Digital Commons Network^™

A Multi-Institutional Multi-Methods Analysis Of Jeopardy Systems In Academic Hospital Medicine, Kirsten N Kangelaris, Angela Keniston, Andrew D Auerbach, Gregory Bowling, Marisha Burden, Shradha A Kulkarni, Luci K Leykum, Anne S Linker, Matthew Sakumoto, Jeffrey Schnipper, Gopi Astik

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Hospital medicine programs use backup ("jeopardy") systems to cover unexpected staffing gaps, but little is known about their structures or optimal practices.

Objectives: To describe jeopardy structures, assess clinician perceptions, and identify potential approaches across a broad sample of hospital medicine groups.

Methods: This multi-methods study, conducted within a national hospitalist consortium, used virtual focus groups and an email survey to (1) describe the presence and structure of jeopardy systems and (2) explore features perceived as fair, equitable, and tolerable. Rapid qualitative analysis identified major themes, while descriptive methods analyzed survey data.

Results: Twenty-five individuals participated in focus groups, …

Comparative Effectiveness Of Less Vs More Frequent Hydrocortisone Dosing In Septic Shock, Alan Hao, Tianshi David Wu, Keegan Collins, Danielle Guffey, Rebecca Kessinger, Meghna Vallabh, Ali Omranian

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Guidelines recommend hydrocortisone as an adjunctive treatment in septic shock, but the optimal dosing regimen is unknown. A national shortage of hydrocortisone in 2023 prompted a change in institutional practice for hydrocortisone administration from 50 mg every 6 hours to 100 mg every 12 hours in an effort to reduce waste and conserve vials, creating an opportunity to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of these two regimens. The primary efficacy outcome was time to shock resolution, and secondary outcomes evaluated in this study were mortality, renal replacement therapy (RRT), medication costs, and maximum vasopressor dose attained.

Design: Single-center, retrospective cohort …

Patient-Centered Management Of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding While On Anticoagulation: A Survey Study, Benjamin Barnett, Rushad Patell, Dana Angelini, Leben Tefera, Jordan K Schaefer, Ang Li, Alejandra Gutierrez Bernal, Shruti Chaturvedi, Anjlee Mahajan, Leslie Lake, Jori May, Anna L Parks

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Nearly three-quarters of women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) during anticoagulation treatment for venous thromboembolism (VTE). HMB can lead to medical interventions, impact school or work and diminish quality of life (QOL). While there are several management options for HMB in patients with VTE, we lack information on how patients approach HMB treatment decisions.

Objectives: We examined patients' experience with, perceptions of, and preferences for treatment of HMB while on anticoagulation.

Methods: Clinicians and patient advocates developed a web-based survey that was distributed via patient advocacy organizations and social media between May and June 2024, targeting participants 18 years …

Designing An Experiment To Create And Evaluate Behavioral Changes In Air Force Pilots' Fuel Efficiency, Jackson Macias

Theses and Dissertations

Fuel represents over 70% of the logistical resupply demand within the Department of Defense, with the United States Air Force accounting for most of that consumption. While prior fuel efficiency efforts have primarily focused on technical upgrades, this research explores how behavioral interventions can influence pilot decision-making and operational energy outcomes. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a guiding framework, this study investigates the effects of targeted behavioral strategies on pilots’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and actual fuel-efficient behaviors. A quasi-experimental design was applied through a controlled pilot study using simulator flights. Six participants were …

Designing The Protocol For An Experimental Flight Simulation Study Encouraging Fuel Efficient Behavior, Thomas S. Reardon

Theses and Dissertations

This study designed and tested an experimental instrument to examine how pilots respond to fuel efficiency feedback in a flight simulator. A standardized flight plan, script, and hardware setup were created using X-Plane 12 software and physical flight simulator hardware. The chosen sortie guided participants from Monterey Regional Airport to Moffett Federal Airfield using instrument flight rules (IFR). The flight script provided step-by-step guidance to ensure consistent behavior across participants. The simulator was mapped to match real cockpit controls and allowed for precise data collection including flight time, altitude, heading, and fuel use. The goal was to support a larger …

A Review Of The United States' Long Term War Support Capabilities In The Indo-Pacific Command Region, Brian J. Mullin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines U.S. maritime transportation readiness in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting fleet age, mariner shortages, shipyard decline, and port vulnerabilities. It also considers contested logistics and technological threats. Recommendations include fleet recapitalization, mariner pipeline growth, port diversification, and defensive upgrades. The study concludes that secure sea line assumptions are outdated and calls for greater resilience, with follow-on efficiency analysis proposed for ports and ships.

