Digital Commons Network^™

Artificial Intelligence (Ai)-Driven Technologies For Managing Pediatric Speech And Language Therapy: A Scoping Review, Milad Dadgar, Cathy Ennis, Kesego Mokgosi, Robert Ross

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Objective: Despite the high demand for speech and language therapy (SLT) for children with speech sound disorders (SSDs), accessible services remain limited. Technology-driven efforts have led to the development of systems and applications to assist children, parents, and therapists in the SLT process. AI and machine learning (ML), particularly through automatic speech recognition and audio processing techniques, play a central role in these advancements. This scoping review examines studies focusing on these techniques for managing the SLT process. Methods: To include the most relevant studies, a systematic search was conducted on 3 February 2025 across five major databases (PubMed, Scopus, …

Large Relative Delay Estimates For Speech Demixing In Assisted Living Environments: A Survey, Swarnadeep Bagchi, Ruairí De Fréin

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Precise relative delay estimation is important for speech demixing in Assisted Living (AL) scenarios, where large inter-microphone spacing can introduce phase-wraparound ambiguity. This survey comprehensively examines state-of-the-art methods for relative delay estimation and TF masking, focusing on methods that leverage relative delays to compute accurate speech demixing masks. These methods demonstrate that TF masks can be robustly developed using estimates of spatial, spectral, and auditory features. This paper provides a critical analysis of relative delay estimation and speech demixing techniques in AL environments. By examining existing methods, we aim to contribute to the development of effective and robust solutions for …

Investigating Nutrition And Supportive Care Needs In Esophageal And Gastric Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Fatemeh Sadeghi, Juliette Hussey, Suzanne L. Doyle

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Background/Objectives: Advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment improved survivorship rates, but survivors’ long-term quality of life remains a critical concern. Survivors of esophageal and gastric cancer often undergo extensive curative surgery, which can have lasting impacts on nutritional status. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, dietary challenges, and supportive care needs of this population of cancer survivors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adults diagnosed with esophageal or gastric cancer were invited to complete an anonymous survey to assess their nutritional status, quality of life, and psychological well-being. Results: A total of 114 responses were analyzed. Although over 70% …

Let’S Go Bananas: Beyond Bounding Box Representations For Fisheye Camera-Based Object Detection In Autonomous Driving †, Senthil Yogamani, Ganesh Sistu, Patrick Denny, Jane Courtney, Senthil Yogamani

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Object detection is a mature problem in autonomous driving, with pedestrian detection being one of the first commercially deployed algorithms. It has been extensively studied in the literature. However, object detection is relatively less explored for fisheye cameras used for surround-view near-field sensing. The standard bounding-box representation fails in fisheye cameras due to heavy radial distortion, particularly in the periphery. In this paper, a generic object detection framework is implemented using the base YOLO (You Only Look Once) detector to systematically explore various object representations using the public WoodScape dataset. First, we implement basic representations, namely the standard bounding box, …

Combating Enteroaggregative Escherichia Coli: Dual Antibacterial And Antibiofilm Effects Of Silver- And Copper-1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-Dione Complexes, Caroline Gastaldi Guerrieri, Mariane Vedovatti Monfardini Sagrillo, Solange Alves Vinhas, Michael Devereux, Malachy Mccann, Thaís Pereira De Mello, Liliana Cruz Spano, André Luis Souza Dos Santos

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) causes acute and persistent diarrhea. Its antimicrobial resistance and strong biofilm formation hinder treatment, highlighting the need for new therapies. This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and its copper [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O (Cu-phendione) and silver [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4 (Ag-phendione) complexes against planktonic and biofilm-forming EAEC cells. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined for planktonic cells of 35 clinical EAEC isolates, revealing potent antibacterial activity by all test compounds, with Cu-phendione showing the greatest efficacy, followed by Ag-phendione and phendione. Most combinations of Cu-phendione or Ag-phendione with either ampicillin or tetracycline …

Long-Term Degradation Of U-Values: A Dataset Of Experimental Evidence And Energy Performance Consequences, H. Alkhatib, Omar K. Omar, B. Norton

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

No abstract provided.

