Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Interpretation: Leveraging Data Visualization To Improve Diagnostic Accuracy And Patient Outcomes, Miriam Booker Barrett

Translational Projects (Open Access)

When implemented effectively, data displays can enhance interpretive decisions by helping physicians recognize patterns and relationships within various datasets. Data visualization has been widely studied for its role in converting raw data into actionable insights and supporting data-driven decision-making. However, few studies have been published that specifically explored using data displays to aid in interpreting coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (CoNS) in blood cultures.

One of the primary challenges infectious disease physicians face when interpreting CoNS in blood cultures is the disorganized nature of clinical data within electronic health records. The information necessary for accurate interpretation is often scattered across various sections of …

Scaler Rates From The Pierre Auger Observatory: A New Proxy Of Solar Activity, S. Mancuso, A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, B. Fick, K. Nguyen, D. Nitz, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

The modulation of low-energy galactic cosmic rays reflects interplanetary magnetic field variations and can provide useful information on solar activity. An array of ground-surface detectors can reveal the secondary particles, which originate from the interaction of cosmic rays with the atmosphere. In this work, we present an investigation of the low-threshold rate (scaler) time series recorded in 16 yr of operation by the Pierre Auger Observatory surface detectors in Malargüe, Argentina. Through an advanced spectral analysis, we detected highly statistically significant variations in the time series with periods ranging from the decadal to the daily scale. We investigate their origin, …

Autism Care Continuum: Exploring Specialty Services Across The Lifespan Within U.S. Academic Medical Centers, Alexis Khuu

Theses and Dissertations

Autistic people—particularly adults—experience high rates of co-occurring mental health problems and often report unmet service needs. Although several barriers to accessing quality care are well-documented, the broader landscape of autism-specific services across the lifespan remains under-researched. This two-part thesis aimed to address this gap by examining the availability of autism-specific services, as well as patterns in service utilization and associated costs, among autistic children and adults. The first study employed a systematic web-scraping protocol and data extraction procedure to identify and characterize autism specialty services offered by U.S. academic medical centers. This work revealed a general lack of autism specialty …

The Digital Forum: A Pedagogical Approach To Teaching College English Composition, Thomas Edward Plichta

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study focused on the identification of ways to improve the curriculum of freshman Writing Intensive Seminars using an innovative multimodal pedagogical methodology, the Digital Forum, in addition to formal papers and in-class writing. The research examined a Writing Intensive Seminar with approximately 20 students; There were two Research Questions for the present study. RQ1: How does the incorporation of the Digital Forum as a pedagogical approach in college freshman writing classes influence students' levels of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement? RQ2: How does the incorporation of Digital Forums in freshman English Composition courses affect the quality of …

Synthesis Of Inorganic Actinide Compounds With Neptunium, Plutonium, And Americium, Travis Kelly Deason

Theses and Dissertations

There is a rush of countries around the world making the switch to greener energy sources. Nuclear energy power plants are an integral part of the shift from fossil fuels, but there are concerns over the best way to handle nuclear waste. Most of the nuclear waste is currently disposed of by incorporating the waste into a glass form through vitrification, but research into alternative waste forms, such as promising crystalline materials, could provide a more robust method of containment. Research on actinide materials is lacking due to the dangers of working with radioactive material and there are few labs …

Exploring The Dynamics Of Human-Robot Interaction: Robot Error, Sentiment Analysis, And Politeness, Krishna Kodur, Manizheh Zand, Matthew Tognotti, Sean Banerjee, Natasha Kholgade Banerjee, Maria Kyrarini

Electrical and Computer Engineering

As robots become more integrated into daily life, understanding natural human communication is essential for developing user-friendly human-robot interaction (HRI) systems. While prior research focuses on robot-initiated behaviors, little is known about how user-initiated politeness, sentiment, and communication patterns influence perceptions of robots in real-world tasks. This study addresses this gap by analyzing interactions between 35 participants and Alex, a mobile manipulator that understands unscripted speech, during a collaborative cooking task. The study explores four hypotheses: 1) The average number of words per command used for instructing the robot is affected by how the person perceives the robot’s interaction., (2) …

