Digital Commons Network^™

Optimizing The Sustainability Of Asphalt Pavements Through Incorporating Crumb Rubber In High-Modulus Asphalt Concrete (Hmac) Mixtures In Louisiana, Heena Dhasmana, Marwa Hassan, Mohamed Abdelmageed

Publications

Asphalt mixtures are traditionally produced using the Superpave mix design method, which emphasizes volumetric properties; however, current research is shifting toward performance-based and sustainable approaches. Within this context, the French High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) design focuses on achieving specific performance criteria for workability, stiffness, rutting resistance, and fatigue behavior, employing a hard binder with higher asphalt content and fewer air voids than Superpave mixes. In this study, HMAC mixtures were developed using crumb rubber and locally sourced Louisiana materials. Five HMAC mixes using PG 76-22 and PG 67-22 binders with 10% and 20% crumb rubber were prepared, along with …

Multiagent Copilot In Industrial Ai Applications, Chathurangi Shyalika, Renjith Prasad, Utkarshani Jaimini, Cory Henson, Fadi El Kalach, Amit Sheth

Publications

In the era of smart automation and digital transformation, achieving efficiency, precision, and adaptability is essential for industries to remain competitive. Sectors, including manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, healthcare, finance, and retail, face significant challenges in deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions tailored to their unique needs, particularly in critical, resource-constrained applications. According to Gartner’s 2024 Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence, composite AI, which integrates techniques like machine learning, knowledge graphs, and rule-based systems, is becoming foundational for industries, enhancing predictions, decisions, and scalability across complex environments.

The complexity of real-world systems requires Industrial AI solutions to be customizable to business …

Exploring The Public Health Agency Of Canada’S And The Ontario Government’S Vaccine-Related Crisis Communication On X During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sheraza Burney, Lori Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Anita Kothari

Publications

Crisis communication strategies must be tailored to the unique nature of social media. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health agencies have widely used social media to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. This research utilized the social media pandemic communication model to describe the key themes disseminated through the Ontario government and the Public Health Agency of Canada's vaccine-related crisis communication on X (formerly Twitter). Between 27 January 2020 and 6 April 2021, 1271 posts related to COVID-19 vaccination were collected from three official government X accounts—two from the province of Ontario and one from Canada. Posts were analyzed …

Course Insight Portfolio: Math 1060 Calculus Of One Variable I, Julianne Barnhart, Rayna Elizabeth Maleki, Antsa Rakotondrafara

Publications

We presented this Course Insight Portfolio project as a final assignment for the class Teaching Undergraduate Math MATH 9700 in Summer 2025. It covers the Clemson class MATH 1060 Calculus of One Variable I and is a fruit of the collaborative work of Julianne Barnhart, Rayna Maleki, and Antsa Rakotondrafara.

What We Talk About When We Talk About First-Generation Students: Exploring Definitions In Use On College And University Websites, Danielle E. Maurici-Pollock, Rebecca Stallworth, Sasha Khan

Publications

First-generation students (FGS) are a population that has received increasing attention, but the term has been inconsistently defined. Such inconsistency creates challenges not only for research, but for students themselves, many of whom may find they meet the FGS definition in one institutional context, but not another. In this study, we analyze how the term first-generation student is defined on the public websites of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada and discuss implications for students and academic libraries.

Outdoor Learning On The Edge Of Europe: A Systematic Review Of Practice From Ireland, Tomás Aylward, Maura Colter, Tom Farrelly

Publications

Outdoor Learning (OL) programmes are a small but impactful part of the Irish educational landscape. This paper presents an overview of the sector through a systematic review of the literature published between 2012 and2023. The research had three aims: to 1) map the strands of practice where OL-related research is happening; 2) synthesize the reported outcomes and 3) indicate gaps in the research. Of the 157 papers screened, 13 met the criteria for inclusion. A hybrid method of review based on reflexive and meta-aggregative synthesis was utilized. Eleven lines-of-action findings were identified across four areas-of-action. These areas were: the role …

Good For Business, Good For The Community: Exploring Nightlife Professionals’ Perspectives On Sexual Violence Prevention In Nightlife Settings, Ingrid Johnson