Clinical Uptake Of An Antigen-Based Approach To Membranous Nephropathy: A Survey Of General Nephrologists And Glomerular Disease Experts., Eibhlin Goggins, Andrew Delaat, Bryce Barr, Jonathan Taliercio, Ali Mehdi, Georges Nakhoul, Brendan Bowman, Corey Cavanaugh

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an emergence of new antigens discovered in membranous nephropathy (MN). Whether these antigens have impacted the approach to, and management of, MN patients undertaken by nephrologists is still unclear.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional international survey pertaining to 13 antigens recently discovered in MN. The survey was distributed by the National Kidney Foundation, direct emails, and social media.

RESULT: PLA2R, THSD7A, NELL1, and EXT1/2 testing were readily available while the most common response for other antigen testing was 'Not Performed' or 'Unknown'. All respondents had tested for or treated PLA2R-positive MN. Of 79 …

The Mercy Seat Of The Risen Christ: Atonement And The Glory Of God In Romans 3:21-26, David Westfall

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Scholarship on Romans 3.21–26 typically isolates the death of Jesus on the cross as the moment when Paul says the righteousness of God was disclosed, leading to the justification of all who believe the gospel. In this paper I argue that, although the death of Christ relates in important ways to Paul’s claims in the paragraph, this reading does not fully account for his metaphorical description of Christ as a ‘mercy seat’ (ἱλαστήριον), nor his assertion that those who believe are ‘justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus’. I show that Paul uses this language and imagery to …

The Impact Of Politics And Identity On Instagram: Exploring The Impacts On Social Connections, Kaslyn Tidmore

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how political and identity signals on Instagram-specifically pronoun usage, LGBTQ+ representation, support for political figures, and religious expression-influence perceptions of political leaning, perceived similarity (homophily), and willingness to connect or engage with both individuals and brands. Using a between-subjects experimental design, 222 participants were exposed to mock Instagram profiles systematically varying these indicators. Results from a chi-square test of independence revealed that political indicators in profiles significantly shaped participants’ perceptions of users’ political leanings. Among the indicators, support for a political figure repeatedly reported as the strongest predictor of perceived political leaning, social similarity, and willingness to …

A Security Worth Having: The Pursuit Of Happiness Through Reading Burney, Radcliffe, And Austen, Samantha Meeks

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the works of three female authors of female protagonists in the long 18th century: Frances Burney’s Camilla and Evelina; Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Italian; and Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice. By following the paths to security the female protagonists of these novels fashion, and identifying the elements of Stoicism and related Hellenism and the aspects of cybernetics, this dissertation delves into the choices female protagonists make along the way regarding their security and how such choices lead to agency and self-fashioning for these women. Emotional, economic, and …

Enhancing Hip And Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes With Immunonutrition: A Review Of The Evidence, Kyle Taylor, Winifred Chijoke, Quinci Howard, Sandra Messiha, Jocelyn Hunt, Bernice Diaz, Hamza Khalid, Janae Rasmussen

Student Publications

Total hip and knee arthroplasty are common surgical procedures aimed at improving mobility and quality of life. Despite surgical advances, postoperative complications remain a concern, particularly for patients with comorbidities and poor nutritional status. Immunonutrition, the targeted administration of nutrients that modulate inflammation, such as arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, has been shown to reduce infections, complications in wound healing, and shorten hospital length of stay. This review examines current evidence on the role of immunonutrition in hip and knee arthroplasty, focusing on the mechanisms of key nutrients, clinical application of supplementation, and areas for future investigation. Despite promising …

Behavioral Assessment Ai Software: Enhancing Polygraph And Investigative Interviewing, Alan Saquella

Publications

In the rapidly evolving world of security, law enforcement, and investigative sciences, professionals are increasingly turning to advanced technologies to supplement tried-and-true methodologies. One emerging innovation is behavioral assessment software, designed to enhance both preemployment screening and investigative interviewing. Acting as a form of modern human intelligence collection, these tools enable examiners and investigators to gather deeper insights directly from candidates and subjects, revealing behavioral cues and risk indicators that might otherwise remain hidden (Vrij, 2008).

