Digital Commons Network^™

The Internist's Post V.1 N.10, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. School Of Medicine, Eunbee Cho, Osiris Fernandez, Hector D. Preciado, Sobia Memon, Diana Acosta Pozo, Corey Haines, Roque Mifuji Lira, Martha Solis, Cesar Gutierrez

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

Developing An Roi Assessment Model For Employee Development Programs Implemented By California Transit Agencies, Tyler Reeb, Susan Gallagher

Mineta Transportation Institute

The objective of this research is to determine the extent to which transit agencies in California are implementing Return on Investment (ROI) assessments or otherwise evaluating the value and effectiveness of the employee development programs they administer, what cost and performance data they collect and track, and what resources or support are needed to support ROI assessment efforts. Transit agencies will necessarily incur expenses in efforts to improve the recruitment, retention, and morale of employees, but will struggle to solicit adequate funding unless they are able to demonstrate the value of such efforts to a broader audience. Thus, developing and …

The Indirect Benefits Of A Transit Apprenticeship And Its Potential Value As A Flexible Postsecondary Pathway, Kathleen F. Mcconnell, Priya Raman

Mineta Transportation Institute

The transit sector has begun to embrace apprenticeships as a worthwhile training model. Apprenticeships may also address young people’s interest in career advancement opportunities, an additional benefit to the transit sector as it replaces an aging workforce and resolves other recruitment challenges. Apprenticeships that emphasize both technical and soft skills invest in career advancement by offering employees the chance to develop “cross-cutting competencies.” A highly developed model of this approach is found in the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Joint Workforce Initiative (JWI), which formally recognizes skills acquisition with accredited certificates. Further development of this model would find support in …

Experimental Investigations Of Wind Shear From Passing A Vehicle, Hamid Rahai, Assma Begum, Jeremy Bonifacio, Ryan Moffit

Mineta Transportation Institute

Wind energy can be harnessed for various commercial and transportation-related applications. This study assessed experimentally the potential of capturing wind energy from the passage of vehicles for electric power generation. Both wind tunnel experiments and field tests were performed. The wind tunnel experiments were performed in an open-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at a free-stream mean velocity of 23 m/s. Five PVC pipes placed adjacent to the wind-blowing domain were used to simulate the columns under a freeway overpass. A scaled Ahmad body (simplified car body model) was used as the vehicle. The spanwise distance between the Ahmad body and the …

Right Turn On Red: Energy-Saving Measure Or Unsafe Maneuver?, Bruce Appleyard, Anurag Pande, Joseph Gibbons, Shams Tanvir, Megan Honey, Nell Ahangarfabrik, Mario Carbajal, Madison Swayne

Mineta Transportation Institute

There is a growing interest in prohibiting right turn on red (RTOR) policies in the name of pedestrian and bicycle safety but there is not enough research on the subject to help agencies make informed decisions. When Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, they included a provision requiring states to permit right turns on red lights as an energy-saving measure to receive federal assistance for mandated conservation programs. Since 1980, all states have permitted right turns on red as a general rule. More research is needed to help guide state policies that can support jurisdictions in …

An Assessment Of The Viva Callesj Event In San Jose, Richard Kos, Adam Cohen

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report evaluates the Viva CalleSJ event held in San Jose, California, on September 8, 2024. As a celebrated open-streets initiative, Viva CalleSJ temporarily transformed six miles of city streets into car-free zones to encourage active transportation, foster community engagement, and support local businesses. This assessment employed a mixed-methods approach, including participant surveys, interviews with stakeholders, and observational analysis. Key findings highlighted the event’s success in attracting a diverse audience, promoting physical activity, and driving economic benefits. Over 50% of attendees arrived by bicycle, and 77.7% planned to spend money at the event, averaging $54.23 per participant. Community-building impacts were …

Zero-Emission Buses In The Us: Understanding And Addressing Market And Policy Challenges, Leah Foecke, Zachary Karson, Thomas Tiberghien

Mineta Transportation Institute

As the US public transportation sector accelerates its shift from fossil fuels to zero-emission alternatives, transit agencies and transit bus manufacturers alike face significant uncertainty and instability. This report provides policymakers with updated insights into the US transit bus market, focusing on key industry dynamics, financial challenges with zero-emission bus (ZEB) acquisition, technological obstacles in deployment, and regulatory issues. The research relies on interviews with stakeholders, a detailed review of existing literature, and an analysis of US public transit data. Key findings reveal ongoing challenges related to costs, supply, reliability, and workforce development, all of which hinder the adoption of …