Publications

Up to 80% of female nightlife patrons in the US have experienced nightlife-related sexual violence – sexual violence incidents that occur in or are associated with nightlife settings – in their lifetime. Nightlife-related sexual violence (NRSV) is not only bad for victims and society, but also for businesses that rely on return and new customers to feel safe while enjoying these community spaces. This study sought to document nightlife professionals’ ideas for NRSV prevention along with the barriers and catalysts to doing so. The findings in this report come from interviews and focus groups with 24 professionals working in and …

An Exploration Of How Motivations And Perceived Ability Influence An Advisor's Willingness To Give Advice, Ishani Banerji

Publications

Decision-makers frequently rely on advice from advisors, yet little is known about the factors influencing advisors' willingness to give advice (WTGA). This paper explores WTGA through three studies, investigating its relationship to advice quality, an advisor's motivations, and abilities. Our findings show that advisors frequently demonstrate a willingness to give advice even when their solution to the specific problem is incorrect, resulting in the dissemination of poor-quality advice. We find that both the helping and influence motives predict WTGA, with the helping motivation playing a more dominant role. Finally, we find that WTGA varies significantly as a function of advisors' …

Exploring Factors Of Trauma-Related Preparation And Trauma-Related Agency Among School Counselors, Amanda Rumsey, Kathryn Higdon, Sierra Swisher, Jacob Zimmerman

Publications

School counselors support students who have experienced trauma in schools worldwide. Increased awareness of the gravity of childhood trauma (CT) and relationships between exposure to trauma and personal, social, and academic development have advanced the need for schools to provide trauma-informed care. School counselors play a critical role in providing trauma-informed care in the school environment, as they are trained mental health professionals whose roles include supporting all students’ personal, social, and academic development. This study explores the relationship between school counselors’ professional and personal backgrounds and exposure to trauma and their trauma-related agency, which is identified in this study …

Jenifer Michaels. A History., Farrah Freibert

Publications

Jenifer Michaels was a legendary subcultural star within the gay liberation film milieu of 1970s Los Angeles. Taking three paths to approaching and interpreting Michaels’s filmic and archival image, this article is structured by an analysis of Michaels’s documentary appearances, her performance in sex films, and her statements published in a textual interview. Working against what I call historiographic gentrification, the article utilizes archival and micro-historical methods to think through Michaels’s subcultural stardom as a nexus for complicating biography, documentary, and the politics of veracity.

Integrating Elementary Computer Science And Mathematics Instruction: One Size Does Not Fit All, Umar Shehzad, Jody Clarke-Midura, Mimi Recker

Publications

This paper presents a model, the double integration model, for integrating Computer Science (CS) and mathematics in upper elementary instruction. Fifth-grade students (n=1,037) participated either in the double integrated model (Condition 1; integrated in both CS and Math instruction) or integrated lessons only in CS instruction (Condition 2). After each lesson, students rated their enjoyment, perceived ease, and perceptions of CS-math connections. Multilevel analyses revealed that Condition 1 students reported significantly more positive perceptions and stronger CS-math connections of the lessons than Condition 2 students. Girls in Condition 1 responded more positively than boys on enjoyment and connection items, and …

Streamlining Field Note Analysis: Leveraging Gpt For Further Insights, Saríah López-Fierro, Umar Shehzad, Alireza (Sina) Zandi, Jody Clarke-Midura, Mimi Recker

Publications

As an integral part of qualitative research inquiry, field notes provide important data from researchers embedded in research sites. However, field notes can vary significantly, influenced by the researchers' immersion in the field, prior knowledge, beliefs, interests, and perspectives. As consequence, their interpretation presents significant challenges. This study offers a preliminary investigation into the potential of using large language models to assist researchers with the analysis and interpretation of field notes data. Our methodology consisted of two phases. First, a researcher deductively coded field notes of six classroom implementations of a novel elementary-level mathematics curriculum. In the second phase, we …

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation, Brian J. Roggow

Publications

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform …

Aerosolized Transmissible Diseases Guidance Document, J. David Miller, John P. (Jack) Springston Jr., Cheryl L. Marcham, J. David Krause, Ling-Ling Hung, Wane A. Baker