Adherence To Mediterranean Diet And Perinatal Health, Mary Schwartz, Yimin Chen, Sara Schumacher, Cassandra Partridge, Mya Gackstetter, Aubrey Bureau

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Postpartum weight retention has a significant impact on long-term health consequences in women. Suboptimal lifestyle behaviors (e.g. poor diet and low physical activity) are associated with postpartum weight retention in women. In various populations, the Mediterranean Diet is associated with reduced risk of obesity-associated chronic diseases. This study’s goal is to analyze the relationship between Mediterranean Diet adherence with perinatal maternal weight status and diabetes risk. The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats: plenty of fruits, vegetables, bread and other grains, potatoes, beans, nuts, and seeds. The primary fat sources are olive oil and dairy products; eggs, fish, …

Ion Channel Gating Probability Of Voltage-Gated Hnav1.1: Role Of Beta Subunits And The Associated Impacts On Epilepsy, Georgia Blue Hill, Soha Haniyyah, Diana M. Cortez, James R. Groome

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Voltage-gated sodium channels are essential for initiating action potentials in neurons. Mutations in the human brain sodium channel hNaV1.1 ion channel are associated with a large number of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. Despite its clinical relevance, there is still much to characterize about the specific effects of how these mutations affect sodium channel behaviour, including the role of the smaller beta subunits. To investigate this, hNaV1.1 channels were expressed with varying beta subunits (beta 1,beta 2, or none) in Xenopus oocytes. Electrophysiology was utilized to record sodium currents and measure the probability of sodium channels activating (open state) or …

Load, But Not Speed Or Surface Impact Foot Strike Angle, Mikala A. Hicks, Aidan M. Thayer, Tyler N. Brown

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Foot strike angle may play an important role in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries that are common for military personnel, and as such we decided to investigate the possible correlation between foot strike angle and the vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs) while traversing over varying terrain textures to simulate military conditions. This study aimed to determine the effect of speed, body borne load, sex, and surface on foot strike angle. 18 participants had lower limb biomechanics quantified during a walk (1.5 m/s) and run (4.5 m/s) with and without a 15 kg load over a flat and uneven surface. The flat …

Reevaluating Extremist Profiles Through Sociocultural And Psychological Perspectives, David Cowan, Avery Slater, Omi Hodwitz

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Research suggests there are key risk factors that facilitate offending. In addition, some studies suggest that specific factors may influence the presence of violence versus nonviolent offending. While these factors have been assessed with apolitical samples, their relationship with political offending has been underexplored. This qualitative study aims to address this question by examining factors that facilitate offending and nonviolent versus violent activities in an extremist sample. Using case study analysis, the authors assess the presence of key risk factors in a sample of twenty individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses in the United States and Canada. Results indicate that traditional …

Using Pressure-Sensing Insoles To Measure Ground Impact Force Of Jogging, Caleb Young, Dylan Holmes, Heljäviivi Unkila, Tyler N. Brown

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) may play a key role in running-related musculoskeletal injuries. Pressure-sensing insoles offer an affordable and portable method to measure vertical GRFs outside the lab, but their accuracy compared to gold-standard force platforms remains under evaluation.

This study compares vertical GRF data collected from XSENSOR pressure-sensing insoles and laboratory-grade force platforms during running at two speeds: a medium jog and a fast jog (4.5 m/s). We hypothesize that GRF waveforms from the insoles will not statistically differ from those recorded by the force platforms, although peak GRF values from the insoles are expected to be consistently …

An Analysis Of Missing And Murdered Women, Girls, And Two-Spirit Individuals (Mmiwg2) In The United States, Olivia Michelson, Kaitlyn Vilgos, Omi Hodwitz, Steff King

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

In the United States, there is a pattern of Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals experiencing high rates of victimization. Although Indigenous persons have a higher rate of violence, there is little to no coverage or attention given to these victims. This leads to cases being overlooked by law enforcement and policymakers, which leaves gaps in the data that prevent efforts that could help affected communities. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2) database aims to address this gap in awareness by identifying MMIWG2 cases through public documents and records. The project goal is to code each case …

More Than An "Anxious" Generation: How Value Systems Anchor The Human Experience, Sailor Nelson

