Digital Commons Network^™

Radio Frequency Tagging–Enabled Patient Monitoring: Integrating Mobility Tracking With Early Warning Systems For Enhanced Safety, Ahed Abugabah, Prashant Kumar Shukla, Piyush Kumar Shukla, Abhishek Dwivedi

All Works

Ensuring patient safety in healthcare environments requires continuous monitoring systems capable of identifying early warning signs of clinical risk. Traditional surveillance methods often fail to capture meaningful patterns in patient movement, limiting their ability to prevent incidents such as falls, prolonged immobility, or unnoticed health deterioration. Radio Frequency Tagging technology has been increasingly adopted for real-time patient tracking; however, existing systems are generally limited to location detection and lack predictive insights into patient behaviour. To overcome these limitations, this study presents a Radio Frequency Tagging-based patient monitoring framework that integrates mobility tracking with an early warning mechanism to enable proactive …

A Robust Approach For Olive Leaf Disease Detection In Uncontrolled Environments, Rima Grati, Khouloud Boukadi, Emna Ben Abdallah, Ahmed Seffah

All Works

Detecting diseases in olive leaves is crucial for maintaining tree health and ensuring stable olive production. Early signs of infection often appear on the leaves, making them a key indicator for timely disease detection and intervention. Traditionally, farmers rely on visual inspection or laboratory tests to diagnose plant diseases. However, recent advancements in deep learning (DL) have significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of olive leaf disease diagnosis. Numerous studies in the literature have explored this task using CNN-based architectures and, more recently, Vision Transformers. While these models have shown promising performance on benchmark datasets, they are often trained and …

Engineering Sulfur Concrete Mixes: A Data-Driven Approach To Aggregate Packing And Binder Efficiency, Vasilia Al Khaldi, Abdel Hamid I. Mourad, Maisa El Gamal

All Works

Processing window (mass loss < 3%). A first-order, order-of-magnitude carbon-footprint estimate—presented with explicit caveats rather than as a full life-cycle assessment—indicates that replacing Portland cement with by-product sulfur is the dominant contributor to a substantial reduction in embodied CO₂ per cubic metre relative to equivalent-strength Portland cement concrete. The valorization of steelmaking by-products aligns with circular economy principles, enabling high-performance, recyclable, and low-carbon construction materials without chemical binder modification.

An Advanced Healthcare System With An Automated Vit Model For Dermoscopic Skin Cancer Identification, Ahed Abugabah, Prashant Kumar Shukla, Suchi Mishra, Abhishek Dwivedi

All Works

Early and reliable diagnosis of skin cancer from dermoscopic images remains challenging due to class imbalance, subtle inter-class variations, lesion boundary ambiguity, and illumination inconsistency, which can degrade the robustness of conventional convolutional neural networks (CNNs). To address these limitations, this study proposes an automated smart healthcare framework for dermoscopic skin cancer diagnosis using an Enhanced Vision Transformer (E-ViT) that improves global-context modeling through self-attention while strengthening fine-grained lesion representation learning. Unlike standard ViT configurations, the proposed architecture integrates multi-scale patch embedding and attention refinement to better capture border irregularities and color–texture heterogeneity that are critical for melanoma discrimination. Furthermore, …

Reimagining Sustainable Sulfur Concrete: A Systematic Review Of Sulfur, Waste Integration, And Durability, Vasilia Al Khaldi, Abdel Hamid I. Mourad, Maisa Elgamal

All Works

Sulfur concrete (SC) - a thermoplastic, waterless composite in which molten sulfur-based binder replaces Portland cement - is attracting growing research attention as a sustainable construction alternative capable of superior performance in chemically aggressive environments. This systematic literature review synthesises evidence from 127 sources (2000–2025), examining three interlinked dimensions: (i) the role of waste and industrial by-product materials as aggregate and filler substitutes; (ii) the influence of aggregate type, morphology, and grading on mechanical and microstructural performance; and (iii) durability under acid, saline, and freeze-thaw exposures. A transparent, PRISMA-aligned screening and classification protocol - here used as a structured review …

The Role Of Corporate Sustainability Goals In Shaping Organizational Intentions And Adoption Of Green Technologies In Small- And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Syed Zamberi Ahmad, Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar, Imane Belyamani, Manar Fawzi Bani Mfarrej

