriers due to auditory-centered designs. Accessibility legislation such as the ADA, Section 504, and IDEA mandate educational inclusion for these learners. Key strategies include the integration of assistive technologies (e.g., captioning, ASL video interpretation), the application of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 guidelines, and adherence to WCAG 2.1 principles for accessible content design. The research-to-practice brief provides actionable insights for educators, administrators, and …

Shifting To A Culture Of Inclusion By Design: Applying A Mixed-Methods Approach To Advance Accessibility Of Public Health Emergency Information & Communication Technology, Jessica L. Franks, Erin Vinoski Thomas

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience inequities in access to timely, accurate, and understandable information and communication technology (ICT), which increases risk for public health emergency (PHE)-related health disparities and impedes opportunities to achieve optimal health. This study assessed federal COVID-19 webpage accessibility levels and explored existing knowledge of and experience with filing accessibility complaints for federal ICT among adults with IDD. Through a mixed-methods approach, we evaluated compliance with accessibility standards for 18 federal agencies’ COVID-19 webpages (study 1) and interviewed 16 adults with IDD about experiences accessing federal webpages and filing accessibility complaints (study 2). We …

Optimizing Accessibility Training By Prioritizing Cognitive Needs Of Students With Disabilities, Lio Jones, Kari Goin, Megan Mcfarland

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Despite the significant enrollment of students with disabilities in higher education, research and practice rarely center the voices and leadership of these students, particularly in accessibility training efforts. This paper addresses this gap by presenting an autoethnographic study of a digital accessibility training initiative co-led by a student with multiple disabilities. Using a process that combines participatory research and first-person narrative, this study outlines the development and implementation of faculty training on accessibility that centers the experiences of a student with cognitive disabilities. We propose a new framework for understanding "dynamic disability," a concept that recognizes the complex and evolving …

Editorial: Digital Accessibility Practices Guided By Past Models And Modern Research, Cynthia Curry, Jared Smith

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Community Engaged Research To Optimize Cancer Prevention Strategies: A Look At Amplifying Voices Within Community Based Organizations To Impact Cancer Outcome In Utah, Crystal Y. Lumpkins, Denise Elbert, April Barber-Law, Olamide Comfort Ogundare, Queenie Mckenzie Aydelott, Sandra Buabeng, Whitney Maxwell, Kim Kaphingst

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Black Americans (BA) continue to experience cancer disparities nationally and regionally. Although only 2% of BA reside in the state of Utah, this population shoulders a larger cancer burden. Further, BA women have one of the highest incidence of breast cancer and also an increased risk for other cancers (e.g. colon). The cancer burden and changing demographics within the state warrant focus on these under-represented groups as those moving within the area are increasing. This project details Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) between the University of Utah, the Huntsman Cancer Institute and a community advisory board (CAB) who have collaborated on cancer …

Mutual Teaching, Learning, And Action In Community-Engaged Research, Polly Parkinson, Fawn Groves, Emma Mecham, Amy Wilson-Lopez

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

As USU’s Electrified Transportation Planning Team looked ahead to deploying technical pilot projects near Utah population centers, the team prioritized local community engagement for purposes of trust-building and dialogue. This poster highlights participatory community research designed to build from local knowledge, operate through local partnerships, refine responsive approaches, and disseminate results within the community. In continuing responsiveness, the team developed and disseminated a relevant workforce resource booklet and currently supports two local community organizations as they stand up a collaborative model of career training, coupled with childcare, to open low-barrier pathways into electrified transportation-related careers.

Planning And Facilitating Hybrid Meetings To Support Relationality During Coalition Building, Luettamae Lawrence, Maureen Boyle, Moira Ross

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Hybrid events where communities are connected through both in person and online spaces have simultaneously grown in popularity and gotten a bad reputation. While hybrid events have been around for decades, they gained significant traction with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to increase accessibility for attendees to accommodate diverse needs. Although hybrid events can be beneficial to many, they are not simple to execute. With the increase in hybrid events has come frustration with the low quality interactions between in person and online attendees leading to isolation, technology challenges, and low productivity. We argue the positive affordances of hybrid …

Detecting Burn Severity And Vegetation Recovery After Fire Using Dnbr And Dndvi Indices: Insight From The Bosco Difesa Grande, Gravina In Southern Italy, Somayeh Zahabnazouri, Patrick Belmont, Scott David, Peter E. Wigand, Mario Elia, Domenico Capolongo