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Experience is the key to everyone’s emotional development, rather than knowledge and information gathering (Haidt, 2024). This study, conducted under Dr. April Masarik’s Human Universals Project in the Human Development and Ecology Lab, explores shared human values and life philosophies across generations – challenging the idea that moral differences are solely generational. Using Jonathan Haidt and Jesse Graham’s Moral Foundations Theory and Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis, I’m analyzing student autobiographical narratives from a PSYC 419 course (n = 94) to identify how value systems develop and function. In previous literature reviews and analyses, nine core themes emerged. A …

A Novel Approach To Extended Reality Eula Presentation For Improved Child Safety, Lindy Chen, Jerry Fails, Daniel Allan, Adam Taylor, Upama Magar

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Extended reality (XR) is a quickly developing field of technology representing novel physical and privacy risks for children. End-User License Agreements (EULAs) are designed to explain these risks to the consumer (end-user), however, they are often dense, linguistically complex, and packed with legal jargon. EULAs are even more problematic for children, who are still developing their language skills. In our research, we identify and analyze the EULAs of several XR applications for child users. We use various readability algorithms to gauge the grade level at which most users could understand the content. Using qualitative, thematic analysis, we iteratively determined the …

Comparing Concepts And Applications Of Reflexivity In Qualitative And Quantitative Social Sciences: Impacts For Results, Relationship, And Reputation, Cecily Shepherd

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Reflexivity, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary (2025), is the ability to examine one's own feelings, reactions, and motives—and how these influence thought and behavior in a given situation. In the social sciences, inconsistent applications of reflexivity across qualitative and quantitative methodologies can undermine research reliability, hinder community engagement, and damage institutional reputations. The concept was first addressed in The Child in America by William and Dorothy Swain (1928), and later championed by Alvin Gouldner in The Coming Crisis of Western Sociology (1970), who called for a reflexive sociology. Today, reflexivity is widely used to mitigate bias, enhance validity, and …

Online Age Verification With Privacy-Preserving Facial Images: A Dual-Stage Machine Learning Approach, Jeremiah Denning, Jeremiah Robinson

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Effective age verification is critical for protecting minors online, yet current systems often force a choice between accuracy and user privacy. Our research explores this trade-off by developing and evaluating machine learning models for facial age estimation that prioritize both privacy and precision on difficult edge cases.

We are testing AI models (ResNet34, ViT-Tiny) on the UTKFace and Wikipedia datasets using two core strategies. First, we employ unique, privacy-preserving image transformations. Our baseline pixel-scramble ResNet34 model, which fully anonymizes the user's face, achieved a competitive accuracy of approximately 88% compared to 93% accuracy on the original images. Second, we are …

Benchmarking Uncertainty Quantification For Deep Learning, Dristanta Silwal, Kyle Lucke, Min Xian

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

One of the most significant developments in the last decade has been the heights Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reached in our daily lives. However, many advanced AI models have proved to be over-confident in their predictions, which makes it a challenge to apply them to critical applications such as healthcare, finance, and nuclear power and creates pressing needs for quantitatively understanding the uncertainties of AI predictions. In this project, I benchmark uncertainty quantification (UQ) methods for state-of-the art deep learning-based image classification models. The UQ methods focus on identifying misclassification in natural image datasets. I benchamark state-of-the-art UQ methods: Deep …

Introduction To Circuit Design And Architecture For Emerging Nanoscale Technologies, Adam Jalyo, Sarah Frost

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

This research addresses the critical challenge of sustaining advancements in computational performance and energy efficiency in the wake of Moore’s law reaching its physical limits.

Since computer systems face increasing demands driven by data-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence workloads, alternative nanoscale design paradigms are essential. This study discusses Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) as a potential post-CMOS technology, offering a different approach to circuit design based on quantum dot arrangements and electron interactions governed by Coulomb repulsion. The investigation begins with a foundational understanding of QCA’s building blocks, including cell architecture, binary encoding mechanisms, and majority gate logic. To illustrate …

Generating Feature-Space Functional Adversarial Malware Using Llms, Brodie Abrew, Devyn Hubbs

