Digital Commons Network^™

Physics-Based Machine Learning Framework For Predicting Structure-Property Relationships In Ded-Fabricated Low-Alloy Steels †, Atiqur Rahman, Md Hazrat Ali, Asad Waqar Malik, Muhammad Arif Mahmood, Frank Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process has demonstrated high efficiency in manufacturing steel parts with complex geometries and superior capabilities. Understanding the complex interplays of alloy compositions, cooling rates, grain sizes, thermal histories, and mechanical properties remains a significant challenge during DED processing. Interpretable and data-driven modeling has proven effective in tackling this challenge, as machine learning (ML) algorithms continue to advance in capturing complex property structural relationships. However, accurately predicting the prime mechanical properties, including ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and hardness value (HV), remains a challenging task due to the complex and non-linear relationships among process …

The God Prompt And Deus Ex Machina: Techno-Theological Tropes And Operational Metaphors In Generative Media, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study reframes two durable tropes—the ―God Prompt‖ and the deus ex machina—as analytic lenses for understanding how contemporary generative systems stage beginnings and endings of cultural production. The ―God Prompt‖ denotes command-driven synthesis in which minimal textual instructions instantiate content on demand, crystallizing a production loop of input, model execution, and post hoc evaluation that orients anticipation toward instantaneous yield and controllable variation. The deus ex machina names an externally imposed resolution that interrupts causal development—historically a crane-borne god, functionally an algorithmic override—thereby concentrating attention on closure mechanics rather than world-building continuity. Read together, the pair offers a compact …

Designing For Complementarity: Skills, Work, And Education In The Age Of Ai — A Review, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This review synthesizes 2023–2025 evidence on how generative AI and automation are reconfiguring role structures, skill demands, and entry pathways, and proposes design principles that shift attention from task substitution to role redesign and talent architecture. Theoretical framework: Drawing on task-based labor economics, socio-technical systems design, and humancapital complementarity, the review distinguishes domains where substitution pressures concentrate from those where augmentation dominates. Method: A narrative review of peerreviewed studies, official statistics, and policy/industry reports prioritized empirically grounded findings on employment effects, skills, governance, and program outcomes; inclusion emphasized methodological transparency and recency. Results and discussion: Convergent evidence shows contraction in …

Empirical Methods In Contract Law, Monika Leszczynska

Faculty Scholarship

Researchers employ various empirical methods to provide insights into contractual legal issues. For instance, systematic content analysis has been used to examine the terms of contracts or court judgments in contractual disputes. This approach, though different from doctrinal methods, enhances our understanding of legal content. Surveys and experimental methods, on the other hand, provide evidence on people's perceptions of contract terms or contractual behavior such as consent, misrepresentation, or breach. The findings from these studies inform contract law theories, which are based on assumptions about behavior in contractual relationships. Empirical studies also strengthen arguments in normative research by providing evidence …

Using Large Language Models To Investigate The Origin Of Chronic Wasting Disease, G. Kent Webb

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This use case reports on the impressive output, hallucinations, instability, and limitations of three Large Language Models (LLMs): ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. The LLMs were prompted in an investigative sequence and responses checked. The collected information supports the common theory that chronic wasting disease (CWD) in North America originated in 1967 at a research facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, where deer were reported to have been exposed to sheep with a similar disease - scrapie. Findings include that: no sheep with scrapie were detected in the area around Fort Collins prior to 1967; domestic sheep reportedly exposed to scrapie were …

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 …

Pancrelipase Treatment Of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Due To Chronic Pancreatitis: Rationale And Methodology Of A Real-World, Prospective, Observational Study, Mohamed O Othman, Jens J Kort, Tamas A Gonda, Guru Trikudanathan, Darshan J Kothari, Walter Park, Luis F Lara, Moming Li, Diala Harb

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Emergency Department Utilization Among Co-Residing Family Caregivers Of Persons Living With Dementia, Pei-Chun Cha, Craig Rothenberg, Anita N Chary, Justine Seidenfeld, Ula Hwang, Terri Fried, Joan K Monin, Arjun K Venkatesh, Cameron J Gettel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Exact And Approximate Conformal Inference For Multi-Output Regression, Chancellor Johnstone, Eugene Ndiaye

