Digital Commons Network^™

Communication Of Fixed And Mobile Warnings To Commercial Trucks Using In-Cab Notification, Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jijo K. Mathew, Nathaniel Sturdevant, Edward Cox, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Improving commercial vehicle safety continues to be an important priority for all stakeholders. There has been considerable focus in Indiana on reducing work zone related crashes, particularly those involving commercial motor vehicles encountering unexpected slowdowns or stopped traffic on the Interstate. Connected vehicle data have the potential to warn motorists of impending slowdowns and congestion in real-time. Multiple data providers have recently begun providing in-cab alerts to commercial vehicle drivers in areas of congestion, dangerous slowdowns, and work zone construction to increase driver awareness of potential hazards. This research utilized 1-second frequency data from trucks receiving in-cab alerts for Congestion …

Case Studies Documenting Lessons Learned And Identifying Opportunities For Maintenance Of Traffic (Mot) Improvements, Myles W. Overall, Justin Mukai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jairaj Desai, Deborah Horton, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

From July 2023 to July 2025, the team performed several dozen after-action reviews of interstate work zones and the associated maintenance of traffic (MOT). These after-action reports generally contain the following information: Date, location, visual images, connected vehicle summary graphics, qualitative discussion of activity, and in some cases press releases or media posts. In general, these themes emerged:

1. MOT plans in some cases do not accurately capture the geometry constraints placed by bridges, guardrail and or barrier wall. It is important that design reviews place careful focus on ensuring lane widths, shoulders, and shoulder treatments fit across the entire cross …

Continued Deployment Of Indiana Work Zone Analytics, Myles W. Overall, Justin Mukai, Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Mischa Kachler, John Mcgregor, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Work zones along interstates often have increased congestion and crash rates when locations are close to or over capacity. Having agile monitoring methods to identifying emerging issues and challenges can provide data to transportation agency decision makers to refine maintenance of traffic plans and inform future designs.

This study developed techniques to fuse a multitude of data sources including connected vehicle speeds, connected vehicle hard-braking events, crash reports, digital alerts, commercial vehicle dash camera images, into a weekly interstate work zone report that gives stakeholders a holistic overview of their work zone operations and allowed for easy identification of opportunities …

Connected Vehicle Trajectory Data To Screen Network For Hard-Braking And Hard-Acceleration Events, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jairaj Desai, Christopher Gartner, Justin Mukai, Nathan Sturdevant, Nathan Shellhamer, Taylor Ruble, Dan Mccoy, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Hard braking and hard acceleration data has been demonstrated as an important emerging data source that provides quicker feedback than crash data. In fact, a strong correlation between hard braking on the interstate and crash rates has been reported in previous studies. A previous study has shown that there are approximately 147 hard braking events in a work zone for every crash. However, there have been subtle changes in acceleration thresholds as well as techniques automotive companies and third-party vendors use to compute hard braking. The motivation of this study is to define scalable and sustainable procedures for obtaining consistent …

Worksite Speed Control System (Wscs), Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, John Mcgregor, James Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Speed Safety Camera (SSC) deployments in reducing traffic speeds through four interstate work zones in Indiana in accordance with Indiana State Law House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1015. The initial deployment of SSC was along interstate I-70 in August 2024, with deployments on I-69, I-465, and I-65 subsequently following in 2025. To evaluate the impact of SSC deployments in Indiana, connected passenger car and connected truck data was used to quantify the change in speed characteristics before and during the SSC deployments. Approximately 100 million passenger vehicle records and 3 million commercial truck records were …

Research Support To Indot On I-465 Southeast Variable Speed Limit And Ramp Meter Project, Jairaj Desai, Christopher Gartner, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Edward D. Cox, James Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Traditionally, crash data, crash risk models, video recordings and user surveys have been utilized by agencies to measure the safety benefits of ramp metering technology. Connected vehicle data can now provide an agile evaluation alternative for quantifying impact of ramp meter deployments. Furthermore, in contrast to crash data, connected vehicle near miss events occur much more frequently, so the before-after evaluation can be conducted over a much shorter time period consisting of a few months, or perhaps even a few weeks.

