Digital Commons Network^™

Sustainfed-Llm: Renewable Energy Aware Client Selection For Energy Efficient Federated Training Of Large Language Models, Sunbal Iftikhar, Hassan Khan, Steven Davy

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Federated Learning (FL) offers a decentralized approach to training large language models (LLMs), addressing critical concerns around data privacy and transmission costs. However, FL's inherent distributed training paradigm can lead to increased energy consumption and carbon emissions, especially with random or uninformed client selection. To tackle this issue, we propose SustainFed-LLM, a novel Q-learning-based client selection framework that integrates real-time renewable energy availability, carbon intensity data, and fairness considerations. By dynamically assessing client performance, spare capacity, and sustainability metrics, SustainFed-LLM optimizes client participation to minimize environmental impact while maintaining model accuracy. SustainFed-LLM significantly reduces energy consumption by up to 50%, …

A Hybrid Model For Youth Engagement In Adolescent Health Studies: Insights From The Teen Research Advisors Program At A Midwestern Pediatric Academic Medical Center In The United States., John Tumberger, Alaina N. Burns, Michael Bartkoski, Mariah E. Brewe, Amelia Whittier, Kendyll Gethers, Ailisi Bogdon, Emerie Peterson, Stephani L. Stancil

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Engaging adolescents in research ensures studies are relevant, ethical, and beneficial while fostering authentic and applicable findings. Traditional in-person advisory boards face barriers to equitable participation, highlighting the need for innovative, flexible models tailored to specific research programs and individuals with lived experience. The primary aim of this article is to describe a novel hybrid youth advisory board suitable for informing ongoing operations of a research program while supporting youths' education and career exploration. Our secondary aim was to evaluate initial impact over the first 2 years of the program (2023-2024).

METHODS: Adolescents aged 12-21 with prior involvement in …

Tee-Ing Up A Diagnosis: An Unexpected Presentation Of Ludwig’S Angina Following Routine Cardiac Imaging, Nathan Fletcher, Anne Marie Bonaguro, Manasi Sejpal, Amir Naqvi, Nabeel Memon

Advocate GME

Introduction: Iatrogenic esophageal perforation (IEP) is a serious adverse event of transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) requiring prompt identification for urgent antibiotic administration and potential surgical repair. However, the relative infrequency of this complication implores the consideration of alternative diagnoses. We present a unique case of Ludwig’s angina following TEE initially concerning for IEP. Case Presentation: A 66-year-old female with gastric arteriovenous malformations and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with recent left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) device placement presented to the emergency department for bilateral submandibular pain and swelling with acute onset dysphagia. IEP was suspected as TEE had been performed within the preceding …

Ambient Trichloroethylene Exposure And Parkinson Disease Risk In Medicare Beneficiaries, Brittany Krzyzanowski, Kassu Mehari Beyene, Jay R. Turner, Brad A. Racette

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an important environmental contaminant in the United States due to widespread use industrially. Epidemiologic studies suggest that occupational exposure to TCE and TCE-contaminated drinking water may increase the risk of Parkinson disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the nationwide relationship between ambient TCE and PD risk.

METHODS: We performed a nationwide, population-based, case-control study to investigate the association between incident PD in US Medicare beneficiaries aged 67 years and older in 2016-2018 and their residential exposure to ambient (outdoor) TCE in 2002. We assigned residence based on the latitude and …

A Quality Improvement Project To Standardize Sexual Dysfunction Screening In Primary Care, Ashley M. D’Anna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Sexual health is an essential aspect of overall well-being but is often overlooked in primary care due to provider discomfort, time constraints, and lack of standardized screening protocols. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to implement a consistent approach to screening for sexual dysfunction using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), a validated five-item tool assessing sex drive, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. Guided by Swanson’s Theory of Caring and Pender’s Health Promotion Model, the project emphasized compassionate, patient-centered care and the promotion of health-enhancing behaviors.