Comprehensive Study Of Integrating Clustering And Adversarial Learning For Enhanced Recommender Systems: A Systematic Review Of Hybrid Methodologies And Applications, M. E. Alqaysi, Murtadha M. Hamad, Ahmed Subhi Abdalkafor

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Recommender systems (RSs) have become critical elements in modern instances of information and decision-support systems, resulting in a transformation of user experiences through highly personalized suggestions for an undeniably vast range of items. Although RSs have become commonplace, they continue to evolve, and their challenges, including sparsity, cold-start, scalability, and vulnerability to adversarial challenges remain. The use of clustering methods has proven highly effective in resolving these issues through the discovery and exploitation of latent user behaviour patterns, segmenting user groups that contribute more towards personalized and adaptable RSs. Additionally, adversarial learning has become a growing focus of study as …

Multilevel Text Protection System Using Aes And Dwt-Dct-Svd Techniques, Nuha Mohammed Khassaf, Nada Hussein M. Ali

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

In the digital age, protecting intellectual property and sensitive information against unauthorized access is of paramount importance. While encryption helps keep data private and steganography hides the fact that data are present, using both together makes the security much stronger. This paper introduces a new way to hide encrypted text inside color images by integrating discrete wavelet transform (DWT), discrete cosine transform (DCT), and singular value decomposition (SVD), along with AES-GCM encryption, to guarantee data integrity and authenticity. The proposed method operates in the YCbCr color space, targeting the luminance (Y) channel to preserve perceptual quality. Embedding is performed within …

Blockchain-Powered Dynamic Segmentation In Personal Health Record, Mishall Al-Zubaidie, Wid Alaa Jebbar

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Sensitive patient data must be handled securely in modern oncology care to protect patient privacy, regulatory compliance, and clinical decision-making integrity. Conventional centralized healthcare systems pose serious threats to patient confidentiality and treatment continuity because of their susceptibility to data breaches, illegal access, and single points of failure. This study suggests a blockchain-based decentralized cancer healthcare security solution. The proposed system is based on the idea of layers; each layer has a distinct function that gives it a feature that sets it apart from the others. A hierarchical clustering algorithm (HCA) is used in the first layer to determine the …

Priflex: A Secure Federated Learning Framework For Evaluating Privacy Leakage And Defense In Cross-Modal Medical Data, Mohammad Othman Nassar, Feras Fares Al-Mashagba

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Federated learning (FL) enables decentralized, privacy-preserving machine learning by training models across distributed data without sharing raw patient information. However, most FL frameworks focus on unimodal data and overlook critical challenges in multimodal healthcare settings, such as privacy risks, fairness disparities, and reduced model interpretability. We present PRIFLEX (Privacy-Resilient Integration Framework for Learning Exchange), a novel FL framework designed for secure integration of structured and unstructured medical data. PRIFLEX combines 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) from the PhysioNet PTB-XL dataset and clinical notes from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV), supporting early, late, and hybrid data fusion strategies. To …

Blockchain-Based Accountability: A Systematic Literature Review, Nabeel Z. Tawfeeq, Dujan B. Taha

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

The Blockchain algorithm has advanced the accountability and transparency of modern digital infrastructures. Enforcing responsible behavior and data integrity across distributed environments involves several key components, such as smart contracts, access control models, cryptographic techniques, and a decentralized identity framework. Because the blockchain ledger is immutable and transparent, once a transaction is recorded, it cannot be altered without detection, making fraudulent actions easily traceable and thereby ensuring accountability. However, the need for hybrid approaches that combine on-chain and off-chain solutions for an efficient reliability system introduces challenges, including privacy preservation, scalability, and regulatory compliance. This paper analyzes the effective features …

Global Research Trends And Collaboration In Mitre Att&Ck Framework: A Bibliometric And Network Analysis In Cybersecurity, Asad Maqsood, Syifak Izhar Hisham, Ahmad Firdaus