Publications

Prior to COVID-19, pandemic influenza viruses have emerged four times in the previous one hundred years. This includes “Spanish” influenza (H1N1) in 1918, “Asian” influenza (H2N2) in 1957, “Hong Kong” influenza (H3N2) in 1968, and H1N1 “swine” influenza in 2009 (Saunders-Hastings & Krewski, 2016; Taubenberger, 2005). In early May 2024, the first reported human case of avian flu (H5N1) that had also infected cows in the US appeared in the literature (Uyeki et al., 2024). In late August 2024, OSHA released a hazard alert providing information for dairy workers on avian influenza in dairy cattle, together with personal protective equipment …

Co-Sleeping With A Pet: Exploring The Impact On Youth Sleep, Brittany D. Lancaster, Tristen Hefner, Jason Van Allen

Publications

Objective: Despite a rise in pet ownership and adult literature indicating pet co-sleeping may lead to disrupted sleep, limited research has evaluated the impact of youth co-sleeping with an animal. This study evaluated whether a pet in the bedroom affects youth sleep. Methods: 175 families completed measures of screen time, sleep problems, and parental sleep knowledge. Youth (M age = 9.51; 53.1% male) wore an ActiGraph and completed a sleep diary for 2 consecutive weeks. For youth who owned a pet dog, the dog wore an ActiGraph for the same 2 weeks. Youth were separated into 3 groups: those who …

Patterns And Representation In Play-Based Learning: A Systematic Meta-Synthesis Of Empirical Studies In K-13+ Settings, Steph Dean, Julianne A. Wenner

Publications

This systematic review provides a comprehensive meta-synthesis that examines empirical research on the implementation of play-based learning in formal educational settings. The review aims to identify patterns in the enactment of play-based learning, including its representation across academic disciplines, methodologies, grade levels, geographic contexts, and key indicators of play—choice, wonder, and delight. A comprehensive search across nine databases yielded 1,475 studies, of which 87 met stringent inclusion criteria: empirical, K-13+ formal settings, and an intentional learning objective tied to play. We extracted data from each study and used thematic synthesis to analyze patterns across multiple dimensions. Findings indicate that play-based …

Neighborhood Disinvestment And Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Peripartum Cardiomyopathy In California, From 2004 To 2019, Curisa M. Tucker Phd, Rn, Chen Ma, Mahasin S. Mujahid, Afshan B. Hameed, Audrey Lyndon, Elliott K. Main, Suzan L. Carmichael

Publications

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare medical condition presenting as idiopathic heart failure. The aim of this study was to (1) examine the contribution of neighborhood disinvestment to PPCM risk and to racial and ethnic disparities in PPCM; (2) examine the extent to which sociodemographic factors and chronic hypertension explain these outcomes; and (3) describe severe maternal morbidity cases and the timing of PPCM. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study using vital records longitudinally linked with hospital discharge records for mothers and infants up to 9 months postpartum for births in California from 1997 to 2019. Using the …

Bridging The Knowledge Gap: Professional Development Connecting Educators And Caregivers Of Multilingual Learners, Mihaela Gazioglu, Emily Howell, Rebecca Kaminski, Victoria Pennington, Nicole Ferguson-Sams, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the professional growth of a cohort of teachers working with multilingual learners (MLs) during an MEd program and their recommendations for the development of a literacy course for ML caregivers. In addition, this study explores whether the school district capacity supports teacher growth, as reflected through district representatives’ feedback.

Design/methodology/approach – This design-based research study, informed by the culturally relevant pedagogy and dual capacity building frameworks, explores 30 in-service K-12 teachers and 11 district representatives. Data were collected through semestrial surveys and research logs over two years using mixed methods. …

From Awareness To Action: Caregivers’ Roles In Multilingual Learners’ Literacy Development, Mihaela Gazioglu, Lindsey W. Rowe, Emily Howell, Victoria Pennington, Nicole Ferguson-Sams, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