Faculty Publications

It is common in machine learning to estimate a response y given covariate information x . However, these predictions alone do not quantify any uncertainty associated with said predictions. One way to overcome this deficiency is with conformal inference methods, which construct a set containing the unobserved response with a prescribed probability. Unfortunately, even with a one-dimensional response, conformal inference is computationally expensive despite recent encouraging advances. In this paper, we explore multi-output regression, delivering exact derivations of conformal inference p-values when the predictive model can be described as a linear function of y . Additionally, we introduce a multivariate …

Muscle Spectrin, Matthew N Rasband, Ahmet Hoke, Chuansheng Zhang, Ozlem Sert

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Structure Of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms In Youth With And Without Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: New Insights Using Factor And Network Analysis, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Matti Cervin, Kendall N Drummond, Jeffrey D Shahidullah, Justin F Rousseau, Cody G Dodd, Mercedes Ramirez, John M Hettema, Robyn Richmond, Leslie K Taylor, Lynn Monnat, Leslie Proch, Fei Teng, Wayne K Goodman, Eric A Storch, Andrew G Guzick, D Jeffrey Newport, Karen Dineen Wagner, Charles B Nemeroff

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share ostensibly similar and sometimes overlapping symptoms that complicate diagnostic assessment and conceptualization. While varying models for the symptom structure of PTSD have been proposed - including the presently used 4-factor and a more fine-grained 7-factor model - little research has focused on youth and even less is known about how these symptoms relate to one another when OCD is present. The present study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and network analysis to compare PTSD symptom relations among 2066 trauma-exposed youth aged 8-20 enrolled in the Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network, of …

A Phase 2 Randomized Trial Of Nbi-1065846 (Tak-041) In Patients With Anhedonia Associated With Major Depressive Disorder: Results Of The Terpsis Study, Shannon R Benedetto, Adrian Ionescu, Tingting Ge, Maura Furey, Swan Lin, Manish K Jha, Andrew Krystal, Asim A Shah, David P Walling, Neel Shah, Sakina J Rizvi, Sidney Kennedy, Antonio Laurenza, Venkatesha Murthy, Eiry Roberts, Jaskaran B Singh

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Anhedonia is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) that may result from aberrant lateral habenula hyperactivity. Targeting G-protein coupled receptor 139 (GPR139) may improve anhedonia by modulating lateral habenula activity. NBI-1065846 is an investigational GPR139 agonist that improved anhedonia, anxiety, and depression in rodent models.

Methods: TERPSIS was a phase 2, proof-of-concept clinical study. Adults with MDD experiencing a major depressive episode with anhedonia were randomized 1:1 to NBI-1065846 or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) score. Secondary endpoints were change in total Montgomery Åsberg Depression …

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 …

Evaluation Of A Novel Tc-24 Recombinant Antigen Elisa For Serologic Detection Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Dogs: A Pilot Study, Rojelio Mejia, Guilherme G Verocai, Ilana A Mosley, Ashley B Saunders, Bin Zhan, Lindsey Vongthavaravat, Rachel E Busselman, Sarah A Hamer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant challenge for canine health, with limited diagnostic tools. This study assessed the performance of a novel Tc-24 recombinant antigen ELISA compared to three commercial diagnostic tests on 70 serum samples from kennel dogs in Texas. The Tc-24 ELISA demonstrated high sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (91.2%) compared to Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) testing, with significant differences in Tc-24 optical density (OD) between positives and negatives (0.607 vs. 0.089, p < 0.001). When compared to Chagas Stat-Pak (SP), Tc-24 ELISA showed sensitivity and specificity values of 82.1% and 86.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). For Chagas Detect Plus (IB), the assay achieved a sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 93.1% (p < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between Tc-24 OD and SP (r = 1.0, p = 0.0167), IB (r = 0.9, p = 0.0833) and IFA (r = 0.6273, p = 0.044). Elevated immunochromatographic values in commercial kits (SP or IB) correlated with Tc-24 OD (1.17 vs. 0.039, p < 0.001), achieving 100% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity based on positive results from commercial kits. These findings suggest that Tc-24 ELISA is a reliable and accurate serological tool for diagnosing T. cruzi infection in dogs, with the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities in veterinary medicine.