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

The MITRE ATT&CK framework has become a foundational tool for organizing adversarial behaviors and techniques in cybersecurity. While its adoption in practice and academia has grown significantly, no prior bibliometric review has comprehensively mapped the global research landscape surrounding this framework. This study addresses that gap by conducting a systematic bibliometric and network analysis of publications related to ATT&CK indexed in Scopus from 2017 to 2025. Using VOSviewer and quantitative bibliometric methods, we analyzed 391 publications to identify trends in research output, influential works, key contributors, thematic areas, and patterns of collaboration. Results show exponential growth in studies related to …

A Proposed Algorithm For Avoiding Jammer In Structure-Free Wireless Sensor Networks, Zainab Shaker Matar Al-Husseini, Hussain K. Chaiel, Amel Meddeb, Ahmed Fakhfakh, Ahmed Fakhfakh

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as a transformative technology with applications in critical and often inaccessible environments, including military and security domains. These networks comprise cooperative sensor nodes that gather and relay data to a base station. However, their inherent resource constraints—particularly the non-rechargeable nature of energy—pose a major challenge to network longevity and reliability. Conventional fixed-path transmission protocols exacerbate this issue, as energy-depleted or jammed nodes can disrupt communication, leading to partial or complete data loss. The primary objective of this study is to design and evaluate a structure-free transmission protocol that dynamically adapts data routing in order …

Improvement Of The Face Recognition Systems Security Against Morph Attacks Using The Developed Siamese Neural Network, Sura Abed Sarab Hussien, Thair Abed Sarab Hussien, Nada Hussein M. Ali

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Face Recognition Systems (FRS) are increasingly targeted by morphing attacks, where facial features of multiple individuals are blended into a synthetic image to deceive biometric verification. This paper proposes an enhanced Siamese Neural Network (SNN)-based system for robust morph detection. The methodology involves four stages. First, a dataset of real and morphed images is generated using StyleGAN, producing high-quality facial images. Second, facial regions are extracted using Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks (R-CNN) to isolate relevant features and eliminate background noise. Third, a Local Binary Pattern-Convolutional Neural Network (LBP-CNN) is used to build a baseline FRS and assess its susceptibility …

Cardiovascular And Aortic Wave Reflection Responses To Evening Binge Alcohol Consumption, Grant Thivierge, Ian Greenlund, Jeremy Bigalke, Carl Smoot, Jason R. Carter, John J. Durocher

Michigan Tech Publications

Evening binge alcohol consumption contributes to sleep disruption and autonomic dysregulation that persists into the following morning. However, its impact on morning-after arterial stiffness and aortic wave reflection remains unknown. Using a randomized, crossover, fluid-controlled design, we hypothesized that heart rate (HR), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx), and aortic pulsatile load (APL) would be increased acutely after binge drinking at night (study 1) and the morning-after binge drinking (study 2). Participants (n=33, 18 females, 15 males, age 25±1 years, BMI: 27±1 kg/m) completed binge alcohol (4-5 drink equivalent) and fluid control protocols. Study 1 examined cardiovascular …

Ciao1 As A Crucial Signature Gene Of Cuproptosis In Gastric Cancer, Jiaying Qu, Chunhui Yang, Shunchen Zhou, Bosen Zhao, Qiangsong Tong, Liduan Zheng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Gastric cancer is a global health challenge, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The present study aimed to assess the role of cuproptosisrelated genes (CRGs) in gastric cancer, with the goal of establishing a predictive model consisting of key regulators with prognostic significance, thereby enabling the identification of key genes. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to analyze CRGs in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was applied to create a risk model, and its predictive accuracy was confirmed for several clinical subgroups. Moreover, the …

Spatial Omics Enters The Microscopic Realm: Opportunities And Challenges, Yichen Si, Joo Sang Lee, Goo Jun, Hyun Min Kang, Jun Hee Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) enables systematic profiling of whole-transcriptome gene expression in tissues while preserving spatial context. Recent advances in sequencing- and imaging-based ST technologies have ushered in the era of microscopic-resolution ST (μST), allowing transcriptome mapping at cellular and even subcellular scales with unprecedented precision. Despite these advances, μST faces substantial challenges, including sparse transcript discovery per submicron (or micron)-sized spatial units and data fragmentation across platforms, hindering integration and analysis. There is also a growing demand for scalable, segmentation-free, and universally applicable analysis methods, as well as strategies for 3D mapping, multi-omics integration, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven spatial analysis. …

