Digital Commons Network^™

Deep Learning And Machine Learning Based Prediction Of Significant Wave Height Along The Grand Coast Of Dakar, Senegal, Dialo Diop, Xu Dongsheng, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recently, deep learning (DL) has become an essential tool for processing large datasets and is playing a crucial role in scientific research. It significantly contributes to protecting the marine environment and forecasting oceanic phenomena. This study applies an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) time series model to forecast significant wave heights (SWHs) at two beaches in Dakar, Senegal: Malika and Yoff. Additionally, the long short-term memory network (LSTM) is used for comparative analysis. Both models estimate SWH for future predictions ranging from 12 hours to 60 days. The study utilized ERA5 reanalysis data, comprising 52584 elements of SWH and …

Adapt-3d: Accelerated Deep Adaptable Processing Of Tissue For 3-Dimensional Fluorescence Tissue Imaging For Research And Clinical Settings, Daniel D Lee, Kevin A Telfer, Deanna L Davis, Leon C D Smyth, Rahul Ravindran, Rafael S Czepielewski, Christopher G Huckstep, Siling Du, Kento Kurashima, Ajay K Jain, Jonathan Kipnis, Bernd H Zinselmeyer, Gwendalyn J Randolph

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Light sheet microscopy and preparative clearing methods that improve light penetration in 3D tissues have revolutionized imaging in biomedical research. Here we present ADAPT-3D, a streamlined 3-step approach to turn tissues optically transparent while preserving tissue architecture with the versatility to handle diverse tissue sizes and types across species. Unlike extensive lipid removal utilized by existing protocols, ADAPT-3D only partially removes lipids to preserve cell membranes, yet the non-toxic aqueous refractive indexing solution still rapidly turns tissues transparent while preserving the fluorescence of endogenous and antibody conjugated fluorophores. ADAPT-3D prepares whole mouse brains for light sheet microscopy in a 4-hour …

Whf Roadmap On Single Pill Combination Therapies, Enrico G Ferro, Mark Huffman, Orly Vardeny, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of mortality, with treatment adherence posing a major barrier to effective prevention and control. Single pill combinations (SPCs), also known as fixed-dose combinations, simplify treatment by combining multiple agents into one pill, improving adherence and reducing cardiovascular risk. This World Heart Federation Roadmap synthesizes the latest clinical evidence and identifies key barriers to SPC implementation, including limited manufacturing, affordability, regulatory complexity, and inconsistent guideline inclusion. Drawing on global expert input and health systems analysis, the Roadmap outlines practical, context-specific solutions to improve access, scale-up, and integration of SPCs into national strategies, especially …

The Caribbean American Dementia And Aging Study: Protocol For A Population-Based Study Of Older Adult Health And Dementia In Cuba, The Dominican Republic, And Puerto Rico, Mao-Mei Liu, Jorge Llibre-Guerra, Chris Soria, Jing Li, Tania Zayas Llerena, Guillermina Rodriguez, Daisy Acosta, Ivonne Jiménez Velázquez, Juan J Llibre-Rodriguez, William H Dow

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The Hispanic Caribbean region is rapidly aging but national population-based aging surveys are rare. The Caribbean American Dementia and Aging Study (CADAS) is a multi-purpose household study of aging with a particular focus on the life course determinants and consequences of health and dementia in three countries with many similarities but divergent recent histories: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba. METHODS: CADAS will survey population-based samples of adults ages 65 and over. In Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic these will be nationally representative samples of 1,500 adults each; the Cuban survey will include 1,500 adults from purposively selected urban …

Examining Home Confinement Of Offenders In The Mississippi Delta, Malcolm Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism was identified as a persistent problem in the criminal justice system. Accordingly, prison overcrowding was also an identified problem in the prison system. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of home confinement for offenders in the Mississippi Delta. This research used rehabilitation theory to conduct a qualitative analysis of home confinement in the Mississippi Delta, as well as identify any unique challenges to the program presented by rural conditions. A purposive sampling technique was used to solicit participation, and a total of 12 participants were included in the study. The participants were interviewed using a …

Effective Strategies For Succession In Family-Owned Businesses, Laumatafiafia Rosetter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many family-owned businesses face significant difficulties when they hand leadership responsibilities from established leaders to the next generation. Without deliberate succession plans that follow a clear framework, family-owned business leaders experience uncertainty, threatening family wealth. The intergenerational sustainability of family-owned enterprises is crucial for the health of local economies, community development, and organizational resilience. Grounded in the sustainable family business theory, this project explored succession strategies employed by leaders of family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hawaii to ensure the continuity of their businesses for future generations. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and document analyses involving six leaders …