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Wildfires serve a paradoxical role in landscapes—supporting biodiversity and nutrient cycling while also threatening ecosystems and economies, especially as climate change intensifies their frequency and severity. This study investigates the impact of wildfires and vegetation recovery in the Bosco Difesa Grande forest in southern Italy, focusing on the 2017 and 2021 fire events. Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) accessed in January 2025, we applied remote sensing techniques to assess burn severity and post-fire regrowth. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to compute the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); burn severity was derived from differenced NBR (dNBR), and …

Collaborating For Change Based On Evidence: How To Employ Community-Engaged Assessment & Solution-Building, Jayme Walters, Teresa Larsen, Luettamae Lawrence, Dorothy Wallis

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Communities across Utah are facing many significant challenges that adversely affect the well-being of their residents. Economic disparities, including lack of affordable housing and food insecurity, are impacting every aspect of life. Mental and physical health issues are also on the rise, especially among vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ, BIPOC, rural). Environmental problems, such as poor air quality and limited water supply, stand to cause unprecedented harm to the state. As leaders, government agencies, nonprofits, and residents take on these issues, among others, community-engaged methods that promote generating context-specific evidence and developing sustainable solutions are critical for improving resident well-being.

This …

"Bridging Research, Outreach, And Care: Advancing Community-Driven Cancer Solutions", Rachel M. Ceballos Phd​, Angie Fausett Agnp-C, Dnp​, Allison Foust Mha, Mches​

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"This panel will provide an overview of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s (HCI) collaborative efforts to enhance cancer care through innovative community outreach and local treatment programs, with a specific focus on rural outreach and care. Panelists will discuss HCI’s approach to fostering partnerships with community champions, integrating regional outreach through initiatives like the Mountain West Cancer Collaborative (MWCC), and expanding local treatment options to increase accessibility and equity in care, especially in rural areas. By highlighting how these initiatives align with HCI’s mission to reduce cancer disparities, the panel will emphasize strategies for improving cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship in underserved …

Strengthening Community Health Through Dementia Listening Sessions, Raven Albertson

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"This session explores innovative strategies for strengthening community health through dementia listening sessions and engagement, equipping community partners with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding dementia care and support. Participants will gain insights into effective partnership-building, impactful dementia education delivery, and strategies for fostering meaningful community involvement through community listening sessions and collaboration. Through a live listening session workshop, attendees will participate in interactive discussions, inform efforts in Utah communities, and acquire practical tools to drive sustainable, community-led improvements in dementia care and support."

Community Strategy For Equitable Home Electrification, Alyson Bergomi, Kelbe Goupil, Kevin Emerson

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Between 2021-2023, Utah Clean Energy collaborated with four community partners to develop the Community Strategy for Equitable Home Electrification. This involved developing an understanding of the barriers and challenges to home electrification, creating a vision statement for equitable home electrification, developing four high-priority solutions to the barriers to home electrification, and creating several action steps for each solution, all based on community input. This document is intended to inform and guide the design and implementation of programs and policies related to home efficiency and electrification that are intended to expand access for low-income and disadvantaged communities.

Teaming Up For Better Health: An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To Older Adult Oral Care, Deborah Dowd, Jodie Lopez, Jennifer Goodman

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Oral health is a critical component of overall health, significantly influencing systemic diseases and the quality of life in older adults. Conditions such as xerostomia, swallowing difficulties, and poor oral self-care are associated with aspiration pneumonia. Integrating oral health into healthcare in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is essential for preventing various conditions and improving quality of life. Effective oral hygiene is crucial in avoiding non-ventilator hospital-associated pneumonia by reducing oral biofilm and lowering the risk of pneumonia. Nurses' knowledge and care in oral health across healthcare settings are vital for positive health outcomes. Revising nursing curricula to incorporate oral health …

Jail Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Matt Huntington

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

This session will cover how to create community partnerships with law enforcement and incarceration partners. The goal of our program with the Tooele County Sheriff's Office was to reduce jail recidivism and overdose by preparing individuals to safely leave the jail. Come join an interactive discussion on creating programs for high need communities through innovative partnerships.