This design-based research study, grounded in the theoretical framework of dual capacity building, explored the impact of a literacy course on multilingual learners’ caregivers, focusing on their knowledge and self-efficacy in supporting their children’s literacy development. Findings revealed a collaborative process between caregivers and researchers, where caregivers contributed insights into their learning needs and influenced the course’s development and implementation. At the end of the course, caregivers’ average self-efficacy score showed a statistically significant 21% increase, while their knowledge ratings increased by 15%. Beyond academic support, the course significantly increased caregivers’ confidence in navigating school systems, understanding school procedures, and …

Light In The Darkest Places: Analyzing News Coverage Of A U.S. Immigrant Detention Center, Stephanie M. Madison, Mikel W. Cole, Susan Cridland-Hughes

Publications

Immigrants remain one of the most disempowered groups within the United States. Drawing on critical media literacy research that focuses on power dynamics and positioning, this article addresses ways the news media reports on immigrants and immigrant detention centers. We conducted a critical content analysis of 180 articles on one specific location, Stewart Detention Center (SDC), to demonstrate variability in newspaper reporting on several levels, including frequency, geographic location, and context. Our first research question explored changes in reporting over time, and our second research question considered differences in reporting by geographic level. Our third research question examined differences in …

Beyond The Blue Skies: A Comprehensive Guide For Risk Assessment In Aviation, Leila Halawi, Mark Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

Risk assessment in aviation is a critical process that safeguards the safety and reliability of operations. Aviation operations encompass inherent risks, from mechanical failures to human errors and environmental factors. The significance of these risks may be severe, leading to accidents, injuries, and loss of life. Recognizing and mitigating risks is supreme in this dynamic environment, where emerging technologies and innovation constantly reshape this industry. This chapter includes an in-depth explanation of risk management and analysis, leading to the core elements of risk assessment specifically for aviation operations. We will describe the process and explore some of the applications and …

Evolution Of Teachers’ Perspectives On Family Engagement: Building Dual Capacity For Multilingual Learners, Lindsey W. Rowe, Hazel Vega, Emily Howell, Katie M. Crook, C C. Bates, Kavita Mittapelli, Amlam Banerjee

Publications

Family engagement in multilingual learner education offers benefits associated with improved academic performance, stronger parent-teacher communication, and more inclusivity of cultural and linguistic diversity. Responding to calls for professional development that enables teachers to meaningfully involve families, this paper draws from surveys and course assignments to examine how teachers expanded their perceptions about the incorporation of multilingual learner families in a graduate program. We conclude by discussing implications for teacher professional development with specific attention to how teachers can integrate multilingual learner families.

Yinyang-Align: Benchmarking Contradictory Objectives And Proposing Multi-Objective Optimization Based Dpo For Text-To-Image Alignment, Amitava Das, Yaswanth Narsupalli, Gurpreet Singh, Vinija Jain, Vasu Sharma, Suranjana Trivedi, Aman Chadha, Amit Sheth

Publications

As Text-to-Image (T2I) models become more advanced, they face a fundamental challenge—balancing conflicting alignment goals such as faithfulness vs. artistic freedom, realism vs. stylization, and verifiability vs. creativity. Existing alignment methods often optimize for one objective at the cost of another, leading to inconsistencies in AI-generated images.
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/="/">In our latest work, YinYang-Align, we introduce a benchmarking framework to systematically evaluate these trade-offs and propose Contradictory Alignment Optimization (CAO)—a multi-objective extension of Direct Preference Optimization (DPO) that enables models to navigate competing alignment goals more effectively.

Examining Leadership Practices To Promote A Positive Culture Of Research Integrity In Higher Education Institutions, Seán Lacey, Jennifer J. Wilkinson

Publications

What is new?

While Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have, in recent years, placed greater emphasis on promoting good research practices, it is yet relatively unknown what leadership approaches are best suited to cultivating a positive culture of research integrity (RI) in HEIs. This small-scale exploratory descriptive study therefore sought to uncover initial findings from within the European context on practices research leaders found to be most effective in leading positive change in this space.

What was the approach?