The Lived Experiences Of Women In Construction: Career Supporting Strategies, Cheryl Anne Loar Croall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women are underrepresented in the United States construction industry, representing only 11% of the workforce, and this lack of diversity in the male-dominated occupation results in barriers to female career advancement. The problem is that women in construction experience obstacles to career progression due to gender work life balance, sexual harassment, and pay inequality; barriers such as these keep women out of leadership roles. Three recommended techniques to support women’s career progression in construction and combat barriers to career advancement include social support, fighting back (openly challenging discrimination), and positive reappraisal (reframing negatives to positives). Understanding the effectiveness of these …

Latent Characterization Of The Complete Batse Gamma-Ray Bursts Catalogue Using Gaussian Mixture Of Factor Analysers And Model-Estimated Overlap-Based Syncytial Clustering, Fan Dai, Ranjan Maitra

Michigan Tech Publications

Characterizing and distinguishing gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has interested astronomers for many decades. While some authors have found two or three groups of GRBs by analysing only a few parameters, recent work identified five ellipsoidally shaped groups upon considering nine parameters T50, T90, F1, F2, F3, F4, P64, P256, P1024. Yet others suggest subclasses within the two or three groups found earlier. Using a mixture model of Gaussian factor analysers, we analysed 1150 GRBs, that had nine parameters observed, from the current Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) catalogue, and again established five ellipsoidal-shaped groups to describe the GRBs. These five …

Morphological Changes Of Liver Among Post-Fontan Surgery Patients, Varatharajan Nainamalai, Håvard Bjørke Jenssen, Khadiza Tun Suha, Mostafa Rezaeitaleshmahalleh, Min Wang, Sarah Khan, Marcus Haw, Jingfeng Jiang, Joseph Vettukattil

Michigan Tech Publications

Purpose: Liver screening and longitudinal study of Fontan Associated Liver Diseases (FALD) is essential to identifying hepatomegaly and how hepatomegaly relates to various stages of liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated longitudinal liver shape changes and liver stiffness in a cohort of patients with Fontan Associated Liver Disease. Methods: We used 170 image volumes of 40 Fontan stage 3 completion patients. We also used 65 computed tomography images of healthy individuals from three datasets for comparison. Thirteen radiomic shape features of Fontan patients and individuals with a healthy liver were extracted and analyzed longitudinally. We studied correlations among features, …

More Than Semantics? Navigating The "Policy ∗ Design" Concepts' Landscape, Diana Pamela Villa-Alvarez, Adam Wellstead

Michigan Tech Publications

Scholarship from the design discipline and policy sciences has produced rich empirical and theoretical knowledge on the intersection of policy and design. However, using concepts that pair “policy” and “design” in various ways, often with different meanings, can confuse practitioners and scholars alike. This confusion is further exacerbated by the sheer variety of online information, including peer-reviewed articles, books, reports, blogs, courses, and the websites of prominent scholars, practitioners, and policy actors. To address this, we analyze “Policy * Design” concepts from a Google Search Engine scraping tool and, in doing so, identify four distinct approaches: “policy design,” “design for …

Performance Evaluation Of Surface Treatment Waste Glass As Aggregate In Asphalt Mixture, Miao Yu, Dongzhao Jin, Yu Liu, Zhanping You, Yalong Li

Michigan Tech Publications

Surface modification is a crucial strategy for enhancing the pavement performance of waste glass hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. This study conducts a comparative analysis of various surface modification techniques to pinpoint the key factors that influence the interfacial interaction between waste glass and asphalt. To assess the performance of asphalt mixtures containing surface-treated waste glass, the study employed methods such as Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), boiling water tests, and contact angle measurements, which helped to quantify surface morphology and the effectiveness of different treatments. The evaluation also included assessments of water stability, dynamic stability, small beam bending, and …

Performance Of Optimized Composition Of Epoxy Resin Adhesive Used In High Friction Surface Treatment, Jiapeng Li, Xiao Huan, Shubing Wang, Yanping Sheng, Dahui Xu, Zhanping You