Reaching Communities And Serving People: Assessing Utah's Legal Needs, Pamela Beatse J.D, Scotti Hill J.D, Keenan Carroll J.D., Hannah Kiely M.A

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"Utah Legal Services (ULS) conducted a comprehensive legal needs assessment in 2024 to gather the necessary data and information to better meet its mission of providing high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal representation or are facing disadvantages. Using the combination of an online survey, a series of focus groups throughout the Wasatch front, individual or group interviews, and several community soundboards, ULS conducted a broad, statewide survey. We connected with representatives, organizations, advocates, case managers, and leaders in the community as well as with client-eligible Utahns and ULS staff. This process allowed …

Assessing Community Attitudes Towards Homelessness And Services, Sarah Makar, Chris Runhaar, Dorothy Wallis

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

A collaborative, community-engaged research project was done to better understand Utah communities' attitudes and beliefs towards homelessness and evaluate for needed services for homeless individuals across Cache, Carbon, Utah, and Uintah counties. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, this project will help identify community perceptions, challenges, and gaps in services, enabling providers to better tailor their efforts to meet the unique needs of homeless individuals within these counties. Ultimately, the research will foster more informed, responsive, and compassionate support systems for homeless populations across these diverse regions.

Sevier County Adventures - Poster Presentation, Jori Kloosterman, Anna Gilliam

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"The Sevier County Adventures is a community engagement series of events that are fun for all and center on 4 community-identified needs; mental health, substance abuse, suicide, and parenting/family relationships. Once a quarter in 2025, the USU Sevier County Extension Office and the Central Utah Health Department, in conjunction with other entities, will hold community events to provide resources and information that highlight a specific need from the 4 community-identified needs. 1-Mental Health Game Night – Participants will be given a resource packet with information on local providers and teams will play an escape room game box. 2-Home Run for …

Engaging Youth In Community Problem Solving Through Community Partnerships, Kim Hales, Catherine Jurado, Mercedis Zismer

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

This panel discussion will present a community-engaged project in which four community partners work with youth in the context of a USU ENG 1010 or USU ENG 2010 writing assignment. This assignement asks students to identify a problem in their community by which they are directly impacted. The student then works with the community partner to document the problem and to brainstorm possible solutions to the issue. The panel will invite audience members to share their experiences with similarly designed assignments and to offer input, critique, and suggestions. Audience members will also be invited to ask questions to the panel …

Design, Implementation, And Reflection From An Interdisciplinary Course In Museum Studies, Brenna L. Decker

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

In Spring of 2023, I developed a special topics course titled Collection Material Handling to introduce students to museum management using Utah State University collections on the Logan, UT campus. The cross-listed upper-level course brought 16 USU students together from two disciplines: anthropology and natural sciences. The publication details how I used various learning theories to guide the creation of course content and how I structured and implemented activities in the classroom and in the collections. Examples of worksheets, activities, student feedback, and recommended improvements to assignments are provided. I encourage …

Learning A Little Bit Harder: The Intersecting Experiences Of First-Generation And Single-Mother College Students, Natalie Lecy, Elizabeth Hendrix, Brian A. Droubay

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This study examines the experiences of nine first-generation, single-mother college students, focusing on these intersecting, double-jeopardy identities. Participants’ difficulty navigating college varied; contributing factors included family background, social capital, the type of college attended, and whether they established a mentor. The following themes were established: 1) realizing college is an option, 2) caught between two worlds, 3) college wasn’t designed for us, 4) economic barriers, and 5) disparities in social capital. Our findings indicate colleges were unprepared to meet the unique challenges faced by this group. We present recommendations for the …

The Role And Influence Of Faculty As Predictors For Retention And Satisfaction Among Generation Z, Katelyn Romsa, Stephani Jarecke, Jessie H. Hendricks, Bryan Romsa

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

While previous research has established that faculty and their interactions with students have had the greatest impact on student retention and satisfaction for centuries, limited studies have been done to understand how faculty are influencing Generation Z, our newest generation of students in higher education. This study examined how the quantity of faculty interactions is impacting student retention and satisfaction among 342 Generation Z first-year college students at a public land-grant institution in the Midwest using the National Survey of Student Engagement instrument. In a Mann-Whitney U test, significant difference was …

Full Issue: Journal On Empowering Teaching Excellence, Volume 9, Issue 1, Spring 2025

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

The full-length Spring 2025 issue (Volume 9, Issue 1) of the Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version (with downloadable EPUB format) here.