Iodine Intake And Status Of School-Age Girls In Ireland, Emma Kane, Maria Buffini, Aoibhín Moore Heslin, Anne P. Nugent, Laura Kehoe, Janette Walton, John Kearney, Albert Flynn, Breige Mcnulty

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Purpose: Insufficient iodine intake can lead to a variety of preventable health and developmental outcomes. Consequently, continuous monitoring of a population’s iodine adequacy is important. The aim of this study was to examine iodine intake and status in a nationally representative sample of school-age girls living in Ireland. Methods: Analyses were based on 516 schoolgirls aged 5–18 years from the cross-sectional National Children’s Food Survey II (2017–2018) and the National Teens’ Food Survey II (2019–2020). Dietary data were collected using a four-day weighed food diary. Adequacy of iodine intake and the contribution of food categories to overall dietary iodine intake …

Development Of Optimized Bioactive Nanocomposite Films Using A Central Composite Design For Control Of Microbial Contamination In Stored Rice, Tofa Begum, Peter A. Follett, Muhammed R. Sharaby, Shiv Shankar, Stephane Salmieri, Monique Lacroix

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA)-based nanocomposite films were developed as active packaging materials for stored rice. The composition and synergistic effect of the active formulations (AF-1 and AF-2), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and glycerol (Gly) as independent variables were tested to reach the optimal antimicrobial nanocomposite films using response surface methodology (RSM) employing a central composite design (CCD). The inhibitory capacity (IC, %) of the developed films as a dependent variable against two bacterial and three fungal strains was measured using the agar volatilization assay. The ANOVA results showed a perfect fit of the regression models for the response, …

Clbbm And Clplt2 Function Redundantly During Both Male And Female Gametophytes Development In Watermelon, Qiyan Liu, Dongfen Han, Jinfan Chen, Jie Wang, Denghu Cheng, Xiner Chen, Jiao Jiang, Shujjuan Tian, Jiafa Wang, Man Liu, Haizheng Xiong, Li Yuan

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

As a prerequisite for sexual reproduction, gametophyte development is an interesting process involving cell proliferation, differentiation and specialization. Gametogenesis has been extensively explored in model plants, but the regulatory mechanism of gametophyte development largely remains unknown in Cucurbitaceae species. In present study, we have shown that watermelon ClBBM and ClPLT2, two AP2/ERF transcription factors, participated in both male and female gametophyte development. Clbbm and Clplt2 single mutants resembled wild-type phenotypes in both vegetative and reproductive development. But Clbbm/Clplt2 double mutant showed partial pollen abortion and bore less seeds comparing to WT. Our results indicated that the abnormal pollen grains were …

Optimizing Ethephon Application Timing For ‘Meyer’ Zoysiagrass Seedhead Suppression, Brandon C. Mcnally

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) is a desirable, low-input turfgrass species used on golf courses. However, prolific zoysiagrass seedhead production in the spring can increase golf course maintenance costs and reduce aesthetics. Previous research demonstrates that a single autumn ethephon application can suppress zoysiagrass seedhead production the following spring, but the optimum application timing is not well-defined. The objective of this research was to determine the optimum window for an effective ethephon application for ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Small-plot field research was conducted in Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Seedheads were suppressed up to 99% depending on application timing. In …

Identification Of Salt Tolerance And Stress Response In Us Department Of Agriculture Tomato Germplasm At The Seedling Stage, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Kenani Chiwina, Hanan Alkabkabi, Qun Luo, Neelendra K. Joshi, Xiaolun Sun, Xuan Zhuang, Kai-Shi Ling, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soil salinity is a significant abiotic factor that impedes sustainable crop production in key agricultural regions worldwide. Saline cultivation adversely affects soil quality, whereas the use of saline water for irrigation disrupts the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. Continuous irrigation with high salt concentrations leads to a gradual buildup of soil salinity, thus hindering optimal plant growth and development. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on breeding salinity-tolerant cultivars of various crops. In this study, 71 tomato accessions sourced from 20 countries and provided by the US Department of Agriculture were evaluated under controlled greenhouse conditions and subjected to …

Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) From The Usda-Grin Germplasm Collection, Ibtisam Alatawi, Haizheng Xiong, Hanan Mohammedsaeed Alkabkabi, Kenani Chiwina, Qun Luo, Kai-Shu Ling, Yuejun Qu, Renjie Du, Ainong Shi

