Digital Commons Network^™

Sinonasal Outcomes Using Oral Corticosteroids In Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps And Positive Sinonasal Cultures, Jhon F. Martinez Paredes, Angela M. Donaldson, Michael Marino, Garret Choby, Osarenoma Olomu, Razan Alfakir, Janalee K. Stokken, Erin O'Brien, Devyani Lal

School of Medicine Publications

Introduction: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and positive sinonasal bacterial cultures may be recalcitrant to topical therapy alone due to the additional local inflammatory burden associated with bacterial infection/colonization.

Objective: To evaluate sinonasal outcomes in CRSwNP patients with a positive perioperative bacterial culture, who were treated with postoperative intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) alone versus INCS in combination with a short-term course of oral corticosteroids (OCS).

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of CRSwNP patients. A total of 59 patients met inclusion criteria, including positive perioperative bacterial culture and treatment with INCS with or without concomitant use of …

Dynamic Function Learning Through Control Of Ensemble Systems, Wei Zhang, Vignesh Narayanan, Jr-Shin Li

Publications

Learning tasks involving function approximation are preva- lent in numerous domains of science and engineering. The underlying idea is to design a learning algorithm that gener- ates a sequence of functions converging to the desired target function with arbitrary accuracy by using the available data samples. In this paper, we present a novel interpretation of iterative function learning through the lens of ensemble dy- namical systems, with an emphasis on establishing the equiv- alence between convergence of function learning algorithms and asymptotic behavior of ensemble systems. In particular, given a set of observation data in a function learning task, we …

Cooperative Deep Q -Learning Framework For Environments Providing Image Feedback, Krishnan Raghavan, Vignesh Narayanan, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Publications

In this article, we address two key challenges in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) setting, sample inefficiency, and slow learning, with a dual-neural network (NN)-driven learning approach. In the proposed approach, we use two deep NNs with independent initialization to robustly approximate the action-value function in the presence of image inputs. In particular, we develop a temporal difference (TD) error-driven learning (EDL) approach, where we introduce a set of linear transformations of the TD error to directly update the parameters of each layer in the deep NN. We demonstrate theoretically that the cost minimized by the EDL regime is an approximation …

Knowledge Graph Guided Semantic Evaluation Of Language Models For User Trust, Kaushik Roy, Tarun Garg, Vedant Palit, Yuxin Zi, Vignesh Narayanan, Amit Sheth

Publications

A fundamental question in natural language processing is - what kind of language structure and semantics is the language model capturing? Graph formats such as knowledge graphs are easy to evaluate as they explicitly express language semantics and structure. This study evaluates the semantics encoded in the self-attention transformers by leveraging explicit knowledge graph structures. We propose novel metrics to measure the reconstruction error when providing graph path sequences from a knowledge graph and trying to reproduce/reconstruct the same from the outputs of the self-attention transformer models. The opacity of language models has an immense bearing on societal issues of …

Moment-Based Reinforcement Learning For Ensemble Control, Yao-Chi Yu, Vignesh Narayanan, Jr-Shin Li

Publications

Problems involving controlling the collective behavior of a population of structurally similar dynamical systems, the so-called ensemble control, arise in diverse emerging applications and pose a grand challenge in systems science and control engineering. Owing to the severely under-actuated nature and the difficulty of placing large-scale sensor networks, ensemble systems are limited to being actuated and monitored at the population level. Moreover, mathematical models describing the dynamics of ensemble systems are often elusive. Therefore, it is essential to design broadcast controls that excite the entire population in such a way that the heterogeneity in system dynamics are robustly compensated. In …

Cook-Gen: Robust Generative Modeling Of Cooking Actions From Recipes, Revathy Venkataramanan, Kaushik Roy, Kanak Ray, Renjith Prasad, Yuxin Zi, Vignesh Narayanan, Amit Sheth

Publications

As people become more aware of their food choices, food computation models have become increasingly popular in assisting people in maintaining healthy eating habits. For example, food recommendation systems analyze recipe instructions to assess nutritional contents and provide recipe recommendations. The recent and remarkable successes of generative AI methods, such as auto-regressive large language models, can lead to robust methods for a more comprehensive understanding of recipes for healthy food recommendations beyond surface-level nutrition content assessments. In this study, we explore the use of generative AI methods to extend current food computation models, primarily involving the analysis of nutrition and …

Tutorial - Shodhguru Labs: Optimization And Hyperparameter Tuning For Neural Networks, Kaushik Roy

Publications

Neural networks have emerged as a powerful and versatile class of machine learning models, revolutionizing various fields with their ability to learn complex patterns and make accurate predictions. The performance of neural networks depends significantly on the appropriate choice of hyperparameters, which are critical factors governing their architecture, regularization, and optimization techniques. As the demand for high-performance neural networks grows across diverse applications, the need for efficient optimization and hyperparameter tuning methods becomes paramount. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of optimization strategies and hyperparameter tuning techniques for neural networks. Neural networks have emerged as a powerful and versatile class …

A Guardian For Justice: The Women's Commission At Emu, Mary-Elizabeth B. Murphy

Faculty Scholarship 2023

No abstract provided.