Staff Education To Reduce Alarm Fatigue And Enhance Patient Safety Through Nurse Education On Telemetry Optimization, Casey Alan Metcalf

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This project was an evidence-based staff education initiative to reduce alarm fatigue and enhance patient safety through telemetry optimization in an acute care setting. The core issue involved the overuse of continuous cardiac monitoring, which contributed to nonactionable alarms, alarm fatigue, workflow inefficiencies, delayed throughput, and increased costs. The project was a structured intervention delivered to 171 telemetry nurses across three inpatient units. Pretests and posttests measured changes in knowledge, intent, and practice. Results showed a 22.9% increase in knowledge, a 92% agreement regarding intention to follow discontinuation protocols, and a 10% overall reduction in practice of telemetry use …

Staff Education On The Abbreviated Teachers’ Rating Scale (Atrs) Tool As A Screening Tool For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd)., Tena E. Currie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project is a staff education program to enhance the treatment and diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at a mental healthcare facility. The identified practice problem was the lack of knowledge about the Abbreviated Teacher Rating Scale (ATRS) used in ADHD testing, which may result in inaccuracies and underutilization of the tool. To bridge this gap is essential in nursing practice as clinicians should be competent in performing standard assessment, which is indispensable for patient with ADHD. Staff education with the ATRS was the practice-directed question for the project: Does staff education with the ATRS increase knowledge for …

Mandatory Minimum State Compensation Statutes For Exonerees Of Wrongful Incarceration, Ellen Rochelle Mabry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Receiving fair and equitable compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration post-release continues to be problematic, inconsistent, and inadequate. This qualitative study addresses the gap in knowledge by exploring the unsatisfactory and varying compensation statutes across states that adversely affect and compound the experiences of exonerees through systemic injustices. The conceptual frameworks for this study are Weible & Sabatier’s guide to the advocacy coalition framework and Jenkins-Smith, et.al, using cultural theory to specify belief systems, coalitions, and sources of change. Research questions focus on how exonerees describe their experiences with unfair and unequal state compensation laws for victims of wrongful imprisonment, …

A Lesson In Balance: The Duality Of Stat4 In Atherosclerosis And Survival, Alina Moriarty, W. Coles Keeter, Shuchi Vachhani, Natalie Stahr, Cassandra Hyde, Kelly Wai, Shelby Ma, Larry Sanford, Elena Galkina

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Investigating Extracellualr Vesicles Role In The Pathogenesis Of Acute Lung Injury, Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Pavel Solopov, Tierney Day, Anca Dobrian, John D. Catravas

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid-bound particles containing proteins and RNAs, whose role in intercellular communication and signaling is critical for homeostasis or inflammatory responses. Patients with acute lung injury display changes in EVs number, cargo content and signature compared to healthy individuals.

Hypothesis: We have hypothesized that EVs may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute lung, by transferring harmful mediators of inflammation and disrupting recipient cells homeostasis.

Methods: C57BL/6j mice (8-10 weeks old, 25g BW) were intratracheally instilled with 50µL of 5*1010- 11 EVs isolated from Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial cells (HLMVEC) exposed to 1 µg …

The Role Of Iga In Atherosclerosis, Basudha Habisyasi, Alina Moriarty, Shelby Ma, Kathleen Coleman, Sejal Sinha, Jonee Lilliard, Kelly Wai, J. Baodan Collins, Elena Galkina

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Characteristics And Outcomes Of Axillary And Subclavian Artery Injuries, Benjamin Samberg, Nicholas Bandy, Michael Martyak

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Subclavian and axillary artery injuries are rare but life-threatening. Optimal management strategies remain debated. This study compares injury characteristics and outcomes.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 181 PROOVIT Database patients categorized by injury location, mechanism, and treatment (open, endovascular, nonoperative). Collected data includes ISS, PRBC, mortality, hospital and ICU LOS, and hard signs.