Pre-K Teachers’ Perceptions About Professional Learning: Influence On Instructional Methods, Classroom Management Skills, And Student Outcomes, Victoria Abakah Korsah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to solicit pre-K teachers’ perceptions about professional development and its influences on instructional methodology, classroom management skills, and student outcomes. Interviews conducted with 11 teachers from childcare centers in a major urban city of Illinois provided insight into experiences of types of PL and development engagement, such as online courses, webinars, learning communities, coaching, mentoring, professional conferences, and content selection. Other experiences involved social-emotional learning, lesson planning, project-based learning, and how to teach children with special needs. The interview data collected from the participants yielded five themes using Colizzi’s data analysis …

Psyx 520.01: Advanced Psychological Statistics, Daniel J. Denis

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Spns 101.01: Elementary Spanish I, Micaela O. Downey

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Data: Establishing Relationships, Honoring Lived Experience, And Highlighting Qualitative Community Research With Military-Connected Families As An Exemplar, Georgia L. Mckown, Abigail T. Stephan

Publications

Qualitative research inquiry that centers vulnerable communities requires more than methodological rigor—it necessitates deep, authentic engagement with the populations involved. This paper explores strategies qualitative researchers can use to foster meaningful, ethical, and transparent relationships with participants and community partners throughout the research process. Illustrated through applied vignettes from our experience carrying out focus group research with military-connected teens and families, we share strategies for conducting community research through intentional preparation, thoughtful recruitment, innovative data collection, reflexive analyses, and sustained follow-up efforts that contribute to community trust and the co-production of knowledge. We highlight the importance of meeting communities where …

A Systematic Review Of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation For Stroke Survivors In Arab Countries And Saudi Arabia: Current Approaches And Future Challenges, Abdullah I. Alhusayni, Abdullah H. Alzahrani

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To systematically review physical therapy interventions for stroke survivors in Arab countries and summarize the clinical and demographic characteristics, types and intensities of interventions, outcomes assessed, and adverse events. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of Google Scholar, ISI web of science, Scopus, Medline/PubMed, and ProQuest databasesfrom inception to 2025. Studies were eligible if they evaluated physical therapy interventions for stroke rehabilitation in Arab countries and reported clinical outcomes. We included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), radial …

Cervical Cancer Risk And High-Risk Hpv Types Distribution In Saudi Arabia: Trends From A National Laboratory-Based Study, Hamsa J. Banjer, Hossam H. Tayeb, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Salha M. Alsufiani, Jamal M. Alrowaihi

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, regional trends, and cytological abnormalities in Saudi Arabia. The findings aim to inform effective cervical cancer prevention strategies. High-risk HPV infections is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Methods: A retrospective, national laboratory-based study was conducted between 2016 and 2024, analyzing 9,096 medical records. Of these patients, 6,005 underwent co-testing of HPV DNA and cytology-based screening, and 3,091 underwent only cytology-based screening. The HPV genotype distribution, temporal trends, and geographic variations were evaluated. Results: The HPV positivity rate was 13.84%, with HPV-16 accounting for 25.11% and HPV-18 for 7.55% …

Prevalence Of Anxiety And Depression Among Female Patients Awaiting Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis In A Saudi Arabian Tertiary Hospital, Amani S. Alotaibi, Nouf A. Alshamlan, Lujain A. Alsubki, Lina O. Altuwaigri, Sara A. Awan, Dania Farooq, Biam A. Saydo, Hania F. Farhan, Lara M. Samhan, Laiba M. Yaseen, Khalid A. Awartani

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in females awaiting preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) as well as investigate their associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 289 female patients awaiting PGD at a large tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patient characteristics, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and data on PGD. Independent factors associated with anxiety and depression were identified using multivariable analysis. Results: The prevalence of anxiety was 13.5% and that of depressive symptoms was 12.1%. Odds of anxiety were higher among females with a Master’s …