Indiana deployed ramp meters on the southeast section of I-465 around Indianapolis, on or around May 14, 2024, which …

Checks And Balances: A Fallacy In U.S. Territorial Governance, Sigrid Vendrell-Polanco

Faculty Articles

By envisioning the checks and balances system, the drafters of the U.S. Constitution aimed to ensure a balanced distribution of power among the federal government's branches-an admirable undertaking by the early leaders of this nation's government. However, few have analyzed the application of the checks and balances system as applied to the colonies, which the United States has collectively held since the late 1800s. This Article offers a compelling exploration of the United States' foundational system of governance through the lens of its territories. At the heart of the American democratic experiment lies a complex architecture of checks and balances, …

Consumer Claims For Insurance Company Drone Surveillance, Chad J. Pomeroy

Faculty Articles

Many people do not own their homes outright-they finance the purchase of their home by taking out a mortgage against it. This typically means that the homeowner is contractually obligated to do a number of things-like pay real property taxes, keep the property in good condition, and keep it insured, even as prices skyrocket. But even worse, the pool of providers is materially shrinking with some insurers now either not writing or limiting new policies or tightening underwriting standards in some markets. Insurance companies pull out of markets because they cannot make enough money in those markets to be profitable. …

From ‘Raise The Age’ To ‘Raise The Awareness’: How Knowledge Affects Public Opinion Of The Minimum Age Of Criminal Responsibility In Western Australia, Suzanne Rock, Natalie Gately, Piero Moraro, James L. Finney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) in Western Australia is 10 years old. While the negative impacts of early contact with justice systems have been well-documented and have resulted in calls to raise the age, research had not examined the public views of MACR in Western Australia. This article presents a novel examination of the knowledge and perceptions of the MACR with a sample of the West Australian public (n = 69). Findings from the semi-structured interviews revealed low levels of knowledge about the MACR, some reacted with surprise when provided with the information. Participants’ views shifted in that …

Role Of Ethical Leadership In Creating Meaningful Work Through Corporate Social Responsibility In Bhutan: A Conditional Mediation Model, Deki Choden, Mehran Nejati, Azadeh Shafaei, Ben Farr-Wharton, José L. Roldán

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research investigated how ethical leaders drive employees to experience meaningfulness at work by influencing employees' perception of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It also examined if employees' skepticism towards CSR moderates these relationships. Conducted in Bhutan, where CSR is legally required but emerging, the study surveyed 797 employees from 15 companies using partial least squares path modeling. Findings confirmed that the perceived CSR mediates the positive link between ethical leadership and meaningfulness at work. Meanwhile, employees' skepticism towards CSR weakens both the positive impact of CSR perception on meaningfulness at work as well as the mediated path. The study highlights …

Finding Their Place: How Teachers Can Become Part Of Their Rural Communities, Mary-Anne Macdonald, Sarah Booth, Kirsten Lambert, Christina Gray, Terry Ngarritjan Kessaris, Takeia Beard

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The tyranny of distance is often perceived as the greatest challenge for teacher retention in rural and remote schools in Australia. Perhaps more accurately, it is the tyranny of placelessness. In this paper, we explore the role of place-connectedness and racial literacy in shaping the interactions of 21 primary and secondary teachers with the social space and place of one Western Australian remote town. Data were collected through interviews and focus groups and analysed with an emergent approach. We propose three levels of place-consciousness to describe the depth of awareness, skill and integration with which a teacher might connect to …

Ghostbusters: Hunting Health Education Within Physical Education, Valeria Varea, Ana Riccetti

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The school subject of physical education (PE) has experienced a “health turn” globally. However, some university undergraduate programs may need to be revised to adequately equip pre-service teachers to teach about health in schools. The aim of this study was to explore the content of an undergraduate university program in PE and what is expected for pre-service PE teachers to teach about health in schools, according to the relevant curricula. Design/methodology/approach: A pragmatic discourse analysis was conducted, using the Argentinean PE school curriculum for primary and secondary schools in the province of Córdoba and the syllabus of an undergraduate …

Implementing A Care Progression Model Aimed At Improving Quality Outcomes, Jaclyn Rowbotham Msn, Rn, Acm-Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Reduction Of Wrong Blood In Tube Events: Improving Practice One Tube At A Time, Amy Taff Msn, Rn, Ni-Bc

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

The Grey Market’S Ability To Be Black And White: Regulating For Fraud In Online Marketplaces Beyond The Inform Consumers Act, Jack A. Cofer

Georgia Law Review

The rapid expansion of e-commerce and the rise of secondary online marketplaces, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, have fundamentally altered consumer shopping behaviors. These marketplaces entice online shoppers with appealing benefits, such as sustainability, wallet-friendly pre-owned selections, or by simply offering what no one else can—accessibility. However, as demand for coveted goods outpaces supply, grey-market transactions flourish, exposing consumers to a risk of counterfeit and illicit products.