All Works

This study investigates green technology adoption (GTA) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on the influence of corporate sustainability goals (CSG) and sustainability motivation (SM). Utilizing institutional theory, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and resource-based view (RBV), the research highlights how SMEs integrate environmental, social, governance (ESG) and economic considerations into their CSG to enhance GTA. Addressing a gap in prior research that has largely emphasized external drivers of adoption while underexploring internal organizational mechanisms, the study conceptualizes CSG as strategic intent and models SM as a second-order construct . Based on …

Comparative Performance Of Physiological Vital-Sign Forecasting Under Random And Patient-Wise Splitting Using Deep Learning, Lavanya Vasavi Chittem Reddy

Theses and Dissertations

Physiological vital-sign forecasting estimates future measurements based on recent temporal patterns and can support analysis of continuously recorded monitoring data. This study comparatively evaluated deep feedforward, recurrent, bidirectional recurrent, long short-term memory, and bidirectional long short-term memory architectures for one-step-ahead forecasting of peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, and pulse rate. Each model received consecutive observations of peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and age, while separate single-output models predicted the next value of the selected target.

Random and patient-wise data splitting were compared using identical input definitions, preprocessing procedures, model architectures, and training hyperparameters. The strongest architecture …

Mtorc2-Nav1.2 Signaling Drives Early Hyperexcitability In Alzheimer’S Disease Mouse Model, Nolan M Dvorak, Jeffrey L Noebels

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hyperexcitability is a biomarker of early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and hastens cognitive decline later in its course. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling contributes to the slope of this trajectory, as evidenced by early increased brain expression and the rescue of hyperexcitability by genetic deletion of mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2); however, a molecular mechanism directly linking mTOR signaling to membrane hyperexcitability in early-stage AD remains elusive. Here, we show that hyperactive mTOR signaling stimulates the voltage-gated Na+ channel 1.2 (Nav1.2), a previously identified downstream phosphorylation target of mTORC2 and a key regulator of membrane electrogenesis. Augmented Nav1.2 channel function induced …

Harnessing Insect-Derived Oils For Enhanced Efficacy Of Plant-Based Repellents Against Disease-Transmitting Mosquitoes, John Bwire Ochola, Cynthia M. Mudalungu, Hosea O. Mokaya, Xavier Cheseto, Gilvian N. Onsomu, Subramanian Sevgan, Segenet Kelemu, Baldwyn Torto, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever pose a growing global health threat, worsened by resistance to synthetic pesticides. This study evaluated insect oils from Schistocerca gregaria, Ruspolia differens, and Macrotermes spp. as adjuvants in plant-based mosquito repellents. The formulations were tested for complete protection time (CPT) against Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from treated volunteers were analyzed. Incorporating insect oils doubled CPT compared to essential oils alone. The most effective blend of Macrotermes oil with Cymbopogon nardus (1:1) achieved CPTs of 3.50 h for An. gambiae, 2.56 …

Producer Organizations, Productivity And Sustainable Intensification Practices In Oil Palm Production, Martin Paul Tabe-Ojong, Abebayehu Girma Geffersa, Kibrom T. Sibhatu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oil palm production is expanding in traditional farming and forested areas, especially in West and Central Africa around the Congo Forest Basin and mostly characterized by declining yields and yield gaps. Due to typically non-binding land access, independent producers tend to prioritize extensification over intensification, which has negative environmental consequences. Sustainable intensification (SI) of smallholder production is a guiding paradigm that aims to increase yields while minimizing negative environmental impacts. In this study, we examine the relationship between producer organizations (POs), sustainable intensification practices (SIPs), namely mulching and intercropping, and oil palm yields in Cameroon. We estimate actual and counterfactual …

Harnessing Digital Twin (Dt) Technology For Food Security And Climate Resilience In Sub-Saharan Africa (Ssa), Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Francis Chianu, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Francis Muthoni, John Michael Humphries Choptiany, Franck B.N. Tonle, Bonoukpoe M. Sokame, Mercy Lung’Aho

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces chronic food insecurity despite possessing approximately 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Field trials generate evidence but are costly and insufficiently scaled to address accelerating climate and demographic pressures. Digital twin (DT) technology, defined as the continuous, bidirectional virtual replication of physical systems using real-time data, supports monitoring, modelling, and optimisation of agrifood systems. To our knowledge, however, no published synthesis has examined DT agriculture research through the lens of SSA food systems or smallholder farming realities. A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was conducted across bibliographic databases using a pre-defined Boolean search and adapted PICOS eligibility …

Integrating Student-Mined Data In Youth Computer Science Learning: An Investigation Of Learning Outcomes And Educational Strategies, Alex Acquah