Michigan Tech Publications

The High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) paving technique is widely employed in engineering practices globally, serving to enhance the long-term anti-skid performance of pavements. However, there still exist significant gaps in research regarding the modified and optimized composition and corresponding content of the polymer binding materials used in HFST, as well as the performance of the pavements laid with modified and optimized blended aggregates during service. To address these issues, this research first modified and optimized the composition ratio of traditional epoxy resin materials. Subsequently, a toughened, high-flow epoxy bonding system suitable for the maintenance of concrete pavements was prepared. …

Implementation Of A Transition-Of-Care Model For Adult Ischemic Stroke Survivors, Megan Akacsos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The lasting physical and cognitive deficits associated with the complexities of newly acquired

disabilities resulting from an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may lead to hospital readmissions. The

participating healthcare facility on the U.S. West Coast reported a hospital readmission rate for

AIS survivors of 24.29% within 30 days of discharge. This doctoral nursing project aimed to

determine if implementing the Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) model

would reduce 30-day readmission rates compared to no standardized transition-of-care model in

adult AIS survivors over 30 days. Implementing the COMPASS model in this patient population

was expected to better educate and support stroke …

Emotional Intelligence In School Leadership And Teachers’ Perception Of Its Effect On Their Efficacy, Chazzmin Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition is a significant issue within the field of education, especially in urban districts with high economic needs. Consequently, this is a major problem in Title-I schools because they serve large numbers of low-income students, often experiencing higher teacher turnover than non-Title-I schools. Additionally, studies show that charter schools experience higher turnover than traditional public schools. This research explored the relationship between emotional intelligence, school leadership, and teachers’ perceptions of their efficacy in one Texas charter school. Emotional intelligence is framed as a set of skills that includes self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relationship management. This study sought to …

Factors Impacting Ehr Implementation: A Case Study In Belize, Jessica Y. Resendiz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electronic health record systems are a tool used throughout healthcare organizations to provide safe and efficient patient care. They are used to record and retrieve patient information related to health history, diagnostics, and treatment plans. Electronic health records have become increasingly integrated into healthcare practice and are demonstrative of safe and quality care. Healthcare organizations that do not have electronic health record systems in place jeopardize safe and efficient patient care. In addition, access and financial means to implement electronic health record systems in developing countries are challenging as resources are often restricted. This project aims to identify factors that …

Leadership Emergence And Factors Preventing Emergence Of Elders In The Churches Of Christ In The Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly, Francis Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the persistent absence of formally appointed elders in five Churches of Christ within Teshie in the Ledzokuku municipal assembly, Ghana, despite these congregations’ existence for over two decades. The research seeks to critically examine the factors contributing to the inability of long-serving leaders to align with biblical qualifications. Utilizing a case study methodology, the research examines leadership emergence within the congregations, exploring the discrepancy between tenure and adherence to scriptural standards, and emphasizing the causes and implications for leadership effectiveness and spiritual integrity that facilitate or obstruct the ordination of elders. The study employs a qualitative research …

Comparing Novice Teacher And School Leader Perceptions In Urban K-12 Mentorship Programs, Shavonne Garner-Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The challenge of teacher retention is a pressing concern in education, impacting the stability and success of public schools. Despite bringing enthusiasm and fresh perspectives, novice teachers face high attrition rates due to stress, instructional demands, and classroom complexities. Mentorship programs within teacher induction frameworks have emerged as valuable tools for supporting novice teachers’ acclimation to the profession, achieving goals, improving pedagogical skills, fostering a sense of belonging, and reducing feelings of isolation. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of novice teachers and school leaders on the impact of mentorship programs in an urban K–12 public school district. Utilizing Herzberg’s …

A Phenomenological Study Of Hispanic First-Generation High School Graduates Who Do Not Pursue Higher Education, Amanda J. Arrambide

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study identified why only 47% of Hispanic first-generation students
/="/">pursue college after high school graduation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the high
/="/">school graduate enrollment rate was down about 4% compared to the 66.2% rate in October
/="/">2019. The data collection and analysis procedures included qualitative interviews over Zoom
/="/">with the participants, with recording devices. High schools should provide opportunities for
/="/">students to explore various career paths through internships, job shadowing, career fairs, and
/="/">vocational training programs. This helps students make informed decisions about their college
/="/">major and career goals. …

Foster Youth Experiencing Homelessness In Texas: An Analysis Of Risk And Protective Factors That Impact Housing Stability, Monique Willoughby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While research on youth homelessness continues to grow, not much is known about the differences that exist between states. To address specific concerns effectively, a more nuanced and granular approach to assessment is needed. Specifically, Texas youth who are transitioning from foster and other systems of care into young adulthood and more independent living will need tailored support to adequately address their needs. This study is a step in that direction. Through identification of risks factors that predict homelessness for these youth, social workers, counselors, case managers, and other human services providers and advocates can better assess, plan, and intervene …