This Note examines the INFORM Consumers Act, a regulatory framework aimed at enhancing transparency within secondary online marketplaces by imposing disclosure requirements on certain third-party sellers. While the Act represents a significant step …

Impact Of Tranexamic Acid On Patient Outcomes In Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Review, William G. Johnson

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Intracranial hemorrhage is a medical emergency that remains a significant source of death and disability for patients globally. Tranexamic acid has shown promise in treating trauma related bleeding loss in various settings. This study aims to evaluate its role in the management of intracranial hemorrhages.

Methods: A review of data in the PubMed National Library of Medicine was conducted to find relevant and reputable studies related to this topic. Using the search “tranexamic acid AND intracranial hemorrhage*” and the following filters: last 5 years, free full text, English language, including RCTs, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, 13 results …

Efficacy Of Ultrasound To Detect Rotator Cuff Tears, Hunter Morrison

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain in the world, and there are a few different imaging techniques that can be used to help with their diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to determine the efficacy of ultrasound, an available and cost-effective option, to detect rotator cuff tears.

Methods: PubMed was searched for studies and meta-analyses that compared ultrasound to other imaging modalities and their ability to detect rotator cuff tears.

Results: One meta-analysis and 4 clinical research studies revealed that ultrasound has variable diagnostic accuracy compared to MRI depending on the RCT tendon, …

In Patients With Submassive Pulmonary Embolism, Does Catheter Direct Thrombolysis Reduce Mortality Compared To Anticoagulation, Melky Perez

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: PE is a life-threatening condition leading to obstructed blood flow and compromised gas exchange. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to improving outcomes and reducing mortality, particularly in patients with submassive PE. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in enhancing treatment protocols for PE compared to standard anticoagulation.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on articles related to pulmonary embolism, anticoagulation, and catheter thrombolysis from 2019 to 2024. The search, refined by MeSH terms and Boolean operators, yielded 192 results, narrowed down to 16 relevant randomized control trials, meta-analyses, and systematic …

Buprenorphine As An Adjunctive Therapy For Pain Management In Opiate Use Disorder, Zane Hogston

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, has gained significant attention for its potential to address both opioid use disorder (OUD) and pain management. Offering an alternative to traditional opioids, buprenorphine is seen as a promising option, particularly for patients with a history of opioid misuse. Despite its increasing use in treating OUD, the evidence supporting its effectiveness in pain management remains limited, especially among broader patient populations. This review aims to explore current research findings and highlight buprenorphine’s role in managing pain among individuals with OUD.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted using keywords such as “pain,” “buprenorphine,” …

Cardiovascular Event Reduction In Adults With Hypertension: Comparing Arbs And Other Antihypertensive Medications, Anna Macaluso

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke worldwide. There are various medications available for effective management of hypertension. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of antihypertensive medications on cardiovascular events in adults with hypertension, explicitly investigating angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

Methods: PubMed was searched with filters using key terms “angiot*” AND “hypertens*” AND “antihyp*” and key terms "arb" AND "hyper*" AND "cardiovasc*" to identify articles underlining the efficacy of ARBs and other antihypertensives in the reduction of cardiovascular events in adults with hypertension. Four articles, chosen by their direct comparison of antihypertensive medications and …

The Role Of Continuous Glucose Monitoring In Quality Of Life And Glycemic Control In Type 1 Diabetes, Brooke Strickland

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin, leading to the need for exogenous insulin to maintain glycemic control. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has become a pivotal piece of technology in treating T1D. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the role of CGM in improving glycemic control and quality of life in T1D patients.

Methods: PubMed was searched with a specific search strategy using key terms “continuous glucose monitoring,” “type 1 diabetes,” “quality of life,” “glycemic control,” and “hbA1c.” Operators and filters narrowed results to 4 …

Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography Versus Ventilation-Perfusion Scanning For Pe During Pregnancy, Grace Perkins

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Pregnant women who are diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (PE) face a high rate of mortality due to its significant compilations. Timely and accurate diagnosis of PE is essential for appropriate management. Diagnostic imaging modalities, such as computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan, are required to confirm the PE. This study aims to determine the most optimal early diagnostic imaging for PE in pregnancy.

Methods: This study searched the PubMed database for research comparing diagnostic imaging modalities used in PE for pregnant women from 2018 to 2024. Keywords searched included “pulmonary embolism,” “pregnancy,” “computed tomography pulmonary …

Aspirin Use For The Prevention Of Preeclampsia: A Clinical Update, Megan Murray

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a serious and deadly complication in pregnancy that affects thousands of women every year. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the efficacy of aspirin therapy to prevent the occurrence of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: PubMed was searched using the key terms “pregnant,” "aspirin," “high-risk,” "preeclampsia," and “prevention”. Operators and filters narrowed results to 21 quality articles with 5 relevant to the topic for review.