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As data increasingly shapes participation in society, there is growing emphasis on preparing youth to engage with data through computer science education. Existing K-12 computing and data science curricula have expanded opportunities for learners to analyze and interpret data; however, many learning experiences continue to rely on datasets and inquiry structures designed by others, limiting authentic engagement, personal relevance, and learner agency. This dissertation investigates the integration of student-mined data in youth computer science learning and examines its influence on computational thinking, epistemic agency, and learning experiences among high school students. Using a qualitative approach, data collected from youths of …

Sociodemographic And Clinical Factors In Nmosd And Mogad: Disability, Psychiatric Burden, And Disparities, Neha S. Patil

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Role Of Perineural Invasion In The Risk Of Local Recurrence Of Cutaneous Melanoma After Adjuvant Radiation Therapy, Riya T. Patel

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Biomechanical Gait Analysis To Classify Neurological Gait Scores In A Spina Bifida Sheep Model, Shreya Pandiri

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Improving Adhd Screenings Through Quality Improvement, Workflow Optimization, And Evaluation Of A 6-Item Short Form Screening Tool, Paris A. Nix

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Environmental Or Occupational Heavy Metal Exposure In The Development And Progression Of End Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic And Network Meta-Analysis, Lauren Nguyen

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

The Roddey Mcmillan Record - November 25, 2025, Winthrop University

The RMR 2020-2029

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly multicultural student publication. The RMR has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop community since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986. It promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities for the prosperity of the entire Winthrop community. The purpose of the RMR is to shine light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop, focusing on issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The Roddey McMillan Record is named after Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Atty, Sheila McMillan. Cynthia Roddey was …

The Benefits And Barriers To Expanding Crna Programs In Michigan, Grace Van Zweden

Honors Theses

The demand for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their delivery of safe, high-quality anesthesia care has increased significantly due to nationwide anesthesia provider shortages and the growing reliance on CRNAs to meet healthcare system needs. This demand underscores the importance of expanding nurse anesthesia programs in Michigan and across the United States to support nurses pursuing advanced education and to improve patient access to essential care within their communities. The CRNA profession has evolved over time to meet the changing needs of the healthcare system, and current CRNA programs require applicants to satisfy rigorous and highly specific admission criteria. …

Evaluating Pediatric Surgical Care Delivery Across Settings: National Trends In Ambulatory, Outpatient, And Inpatient Models, Kyle C. Nevitt

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Thinking Out Loud: Distinguishing Overt, Mimed, And Covert Speech Using Stereo-Electroencephalography For Brain-Computer Interfaces, Hasan K. Mubarak

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Parental Perceptions Of Child Health And Their Alignment With Clinical Indicators In Overweight Or Obese Low-Income Children, Katherine Moorman-Wolfe

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

The Association Between Early Postnatal Phosphorus, Magnesium, And Calcium Levels And Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Extremely Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Alyssa N. Miller

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Complex Care: Impact Of Congenital Malformations And Caregiver Health Literacy On Perceived Outcomes, Poorna R. Menon

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Lost In Chaos: The Battle Between Selfcare And Motherhood, Sarah Shahzad

MS Marketing Research Projects/Theses

Motherhood in collectivist societies such as Pakistan is deeply intertwined with caregiving, leaving limited space for women’s self-care or personal well-being. This study explores how young Pakistani mothers negotiate self-care within competing expectations of maternal sacrifice, cultural morality, and structural constraints. Guided by the Institutional Logics Perspective (ILP), it examines how familial norms, religious values, and market forces collectively shape women’s self-care practices, framing self-care not as an autonomous act but as a negotiated process embedded within social and institutional boundaries. This study adopts an interpretive phenomenological approach to explore how Pakistani mothers experience and negotiate self-care within cultural and …

Saving Face: Use Of Restraints In Mvcs Mitigates Surgery, Tbi, And C-Spine Injuries In Pediatric Facial Fracture Trauma, Dustin Rose Mchalffey

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Individualized Kinematically-Driven Contact Modeling Offers A Reliable Alternative For Periacetabular Osteotomy Planning, James J. Mcginley

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Translating Fap-Targeted Probes To The Or: Preclinical Evaluation Of Fapi-Cy5 In Pancreatic Cancer, Nicolette R. Mardik

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Large Language Models For Cpt Code Prediction In Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Krishi S. Manem

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

A Head Of The Curve: Investigating Helmet Therapy Compliance In Patients With Craniosynostosis, Racquel V. Lyn

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.