Horticulture Faculty Publications and Presentations

The genetic diversity and population structure of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were investigated to support breeding strategies and germplasm conservation. A total of 276 accessions from the USDA-GRIN collection were analyzed using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing (GBS). After stringent filtering, 5162 high-quality polymorphic SNPs were retained for analysis. Population structure analysis revealed three distinct genetic groups (Q1, Q2, and Q3) among the accessions. Accessions from the USA, Asia, and Central and South America were assigned to all three groups, while accessions from Europe and Oceania were predominantly clustered within Q2. Genetic diversity indices, including major allele frequency, …

Co-Morbid Indomethacin-Responsive Headaches In A Woman In Her Late 60s With Paroxysmal Hemicrania And Hypnic Headache: A Case Report, Ashlyn Brown, Randolph W Evans, Claudia Carrizo, Mark Burish

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Paroxysmal hemicrania (PH) and hypnic headache (HH) are rare indomethacin-responsive headache syndromes. This case report details the new onset of both disorders in a woman in her late 60s. One headache type presented as severe pain centered on the right eyebrow, lasting 30 minutes, occurring more than 8 times daily, and associated with ipsilateral lacrimation and rhinorrhea. The second type was a right frontal severe pain, with onset at 4 a.m., occurring only during sleep, lasting 30 minutes, and with no associated factors. The patient's response to indomethacin for both headache types was confirmed through an unblinded ABAB study design: …

Home Dialysis For Latinx Individuals Living With Kidney Failure: A Qualitative Study Of Interdisciplinary Dialysis Clinicians, Sushrut S Waikar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Key Points:

1. Individual-level advocacy to overcome structural barriers to home dialysis is key in improving home dialysis access for Latinx individuals.

2. Acknowledging patient influences on dialysis modality choice is critical for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

3. Early, repeated education from a trusted source is important for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

Background: Latinx individuals experience two times the incidence of kidney failure compared with non-Latinx individuals and are less likely to use home dialysis therapies. In this qualitative study, interdisciplinary home dialysis clinicians were interviewed to understand the key factors and strategies used by clinicians to improve home dialysis uptake …

Virtually Assisted Home Rehabilitation After Acute Stroke (Vast-Rehab): A Descriptive Pilot Study For Young And Underserved Stroke Survivors, Aylen Sosa, Mary E Russell, Sean I Savitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The objective of Virtually Assisted home rehabilitation after acute STroke was to offer a fully remote telerehabilitation intervention to stroke survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Participants were recruited from acute care, inpatient rehab, or provider/self-referral if they had a stroke within the previous year, prestroke modified Rankin Scale < 3, were recommended to participate in rehab, and had internet access. Exclusions were: prior injury/diagnoses that impacted functional level, life expectancy of less than six months, or safety concerns. Outcomes were within one week prior to initiation and within one week after completion of telerehabilitation sessions. Video call sessions were completed 1-2 times a week for 12 weeks. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and/or speech therapy were provided. Analyses involved descriptive statistics; qualitative comments were aggregated and analyzed for broader themes. Twenty participants were consented.

Results: Of the 20 participants (39-71 years old, 35% White, 50% female), 12 completed study activities, five completed exit interview; 10 demonstrated improvement on National Institute of Health Stroke Scale from a mean of 5.6 at baseline to 2.7 at end of study, six demonstrated improvement in modified Rankin Score …

Case Report: Rare Intraventricular H3 K27-Altered Diffuse Midline Glioma In An Adult

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

H3 K27-Altered Diffuse Midline Gliomas are commonly found in children and adolescents in midline locations such as the thalamus, brain stem, and spinal cord. It is rare for these tumors to affect adults and to occur in locations like the lateral ventricles. Despite aggressive treatment methodologies, there is no cure for this disease. The median survival is between 8-12 months. A 24-year-old white male presented to the emergency department due to severe headache refractory to pain medications with a 2-month history of progressive headaches and eventual memory problems. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intraventricular enhancing …

Semi-Automated Virtual Endoscopy Of The Frontal Recess

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Virtual endoscopy (VE) is the computer-based reprocessing of diagnostic imaging to simulate endoscopy of an anatomic region of interest. VE of the Frontal Sinus Outflow Tract (FSOT) may assist surgical planning and education.

