Digital Commons Network^™

A Longitudinal Analysis Of Morphological Shape Variation Of Spleen In Patients With Fontan Surgery, Varatharajan Nainamalai, Håvard Bjørke Jenssen, Mostafa Rezaeitaleshmahalleh, Djinaud Prophete, Jordan Gosnell, Sarah Khan, Marcus Haw, Jingfeng Jiang, Joseph Vettukattil

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: Splenic size serves as a surrogate biomarker for predicting portal vein hyper-tension and liver abnormalities in subjects with Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD). We analyze the long-term shape variation of the spleen in FALD subjects using morphological shape features of radiomic features. Methods: We used 154 (84 from computed tomography and 70 from magnetic resonance) image volumes obtained from 36 individuals who underwent stage 3 Fontan procedure and 145 computed tomography images from controls to assess splenomegaly. To understand the splenomegaly, thirteen shape features of the spleen over three 10-year intervals, and variations between controls and FALD subjects were …

Creative Processes In Visual Arts In Education: A Conceptual Framework, Enock Swanzy-Impraim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The diversity and uniqueness of individuals and the multifaceted nature of creativity necessitate new models in various domains. This study reviewed previous studies and models of the creative process and presented a combined model (Swanzy-Impraim panoramic creative process model) of the creative process applicable to the visual arts in education and other artist-expressive domains. It positions the creative process in seven phases: (1) immersion, (2) problem/task identification, (3) ideation, (4) production, (5) outcome, (6) evaluation, and (7) responses. This conceptual paper explores creativity as a concept and its significance in the artists’ expressive domain, reviews and maps creative process models, …

A Multi-Proxy Reconstruction Of Environmental Conditions During Termination 1 In Central New Hampshire, Anne Hannah Randall

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The collapse of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets subsequent to the Last Glacial Maximum (~26-19 ka) marked one of the largest natural climate change events in recent time. In response to global warming, the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS), the ice sheet that covered much of northern North America, receded almost completely during a time known as “Termination 1” (~19-11 ka). The climate changes during this time also caused significant changes in landscape morphology, ecology, and the lifeways of indigenous peoples. This project characterizes the timing of deglaciation and major post-glacial landscape changes across New Hampshire using lake sediment cores. I …

We Are Tectonic! A Queer Geophysics For Intra-Solidarities And Resisting The Cloud Regime, Helen Pritchard, Femke Snelting, Seda Gürses, Jara Rocha, Miriyam Aouragh

School of Art, Design and Architecture

This paper analyses how Big Tech and global consultancy firms are asserting control over carbon removal certification and governance through infrastructure solutions and technical standards. We argue that defining gaps in the underground constitutes a global takeover of material sovereignty, encompassing both knowledge and geological formations. We unearth Big Tech’s strategies of infra-solutionism to demonstrate, drawing on the work of inhuman geographer Kathryn Yusoff, how this takeover reinforces geological grammars and essentialises racialised and sexualised categories that disconnect us from the Earth. Drawing on queer poetry together with work of Marxist agronomist Amílcal Cabral we advocate for resistance to dominant …

Trusted Professional Multi-Agency Transitions For Young People Facing Multiple Disadvantage – Learning From Co-Production By A Third Sector Partner In The Plymouth Alliance, Uk, Gemma Doyle, Sean Mitchell, Sue Hawley, Katy Krysiak, Felix Gradinger

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction: This case study provides practice-based reflections on challenges and potential solutions for young people with multiple disadvantages across housing, substance misuse, mental health, criminal justice, and domestic abuse systems, informed by 4 local principles: trauma informed, learning based, an alliance commissioning ethos, and workforce development.Description: To improve the current experiences of 17–25-year-olds in service transition iterative insights drew from networking staff across sectors, clinical audit and following live cases, and appreciative enquiries with young people. This was conducted by a practitioner researcher in a local Young Person’s charity and was supported by peer researchers with lived experience and embedded …

When Culture Becomes Law: Mayan Heritage And The New Constitutional Recognition Of Collective Rights In Mexico, José Israel Herrera, Victor Manuel Colli Ek

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract. The constitutional reform of September 30, 2024 to article 2 marks a substantive change in the recognition of indigenous peoples as subjects of public law, with their own patrimony, valid normative systems and express right to conserve, protect and develop their cultural, material and immaterial heritage. This article analyzes the legal implications of this reform in the context of the Maya people, especially with regard to collective intellectual property, the right to prior consultation and the constitutional recognition of bioculturality. A critical reading of the new normative framework is proposed, with emphasis on its transformative potential for the territorial …

