Digital Commons Network^™

A Conceptual View Of Data For Decision-Oriented Databases: A Knowledge-Driven Approach, Sung-Kwan Kim, Wenjun Wang, Seunghyun Kim

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Typical database design goes through three levels of data modeling: conceptual modeling, logical modeling, and physical modeling. In particular, conceptual modeling is important since it captures and documents user data requirements. Conceptual modeling serves as a blueprint for designing a database by defining information content to be included in a database. Presently, decision-oriented databases have no well-accepted conceptual modeling approach to apply. While some use conceptual modeling approaches for transaction-oriented databases such as the ER (Entity-Relationship) model, they are not well-suited for decision-oriented databases. It is hard to map from the ER Model to decision-oriented data models. Others attempt to …

Preventive Health Care Information Seeking Behaviors Among Baby Boomers In Taiwan, Alexander N. Chen, Michael J. Rubach, Tracy Suter, Hsin Ke Lu, Mark E. Mcmurtrey

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Preventive health care is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ways to reduce medical costs and enhance people's health. Preventive health care information (PHCI) is a crucial component. This study examines the PHCI-seeking behaviors of Taiwanese baby boomers. The study found some support for the idea that the preferred media used influenced the likelihood of Information seeking behavior. People with good health conditions were found to be more likely to seek PHCI, while people with greater health care needs sought out PHCI less frequently. The study examined social influences, which were found to be important. Three different types …

Pedagogy In The Age Of Ai: Exploring Generative Ai For Higher Education, Alison Munsch Phd

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities for higher education, enabling personalized learning, enhanced student engagement, and efficient pedagogical practices. This tutorial-style article guides educators in integrating generative AI into their classrooms through hands-on activities, practical strategies, and reflective exercises. It explores the capabilities of AI tools such as ChatGPT, their applications across disciplines, and the ethical considerations for their use. By cultivating critical thinking and fostering student readiness for AI-driven futures, this article underscores the transformative potential of generative AI in higher education with an emphasis on the academic areas of business analytics, information systems, and computer science.

Surviving And Thriving In The Hybrid Cloud: A Review Of The Current Cloud Computing Landscape, Peter Munsch, Alison Munsch

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Background and Purpose

Both academic and industry institutions have increasingly migrated essential services to public cloud providers (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, Google) with mixed outcomes. Some industry leaders attempted to fully replace their on-premises data centers with public cloud services, a move not advised without thorough performance and cost analyses (Potel, 2023). Despite some organizations pulling back from the “Cloud First” strategy, the public cloud services market continued to grow, with revenue increasing by approximately 20% year-over-year since 2020 and surpassing half a trillion dollars in 2022 (IDC Worldwide Semiannual Public Cloud Services Tracker, 2H 2022). Cloud technologists suggested that hybrid …

Predicting Global Healthcare Supply Chain Delays: A Machine Learning Approach Leveraging Country-Level Logistics Metrics, Jeevan Sai Gali, Nima Molavi, Sepideh Alavi

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

In global healthcare logistics, ensuring the timely delivery of medical commodities is critical, particularly in low- and middle-income countries characterized by infrastructural limitations and operational uncertainties. This research introduces an advanced, data-driven predictive framework designed to forecast delivery delays by synthesizing granular, internal shipment-level data from the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program (GHSC-PSM) with external country-level logistics capabilities indicators derived from the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI). Rather than relying on retrospective trend analyses, this study employs machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to detect …

Greenhouse Management For The Smaller Structure--Educational And Hobby, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Greenhouses used for teaching or by hobbyist are smaller than those used for commercial production or found in the retail environment. Structural materials, covering, mechanical equipment, and control systems often are packaged as a kit made available through greenhouse suppliers. Supplier construction services may not be available, in which buyers must use local contractors to complete the installation. Greenhouses are unique structures that differ greatly from sheds or other outbuildings. They have coverings that allow maximum light transmittance, protected from UV degradation, and can handle wide inside to outside temperature extremes. This extension circular provides valuable information on the character, …