Theoretical Substruction Of Resilience Theory: Dementia Caregivers' Burden And Their Care Recipients' Behavior, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Theoretical substruction is vital in clarifying models and guiding research. In this article, the process of theoretical substruction was examined through resilience theory to provide an example of the congruence between theoretical and operational definitions in nursing research. The author examines the significance of resilience theory in the context of dementia caregivers’ burden and their care recipients’ behavioral problems. The steps of theoretical substruction are included, and a model of resilience is presented that includes middle-range concepts, relational statements, and propositions derived from the research literature. The rigorous process of theoretical substruction provides an example of a theoretically sound basis …

Lived Experiences Of American Adults Who Survive Covid-19: Implications For Physical Activity And Interpersonal Stress, Linda B. Piacentine, Hannah C. Barbosa, Kristin Haglund, Lauren Opielinski, Sandra K. Hunter, Paula E. Papanek, Marie K. Hoeger Bement, Norah L. Johnson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 579 million globally. Symptoms during and after COVID-19 infection vary from mild cold symptoms to severe multisystem illness. Given the wide range of symptom presentations and complications post COVID-19, the purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of American adults surviving COVID-19.

Method: This study employed an exploratory qualitative description design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 35 individuals, [white (94%), female (71%), mean age = 43.7 years], with proximity to a university in an urban Midwest American city. Interviews occurred between May and …

A Comparison Of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems For Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study, Qiyan Mu, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Objectives: Accuracy in detecting ovulation and estimating the fertile window in the menstrual cycle is essential for women to avoid or achieve pregnancy. There has been a rapid growth in fertility apps and home ovulation testing kits in recent years. Nevertheless, there lacks information on how well these apps perform in helping users understand their fertility in the menstrual cycle. This pilot study aimed to evaluate and compare the beginning, peak, and length of the fertile window as determined by a new luteinizing hormone (LH) fertility tracking app with the Clearblue Fertility Monitor (CBFM).

Materials and Methods: A …

A Swimming Program For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Assessing Critical Parameters From Caregivers’ Perspectives, Abir K. Bekhet, Norah L. Johnson, Tana Karenke, Amy V. Van Hecke

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

One in 54 individuals is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Swimming can impact the physical and mental well-being of persons with ASD, which in turn may improve their caregivers’ well-being. The purpose of this qualitative evaluation study is to assess the necessity, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and beginning effectiveness of a 12-session swimming training program (STP) at an indoor university pool designed to teach persons with ASD how to swim, and to teach caregivers precautions for safety around water. Participants included 7 boys, and 3 girls with ASD [mean age 7.05 years (SD 1.17)] and their caregivers. Results indicated that …

State Of The University Annual Report - 2022-2023, Office Of The President, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

Office of the President State of the University Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Precision Medicine Approach To Alzheimer’S Disease: Rationale And Implications, Dale E. Bredesen, Kat Toups, Ann Hathaway, Deborha Gordon, Henrianna Chung, Cyrus Raji, Alan Boyd, Benjamin D. Hill, Sharon Hausman-Cohen, Mouna Attarha, Won Jong Chwa, Alexei Kurakin, Michael Jarrett

University Faculty and Staff Publications

The neurodegenerative disease field has enjoyed extremely limited success in the development of effective therapeutics. One potential reason is the lack of disease models that yield accurate predictions and optimal therapeutic targets. Standard clinical trials have pre-determined a single treatment modality, which may be unrelated to the primary drivers of neurodegeneration. Recent proof-of-concept clinical trials using a precision medicine approach suggest a new model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as a chronic innate encephalitis that creates a network insufficiency. Identifying and addressing the multiple potential contributors to cognitive decline for each patient may represent a more effective strategy. Here we review …

Can Gesture Input Support Toddlers’ Fast Mapping?, Lori G. Foran, Brenda L. Beverly, John Shelley-Tremblay, Julie M. Estis

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Forty-eight toddlers participated in a word-learning task to assess gesture input on mapping nonce words to unfamiliar objects. Receptive fast mapping and expressive naming for target object-word pairs were tested in three conditions – with a point, with a shape gesture, and in a no-gesture, word-only condition. No statistically significant effect of gesture for receptive fast-mapping was found but age was a factor. Two year olds outperformed one year olds for both measures. Only one girl in the one-year-old group correctly named any items. There was a significant interaction between gesture and gender for expressive naming. Two-year old girls were …