Method: VE was performed on 16 normal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans for a total of 32 sides using the "path-to-target" tool on the TruDi surgical navigation system (ver. 2.3; Acclarent, Irving, CA, USA). To aid orientation during VE, planning points were placed on the middle turbinate, ethmoidal bulla, and skull base. The VE representation of anatomy and FSOT accuracy was manually confirmed by reviewing the …

Semi-Quantitative Assessment Of Surgical Navigation Accuracy During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery In A Real-World Environment

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Although surgical navigation is commonly used in rhinologic surgery, data on real world performance are sparse because of difficulties in collecting measurements for target registration error (TRE). Despite publications showing submillimeter TRE, surgeons do report TRE of >3 mm. We describe a novel method for assessing TRE during surgery and report findings with this technique.

Methods: The TruDi navigation system (Acclarent, Irving, CA) was registered using a contour-based protocol. The surgeon estimated target registration error (e-TRE) at up to 8 points (anatomic regions of interest [ROI]) during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). System logs were used to simulate the localization …

Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report, L Maximilian Buja

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an immunomodulatory medication used for decades. HCQ is a weak base accumulating in acidic cytoplasmic vesicles, such as lysosomes. This accumulation raises the pH and interferes with the functions of the lysosomal enzymes, including α-galactosidase A, resulting in a unique clinical and pathologic feature. We present a case with severe HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy to show the pattern of cardiac involvement and available imaging and pathologic modalities. The case involves a 76-year-old woman with a history of Sjögren's disease who had been treated with HCQ for 13 years and presented with symptoms of heart failure. An echocardiogram showed thick …

A Comparative Analysis Of Preprocessing Filters For Deep Learning-Based Equipment Power Efficiency Classification And Prediction Models, Sang-Ha Sung, Chang-Sung Seo, Michael Pokojovy, Sangjin Kim

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The quality of input data is critical to the performance of time-series classification models, particularly in the domain for industrial sensor data where noise and anomalies are frequent. This study investigates how various filtering-based preprocessing techniques impact the accuracy and robustness of a Transformer model that predicts power efficiency states (Normal, Caution, Warning) from minute-level IIoT sensor data. We evaluated five techniques: a baseline, Simple Moving Average, Median filter, Hampel filter, and Kalman filter. For each technique, we conducted systematic experiments across time windows (360 and 720 min) that reflect real-world industrial inspection cycles, along with five prediction offsets (up …

Suntan (And Other Solar Trigonometric Functions): Solutions For Fermi Questions: February 2025, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article discusses the intensity of sunlight on the side of the author's face as they walk to and from their office, focusing on the solar zenith angle θ. It presents a formula for solar irradiance and explores how the intensity changes based on the angle and elevation. The solutions to the questions posed in the article provide insights into the maximum irradiance levels at different angles and elevations.

A Question Of Transparency, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Question 1: Why is it easier to see through rain than fog?

Start thinking about this by imagining a fixed volume (V) of water being dispersed into, say, N identical droplets of diameter d. Surface area and volume considerations should lead to the answer in terms of V and d.

Question 2: (a) How "long" (in meters) might such a rain shower or fog bank be?

Hint: Suppose you are looking along a linear stack of S cubes with 1-m sides (through the rain or fog). Each cube contains N drops. If p is the visibility (i.e., the fraction of …

Lung Uptake Of Two Spect Markers Identifies Sensitivity To Hyperoxia-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome In Rats, Anne V. Clough, Taheri Pardis, Guru P. Sharma, Ming Zhao, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Said H. Audi

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Exposure of adult rats to hyperoxia is a well-established model of human Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Although rats exposed to 100% O₂ display clinical evidence of lung injury after ∼40 h and death by 72 h, rats exposed to 60% O₂ for up to 7 days show little sign of injury. However, when subsequently exposed to hyperoxia, these pre-exposed rats become more susceptible to ARDS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of imaging biomarkers to track this hyperoxia susceptibility and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either room …

Scoping Review Of Machine Learning Techniques In Marker-Based Clinical Gait Analysis, Kevin N. Dibbern, Maddalena G. Krzak, Alejandro Olivas, Mark V. Albert, Joseph J. Krzak, Karen M. Kruger

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The recent proliferation of novel machine learning techniques in quantitative marker-based 3D gait analysis (3DGA) has shown promise for improving interpretations of clinical gait analysis. The objective of this study was to characterize the state of the literature on using machine learning in the analysis of marker-based 3D gait analysis to provide clinical insights that may be used to improve clinical analysis and care. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Search terms from eight relevant articles were identified by the authors and added to by experts in clinical gait …