Addressing Food Security In Cameroon, Stacy A. Adams, Ruth Abunaw Besong

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Cameroon Africa has experience a period of nearly a decade of unrest as militants fight for independence for two Anglophone regions within a predominantly Francophone country. The English-speaking minority have felt aggrieved for continued erosion of rights by the central government. Protests have rapidly spread since 2016, causing closure of schools, businesses, and medical facilities. People have lost homes and been displaced, negatively affecting food production and crop availability. The United States Department of State leads an effort of diplomacy beyond emergency food relief through the Mandela Washington Fellowship that connects American professionals to innovative and impactful young African leaders. …

Terrarium- An Ecosystem In A Jar, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

STEM education is supported through hand's-on activities in the classroom. Content understanding and reaffirmation of knowledge is supported through this informative STEM-Quick card that teachers or extension educators can distribute to participants for reference. Terrariums provide an example of a closed ecosystem where water and carbon cycling is demonstrated and plant growth can be observed. This card presents the steps to building and caring for an easy to create terrarium.

Distribution And Ecology Of The Cedar Keys Mole Skink (Plestiodon Egregius Insularis), Kevin M. Enge, Louis A. Somma, Paul E. Moler, Travis M. Thomas, Matthew T. Fedler, John M. Matter, Dennis C. Haney

Papers in Herpetology

We conducted surveys for the Cedar Keys Mole Skink, Plestiodon egregius insularis (Mount), during 1989– 1999 and 2015–2024, examined museum vouchers, and compiled personal observations from others to determine the status and distribution of this subspecies, which has the smallest geographic distribution of the five subspecies and is being considered for federal listing. We observed Cedar Keys Mole Skinks on Airstrip Island, Atsena Otie, Cedar Point, Deer Island, North Key, Scale Key, Seahorse Key, Snake Key, and possibly Dog Island. We have anecdotal reports of Mole Skinks on Way Key, which contains the most potential habitat and is the main …

Transport Of Nutrients By Overland Flow On Sites Containing Beef Cattle Manure, John E. Gilley, Ryan P. Mcgehee, Kenneth M. Wacha

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

In an inductive metastudy, we investigated the effects of varying rates of overland sheet flow on the transport of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from sites containing beef cattle manure. The analyzed data were collected during previously reported field rainfall simulation investigations conducted on cropland sites and a beef cattle feedlot in the US state of Nebraska. During the experiments, inflow was incrementally added to the top of the experimental plots to simulate runoff rates occurring at greater downslope distances. Runoff rates on the experimental plots ranged from 2.9 to 22.9 Lmin⁻¹, and the maximum equivalent downslope distances …

Crop2cloud Platform: Real-Time Data Integration For Agricultural Water Monitoring, Bryan Nsoh, Abia Katimbo, Kendall Dejonge, Wei-Zhen Liang, Hongzhi N. Guo, Yufeng Ge, Derek M. Heeren, Yeyin Shi, Xin Qiao, Daran R. Rudnick, Hope Njuki Nakabuye, Birru Girma, Isa Kabenge, Joshua Wanyama

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Efficient water management is vital for sustainable agriculture, yet integrating real-time data for precise irrigation remains a challenge. This study designed the Crop2Cloud (C2C) platform, a system that leverages advanced sensors using Internet of Things (IoT), edge and cloud computing techniques, and computed Water Stress Indices (WSIs) and machine learning models (i.e., fuzzy logic), to provide scalable and real-time irrigation decisions. The C2C platform aggregates several data including Volumetric Water Content (VWC) from TDR sensors (Acclima Inc., US) installed at four multiple depths, canopy temperatures (Tc) measured by Infrared Radiometers (IRTs) (Apogee Instruments, US), as well as weather information and …

Behavioral Insights Impacting Preweaning Mortality, Md Towfiqur Rahman, G. A. Rohrer, S. R. Sharma, Y. Shi, S. M. Leonard, Tami M. Brown-Bandl

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Conclusions

This study investigated the average time spent on posture behaviors (lying, kneeling, sitting, standing) of sows by analyzing the effects of time segments, farrowing crate types, parity, heat lamp configurations, and mortality groups. Sow posture behaviors were significantly influenced by mortality, parity, crate type, heat lamps, and day category. High mortality sows spent less time lying and more time standing events. Parity 1, 2, 3 sows were more active, spending more time kneeling in transitions, lying, and sitting events. Sows in TSL crate had longer lateral right lying and standing events, while ESCSL crates sows had longer sitting events. …

Firelog: An Open-Source, Low-Cost System For Temperature Logging During Wildland Fires With High Spatial And Temporal Resolution, Nipuna Chamara, Yufeng Ge, Sabrina E. Russo