Spartanburg County School Integration Project: Cynthia Godfrey Interview, Cynthia Godfrey, Clayton Whisnant, Dallas Green, Wade Toth

Oral History Interviews

Spartanburg County School Integration Project

Narrator: Cynthia Godfrey (CG)

Interviewers: Dr. Clayton Whisnant (CW)

Dallas Green (DG) and Wade Toth (WT)

at Wofford College

July 10, 2025

Enhancing Medication Communication In The Acute Care Setting To Strengthen Patient Comprehension And Retention, Ashleigh C. Christensen

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Research has shown that breakdowns in communication, especially in the context of medication education, play a critical role in the delivery of safe and effective patient care. These findings underscore the need to prioritize effective communication in medication education. In the acute care setting, effective communication is essential for ensuring patient safety, adherence, and improved patient-centered outcomes.

PICOT: In clinical staff providing direct patient care in the acute care setting (P), does the implementation of the evidence-based teach-back method (I), as compared to current practice (C), improve patient knowledge, understanding, and self-management upon discharge (O), over ten weeks …

Pharmacogenetic Exploration Of Burenorphine And Related Metabolites In Umbilical Cord Blood, Amelia Monfared, Derek E. Murrell, Darshan S. Shah, Melissa Hoang, Stacy D. Brown, Sam Harirforoosh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The goal of this study was to explore associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and umbilical cord blood concentrations of buprenorphine and its metabolites following maternal administration. This is a sub-study of a prospective observational cohort investigation which included pregnant women receiving buprenorphine for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Following delivery, umbilical cord blood samples were collected and genotyped using a pharmacogenetic panel. The drug and metabolite concentrations were analyzed through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and genetic association analysis was completed using PLINK software. The included neonates (n = 14) had a mean birth weight of 3.00 ± 0.39 kg and were …

Investing In Change: Understanding The Motivations And Impact Of Young Black Alumni Donors To Pwis In The South, Evante C. Topp

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Researchers have historically overlooked Black philanthropy in higher education discourse, particularly in relation to predominantly White institutions (PWIs). This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences, motivations, and giving behaviors of young Black alumni who donate to PWIs in the American South. Using critical race theory (CRT) and the philanthropic mirroring model as guiding frameworks, in this study I examined the intersections of racial identity, institutional engagement, and alumni giving

Through in-depth interviews with twelve participants aged 30–40, five key themes emerged: (1) undergraduate experiences as a catalyst for philanthropy, (2) philanthropy as both a monetary investment and a demand for …

Community And School Programs, Policies And Environments Related To Child Dietary Intake:The Healthy Communities Study, Gail Woodward-Lopez, Alexander C. Mclain, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Natalie Colabianchi, Vicki Collie-Akers, Lorrene D. Ritchie

Faculty Publications

Background

To reverse the epidemic of unhealthy eating and related chronic disease in the United States, intervening early in life is essential.

Objective

Identify features of community- and school-based programmes, policies and environments related to child intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB).

Methods

Dietary intake of children 4–15 years old (n = 5138) from elementary and middle schools in 130 US communities was collected by survey (of parent and/or child) in 2013–2015. Features of community programs and policies (CPPs) and school environments were collected by staff surveys, direct observation, key informant interviews, and/or document review. …

Responding To The Needs Of Dementia Care Partners: Recommendations For Policy Change At The State And Federal Levels., Walter D. Dawson, Jenn Reed, Allison Lindauer, Sherril B. Gelmon

Institute on Aging Publications

The need to optimize supports of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) care partners through policy innovation is high. This study sought to frame the care and support needs of multiple historically underrepresented populations who may be underserved and/or have difficulty accessing culturally specific services and determine specific policies that may reduce ADRD care partner burden and improve wellbeing. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews ( = 24) with leaders of organizations that support people living with ADRD and focus groups ( = 5) with dementia care partners from four communities historically underserved in the United States (Asian, Black, Indigenous, …

Academic Stress Among Jss High School Students In Mysuru And Chamarajanagar Districts: A Cross-Sectional Study, Lathika R, Dr Sunil Kumar D, Krishnamurthy K V, Dr Rakshitha J