Results: One article is an RCT comparing the prevention of preeclampsia with aspirin therapy to no therapy. Four articles are meta-analyses of multiple RCTs. Three of …

Combined Low/Moderate-Intensity Statin With Ezetimibe Vs High-Intensity Statin Alone: A Comparison, Haden Baker

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a continually rising global health crisis and is one of the leading contenders in chronic disease, with traditional statin monotherapy being at the foundation of LDL lowering treatment interventions. The purpose of this review is to compare two different therapy options, 1.) combined low/moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe, and 2.) monotherapy high- intensity statin, and assess their efficacy in reducing LDL values in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Methods: PubMed was searched using the search "high intensity" statin AND "ezetimibe" AND "lipid.” Operators and filters were added to narrow the results to four relevant, quality articles for review.

Results: Three …

A Clinical Review Of The Efficacy Of Masks In Preventing Spread Of Sars-Cov-2, Harrison Nobles

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has sparked debate over the effectiveness of masks in reducing viral transmission. This clinical review aims to evaluate the efficacy of cloth masks, medical masks, and N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 transmission.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted on PubMed for articles published between January 2020 and August 2024. Out of 27 screened articles, 5 met the inclusion criteria, focusing on mask efficacy in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Results:

Of the 5 studies included, three were systemic reviews, one was a metanalysis and one was a systemic review and meta-analysis. The largest …

Prophylactic Aspirin For The Prevention Of Pre-Eclampsia In High-Risk Pregnant Women, Nia Walker

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The purpose of this clinical review is to analyze the efficacy of aspirin vs placebo in the prevention of pre- eclampsia in high-risk pregnant women.

Methods: PubMed, COCHRANE, and JAMA Network were searched with terms “pre- eclampsia” AND “prevention” AND “aspirin." Operators and filters were added to find RCTs, reviews, and meta-analyses within the last five years. One article was found using article reference searching. Four articles were chosen for review.

Results: One article was a randomized controlled trial comparing low dose aspirin against placebo in women identified as high …

Ablation Vs Drug Therapy For Long-Term Outcomes Of Atrial Fibrillation, Taylor Yaw

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF), a rapid and irregular arrhythmia, is the most common cause of cardiac-related stroke and other serious complications for those affected. The first-line treatment for long-term rhythm control of AF remains in question and simplification of therapy would be a significant development. This review aims to determine the efficacy of ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of AF.

Methods: A search via PubMed using the keywords ablation* AND drug therapy* AND atrial fibrillation* AND long-term effects produced 770 results. Results were consolidated by excluding those without full text. Filters were set to randomized control trials …

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair And Heart Failure: A Clinical Review, Caroline Robbins

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Secondary Mitral Regurgitation due to heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. There is debate about surgical versus medical treatment options. This paper aims to evaluate the efficacy of adding transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with standard treatments for heart failure.

Methods: Using Pubmed, the search terms “transcatheter mitral valve repair” AND “heart failure” resulted in 835 articles that were then filtered to <5 >years, English language, and type of article. This produced 22 articles that matched the search criteria. In total, 6 articles were used to analyze all-cause mortality and rehospitalization of heart failure patients receiving …

Mohs Surgery Versus Surgical Excision: A Clinical Review Of Skin Cancer Recurrence Rates, Gabriella H. Malone

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Skin cancer is a serious, yet preventable disease that impacts individuals worldwide. Skin cancer is treated through both surgical and non-surgical interventions. Designed to preserve healthy skin tissue, Mohs surgery has shown favorable outcomes in lessening skin cancer recurrence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether Mohs surgery is superior to traditional surgical excision in reducing recurrence rates in patients with skin cancer.

Methods: PubMed was searched for clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of Mohs surgery compared to surgical excision in cancer recurrence. Five articles were selected for clinical review.

Results: In 5 studies, there was …

Tax Compliance, Social Norms, And Influencers, James Alm, Jay A. Soled, Kathleen Delaney Thomas

Faculty Publications

While attaining perfect tax compliance is unachievable, more can and must be done. In the past, the country has relied primarily on a traditional system of sticks (e.g., audits and penalties) and carrots (e.g., refunds and whistleblower awards) to help narrow the “tax gap,” or the difference between what taxpayers owe in taxes and what they actually pay. Now, in the social media era, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should look beyond these traditional enforcement mechanisms. To achieve an even higher voluntary compliance rate, this Article advocates for policymakers to invest greater resources to enhance the social norm …