RESULTS: Subclavian injuries had higher ISS (μ=25, 19; p=0.004) and mortality (18%, 3.4%; p=0.004), but fewer hard signs (41%, 63%; p=0.004) than axillary. Axillary injuries were more frequently treated with open repair (51%, 32%; p=0.016), while subclavian injuries were more often managed nonoperatively (45%, 29%; …

B Cell Subset Specific Regulation Via Desmosterol In An Atherosclerotic Environment, Shelby Ma, Alina Morty, Kathleen Coleman, Basudha Habisyasi, Elena Galkina

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Real-World Interventional Outcomes For Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction, Zachary Bouker, John E. Brush Jr., Ann M. Harper, Luke C. Kohan, Kaivalya Dandamudi, Deepak R. Talreja

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Concurrent Valve-In-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement And Complex Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention In A Patient With Prior Redo-Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement, Raymond Lee Hogge, Aryn Alanizi, Katie Mclaughlan, Matthew R. Summers

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Palliative Inotropic Support In A Patient With End-Stage Systolic Heart Failure, Christiana King, Justin Hayes

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

New Onset Heart Failure Of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (Sglt2) Inhibitors In Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) And Dialysis, Daiwik Munjwani, Amin Yehya

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

Introduction: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated cardioprotective and renoprotective benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the effects of these agents in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or on dialysis remain underexplored, as previous clinical trials often excluded this population. With the recent removal of ESRD as a contraindication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, understanding the cardiovascular risks of SGLT2 inhibitors in this group is imperative. This study aimed to assess the incidence of new onset heart failure (HF), including HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and …

"Lost To Follow Up:" A Case Of An Adult Congenital Heart Defect Patient Who Faced Morbidity In Adulthood After Lacking Transitional Care Following Medical Intervention In Childhood, Mackenzie Kelley, Ashish Saini

Cardiovascular Research Symposium

CASE PRESENTATION: This patient is a 40 y.o. male with a BMI of 46.2 kg/m2 who presented to the ED with fluid overload, shortness of breath, and orthopnea. The patient was tachycardic and physical exam revealed anasarca and ascites. The patient reported chronic lower extremity and scrotal edema so severe that he had been unable to walk and was mainly homebound for the past two years. The patient’s past medical history was significant for hypertension, alcohol use disorder with history of withdrawal, and a cardiac murmur which the patient attributed to a “hole in the heart” for which he had …

A Dual-Model Machine Learning Framework For Predictive Maintenance Of Industrial Digital Press Components, Richmond Darko, Emmanuel Adabor

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This study presents a novel dual-model predictive maintenance framework designed to improve maintenance scheduling for components in industrial digital presses. The framework integrates two complementary approaches: a Threshold-Based Maintenance Approach (TBMA) for components operating within acceptable usage limits, and an Overdue Severity-Based Maintenance Approach (OSBMA) for those that have exceeded their expected lifespans or show signs of critical degradation. This study uses real-world operational data from a Konica Minolta C6000 press. It applies advanced machine learning models, including Gradient Boosting Machines and Random Forest for classification, and Generalized Additive Models (GAM) for Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction. The goal is …

The Integration Of Agile Methodologies In Devops Practices Within The Information Technology Industry, Ashley Hourigan, Ridewaan Hanslo

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The demand for rapid software delivery in the Information Technology (IT) industry has significantly intensified, emphasising the need for faster software products and service releases with enhanced features to meet customer expectations. Agile methodologies are replacing traditional approaches such as Waterfall, where flexibility, iterative development and adaptation to change are favoured over rigid planning and execution. DevOps, a subsequent evolution from Agile, emphasises collaborative efforts in development and operations teams, focusing on continuous integration and deployment to deliver resilient and high-quality software products and services. This study aims to critically assess both Agile and DevOps practices in the IT industry …

Toward Secure And Inclusive Educational Metaverse: Insights For African Countries, Nkosikhona T. Msweli

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The rapid growth of immersive learning platforms has introduced critical identity security challenges. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of over 200 publications (2005–2025) on AI and security issues in virtual educational environments, using Scopus as the primary source. Findings reveal a surge in research after 2022, with China, the U.S., and India as leading contributors, while African representation remains limited. Key concerns include cross-platform vulnerabilities, deepfake threats, and challenges in implementing blockchain-based identity verification. The study also highlights algorithmic bias and ethical issues in identity authentication, emphasizing the need for inclusive, transparent AI systems. The paper provides insights to …

Conceptualizing Sociotechnical Changes In Higher Education Institution Fundraising Practices Resulting From Popia Compliance, Tendani Mulanga Chimboza, Ronica Ramsout, Wallace Chigona

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This qualitative inquiry investigates the sociotechnical changes in fundraising practices of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) resulting from compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) Act No 4 of 2013 in South Africa. POPIA imposes strict regulations for collection, processing, sharing and storage of personally identifiable information (PII). As the South African government continues to reduce subsidies in HEIs, a third-income stream has become important to support operational activities. A major source of a third-income stream for HEIs is fundraising. Fundraising practices are largely mediated through donor management systems (DMS) or Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM) that rely on …