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Measuring flame, air, and soil temperatures during wildland fires, including wildfires and controlled burns in land management contexts, is crucial for research and applications in fire ecology, safety, and management in a wide array of ecosystems, from grasslands to forests. However, open-source and commercial systems are needed for measuring and logging flame and air temperatures that are user-friendly, economical, modular, and customizable. This paper details the design, development, and validation of the FireLog system. Laboratory validation experiments demonstrated high measurement accuracy, with a minimum coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.98 and the highest observed root mean square error (RMSE) of …

Last Digit Tendency: Lucky Number And Psychological Rounding In Mobile Transactions, Hai Wang, Tian Lu, Yingjie Zhang, Yue Wu, Yiheng Sun, Jingran Dong, Wen Huang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The distribution of digits in numbers obtained from different sources reveals interesting patterns. The well-known Benford’s law states that the first digits in many real-life numerical data sets have an asymmetric, logarithmic distribution in which small digits are more common; this asymmetry diminishes for subsequent digits, and the last digit tends to be uniformly distributed. In this paper, we investigate the digit distribution of numbers in a large mobile transaction data set with 835 million mobile transactions and payments made by approximately 460,000 users in more than 300 cities. Although the first digits of the numbers in these mobile transactions …

Performance Evaluation Of Newsql Databases In A Distributed Architecture, Zhiyao Zhang, Alan @ Ali Madjelisi Megargel, Lingxiao Jiang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In the last decade, application architectures have evolved drastically, moving from monolithic architectures to distributed architectures where deployment has shifted from dedicated on-premises servers to the cloud. Distributed architectures and cloud computing has enabled businesses to scale their application components across different geographical locations. While it is easy to scale the application layer, scaling its database layer that relies on traditional SQL databases is challenging and often is a common source of bottlenecks when it comes to application performance. This paper evaluates the performance characteristics between two NewSQL databases solutions, MySQL NDB Cluster vs. TIBCO ActiveSpaces IMDG. Serving as an …

Transforming Urban Dynamics: Harnessing Large Language Models For Smarter Mobility, Hao Xue, Ming Jin, Shirui Pan, Flora Salim, Guansong Pang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to analyze mobility data and make mobility systems smarter by leveraging diverse data sources such as geospatial data, transportation logs, and real-time sensor data to optimize traffic flow, enhance public transportation systems, and support the development of autonomous vehicles. With the newly emerged generative AI paradigm, exemplified by large language models (LLMs), there is great potential to transform the current AI applications in mobility, transportation, and urban domains. This article provides an overview of recent efforts and aims to shed light on the challenges and future opportunities to facilitate the adaptation of LLMs for …

Enhancing Gender-Responsiveness In Agriculture, Aquatic, And Natural Resources (Aanr) Through Gender-Analysis Framework And Monitoring And Evaluation (Game) Tools, Blesshe L. Querijero, Lei A. Pangilinan-Jamolin, Anne Margarette M. Balog, Jane M. Bahil

Journal Article

Gender issues are still observed in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) Sector. There have been several programs and initiatives that aimed to address challenges related to gender, however, traditional gender norms greatly influence Filipinos. To continuously address these issues, the DOST- PCAARRD funded a two-year project entitled Gender analysis framework and monitoring and evaluation tools in gender-responsive AANR development projects (GAME tools in AANR), with UPLB as the implementing agency. It started in June 2022 and ended in May 2024. The project aimed to promote gender- responsiveness in the AANR sectors by creating a guidebook for the AANR …

Still Making It Up As He Goes: Revisiting The Hyper-Rhetorical Presidency In Trump’S Second Term, Richard Holtzman

Politics, Law, and Society Faculty Journal Articles

In Fast Capitalism’s 2020 issue, “This is Not Normal,” I explored Trump’s propensity for improvised rhetoric during his first term; that is, his reliance on “making it up as he goes” in his public statements, whether communicated verbally or through social media. The primary goal of my original essay was not simply to identify the president’s ad-hoc communication style—which is clear for all to see—but to argue that the president’s tendency toward improvisational speech matters because it represents more than just his approach to communication. This tendency toward improvisation also constitutes much of his approach to governing.