The issue includes five articles addressing challenges in higher education: faculty-student interactions with Generation Z students, experiences of first-generation single-mother college students, implementation of an interdisciplinary museum studies course, guidance for creating educational videos, and a book review on resistance to change in higher education. The journal emphasizes practical strategies for effective teaching, inclusivity, and innovative approaches to pedagogy across various educational contexts.

Evaluating A Proprietary Tannin-Blend Product As An Alternative To Monensin And Tylosin Phosphate In Feedlot Cattle Diets, Luana D. Felizari, Luke K. Fuerniss, Jonathon L. Beckett, David S. Secrist, Guy D. Hufstedler, Bradley J. Johnson

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

This study evaluates the effects of a proprietary tannin blend (BX), supplemented with or without sodium monensin (MON), on beef cattle performance, carcass traits, and health. Steers (n = 2986; initial shrunk body weight (SBW) 254 ± 9.2 kg) were allocated into 48 pens (61–62 steers/pen; 12 pens/treatment) fed for 230 d. Treatments included (1) no feed additives (CTL); (2) BX (7.95 g/animal daily); (3) MON + Tylosin phosphate (TYL; 437.52 mg MON/animal daily + 80 mg TYL/animal daily); or (4) MON+BX (437.52 mg MON/animal daily + 7.95 g BX/animal daily). Data were analyzed in R 4.2.1 using a …

Precision Hinges For Origami Space Arrays, Jake Sutton, Trevor Carter, Davis Wing, Brooklyn Clark, Fisk Lundgreen, Spencer Magleby, Mark Stephen, Nathan Usevitch, Larry L. Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Optical satellite performance improves with increased surface area, which enhances light capture and sensor input. Deployable array mechanisms allow satellites to remain compact during launch and expand in orbit. This study focuses on designing passive hinges in rigid-panel origami-based deployable satellites for optical applications. A novel kinematic coupling method is developed, incorporating magnets, compact Lamina Emergent Torsional (LET) joints, and principles from Maxwell couplings. This system autonomously achieves precise alignment without motorized actuation reducing complexity. The design process involved iterative testing of ten two-panel hinge prototypes to identify the most effective designs. These were integrated into a degree-four vertex pattern …

Mapping And Examining Recreation In Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument, Elisabeth Currit, Neil Hansen, Brigham Daniels, Alex Long, Katy Merritt, Mary Proteau, Sam Spackman

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recreation is growing in desert areas of the western United States, and mapping the expansion of these activities is vital to management and conservation efforts. Desert ecosystems provide many critical ecosystem services, including carbon storage, and the growing popularity of outdoor recreation in Western US desert regions poses a threat to these ecosystems. Unregulated recreational activities can harm desert plant and soil health, including the functioning of biological soil crusts. This research project focuses on mapping several types of popular recreational activities in order to monitor and evaluate the impact of these activities within the Indian Creek areas of Bears …

High-Frequency Satellite Imagery Reveals Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Algal Blooms On Utah Lake, Kaylee B. Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Utah Lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake in Utah Valley, Utah, USA. It faces a number of water quality issues, with one of the most significant being the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABS) that impair its ecological health and economic value. We use data from the Sentinel 2 mission to investigate spatial and temporal bloom dynamics in four different regions of the lake. We leverage the frequent, spatially comprehensive satellite data to analyze the frequency, intensity, and duration of algal blooms on Utah Lake, and find that the southern end of the lake typically experiences the most intense …

Scalable Compliant Louvres Manufactured Via Sheet Lamination, Tyler R. Stevens, Benjamin Allen, Garrett Graham, Nathan B. Crane

Utah Space Grant Consortium

As space missions increase, relying on Earth-based supply chains for spacecraft components becomes increasingly unsustainable. In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) offers an alternative, yet many fabrication methods depend on gravity, utilize hazardous materials, require large amounts of energy, or introduce thermal challenges in spacecraft environments. Sheet materials show strong potential for ISM because they store and transport efficiently, offer functionalization options, and provide robust in-plane properties. However, most sheet-based manufacturing techniques require bulky equipment ill-suited for on-orbit deployment. Sheet Lamination (ShL), an underutilized additive manufacturing process that bonds and cuts thin sheets to create near-net-shape parts, presents a compact and scalable alternative, …