Potential Effect Of Produced Water Discharge On Surface Water: Lower Atascosa River Study, Alejandro Mendietta

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This study investigates the potential impact of an approved produced water discharge permit in the Atascosa River. Water samples were collected from a test site on the Atascosa River and analyzed for key water quality parameters such as chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium, calcium, strontium and other ions. These results were compared to historical data from the local river authority to assess any significant changes in water quality following the permit's approval in April 2024. Statistical analyses, including averages and t-tests, were conducted to determine whether the current ion concentrations differed significantly from historical levels. While an increase in concentrations …

Detection Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In Public Water Supply: San Antonio Case Study, David Arambula

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This research investigates the detection and influence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the San Antonio water supply system, focusing on two contaminated water entry points sourced from the Edwards Aquifer. Sampling and statistical analyses compare urbanization, geologic features, and groundwater quality between contaminated and noncontaminated sites. Key findings include statistically significant differences in fault lengths, impermeable surfaces, and urban development. Although direct correlations between PFAS contamination and groundwater quality parameters like nitrate and conductivity remain inconclusive due to limited data, the study indicates urbanization's potential role in exacerbating PFAS infiltration through sensitive geological features. Insights from this research …

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, 4th Quarter, 2024, Georgia Southern University Center For Business Analytics And Economic Research

Coastal Empire Economic Monitor

• Bounce-back From Hurricanes

• Savannah Metro Economy Back on Track

• U.S. Economic Growth Continues, 2025 Looks Murkey

• U.S. Economy First Quarter Preview

• Forecasting Index Falls

10 Practical Priorities To Prevent And Manage Serious Allergic Reactions: Ga2len Anacare And Efa Anaphylaxis Manifesto, Antonella Muraro, Debra De Silva, Marcia Podesta, Aikaterini Anagnostou, Victoria Cardona, Susanne Halken, Pete Smith, Luciana Kase Tanno, Paul Turner, Margitta Worm, Montserrat Alvaro-Lozano, Stefania Arasi, Anna Asarnoj, Simona Barni, Kirsten Beyer, Lucy A Bilaver, Andrew Bird, Roberta Bonaguro, Helen A Brough, R Sharon Chinthrajah, Emma E Cook, Céline Demoulin, Antoine Deschildre, Timothy E Dribin, Motohiro Ebisawa, Montserrat Fernandez-Rivas, Alessandro Fiocchi, David M Fleischer, Eleanor Garrow, Jennifer Gerdts, Mattia Giovannini, Kirsi M Järvinen, Mary Kelly, Edward F Knol, Gideon Lack, Francesca Lazzarotto, Thuy-My Le, Stephanie Leonard, Jay Lieberman, Michael Makris, Lianne Mandelbaum, Mary Jane Marchisotto, Gustavo Andres Marino, Francesca Mori, Caroline Nilsson, Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, Mikaela Odemyr, H N G Oude Elberink, Kati Palosuo, Nandinee Patel, Jennifer Pier, Sung Poblete, Rima Rachid, Pablo Rodríguez Del Río, Maria Said, Hugh A Sampson, Angel Sánchez Sanz, Sabine Schnadt, Fallon Schultz, Alice Toniolo, Julia E M Upton, Carina Venter, Brian P Vickery, Berber Vlieg-Boerstra, Julie Wang, Graham Roberts, Torsten Zuberbier, Ga2len Anacare Centres And Efa

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This Anaphylaxis Manifesto calls on communities to prioritise 10 practical actions to improve the lives of people at risk of serious allergic reactions. The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations (EFA) compiled patient-centric priorities. We used qualitative consensus methods, research evidence and feedback from over 200 patient groups, stakeholder organisations and healthcare professionals. We encourage healthcare, education and food organisations to collaborate with people at risk of serious allergic reactions to tackle safety, anxiety and financial burdens for individuals and societies. Key priorities for prevention include awareness-raising campaigns for …

Decreasing Endomyocardial Biopsy Frequency In Pediatric Heart Transplantation Using A Rejection Risk Prediction Score-A Single Center Study., Drishti Tolani, Ryan J. Butts, David Sutcliffe, Alyssa Power

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Rejection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality after pediatric heart transplantation (HT). Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the gold standard for rejection diagnosis, but it comes with procedural risk. The frequency of EMB varies significantly across centers. Since April 2018, our center's surveillance EMB schedule is based on a rejection risk prediction score employing age, pre-HT diagnosis, and panel reactive antibodies (PRA). We aimed to evaluate outcomes in the 1st year post-HT before and after risk score implementation.