In “Making It …

In This Issuesystematic Revieworiginal Articlescase Report

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Medical Publications Pros And Cons

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Personalized Medicine In Saudi Arabia: Opportunities And Challenges, Wedad A. Mawkili

Saudi Medical Journal

Personalized medicine is a healthcare approach that designs treatment plans of each patient, considering genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This model leverages genomic information, advanced diagnostics, and data analytics to predict disease risk, optimize prevention strategies, and provide customized treatments. In Saudi Arabia, personalized medicine is gaining momentum, driven by the country’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to transform the healthcare sector by integrating advanced medical technologies and improving healthcare delivery. The Kingdom has made significant strides in genomics and bioinformatics, with initiatives such as the Saudi Human Genome Program and advancements in institutions i.e., King Faisal Specialist Hospital and …

Comparing The Long-Term Effect Of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy And Therapeutic Ultrasound In Treating Trigger Finger: A Prospective Cohort Study, Reem M. Alfaifi, Alaa A. Juraybi, Abdulrahman M. Alrashed, Abdullah M. Alghidani, Hana M. Alfaifi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the long-term effects of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound (US) in treating the trigger finger. Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common type of tenosynovitis affecting the flexor sheath of any finger. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy and therapeutic US are conservative treatments that use waves of varied frequency to target damaged regions and improve function. Methods: This cohort study was carried out in Saudi Arabia, using samples obtain from the files of patients with trigger fingers who visited the orthopedic department at Al-Rass General Hospital between May and June 2023. Of the 38 people …

Hepatobiliary Manifestations Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis, Murad M. Aljiffry, Bayan M. Dahal, Razana S. Baeisa, Amal A. Alzahrani, Taif A. Alshahrany, Sumiah B. Hijji, Majid A. Alsahafi, Abdulaziz M. Saleem, Waleed S. Alghamdi, Mahmoud H. Mosli

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the features and frequency of hepatobiliary diseases in individuals with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: This retrospective study included all IBD patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The primary focus was on the prevalence of hepatobiliary diseases, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and others. The secondary focus was identifying predictors of these hepatobiliary manifestations in IBD patients. Associations were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Among a total of 885 patients with IBD patients, 4.3% presented with hepatobiliary manifestations. Of these …

Oncological Surgical Outcomes For Colorectal Cancer Surgery With Loco-Regional Anesthesia: A Feasibility Study, Hüseyin Fahri Martlı, Eda Şahingöz, Emre Şimşek, Ayça Tuba Özcan, Efnan Aşık, Sadettin Er, Erdinç Çetinkaya

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the pathological outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who were unsuitable for general anesthesia and underwent regional anesthesia in terms of their suitability for oncological surgery. Methods: A total of 53 patients who underwent mesocolicormesorectal surgery under regional anesthesia at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between May 2019 and May 2023 were retrospectively examined. The negative margins of the proximal, distal, and circumferential margins of specimens, as well as the number of lymph nodes removed, were analyzed. Results: All the patients had clear proximal, distal, and circumferential surgical margins. The median number of lymph nodes removed …

Assessing Outcomes Of Acute Myocarditis In Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Tertiary Center Experience, Mohammed S. Assiri, Abdullah N. Altasan, Yousef I. Alghamdi, Abdullah S. Alshalawi, Faisal N. Alqahtani, Abdulmajeed A. Aljabr, Osamah A. Alnahdi, Abdullah I. Alhamzani, Saud N. Alghamdi, Raed J. Alzahrani, Bandar M. Alshahrani, Mohammed A. Alzahrani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the clinical course and long-term outcomes of complicated and uncomplicated AM in Saudi Arabia. Acute myocarditis (AM) can have different presentations and outcomes based on different factors, one of which is left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: Data from 382 patients with suspected AM, admitted between January 2016 and October 2023, were reviewed. Clinical course, in-hospital complications, and all-cause mortality were evaluated in both the acute and follow-up phases. Outcomes were compared between 2 groups: LVEF <50% (n=43); and normal LVEF (≥50% [n=41]) at presentation. Results: Data from 84 patients (mean [±SD] age, 33.5±10.2 years; 26.2% female) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The most common symptom was chest pain (83.3%) and 11 (13.1%) patients had fulminant presentation. ST-T changes were found on electrocardiography in 45.2% of patients. The mean LVEF was 46±12.4% at presentation. Patients in the LVEF <50% group were significantly more likely to experience a first-time cardiac-related adverse event (CRAE) (hazard ratio 2.6 [95% confidence interval 1.1–6.2]; p =0.031) with a mean time of 38.8±3.8. The all-cause in-hospital and follow-up mortality rates in the LVEF <50% group were 4.7% (one-half cardiac-related) ( p =0.494) and 4.7% (all cardiac-related) ( p =0.494), respectively. Conclusion: Of 84 patients diagnosed with AM, those with LVEF <50% were more likely to experience first-time CRAEs and exhibited low short- and long-term mortality rates.