Clinical Outcomes Of Tetralogy Canal Repair: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, Mohamed H. Mashali, Gaser A. Abdelmohsen, Ahmed S. Baamer, Mohamed S. Elhudairy, Naif A. Alkhushi, Saud A. Bahaidarah, Mohamed H. Abdelsalam, Ahmed R. Elakaby, Khadijah A. Maghrabi, Ahmed S. Azhar, Zaher F. Zaher, Osman O. Al-Radi, Ahmed A. Jamjoom, Mohammad S. Shihata, Ahmed F. Elmahrouk, Ahmed M. Dohain, Faris A. Baamer, Samia A Bekheet

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the surgical outcomes of atrioventricular septal defect associated with Tetralogy of Fallot (AVSD)-TOF repair performed at 2 specialized cardiac centers. Methods: From May 2012 to December 2024, 20 patients diagnosed with AVSD-TOF who underwent surgical repair were included. Results: The median age at the time of surgical repair was 13 months, with a median weight of 8.2 kg (IQR: 6.2–11.5 kg). Biventricular repair was successfully performed in 18 patients (90%), while one and half ventricular repair was required in 2 patients (10%). Before definitive repair, palliative procedures, including bidirectional Glenn shunts, were carried out in 2 …

Evaluation Of Systemic Immune Inflammation Index, Halp Score, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio And Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio In Pediatric Burned Patients, Gül Doğan, Hülya İpek, Mehmet Metin, Nurcan Çoşkun, Çağatay E. Afşarlar

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate whether there is any relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLO), systemic immune -inflammation (SII) level and HALP score and the location of involvement, surface width, burn degree in pediatric burn patients to investigate the effect on prognosis. Methods: After obtaining institutional ethical committee approval, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 192 pediatric cases (under 18 years old) treated for burns in our hospital from December 2018 to December 2023. Hemoglobin, leukocyte, neutrophil, platelet and albumin levels. Simultaneously NLR, PLR, SII and HALP scores were calculated. Results: Post-hoc test results revealed that the NLR values in …

Cutting-Edge Research From The 2024 Middle East Rheumatology Conference (Mrc 2024) Of The Gulf Cooperation Council Association Of Immunology And Rheumatology (Gcc-Air), Ahmed S Zayat, Beena Hamid, Martin Lee, Fahdah Alokaily, Maryam Al Nisf, Mahmood Hachim, Hanan Al Reyes, Khalid Alnaqbi, Amal Hussain, Fiaz Alam, Ghida Al Dabi, Suad Hannawi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Does A Culturally Tailored Quality Of Life Intervention Benefit Latina Breast Cancer Survivors And Caregivers?

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Malnutrition Rates Reach Alarming Levels In Gaza, Who Warns

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Consumption Of Negative Media Content Mediates The Association Between Levels Of Trauma Exposure And Insomnia Severity In Hispanic Young Adults, Michiyo Hirai, Laura L. Vernon

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Research has shown that individuals who have experienced traumatic events are at greater risk of developing severe insomnia than those without trauma. Further, according to the stress sensitization hypothesis, victims of multiple traumas, compared to those who have experienced a single trauma, are particularly vulnerable to severe insomnia. One potential mechanism underlying the association between trauma experiences and insomnia is media exposure. Although avoidance behaviors are symptoms of posttraumatic stress, victims of traumas also demonstrate attentional bias toward threats and difficulty disengaging attention from threats. These cognitive tendencies may result in heightened vigilance to negative media content, particularly trauma-related content, …

Cerebral Palsy Screening, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Dentistry And The Law: We Forgot To Renew Our Employment Agreement —Now What?, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Q&A addresses the legal implications when a fixed-term dental employment agreement expires without formal renewal. MDA Legal Counsel explains that if the employee continues working under the same conditions, an oral employment agreement is implicitly formed, retaining the original terms but becoming terminable without cause by either party at any time. A key consequence is that any post-termination provisions, such as a covenant not to compete, begin their restricted period countdown from the original agreement's expiration date, regardless of continued employment. The article advises that it's generally more practical for employment agreements to simply state that the term continues …