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, the ASEX tool was incorporated into annual wellness visits following …

Inferred Global Dense Residue Transition Graphs From Primary Structure Sequences Enable Protein Interaction Prediction Via Directed Graph Convolutional Neural Networks, Islam A. Ebeid, Haoteng Tang, Pengfei Gu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: Accurate prediction of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is crucial for understanding cellular functions and advancing the development of drugs. While existing in-silico methods leverage direct sequence embeddings from Protein Language Models (PLMs) or apply Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) to 3D protein structures, the main focus of this study is to investigate less computationally intensive alternatives. This work introduces a novel framework for the downstream task of PPI prediction via link prediction.

Methods: We introduce a two-stage graph representation learning framework, ProtGram-DirectGCN. First, we developed ProtGram, a novel approach that models a protein's primary structure as a hierarchy of …

Where Have You Been? Backtracking Microplastic To Its Source Using The Biomolecular Composition Of The Ecocorona, Amanda L. Dawson, Utpal Bose, Sophia Escobar-Correas, Kuok Yap, David J. Craik, Cassandra L. Pegg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastics are a diffuse contaminant with various global sources, pathways, and sinks. This study aimed to backtrack microplastics across environments using metaproteomic and eDNA metabarcoding information stored within the ecocorona. Pristine polyamide (PA) fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers and fragments, and PET and PA preincubated in bovine serum albumin (BSA) were deployed into a tank housing Penaeus monodon to develop an ecocorona. Upon collection, BSA was detected within the ecocorona, along with P. monodon proteins, using mass spectrometry. BSA preincubation influenced the diversity and abundance of ecocorona proteins with pristine microplastics having more significantly enriched proteins. Most ecocorona proteins reflected …

Perceptions Of Educators Toward Implementing Professional Development Training In Inclusive Classrooms, Saleha Ahmed Syed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative phenomenological study explored educators’ perceptions of implementing professional development training (PDT) in inclusive classrooms. Inclusive training could benefit both teachers and students with disabilities. Few researchers had previously examined educators’ attitudes and beliefs about implementing inclusive PDT and teaching students with disabilities. The research question focused on how educators applied inclusive instructional training in their classrooms. This phenomenological study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of eight public school teachers regarding the implementation of professional development in their inclusive classrooms and their biases toward these students, using Fishbein and Ajzen’s theory of reasoned action as a framework. Interview data …

Exploring Challenges Of Parents With Disabilities Affecting Custody Of The Children, Kendyll King

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 promoting equality for people with disabilities, parents with developmental and intellectual disabilities experience high rates of involvement with child welfare services due to outdated terminology, information about disabilities, and policies. The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges of parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and determine if they differ from those of parents without a disability. This was a generic qualitative study grounded in intersectionality theory. Education, employment, health and safety concerns, independence, assistive technology, social services involvement, and supports or resources were examined through the perspective of the …

Exploring Effective Technological And Innovation Strategies For Sustaining Fintech Startups In Nairobi, Kenya, Beyond 5 Years, Esay Kollie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some small financial technology, or fintech, startup leaders in Nairobi, Kenya, lack the technological and innovation strategies required to sustain operations beyond 5 years. High failure rates among fintech startups in the early stages of operation affect financial inclusion and economic development in the region. Grounded in resource-based view theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective technological and innovation strategies fintech startup leaders in Nairobi use to sustain operations beyond 5 years. Data was collected through semistructured interviews with eight fintech startup leaders from different firms. Thematic analysis revealed seven major themes: (a) leveraging technological infrastructure, (b) innovating …

Elementary Teachers' Challenges To Implement Letrs In A Local Alabama School District, Jessica Morton

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) professional development provided elementary teachers with a new form of instruction, third-grade reading scores remain below proficiency levels on the Alabama state test. Guided by Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers’ challenges of implementing LETRS in a local Alabama school district. Two research questions addressed the challenges of and suggestions for implementing LETRS. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 elementary teachers in local school districts who were trained in LETRS, implemented LETRS in classroom instruction, and …