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

The application of machine learning (ML) in malware detection has significantly advanced the threat identification capabilities against zero-day malware. With the advent of ML malware detectors came adversarial malware specifically designed to evade such detectors. As a result, new research has focused on quickly and efficiently creating adversarial malware that successfully evades existing models in order to be used for adversarial training: an approach for building robust detection models. Previous work has largely focused on programmatically modifying portable executable (PE) headers and sections to generate adversarial samples. While proven effective for evasion, many samples are left non-functional, and there is …

Exploring Dna Metabarcoding To Understand Diet In Declining Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus Phasianellus), Alexandria J. Serbellon, Jack Knutson, Morgan Calahan, Julia Parker, Stephanie J. Galla

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

The Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus; hereafter CSTG) formerly occupied shrub-steppe ecosystems across western North America but now inhabit less than five percent of their former range due to habitat loss and other anthropogenic factors. Despite their social and ecological significance, research on CTSG diet has been limited, with the last comprehensive study taking place over 20 years ago. Understanding dietary habits is crucial, as food availability directly impacts population dynamics, local adaptation, and overall fitness of this species. Through the application of plant DNA metabarcoding (i.e., p6 loop of trnL) from non-invasively collected fecal samples, this …

Inverted Gradient Attacks: Testing Priacy Attacks And Data Leakage In Federated Learning, Jonathan Auyong, Shan Peck, Liam Laidlaw, Zavareh Bozorgasl, Hao Chen

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Federated Learning (FL) is an emerging machine learning approach that proposes to train models collaboratively on user’s data in distributed environments. In FL, a central server holds a global model which are sent out to clients. The clients train their models on their private data, and send back gradients or parameter differences for aggregation. FL introduces its own issues with security and privacy, where attackers can poison the model to degrade performance or attempt to steal user’s private data through inference attacks. Past research on gradient inversion, a form of inference attack, shows these sent gradients in FL can be …

How Does Irrigation Affect American Kestrel (Falco Sparvarius) Nest Site Selection And Parasite Infection?, Izzy C. Piedmont, Sarah E. Scott, Mackenzie G. Hutchinson, Stephanie A. Low, Julie A. Heath

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Irrigated agricultural lands can provide important habitat and forage locations for wild birds. The costs and benefits of irrigated agricultural areas compared to wildlands remain unclear. Green vegetation attracts insects and small mammals, creating an abundant food source for predators. In addition, the use of chemicals on crops may reduce vectors of disease. American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are a small species of falcon that make extensive use of both irrigated and non-irrigated landscapes. We examined nest site selection and Haemosporidian parasite loads in a partial migrant population of American Kestrels in irrigated and non-irrigated landscapes. If irrigated lands …

Removal Of Senescent Cells Using Senolytics Attenuates Α-Synuclein-Mediated Parkinson's Disease Pathology, Payton Wardwell, Dinesh Kumar Verma, Yong-Hwan Kim

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Emerging evidence suggests that cellular senescence contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Cellular senescence is a state in which cells cease to proliferate in response to damage and contribute to tissue dysfunction through the release of toxic factors. While dopaminergic neurons are the primary cells lost in PD, senescent glia: astrocytes and microglia, are considered to play a vital role in regulating neuronal health. Using the pre-formed fibril (PFF) of alpha-synuclein to induce PD-like pathology, we examined the impact of senolytic treatment on glial cell senescence. Cellular senescence is assessed by measuring the levels of …

Exploring Satellite-Derived Indices For Assessing Crop Field Performance In The Hangman Creek Watershed, Jade Mokry, Sarah Olson, Mariana Dobre, Erin Brooks, Tyler Opp, Laura Laumatia

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

For generations, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has maintained a deep relationship with Hangman Creek, relying on its natural resources for both physical and spiritual sustenance. As non-Native settlers began occupying Tribal lands, so did widespread Western agricultural development, resulting in losses of culturally significant plants and animals, such as camas and red-band trout. Land-use changes have replaced native Palouse vegetation with crops such as wheat, chickpeas, and lentils, leading to topsoil loss, increased erosion, and declining water quality. Consequently, the Tribe aims to restore areas of cultural importance suitable for removal from agricultural production. Crop yield is highly correlated with …

Transition Metal Phosphides And Pco Used To Sustainably Transfer Phosphorus In Energy And Electricity, Maya Hoffman, Chika Abonyi, Richard Thompson

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Transition metal PCO (P=C+O) complexes have potential uses to produce organophosphorus complexes in a much more efficient and sustainable manner. This project shows the synthesis, identification, and characterization of a Cu(I) PCO complex which is supported by a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (NHC*). This compound has been characterized via NMR (1H, 31P, 13C) and IR spectroscopy. Thermolysis of this compound shows the expulsion of carbon monoxide to generate a reactive Cu-P bond which appears to transfer the P-atom to the carbene ligand as gauged by NMR spectroscopy, as well as mass spectroscopy.