The design was constructed using semi-structured interviews with five senior research leaders. Countries that were members of the European Network of Research …

Examining Tension Management Of Coastal Residents' Decisions To Stay Or Leave During Hurricane Florence, Andrew S. Pyle, Ryan P. Fuller, Hillary Smith

Publications

This study examines how coastal residents in the path of a hurricane manage the tension to evacuate or stay. In interviews with 17 coastal residents, we found evidence of tension management through account giving. Stayers justified their choices as keeping close to loved ones and animals, reducing difficulties in returning, and benchmarking prior storms to guide their actions over other sources of information. Evacuees framed the tension as either the only choice or the better of two poor choices. Our analysis also revealed contradictions in evacuating: a case of haves (have resources to evacuate but do not) and have nots …

The Impact Of Time Of Night On Affect And Affective State Type: A Simulated Nightshift Study, June J. Pilcher, Christopher Ply

Publications

Nightshift workers experience circadian misalignment thus negatively impacting many physiological systems which can change subjective states such as affect. The current study examined change in affect and affective state across a simulated first nightshift. Ninety sleep-deprived college students (33% female) completed a series of surveys and tasks across four testing sessions during the night. The participants completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule at the beginning of each testing session. Using these affect scores, we derived four affective state types defined by high and low positive and negative affect (Self-actualizing-high positive affect with low negative affect, High affective-high positive affect …

Evolution Of Teachers’ Perspectives On Family Engagement: Building Dual Capacity For Multilingual Learners, Hazel Vega, Emily Howell, Lindsey W. Rowe, Katie M. Crook, C. C. Bates, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

Family engagement in multilingual learner education offers benefits associated with improved academic performance, stronger parent-teacher communication, and more inclusivity of cultural and linguistic diversity. Responding to calls for professional development that enables teachers to meaningfully involve families, this paper draws from surveys and course assignments to examine how teachers expanded their perceptions about the incorporation of multilingual learner families in a graduate program. We conclude by discussing implications for teacher professional development with specific attention to how teachers can integrate multilingual learner families.

An Investigation Of Travel Distance And Timeliness Of Breast Cancer Treatment Among A Diverse Cohort In The United States, Swann Arp Adams Ph.D., Ms, Face, Oluwole Adeyemi Babatunde, Whitney E. Zahnd, Peiyin Hung Ph.D., Karen E. Wickersham Phd, Rn, Nathaniel Bell Ph.D., Jan M. Eberth Ph.D.

Publications

Travel to and from distant cancer treatment facilities can place a significant burden on cancer patients, particularly rural and minority survivors. Thus, the purpose of our investigation was to examine the association between patient travel distance and delays in types of treatment for breast cancer (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy) and treatment delays. Using a novel linkage between the state cancer registry and administrative data from Medicaid and a private insurance plan, 2155 BC patients were successfully linked to create the cohort. ArcGIS was used to geocode all case residences and treatment facility addresses and calculate network distance between …

Amplifying Women's Voices In Menopause Research: The Importance Of Inclusive Perspectives, Camille Cronin, Sara Donevant Phd, Rn, Ccrn, Kerri Ann Hughes, Marja Kaunonen, Jette Marcussen, Rhonda Wilson

Publications

Menopause, a significant life transition for half the global population, intersects biological, cultural and social dimensions. Despite its universal occurrence, menopause research has historically been dominated by biomedical perspectives, often neglecting women's voices and diverse experiences. This article highlights the importance of including women's perspectives in menopause research to ensure relevance, accuracy and equity. It explores cultural variations in menopause experiences, the impact of socioeconomic status and the often-overlooked emotional and psychological dimensions. This article advocates for participatory approaches, emphasising that women's involvement enhances research design, implementation and policy development. Evidence-based interventions that are tailored to the individual can better …

The Hidden Cost Of Using Time Series Aggregation For Modeling Low-Carbon Industrial Energy Systems: An Investors’ Perspective, Markus Fleschutz

Publications

Time series aggregation (TSA) is commonly used in energy system optimization to reduce model complexity and computational expenses by selecting periods to represent the entire time series. TSA’s accuracy has traditionally been assessed by comparing the objective values between the original and TSA models (assumed error). However, evaluating TSA from an investor’s standpoint involves analyzing the performance of TSA-based energy system designs using the original time series. Therefore, we introduce the hidden error and total error, novel error metrics, to evaluate the financial implications of TSA through backtesting the TSA-based system designs using the original time series. Our analysis extends …