Physical Activity, Inflammation, And Physical Function In Older Adults: Results From The Health & Retirement Study, Jeanne L. Hlebichuk, Randall J. Gretebeck, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Linda B. Piacentine, Maharaj Singh, Kimberlee A. Gretebeck

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Physical function declines with aging due to physical and biological changes. The biological process of aging has been associated with increases in systemic inflammation and a greater risk for chronic conditions. In older adults, physical activity aids in maintenance of function. However, the influence of inflammatory biomarkers and adiposity on physical activity and physical function needs to be further explored. Methods: A cross-sectional secondary data analysis from Wave 13 of the Health & Retirement Study (HRS) core biennial data and Venous Blood Study (VBS) was conducted. Structural equation modeling was used to establish the model and test the relationships. Results: …

Existential Distress In Family Caregivers: Scoping Review Of Meaning-Making Interventions, Natalie S. Mcandrew, Tamryn F. Gray, Lyndsey Wallace, Kelly Calkins, Jill L. Guttormson, Eric Harding, Allison J. Applebaum

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives: Family and friend caregivers often feel overwhelmed by and ill-prepared for their responsibilities. Many feel helpless living with uncertainty about the outcome of the patient's illness, which leads to existential distress. Supportive care interventions that address existential distress by promoting meaning and purpose buffer the negative effects of caregiver burden and promote resilience and growth. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe the depth and breadth of available interventions targeting caregiver existential distress.

Methods: We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methods and applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension checklist. SCOPUS, …

Morris Catalog 2023-2025, University Of Minnesota-Morris

UMM Catalog

This document serves as an official historical record for a specific period in time. The information found is subject to change without notice. Colleges and departments make changes to their degree requirements and course descriptions frequently. More information is available at catalogs.umn.edu.

The Relationship Between Customers’ Satisfaction And Trust In The Global Supply Chain And Profitability, Azeal Gilham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The inability to meet customer demands and expectations impacts an organization’s profitability. Understanding and meeting customer needs are critical for the financial success of business owners. Grounded in the theory of constraints, the purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study was to examine the relationships between customers’ satisfaction and trust in the supply chain and profitability. Secondary data (n = 121) were collected from the Elsevier Research Database using archival data collected from an automotive factory. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression, and the results were statistically significant, F (2, 118) = 264.347, p < .001, R2 = .90. In the final model, both predictor variables were significant, customers’ satisfaction: mean wait time (t = 22.991, p < .001, β = 16.23); and customers’ trust: minimum stock level (t = 7.306, p < .001, β = .118). A key recommendation is for business leaders to satisfy customers and gain their trust by creating sufficient inventory stocking levels and improving replenishment timeframes that meet customers’ supply chain demands. The implications for positive social change include the opportunity for supply chain managers to develop an effective supply chain that may contribute to the quality of service that promotes success in regional markets, sustain growth, and allows for social development among the local community workforces.

Effect Of The Mathematics Workshop Model On Middle School English Language Learners’ Achievement, Khethiwe Hudson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMost English learners (ELs) face challenges upon entering schools in the United States. The problem addressed in this study was that more than half of middle school ELs did not reach basic proficiency on their mathematics inventory in a Mid-Atlantic school district between 2017 and 2022. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the differences in the Spring mathematics inventory scores between low-English functioning middle school ELs (Level 1 entering and Level 2 emerging) and medium functioning middle school ELs (Level 3 developing and Level 4 expanding) who were instructed in the mathematics workshop model for 18 weeks …

Employee Engagement Strategies In Manufacturing Organizations In Nigeria, Mofoluwaso Ilevbare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee engagement is a major concern for business leaders in the manufacturing sector due to the constantly shifting labor market and the demanding nature of the manufacturing work environment. Manufacturing leaders who lack effective strategies to improve employee engagement risk losing valuable employees, which can pose significant threats to productivity and business profitability. Grounded in Kahn’s engagement and disengagement theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies manufacturing leaders in Nigeria use to increase employee engagement. Using semi-structured interviews, company business reports, and employee survey action plans and reports, data were collected from eight manufacturing leaders …

Educators' Perspectives Of How To Support The Reading Needs Of Grade 3 Through Grade 6 Students With Low Ses Resources, Antoinette Laura Matthews

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In an urban school district in a southwestern state, the problem investigated was that elementary educators are struggling to support the reading needs of Grade 3 through Grade 6 students from families having limited access to economic resources. Students with higher socioeconomic status (SES) outperform students with low SES backgrounds. Students with proficient reading skills demonstrate higher overall academic performance and more post-secondary opportunities. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to investigate educators’ perspectives of why current reading interventions have not been successful for Grade 3 through Grade 6 students at the target site. Using Bandura’s social learning …