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background

In today's world, students face academic stress which leading to anxiety, poor performance in academics and many other issues like nervousness, panic attacks and depression mainly derived from grades, parental pressure, and competition between the students. With the above background study aims to estimate the prevalence and assess the associated factors of academic stress among high school adolescents.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the academic stress among JSS high school students of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. A total of 379 were selected through Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. Structured questionnaire was used to assess the …

Higher Blood Lipid Levels After The Transition To Menopause In Two Forager-Horticulturalist Populations, M. J. Getz, J. E. Aronoff, C. L. Jenkins, S. Ghafoor, J. Vazquez, N. T. Appel, M. Gatz, Daniel K. Cummings, Paul L. Hooper, B. Beheim, K. H. Buetow, C. E. Finch, G. S. Thomas, J. Stieglitz, M. Gurven, Hillard Kaplan, B. C. Trumble

ESI Publications

Background: Reproduction affects health and longevity among females across the life course. While significant focus has been devoted to the role of menarche, menopause remains understudied. Most menopause research is conducted in industrialized populations, where the risk of cardiovascular diseases increases progressively during the menopausal transition.

Methodology: Weworked with the Tsimane, Indigenous Bolivian forager-farmers with physically active lifestyles, and the Moseten, genetically and culturally related horticulturalists experiencing greater market integration. We assessed relationships between menopause status and lipid biomarkers (HDL, LDL, non-HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein-B). Using linear mixed-effects models, in an all-age sample of n = …

Zeus: Zero-Shot Llm Instruction For Union Segmentation In Multimodal Medical Imaging, Siyuan Dai, Kai Ye, Guodong Liu, Haoteng Tang, Liang Zhan

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Medical image segmentation has achieved remarkable success through the continuous advancement of UNet-based and Transformer-based foundation backbones. However, clinical diagnosis in the real world often requires integrating domain knowledge, especially textual information. Conducting multimodal learning involves visual and text modalities shown as a solution, but collecting paired vision-language datasets is expensive and time-consuming, posing significant challenges. Inspired by the superior ability in numerous cross-modal tasks for Large Language Models (LLMs), we proposed a novel Vision-LLM union framework to address the issues. Specifically, we introduce frozen LLMs for zero-shot instruction generation based on corresponding medical images, imitating the radiology scanning and …

Improving Multilingual Competence In Higher Education: An Integrated Framework For Parallel Learning Of Two Foreign Languages, Aiym Kontek, Albina Dossanova, Galiya Kulzhanbekova

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The study aims to create a comprehensive framework for the effective organization of parallel teaching of two foreign languages in higher education in Kazakhstan, accounting for linguistic, psychological, didactic, and technological aspects.

Methods: We used theoretical (modeling, analysis, and generalization) and empirical methods (pedagogical experiment, testing, questionnaires, and methods of mathematical statistics) in the research. An original structural and content model of parallel learning was developed, including interrelated blocks for the integrated formation of speech activity skills and a lexico–grammatical base in each of the languages. The effectiveness of the proposed model was confirmed during the pedagogical experiment, which …

A Model Intercomparison Study Of Aerosol-Cloud-Turbulence Interactions In A Cloud Chamber: 1. Model Results, Sisi Chen, Steven K. Krueger, Piotr Dziekan, Kotaro Enokido, Theodore Macmillan, David Richter, Silvio Schmalfuß, Shin Ichiro Shima, Fan Yang, Jesse C. Anderson, Will Cantrell, Dennis Niedermeier, Raymond Shaw, Frank Stratmann

Michigan Tech Publications

This study presents the first model intercomparison of aerosol-cloud-turbulence interactions in a controlled cloudy Rayleigh-Bénard Convection chamber environment, utilizing the Pi Chamber at Michigan Technological University. We analyzed simulated cloud chamber-averaged statistics of microphysics and thermodynamics in a warm-phase, cloudy environment under steady-state conditions at varying aerosol injection rates. Simulation results from seven distinct models (DNS, LES, and a 1D turbulence model) were compared. Our findings demonstrate that while all models qualitatively capture observed trends in droplet number concentration, mean radius, and droplet size distributions at both high and low aerosol injection rates, significant quantitative differences were observed. Notably, droplet …

Strengthening Scientific Integrity: Digital Forensics For Biomedical Research Imaging, João Phillipe Cardenuto, Daniel Moreira, Anderson Rocha

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

To fight against the increasing misconduct cases in science, this Ph. D. research confronted the challenge of scientific integrity with a pioneering investigation into digital forensic analysis specifically tailored for biomedical images. This work conducted extensive research into key manipulation types–copy-move forgery, image reuse, and AI-generated content–developing novel, fully explainable, and auditable computational detection methods for each. In a commitment to transparency and to promote research to the area, these techniques are provided as open-source resources. Besides the isolated techniques for each type of image forged, a central contribution is the development of an end-to-end system, created through collaboration with …