Predictors Of Hypoglycemia Among Children Admitted In The Emergency Pediatric Unit Of The University Of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria, Ruqayyatu A. Imam, Hassan A. Elechi, Hauwa Y. Musa, Adamu I. Rabasa, Habiba B. Bakari

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of hypoglycemia among children admitted to the Emergency Pediatric Unit (EPU) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and September 2020. Blood glucose, along with other relevant laboratory investigations, was measured for each patient upon admission to the EPU using a point-of-care test glucometer (ACCU-CHEK with strips). Results: Of the 340 children recruited for the study, 54 patients had hypoglycemia (<2.2 mmol/L), giving a prevalence rate of 15.9%. Thirty-six (66.7%) of the children with hypoglycemia were under the age of 5 years (odds ratio [OR]: 6.218 [1.077–35.912], p =0.041) and 26 (48.1%) were severely underweight (OR: 3.692 [1.266–10.971], p =0.017). Factors such as not having eaten for at least 16 h, weakness, and coma at presentation all independently predicted hypoglycemia (OR: 5.696 [1.768–18.352], 6.556 [1.730–24.850], 9.479 [3.092–29.059], p =0.004, 0.006 and <0.001) respectively. Severe malaria was also independently related to hypoglycemia (OR: 2.720 [0.554–13.365], p =0.021). Conclusion: Hypoglycemia is a common occurrence among children admitted to the EPU. Factors such as being under five years old, in a coma, weakness, severe malaria, and prolonged fasting were all identified as independent predictors of hypoglycemia. Therefore, routine blood glucose monitoring of children admitted to the EPU, specifically those at higher risk, is recommended.

The Relationship Between Mothers With Careers In Higher Education And Child Development In Indonesia, Zakiyah Yasin, Ahmad Nawawi, Shrimarti R. Devy, Siti R. Nadhiroh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To identify the association of mothers with a career in higher educati--on and their children’s growth and development. Methods: This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional design carried out at Wiraraja University, Sumenep, Indonesia, from March to August 2023. The samples were female lecturers at Wiraraja University. A total of 107 mothers were selected using total sampling. The mother’s career was identified using a questionnaire and their child’s growth and development were measured using child development pre-screening questionnaire. This study used Spearman’s test data analysis. Results: The correlation coefficient was 0.512 indicating a moderately strong relationship between working …

Body Shape Concerns, Sexual Satisfaction, And Associated Factors Among Patients With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study In Western Saudi Arabia, Aseel A. Alsaidan, Ashokkumar Thirunavukkarasu, Hani H. Alsulami

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine body shape concerns (BSCs), sexual satisfaction, and associated factors in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Using a structured and validated questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was carried out at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between August 2023 and June 2024. We included adult patients with PCOS who had completed at least one follow-up visit. We used multivariate analysis to determine the factors associated with BSC and sexual function. Spearman’s correlation analysis was executed to assess the correlation concerning these 2 aspects. Results: Of the 432 patients studied, nearly half …

A Rare Case Of A Horseshoe Kidney With A Single Left-Sided Ureter Presented With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection, Abdullah Ayed, Raed I. Alwadai, Assad A. Rezigalla

Saudi Medical Journal

The horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a common renal abnormality mostly asymptomatic. This may be linked to chromosomal and organ anomalies. A 27-year-old male patient presented with mild recurrent lower abdominal pain associated with dysuria. No history of renal disease. Laboratory investigations revealed red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and bacterial growth in the urine. A CT urogram showed an HSK with a unilateral left-sided ureter. The patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and managed with regular follow-up. This report describes a rare case of an HSK with a unilateral left-sided, typically implanted ureter and highlights …

Comment On: Post Surgical Hypoparathyroidism

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.