METHODS: Patients who underwent HT at our center at ≤ 18 years of age from January 2015 to December 2020 …

Patient Engagement In Evidence-Based Practice Frameworks., Jarrod Dusin, Jill Peltzer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the cornerstone of contemporary healthcare, promoting the integration of scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to inform clinical decision-making and enhance patient outcomes. While patient engagement is recognized as a critical component of EBP, the extent to which it is incorporated in various EBP frameworks is unclear. This study is a secondary analysis of a scoping review which evaluated EBP frameworks used in healthcare settings. In the current study, our objective was to assess the level of patient engagement within those frameworks. To achieve this, we employed a patient engagement framework which characterizes engagement as …

A Comparison Of The 2022 Versus 2011 National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development Web-Based Risk Estimator For Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia., Mitch Kinkor, Jake Schneider, Farhath Sulthana, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell Phd, Alain Cuna

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive accuracy of the 2022 vs 2011 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimator for identifying infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of infants ≤28 weeks' gestation. Demographic and respiratory support data were used to calculate risk for BPD or death by the BPD estimators. Our outcomes of interest included (1) treatment with systemic steroids for BPD and (2) composite outcome of death or highest severity of BPD at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. We used c-statistics and area under receiver operator characteristic curves (AUC) to …

Azacitidine As Epigenetic Priming For Chemotherapy Is Safe And Well-Tolerated In Infants With Newly Diagnosed Kmt2a-Rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Children's Oncology Group Trial Aall15p1, Erin M. Guest, John A Kairalla, Meenakshi Devidas, Emily Hibbitts, Andrew J. Carroll, Nyla A. Heerema, Holly R. Kubaney, Margaret A. August, Sidharth Ramesh, Byunggil Yoo, Midhat S. Farooqi, Melinda G. Pauly, Daniel S. Wechsler, Rodney R. Miles, Joel M. Reid, Cynthia D. Kihei, Lia Gore, Elizabeth A. Raetz, Stephen P. Hunger, Mignon L. Loh, Patrick A. Brown

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Infants less than 1 year old diagnosed with KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at high risk of failure to achieve remission, relapse, and death due to leukemia, despite intensive therapies. Infant KMT2A-r ALL blasts are characterized by DNA hypermethylation. Epigenetic priming with DNA methyltransferase inhibitors increases the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy in preclinical studies. The Children's Oncology Group trial AALL15P1 tested the safety and tolerability of 5 days of azacitidine treatment immediately prior to the start of chemotherapy on day 6, in four post-induction chemotherapy courses for infants with newly diagnosed KMT2A-r ALL. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only …

Etiologies Of Bloody Diarrhea In Children Presenting With Acute Gastroenteritis To Us Emergency Departments., Paola Fonseca-Romero, Ben J. Brintz, D Matthew Vierkant, Jennifer Dien Bard, Daniel M. Cohen, Ara Festekjian, Amy L. Leber, Jami T. Jackson, Neena Kanwar, Chari Larsen, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Kimberle C. Chapin, Andrew T. Pavia, Sharia M. Ahmed, Daniel T. Leung, Impact Study Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

We used molecular testing to examine the causes of bloody diarrhea in a multicenter study of pediatric gastroenteritis. Pathogens typically associated with bloody diarrhea were detected in less than half of cases, and inappropriate antibiotic use was common, supporting the use of stool testing in patients with bloody diarrhea.

The Norwood With Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Shunt—Worth A Second Look?, Manasa Gadiraju, Dhaval Chauhan, Alexandra Schray, James O'Brien, Edo Bedzra

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background: Shunt repair for the Norwood procedure with either the right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt (RVPAS) or the modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Shunt (BTTS) varies by institution and surgeon preference. Shunt choice has been informed by landmark trials including the Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial and modern outcomes data may engender future complementary studies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent the Norwood procedure from 2014–2022 at a single center to compare outcomes by shunt type. The primary outcome measure was freedom from death or transplant. Secondary outcome measures included hospital length of stay, complications, and unplanned interventions. …