Jamaican Newspapers’ Strategies For Transitioning From Print To Web Publishing, Collin George Turner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to transition from print publishing to web publishing can adversely impact newspaper publishers’ sustainability and profitability. Business leaders of established newspaper publishers are concerned, as they require such strategies to enhance and maintain financial viability. Grounded in Christensen’s disruptive innovation theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the effective strategies some Jamaican newspaper publishers used to transition from print publishing to web publishing to improve and sustain profitability. The project participants included six business leaders from established Jamaican newspaper publishers. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, public websites, and other publicly …

Successful Cybersecurity Strategies For Protecting Consumer Data, Zylia Ortiz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The continued advancement of information technology, although extraordinary and innovative, may have a profoundly negative impact on the adequate protection of consumer information. Consumers and organizational stakeholders alike are increasingly concerned about the risk of data ending up in the hands of cybercriminals. Grounded in the routine activity theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore the strategies information technology leaders use to protect customer data from security breaches. The participants were eight information technology leaders in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and public websites. …

Examining The Relationship Between Technology Acceptance Model (Tam) Factors And Ai Adoption In Financial Industry’S Nontechnical Staff, John Beraducci

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the financial services industry has created a need for financial services managers to understand which factors drive AI adoption among non-technical staff, because shortfalls in AI adoption can erode efficiency gains and competitive advantage. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between perceived usefulness (PU) of AI, perceived ease of use (PEOU) of AI, and AI adoption among non-technical employees in the financial services industry. The research questions focused on whether PU and PEOU were significantly related to AI adoption …

School Counselors Lived Experiences With Executing Child-Centered Play Therapy In High-Diversity Elementary Schools, Ruth Devito

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minority students are often omitted from social, economic, cultural, and political life due to ethnicity or poverty, which increases their risk of adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect, and increases their likelihood of discrimination that can obstruct their normal childhood development, including academic performance. Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is a multiculturally appropriate approach that creates a safe and nonjudgmental environment, supporting adjustment and coping. However, many school counselors are not using CCPT. The research question was as follows: What are the lived experiences of school counselors who use CCPT in their work at high-diversity elementary schools? This study …

Neighborhood Conditions And Screen-Time Impact On U.S. Children And Adolescents’ Mental Health, Robert L. Burries

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Child and adolescent mental health problems are increasing, creating a critical public health concern. Both neighborhood disadvantage and excessive screen use have been implicated as risk factors, yet their interplay remains underexplored. This study investigated whether screen time mediates the relationship between neighborhood conditions and mental health outcomes in U.S. youth. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the study addressed three questions: (a) Do neighborhood conditions predict youth mental health outcomes? (b) Is screen time associated with these outcomes? (c) Does screen time mediate the neighborhood–mental health relationship? A cross-sectional secondary analysis of the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health …

Staff Education Project To Reduce Falls In Assisted Living Through Improved Caregiver Knowledge, Attitude, And Skill, Crystal Morrow

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wisconsin has the highest death rates from falls in the nation. In a brief, the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network indicated that most falls among individuals over 65 occur in residential settings. Further, a significant number of elderly people will fall each year, resulting in hospitalizations or fatalities. The purpose of this project was to provide staff education in one Wisconsin assisted living facility to effectively improve knowledge, attitude, and skill among frontline staff for fall prevention management. A formal Fall Education Day was provided to improve knowledge and shape positive attitudes among staff. A pretest-posttest design was used to measure …

Emotional Labor, Dissonance, And Job Satisfaction Among Black Student Affairs Professionals, Joseph Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black Student Affairs Professionals (SAPros) at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experience high levels of emotional labor that diminish job satisfaction and increase turnover, threatening workforce diversity and culturally affirming student support. However, limited understanding exists of how emotional labor relates to job satisfaction among Black SAPros at PWIs and whether emotional dissonance mediates this relationship. Grounded in Hochschild’s emotional labor theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between emotional labor scores as measured by the Emotional Labor Scale and job satisfaction scores as measured by the Job Satisfaction Survey and to determine whether emotional …