Emergent Bilingual Educators’ Viewpoint Of Biliteracy Spaces: Building Capacity For Language Preservation And Development, Maria A. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the perspectives of emergent bilingual (EB) educators regarding the value of learning two languages simultaneously for EBs at the elementary level in Texas. The problem examined was that EBs were losing their primary language while acquiring English. More EBs were entering bilingual programs with no language dominance or mixed language dominance, and researchers had explored this issue from various perspectives, including teacher language ideologies and assessment practices based on monolingual standards. This inductive qualitative case study aimed to identify what educators perceived as the benefits of bilingual education in primary classrooms where students learned two languages simultaneously. …

Investigating The Origins Of Parkinson's Disease In A Mouse Model, Cora Knueven, Jenna Kidwell, Kaitlyn Carver, Sabrina Wilson, Trevor Walker, Ty Naymik, David Tomlinson, Sydney J.W. Boutros

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Evidence suggests that Parkinson’s disease (PD) starts in the gut and travels to the brain. PD is marked by accumulation of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (aSyn) into aggregates called Lewy bodies. Pesticides have been implicated in PD, further suggesting origins in the gastrointestinal system. Yet, questions remain about how pathology spreads from the gut to the brain, and its appearance. Since the 1960s, the use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) like Roundup®, has risen dramatically. Growing concerns about GBH’s effects on human health stem from research suggesting glyphosate can cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to neurodegeneration. We are assessing the gut-brain hypothesis …

The Expungement Process: Survey Evidence On Applicant Experiences, Mira Edmonds, J.J. Prescott, Sonja Starr, German Marquez Alcala

Articles

Tens of millions of Americans with publicly accessible criminal convictions face significant collateral consequences that affect their employment, housing, and family life, which not only harm these individuals but also limit society’s access to their skills, productivity, and participation. In response, policymakers have enlarged the scope and enhanced the accessibility of criminal-record expungement laws. Little is known, however, about how individuals perceive, navigate, and take advantage of these new, broader laws. This Article presents findings from a large-scale survey of 1,439 expungement applicants and recipients in Detroit, conducted in partnership with Project Clean Slate (PCS), a city initiative assisting residents …

Functional Assays In Drosophila Facilitate Classification Of Variants Of Uncertain Significance Associated With Rare Diseases, Jung-Wan Mok, Shelley B Gibson, Haley A Dostalik, Shinya Yamamoto

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Individuals living with rare diseases often undergo a frustrating and expensive diagnostic odyssey. Clinical geneticists who analyze exome or genome sequencing data from rare disease patients often encounter a list of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in known disease-causing genes or rare variants in genes of uncertain significance (GUS) that are difficult to interpret, even with the integration of the latest bioinformatic tools. In this Perspective, we review how studies using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster have facilitated rare disease diagnosis by uncovering the clinical relevance of GUS and classifying rare variants into specific allelic categories (loss-of-function or gain-of-function, Muller's …

An Originalist Case For Birthright Citizenship Of Unlawful Immigrants' Children: Anti-Gypsy And Anti-Chinese Restrictions As Context, Jed Handelsman Shugerman

Faculty Scholarship

The Trump administration and other opponents of birthright citizenship for the children of “unlawful immigrants” make the following originalist claim about the Fourteenth Amendment: Even if the clause meant birthright citizenship, it applies today only to “lawful immigrants,” because the category of “unlawful immigrant” or “illegal immigrant” did not exist in the 1860s, when the clause was written and ratified. Opponents also argue that the Fourteenth Amendment’s citizenship clause originally implied a “loyalty” or “allegiance” requirement.

These assertions are historically inaccurate.

To the contrary, the concept of “unlawful immigrants” existed in the 1850s-60s, and Americans ratified birthright citizenship without indicating …