Biddle Physical Ability Test (Bpat) Performance By Attempt In Southern California Structural Firefighter Candidates, Robert G. Lockie, Joseph Dulla, Jennifer Meloni, Kristina A. Ross, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, J. Jay Dawes, Tomas J. Ruvalcaba

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(8): 895-909, 2025. The Biddle Physical Ability Test (BPAT) is a job task simulation that must be completed in ≤9:34 min:s by structural firefighter candidates to be accepted to a fire training academy. This study investigated the influence of prior attempts on BPAT time. Retrospective analysis was conducted on 1435 male and 72 female candidates. All participants received equivalent instruction on how to complete the BPAT which incorporated: dry hose drag; charged hose drag; halyard raise; roof walk; attic crawl; roof ventilation; victim removal; ladder removal and carry; stair climb with hose bundle; crawling search; …

Equity In Every Beat: Advancing Women’S Heart Health Through Early Identification, Education, And Partnerships, Cristy Ellen Jomoc, Patricia Etheridge

Global Advocacy

Equity in Every Beat: Advancing Women’s Heart Health through Early Identification, Education, and Partnerships is a global advocacy initiative addressing disparities in cardiovascular care among women.

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women worldwide, yet it is frequently underrecognized and undertreated due to implicit bias, misdiagnosis, and barriers to care. With one in three women globally succumbing to heart disease, there is an urgent need for improved early detection and intervention. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), focusing on empowering …

Gratifications That Contribute To Compulsive Youtube Use Among University Students, Mkhululi Tshepo Ncube, Zweithini Mabhena, Wallace Chigona

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This study investigated the gratifications contributing to compulsive YouTube use among university students. Compulsive YouTube use, marked by an inability to regulate consumption despite negative impacts to the user, is analysed through the Uses and Gratifications Theory (U&G) and Compulsive Internet Use (CIU). Specifically, the study examined how different gratifications—such as emotional support, habitual viewing, and escapism—drive compulsive use patterns. A cross-sectional survey strategy was employed, collecting data from 175 university students through structured online questionnaires. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between the identified gratifications and compulsive usage behaviour. The findings …

Machine Learning Driven Email Phishing Detection, Selasi Tsatsu Ayekple, Ransford Fiifi Bekoe, Ebenezer Addy, Felicia Engmann

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Phishing attacks pose significant risks to cybersecurity, exploiting user trust through deceptive email content. This paper presents a machine learning based framework for detecting phishing emails using a 2024 dataset comprising over 80,000 labeled samples sourced from PhishTank and Kaggle. Features were engineered from URLs, email content, and metadata. Five models— Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest, XGBoost, and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN)—were evaluated. Simulated results demonstrate that ensemble models, particularly Random Forest and XGBoost, delivered optimal results, with near-perfect accuracy and recall. The study highlights the efficacy of combining feature-based engineering with ensemble learning to enhance real-time phishing …

How Can We Reduce Mental Health Disparities In Rural Areas?, Brenda Kinyumu

Global Advocacy

On a regular day, rural areas face a shortage of healthcare providers (Physicians) and have limited access to healthcare for their physical illness. Adding mental health to the equation complicates the situation. Different communities have distinct needs, thus requiring solutions tailored for each community. It is crucial to assess the specific needs of each community and customize interventions accordingly. 1/5 of the rural population, which is roughly 6.5 million people, suffer from mental health illness (Morales et al., 2020). According to the Mental Health America website, the Rural suicide rate is 18.3 &20.5 per 100,0000 compared to the urban rate …

Closing The Gap: A Global Advocacy Campaign To Promote Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis In Pregnancy, Marin Strong

Global Advocacy

Background: The risk of HIV acquisition is doubled during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant periods, and over one-third of vertical transmission of HIV (from mother to baby) is attributable to acute maternal HIV acquisition. Since 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a safe, effective prevention tool for pregnant and postpartum women at high risk for HIV acquisition. However, per the 2018-2019 Global Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Policy Survey, only 43% of WHO member states have policies in place aligned with supporting HIV PrEP in pregnancy. It is a critical time …

Activity Hierarchy: A Sequential Process Model For Information Systems Research, Irja Shaanika, Tiko Iyamu

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Due to the lack of guidelines on how to apply the activity hierarchy (AH) of activity theory (AT), many postgraduates including emerging researchers, continue to struggle in their attempts to apply the theory as a lens. Also, the difficulty limits options in selecting theories in information systems (IS) research. Thus, the study’s objective was to propose a set of guidelines for applying AH in IS research. From a qualitative methods perspective, thirty-one articles were gathered. The interpretive approach was applied using the hermeneutic cycle to examine the articles. Based on the analysis, a model was developed. The model provides a …