Utilizing An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention To Assess Health Care Provider Knowledge And Confidence Of Weight Management Strategies In A Primary Care Setting, Fanny Ngwa Shu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address a clinical gap in primary care by enhancing provider and staff knowledge and confidence in delivering weight management counseling. Despite the high prevalence of overweight and obesity, many healthcare providers feel inadequately prepared to initiate weight-related discussions due to factors such as limited training, cultural barriers, and a lack of understanding of social determinants of health (SDOH) that influence patient behaviors. This gap in care can hinder the effective management of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. The practice-focused question guiding this project was: Can an educational session …

Relationship Of Job Demands And Perceived Usefulness Of Virtual Nursing Technology Among Bedside Nurses In Acute Care Settings, Oluponle Olubajo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Bedside nurses in acute care settings face intensified job demands amid persistent low nursing staff census and rising patient acuity. The purpose of the study, guided by the job demands–resources (JD-R) model, was to examine the relationship between job demands, years of nursing experience, and perceived usefulness of virtual nursing technology among bedside nurses in acute care settings. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to bedside registered nurses (N = 102) currently using virtual nursing technology. Measures included the Intensification of Job Demands Scale and the Perceived Usefulness Scale. Data analyses indicated that the multiple regression was not statistically significant, …

Adoption Of Blockchain Technology In Beverage Supply Chains: Drivers, Benefits, And Challenges In The Coca-Cola And Bodyarmor Sport Water Recall Case, Alexander Adams Jr., Nima Molavi

Communications of the IIMA

The beverage industry faces growing scrutiny as demands for transparency and accountability intensify. In today’s digital landscape, companies must prioritize enhanced traceability to ensure product safety, comply with regulations, maintain consumer trust, and safeguard brand reputation. This research investigates blockchain technology as a potential solution to these challenges, emphasizing its capacity to decentralize data, improve traceability, and accelerate response times during safety recalls.

The study traces the evolution of food safety regulations and analyzes current traceability practices and technological innovations within the beverage sector. Using the Coca-Cola and BODYARMOR Sport Water recall as a case study, this study examines drivers, …

An Empirical Investigation Into The Effect Of Brain Drain “Japa Syndrome” On Agile Practitioners Developing Healthcare Information Systems Software In Nigeria, Yazidu Buba Salihu, Julian M. Bass, Gloria E. Iyawa

Communications of the IIMA

Within the software engineering context, agile approaches encourage customer collaboration, iterative development, and flexibility. However, the mass exodus of highly skilled professionals, known as the “brain drain” or "Japa Syndrome," has emerged as a significant challenge, especially in Nigeria. This phenomenon has particularly impacted agile software development practitioners by undermining project continuity, knowledge transfer, and team dynamics. This study empirically examines the effect of brain drain, “Japa Syndrome,” on agile practitioners developing healthcare information systems software in Nigeria. It employed a qualitative, multi-method approach to gather empirical data from 13 agile practitioners in Nigeria’s healthcare information systems sector. The study …

Exploring Ai Corporate Governance Through The Lens Of Dynamic Capabilities, Albert Samigullin, Paul Dooley

Communications of the IIMA

As AI technologies evolve, organizations must continuously adapt their governance structures to address emerging challenges related to transparency, ethics, and regulatory compliance. Given the rapid pace of AI advancements, traditional governance approaches may not be sufficient to ensure responsible AI oversight while maintaining competitiveness. This research examines AI corporate governance through the lens of Dynamic Capability (DC) Theory, focusing on how organizations can develop the capacity to sense technological and regulatory shifts, seize opportunities, and reconfigure governance mechanisms to align with AI-driven transformation. Through a literature review and the development of an AI Corporate Governance Framework grounded in DC Theory, …