Age, Race/Hispanic Origin, And Covid-19 Mortality Among Sickle Cell Disease Patients In The United States, Joe Lamont Ndula

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a global health challenge, with 6.7 million deaths worldwide as of January 2023. It has illuminated the health iniquities in underserved communities and populations like those with sickle cell disease (SCD). Researchers have associated the COVID-19 outcome among SCD patients in other regions of the globe. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional observational study was to investigate the relationship between age, race/Hispanic origin, and COVID-19 mortality among persons with SCD in the United States from January 2020 to March 2021. The Krieger ecosocial theory of disease distribution framed the study. Data were drawn from an existing …

Knowledge-Sharing Practice As A Tool In Organizational Development In Nigerian Higher Educational Institutions, Emmanuel Ajiri Ojo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractUnderstanding knowledge management is key to understanding organizational development and innovations. Inadequate knowledge-sharing practices in Nigerian educational institutions has impeded innovation and management development. The purpose of this qualitative modified Delphi study was to seek consensus among administrators from Nigerian educational institutions and scholars from Nigerian universities regarding knowledge-sharing practices that nourish innovation in Nigerian higher educational institutions. The organizational development framework was used to guide the study. Data collection included a nonprobability purposive sampling of 25 participants and three rounds of surveys administered online. A consensus was reached on eight factors after coding and thematic analysis: setting knowledge-sharing expectations, …

U.S. Senate And House Perspectives On Missile Defense Systems Opposed By Russia And China, Constance Valarie Baroudos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States and its allies and partners have deployed three missile defense systems to protect against Iranian and North Korean missile threats: the European Phased Adaptive Approach, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, and Ground-based Missile Defense. Russia and China oppose these systems because they view them as undermining their strategic interests. The purpose of the present study was to better understand the perspectives of Senate and House Armed Services Committee HASC members about the three missile defense systems in congressional hearings. The three models of the congressional behavior model, the preference, simple party, and asymmetric categories, and neorealism and …

The Effect Of Employee Appreciation Methods On Job Satisfaction Of Higher Education Support Staff, Joanna Carter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Almost 80% of U.S. companies have an employee recognition program. Although there is a great deal of research on the factors that affect employees' job satisfaction in general, little is known about the effect of employee appreciation methods on support staff's job satisfaction within higher education institutions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effect of seven employee appreciation methods on the job satisfaction of support staff within higher education institutions. The study's theoretical framework consisted of Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation, Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory, Frederick Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, and Arne Kallenberg’s theory of job satisfaction. …

Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDetention facility settings present opportunities and risks in relation to violent extremism. Criminalization as the main concern would increase the crime rates in the United States while allowing the formation of terrorist groups on U.S. soil. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between juveniles’ experiences in detention centers and their exposure to criminalization. The study was guided by social control theory, narrative theory, and differential opportunity theory. Data were collected using a survey of 15 juvenile detention officers. Results of correlation analyses indicated a significant relationship between detention experience and increased exposure to criminalization …

Health Education Practices For Middle Eastern Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Walaa Daffaalla

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex women’s health condition that reduces women’s quality of life, leading to health complications, such as menstruation issues, infertility, insulin resistance, risk of type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, emotional stress, being overweight or obese, and more. Research on PCOS has focused on the etiology and complications in women from different ethnicities. But limited research has explored the experiences and perspectives of Middle Eastern (ME) women in the United States with PCOS related to PCOS health education. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives and experiences of ME women of reproductive …

Beliefs Of Higher Education Online Faculty Regarding The Integration Of Multimedia, Kimberly Diane Hoyt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Integration of multimedia resources in higher education curricula continues to be a concern for today’s teachers, especially in identifying effective, efficient, and engaging resources that provide individualized instruction and meet a variety of learning needs. However, there was a gap in the literature regarding teachers' beliefs about multimedia integration within the context of adult learning in online higher education. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the benefits and challenges higher education online teachers experienced when integrating multimedia resources into their courses. The research question explored the beliefs of higher education online instructors about their experiences when …

Primary Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Wilson Reading Fundations Program For Struggling Readers, Kianga Tene Mckinney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite 3 years of implementation, educators at McKinnley Elementary School (pseudonym) did not know teachers’ perceptions about whether the Wilson Reading Fundations Program (WRFP) was helping K-3rd grade teachers assist struggling readers with becoming proficient in reading in the elementary grades. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to obtain primary teachers’ perceptions regarding how instructional components of the WRFP challenged or strengthened their instructional practices with assisting struggling readers gaining proficiency. Engelmann’s theory of instruction, Orton-Gillingham’s approach, and Engestrom’s activity theory were the theoretical frameworks that guided this study. Fifteen K-3rd grade teachers who implemented WRFP and …