An Ethically Grounded Llm-Based Approach To Insider Threat Synthesis And Detection, Haywood Gelman, John Hastings, David Kenley

Research & Publications

Insider threats are a growing organizational problem due to the complexity of identifying their technical and behavioral elements. A large research body is dedicated to the study of insider threats from technological, psychological, and educational perspectives. However, research in this domain has been generally dependent on datasets that are static and limited access which restricts the development of adaptive detection models. This study introduces a novel, ethically grounded approach that uses the large language model (LLM) Claude Sonnet 3.7 to dynamically synthesize syslog messages, some of which contain indicators of insider threat scenarios. The messages reflect real-world data distributions by …

Bringing Self-Determination Theory To The Forefront: Examining How Human Resource Practices Motivate Employees Of All Ages To Succeed, Rick A. Laguerre, Janet L. Barnes-Farrell

Management Faculty Research and Publications

Self-determination theory (SDT) is widely used in human resource (HR) practice studies to explain how HR practices impact work outcomes. However, there is little empirical evidence establishing the complete SDT mediational process in the HR domain, which entails basic psychological needs and motivation acting as mediators of relations between HR practices and work outcomes. The present study addresses this issue with a mixed methods approach. Using an item classification task with subject matter experts (N = 48), HR practices were classified as autonomy-, competence-, and relatedness-supportive. Based on this scheme, we tested an SDT-based conceptual model in a three-wave …

The Impact Of Technological Innovations On Consumer Behavior In E-Commerce: A Systematic Review, Yue Wang, Jianzheng Shi, Terence T. Ow, Jia Yun, Yuanyu Yang

Management Faculty Research and Publications

This study systematically reviews the literature on the impact of technological innovations in e-commerce on consumer behavior, using the SPAR-4-SLR methodology and TCCM framework. It consolidates research across various technologies, including websites, social media, live streaming, AR/VR, and AI. The analysis reveals a growing interest in this field post-2017, with a focus on websites and social media, but highlights a research gap in emerging technologies. Key theoretical frameworks are identified, emphasizing the need for integration to comprehensively understand consumer behavior. The review maps out antecedents, mediators, moderators, and outcomes, stressing the importance of longitudinal studies and advanced analytics. This approach …

Emboldened In The Rap “Game”: How Severely Stigmatized Video Models Navigate Disrespect And Vulnerability To Workplace Mistreatment., Payal Sharma, Kristie M. Rogers, Blake E. Ashforth

Management Faculty Research and Publications

Moral stigma attached to an occupation can scar workers through discrediting, shaming, and denying respect. It can also open the door to interpersonal mistreatment, but little is known about how morally stigmatized workers navigate anticipated disrespect to potentially avoid harm. We explore this issue in a study of an occupation carrying severe moral stigma and where disrespect and workplace mistreatment are pervasive: models in hip-hop and rap music videos. Through analyses of 71 interviews with 48 video models and 19 industry informants, field observations, and archival data, we show how severe moral stigma and industry constraints promote generalized disrespect of …

Llms Enhance Emotional Expression While Maintaining Analytical Depth In News Writing, Samuel Mazzone, Jonah Harlan, Larry Zhiming Xu, Terence T. Ow

Management Faculty Research and Publications

As the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) becomes increasingly evident in automated journalism, leveraging its potential while mitigating the risks becomes a priority in research. To address this need, our study evaluated the performance of large language models (LLMs) in news writing. We tested 11 LLMs by having them rewrite headlines and content from articles published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS) between 2011 and 2023. The analysis and comparison of 3,623 human-written and 39,853 AI-adapted news pieces showed that different LLMs consistently enhanced emotional expression in headlines (Cohen’s d = .33) and in news content (Cohen’s d = …

Golden Spirals Everywhere? Solutions For Fermi Questions, January 2025, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article discusses different types of spirals, including Archimedean, hyperbolic, and logarithmic spirals, with a focus on the golden ratio and golden spirals. It addresses the misconception that golden rectangles and spirals can be found in various natural and man-made structures, emphasizing the importance of understanding the properties of logarithmic spirals. The article provides mathematical explanations and solutions for questions related to pitch angles and self-similarity in logarithmic spirals, using examples like the nautilus shell and an ammonite-like stone. It concludes by referencing additional sources for further exploration of the golden ratio and golden spiral myths.