Telogen Effluvium And Anesthesia Considerations: A Case Report, Elizabeth Johnson-Gray, Samantha A. Currier, Hanen Fernandez, Matt Brown, Matthias Franzen

Student Publications

Telogen effluvium is a form of non-scarring hair loss characterized by premature shedding of hair. Pathophysiologically, telogen effluvium occurs when a significant number of hair follicles prematurely enter the telogen phase, resulting in excessive shedding. The exact mechanism is unclear, but it is believed to involve alterations in the hair follicle’s growth cycle, possibly mediated by illness, infection, major surgery, low protein intake, or hormonal changes. Some medications can also be linked to this disease, such as beta blockers, carbamazepine, and vitamin A. When affected hairs are in the resting phase, noticeable hair shedding occurs. Our patient was a 61-year-old …

Family Caregivers’ Perceptions Of Quality Of Dementia Self-Care In Wakiso District, Uganda, Martha Sajatovic, Kylie Meyer

Faculty Scholarship

INTRODUCTION: In Sub-Saharan Africa, most people with dementia are cared for in the home setting (dementia self-care) with hardly any support from the formal health and social care system. The study explored family caregivers' perceptions of quality of dementia self-care. METHODS: A descriptive-exploratory qualitative study design was used. Data were collected through four focus group discussions with 48 family caregivers of older people with dementia, recruited from four villages of the Wakiso district in Uganda. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: (1) patience and understanding; (2) maintaining hygiene and cleanliness; (3) constant supervision and safety precautions; (4) personalized care by understanding individual …

Smartboot: Real-Time Monitoring Of Patient Activity Via Remote Edge Computing Technologies, Gozde Cay, Myeounggon Lee, David G Armstrong, Bijan Najafi

Center on Aging Staff Publications

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes, associated with high recurrence and amputation rates. Adherence to offloading devices is critical for wound healing but remains inadequately monitored in real-world settings. This study evaluates the SmartBoot edge-computing system-a wearable, real-time remote monitoring solution integrating an inertial measurement unit (Sensoria Core) and smartwatch-for its validity in quantifying cadence and step count as digital biomarkers of frailty, and for detecting adherence. Twelve healthy adults wore two types of removable offloading boots (Össur and Foot Defender) during walking tasks at varied speeds; system outputs were validated against a gold-standard wearable and …

Controlling Hypertension In The African American Population Through Dash Diet Education, Tanya K. Mccaskill

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hypertension disproportionately affects African Americans, contributing to elevated risks of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure. Despite the well-established benefits of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, its adoption remains limited due to cultural, socioeconomic, and health literacy barriers. This Quality Improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored DASH diet education intervention in improving nutritional knowledge among African American adults with hypertension (HTN). Using a quasi-experimental pre-post intervention design, 50 participants received a structured educational session during a single clinic visit, which included counseling, printed materials, and sample menus. The intervention was guided …

Targeted Delivery Of Rapamycin Via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors In Pancreatic Cancer Cells Inhibits Cell Proliferation And Induces Apoptosis, Nawab Ali, Adeolu S. Oluremi, Christopher Baldwin, Nickolas Gustavison, Mujeebat Bashiru, Adeniyi Oyebade, Noureen Siraj, Raj Raghavendra Rao

Faculty Scholarship

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is aggressive and deadly; most PC cells overexpress an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR-targeting peptide (GE11) was conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for delivering rapamycin (Rap), an mTOR inhibitor that reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis. Biophysical techniques confirmed the conjugation. Rap loading efficiency was 41.5%, with sustained release at a lower pH. Conjugates showed higher uptake in PANC-1 cells than unmodified AuNPs. It also inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis via pathways involving reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and caspase activation. This approach represents a promising nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy targeting PC cells, utilizing GE11-EGFR interactions to minimize …

Critical Mineral Mining And Native American Rights, Spencer Beeman Janes

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines the intersection between critical mineral mining and Native Americans' rights. Critical minerals are essential for creating electric and sustainable energy sources that fuel the world's evolving technological landscape. The United States is making a concerted effort to mine these minerals on American soil due to their vital role in serving the U.S economy and national defense. However, many of these mineral reserves lie within close proximity to Native American reservations, and mining them directly impacts Native American communities. The development of critical mineral mines can offer substantial benefits to indigenous communities, but they also have the capacity …