Sustainable Enterprise Architecture: Embedding Circular Economy And Lifecycle Thinking In It Strategy, Sai Chandrahas Kaveripakam, Frank Lin

Communications of the IIMA

This paper explores the integration of sustainability into traditional Enterprise Architecture (EA), proposing a novel Sustainable Enterprise Architecture (SEA) model, and uses the fashion industry to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed model. The SEA framework systematically embeds environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles into corporate strategy and operational practices. This research also addresses the significant intention-action gaps among consumers and organizations in sustainability practice. Through vivid case examples, such as MUD Jeans' leasing model and Pact's affordable circular apparel, this research highlights practical pathways for operationalizing sustainability. By leveraging Circular Economy (CE) and Product Life Cycle (PLC) concepts, SEA …

Creative Engagement With Ai Through Poetic Inquiry: A Posthuman Pedagogy, Amanda B. Deaton

Feminist Pedagogy

In this article, I describe an original teaching activity that explores the intersection of generative AI, poetic inquiry, and posthuman pedagogy, examining how students can critically and creatively engage with disruptive technologies. Using Rosi Braidotti’s posthuman framework (2013, 2019), I consider how generative AI might be used to challenge traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and knowledge production. Through a structured learning activity, students analyze a human poet’s work, generate AI-assisted poetry, and compose their own creative pieces, fostering non-linearity, memory and imagination, and defamiliarization—three key elements of Braidotti’s posthuman thinking. This pedagogical approach encourages ethical, affirmative engagement with AI, offering …

[Keynote Presentation] Who Owns Our Knowledge? Rethinking Publishing In A Scholar-Led World, Juan Pablo Alperin

Open Access Week Events

The UNI community is invited to attend a lecture by Juan Pablo Alperin, Simon Fraser University. The event is hosted by the Scholarly Communications sections of the three Iowa Regent institutions [Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa].

Details:

• Lecture: "Who owns our knowledge? Rethinking Publishing in a Scholar-Led World," by Juan Pablo Alperin
• Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
• Time: 12 noon (Central Time) to 1 pm
• Location: Room LIB ScholarSpace 301 (Light refreshments) or via Zoom (Registration required)

Description: This presentation will discuss how the proliferation of open access …

“The Gout: A Medical Microcosm In A Changing World”, Dorian Haskard

History of Medicine Seminar

Topics discussed in this session:

• The Gout in the Eighteenth Century
• Food availability
• Gout as a modern medical microcosm
• Causes of hyperuricaemia and gout

History In Our Backyard: Youth Podcasting About Jimmy And Rosalynn Carter’S Georgia, Katherine A. Perrotta, Hao Ran Li, Prinsha Chanda, Anvitha Battu, Shaurya Attal

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

The purpose of this article is to highlight the curriculum development and recording of a special episode about Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for the student-created History in our Backyard: The Names of Places in Georgia podcast. The students’ research process for writing and recording the podcast are highlighted, as well as pedagogical strategies that social studies teachers can use to engage students in creating their own podcasts. Insights from the student researchers are included to provide teachers with actionable steps for promoting historical thinking and inquiry through podcasting.

Contribution Of Grassland Science To The Development Of Forage Production And Future Perspectives For Grassland Farming In Japan, H Oizumi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The utilization of grassland in Japan dates to fairy old times, but its real improvement in terms of industry did not start until the termination of the World War II. As the climatic conditions in Japan differ very much from those of European coutries, the style of grassland farming in Japan is somewhat different from that of Europe. The improvement of grassland farming in Japan after the World War II was divided into four stages, according to the tendency of the number of cattle and the acreage of forage crops. The Japanese Society of Grassland Science was established in 1954. …

Maloney Decision Summary

Justice for Farah Strikers Committee Records

A summary of the Judge Maloney Decision.