A Functional Perspective On Astrocyte Heterogeneity, Wookbong Kwon, Michael R Williamson, Benjamin Deneen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Astrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform an array of diverse functions that are essential for brain activity. Studies on the functional diversity of astrocytes suggest that such diversity may be derived from specialized populations. We provide an overview of the current state of research on astrocyte diversity and outline current challenges and knowledge gaps while also examining the developmental origins of these populations and how their interactions with neurons contribute to their functional heterogeneity. We highlight recent studies that provide evidence for functionally diverse astrocyte populations under homeostatic conditions and as an adaptive response …

Generative Ai (Genai) For Co-Creating User Personas, Douglas Strahler

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Integrating Generative AI into communication courses can really enhance the development of user personas, making the process smoother and encouraging critical insights into audience analysis. This G.I.F.T.S. presentation shows how tools like ChatGPT can support students in developing user personas while encouraging creativity and efficiency for the students. Students will be creating two personas, one human-created and one that is AI-generated, followed by conducting a comparative analysis of similarities, differences, and any potential biases. The activity underlines basic competencies in the development of user personas and ethical considerations that prepare students for the responsible use of AI with a full …

From Chatbots To Thought Bots: Teaching And Learning In The Age Of Ai, Stephen J. Mcconnell

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Dr. Stephen McConnell’s keynote address took place on Friday, October 18, 2025, at the 82^nd Annual NYSCA Conference. In this personal but scholarly discussion, Dr. McConnell explores how various AI technologies do more than “assist” us – they also socialize us. He describes and explains several case studies that were part of his course at New York University entitled “Communications and AI,” and provides us with ten principles for teachers and students to become active participants with the tools of AI.

Dr. McConnell is a media scholar whose research focuses on the intersection of AI, digital communication platforms and …

Harry Potter And The Queering Agenda*, Krisha K. Vania

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

The Marauders Era, a newfound sub-fandom of Harry Potter, focuses on a group of characters set years before the original series. This community has allowed for alternative ‘safe’ spaces for fans to ‘queer’ the source material and find personal and social leverage. A survey was conducted to research how queer-identifying fans build and maintain virtual communities using the Wizarding World and Harry Potter mythology. The data and subsequent analysis reinforced the creation and maintenance of a participatory community through the use of multiple entry points, fans acting as textual poachers, and a community offering its users a form of leverage. …

The Evolution Of Women Behind The Wheel, Gabrielle Iorio

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

This paper places the current state of women in motorsports in conversation with scholarship focused on media and cultural identity by providing historical context for women in motorsports while analyzing media representations of Danica Patrick and current racers Hailie Deegan, Toni Breidinger, and Tatiana Calderon. While great progress has been made in acceptance of women as professional race car drivers and in media representations of them, stereotypes still face these drivers when it comes to obtaining sponsorships and the types of sponsorships they receive.

Linking Core Concepts And Competencies In General Chemistry Via Gowin’S Theory Of Learning And Vee Heuristic, Vijay Vyas, Scott A. Reid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The content in introductory science courses has often been criticized as “miles wide and inches deep”. In general chemistry, several revisions have focused on framing around a set of core or anchoring concepts, and we recently adapted the anchoring concepts content map (ACCM) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) to develop an anchoring concept-based curriculum for our general chemistry courses. In this article, we describe efforts to connect this curriculum with laboratory learning using Gowin’s theory of learning and the associated knowledge Vee heuristic. Within this framework, the laboratories themselves become events connecting the conceptual and methodological domains, …

Algorithmic Governance And The Boardroom: Empirical And Strategic Perspectives On Ai Integration In Corporate And Educational Oversight, James Hutson, Guarango Banerjee

Faculty Scholarship

The accelerating digitization of executive decision-making has prompted critical re-examination of the function and value of traditional boards of directors within corporate and educational institutions. Empirical research consistently reveals that human boards, while ostensibly tasked with strategic insight and fiduciary oversight, are frequently constrained by structural inefficiencies—such as director overcommitment, inflated compensation, and persistent conflicts of interest—that undermine organizational performance. Against this backdrop, the integration of Artificial Intelligence agents, either as analytic adjuncts or autonomous decision-makers, emerges as a plausible avenue for enhancing board effectiveness. This article synthesizes global case studies, peer-reviewed findings, and real-time technological developments to critically evaluate …