Liberalism And Lockdowns, D. Robert Macdougall

Publications and Research

Some authors have argued that liberalism cannot support lockdowns because it cannot engage in collective welfare-type reasoning. Others have thought that liberalism can justify lockdown measures, but that legitimate lockdown measures must be based on pre-legal moral principles that set acceptable limits to the imposition of risk or forbid contributing to collective harm. In this essay, I assess the overall relationship between liberalism and lockdowns. Against the first interpretation of liberalism, I argue in favor of the idea that lockdowns can be justified by liberalism. Liberalism protects the liberty of each and so can presumably protect persons from some kinds …

“It Felt Like Solving A Mystery Together”: Exploring Virtual Reality Card-Based Interaction And Story Co-Creation Collaborative System Design, Yaojiong Yu, Mike Phillips, Gianni Corino

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Virtual reality interaction design and story co-creation design for multiple users is an interdisciplinary research field that merges human–computer interaction, creative design, and virtual reality technologies. Story co-creation design enables multiple users to collectively generate and share narratives, allowing them to contribute to the storyline, modify plot trajectories, and craft characters, thereby facilitating a dynamic storytelling experience. Through advanced virtual reality interaction design, collaboration and social engagement can be further enriched to encourage active participation. This study investigates the facilitation of narrative creation and enhancement of storytelling skills in virtual reality by leveraging existing research on story co-creation design and …

Accuracy Of Anthropometric Equations In Estimating Body Fat Percentage In Transgender Men Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy, Barbara Buosi, Yana Barros Hara, Rodolfo André Dellagrana, Rafael Martins Da Costa, Mateus Rossato

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(1): 686-694, 2025. Transgender people may opt for the use of sex steroids and, in some cases, hormone blockers, which can lead to changes in body fat distribution. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of anthropometric equations to estimate the body density (BD) of transgender men who are undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT). Four transgender men (25-32 years old), who had performed GAHT for at least six months and used the hormone testosterone cypionate participated in the study. The reference criteria for BD was air displacement plethysmography (ADP). In addition, BD …

Understanding Socio-Environmental Concerns About Bear Lake: Findings From A Community-Engaged Teaching Study, Stacia Ryder, Alexander Theophilus, Charlotte Emelia Williams, Elizabeth Brunner, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Zubair Barkat, Nowrin Fatema, Jordan Rowley

Transforming Communities

In the western U.S., climate change is exacerbating already difficult situations in many lake systems, including Bear Lake, which spans the Idaho-Utah border and faces several environmental issues and a new wave of recreational development. In this research note, we discuss preliminary findings from community-engaged research aimed at assessing different concerns that scientists, residents, and community organizations have for Bear Lake and the surrounding communities. To do so, this project connects student research across three courses. Data collected through archival and interview research provides important insights into the socio-environmental concerns related to 1) ecological threats, 2) water management, quality, and …

Inter-Effort Recovery Intermittent Hypoxia And Force Parameters In Sprint Interval Exercise, Tarine Botta De Arruda, Felipe Alves Ribeiro Ms, Germano Marcolino Putti, Marcelo Papoti

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 672-685, 2025. Performing training sessions in hypoxia leads to a decrease in effort quality. The inter-effort recovery intermittent hypoxia model seems to ensure training session performance. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sprint interval exercise under normoxic (NOR), continuous hypoxic (HYP), and inter-effort hypoxic (IEH) conditions on force parameters. Seven swimmers (age: 26.04 ± 4.64 years) volunteered and performed one session of the 10 × 30-s all-out tethered swimming efforts with 4-min passive recovery intervals for each condition. Considering the simulated altitude at F_iO₂ = 0.13 …

The Influence Of "Ifbb Pro" Designation On Consumer Decision-Making In Online Personal Training Services: An Experimental Investigation, Zehua Hei, Alan Morse

Global Sport Business Journal

The recent rising health awareness, social media occurrence, and digital access to fitness services promote the growth of online personal training. Drawing upon signaling theory, a recent rising group of trainers, “IFBB Pro” athletes, who are perceived as elite bodybuilders, often signal a high level of expertise and competency in fitness training. With content marketing as the background, posted content plays a key role in this process as social media platforms become increasingly popular for fitness professionals to market their personal training services and attract clients. However, scarce research exists to investigate how this designation influences consumer perceptions and purchase …