Activation of muscle amine functional groups using eutectic mixture to enhance tissue adhesiveness of injectable, conductive and therapeutic granular hydrogel for diabetic ulcer regeneration

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Herein, Polydopamine-modified microgels and microgels incorporated with superficial epoxy groups were synthesized and applied as precursors for the fabrication of four granular hydrogels. To enhance the tissue adhesiveness, a ternary deep eutectic solvent was synthesized to activate the muscle amine functional groups facilitating the formation of robust N–C bonds at ambient conditions. At a certain shear rate of 10 s−1, hydrogel DMG displayed a viscosity of 9×103 Pa/s, representing the highest complex viscosity among the tested hydrogels primarily driven by quinone groups in PDA which enhanced reversible interactions, thereby increasing particle cohesion. Moreover, the intersection point escalating from about 4×103 to approximately 9×104 as the concentration of DMG increased from 0 % (for MG) to 70% (7D3MG) by weight. There was a decrease in adhesion strength from 0.45 ± 0.08 N in MG to 0.39 ± 0.16 N, 0.35± 0.18 N, and 0.33 ± 0.15 N for 3D7MG, 7D3MG, and DMG respectively, suggesting that MG was capable of forming numerous covalent bonds, thereby enhancing its adhesion to the substrate. The type of eutectic mixture affected the electrical conductivity and a very important point was the changes in resistance value with time. For MG catalyzed by [DES]AZG, the resistance increased only by 1.3 % (from 3.37 to 3.81 kΩ) at day 3 and 37.09 % (from 3.37 to 4.62 kΩ) at day 5. The 3D7MG hydrogel exhibited superior therapeutic efficacy toward diabetic wound regeneration. The proliferation index value for 3D7MG-[DES]AZG and 3D7MG-[DES]AG were calculated 42.3 % and 58.6 %, respectively, while the control group exhibited a lower value of 37.8 %. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IUMSIsfahan University of Medical Sciences provided financial support (~20 %) for the conduct of the research

The application of the KANO model in education: A systematic literature review

Published in SOAR: Shocker Open Access Repository by the Wichita State University Libraries Technical Services, July 2024.As markets become more competitive, customer satisfaction becomes one of the most critical factors of success for any organization, especially in the service industry, where the opportunity for customer delight can be limited. Customer requirements and their perceptions of quality can differ significantly from organizations' views. Therefore, employing tools to bridge this gap and gaining insights into the voice of customers is imperative for organizations. The Kano model provides a framework for understanding the impact of quality attributes on customer satisfaction. The Kano model has been used in many different industries over the years. Multiple case studies have applied the Kano model to various service industry sectors from healthcare to tourism. owever, the use of the Kano model in education remains limited. This study provides a systematic literature review of the use of the Kano model in education. This study aims to examine the extent to which the Kano model is applied as a quality improvement tool in the education sector and to identify research gaps in the literature for future research

Voice activated edge devices using Tiny Machine Learning enabled microcontroller

2024 IEEE Green Technologies Conference, GreenTech 20243 April 2024 through 5 April 2024In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the integration of intelligent and responsive devices into our daily lives has become ubiquitous. From smart homes to industrial settings, the demand for efficient and realtime processing at the edge of networks has spurred the development of compact and powerful solutions. Studies show that one such paradigm-shifting advancement is the emergence of Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML), which empowers edge devices with the capability to execute machine learning (ML) algorithms on constrained hardware. The study addresses the challenge of balancing computational capabilities with energy consumption in voice-enabled edge devices. This paper also explores the integration of TinyML, particularly Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), with low-powered microcontrollers for voice-controlled edge devices. Using on a smart fan as a case study, the methodology involves data collection, CNN model design and training, model optimization, and deployment on an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense microcontroller. Experimental results indicate a 95% accuracy in recognizing voice commands while controlling the smart fan, showcasing the potential of TinyML for efficient and responsive edge computing applications. © 2024 IEEE

Family socioeconomic status in adolescence and gender identification in emerging adulthood

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).This study contributes to research exploring social factors shaping gender identification. Informed by structural symbolic interactionism, social identity theory, and Levitt’s psychosocial theory of gender, we explore how a key aspect of external social structure—adolescent family socioeconomic status—is associated with gender identification in emerging adulthood. We examine whether correlates of family socioeconomic status, including adolescent family and educational experiences and friend and high school characteristics, are associated with a cisgender, binary transgender, nonbinary, or gender unsure identification. Using data from High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), we find a positive association between adolescent family socioeconomic status and a nonbinary gender identification. Analyses indicate that educational and family experiences account for the largest percentage of the association between adolescent family socioeconomic status and nonbinary gender identification, potentially representing higher SES youths’ heightened access to middle- and upper-class cultural schemas and resources. © The Author(s) 2024

Ombudsperson Charter, February 12, 2024

Copy and paste the link https://hdl.handle.net/10057/27566 to access the agenda and minutes discussed at this meeting

Dyspareunia in postpartum women with Diastasis Rectus Abdominis

Presented to the 20th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 26, 2024.Research completed in the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions.INTRODUCTION: Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA) is the separation of the rectus abdominal muscles along the linea alba, determined by the inter-rectus distance (IRD) being greater than or equal to 2 finger-widths. Dyspareunia is pain with sexual intercourse. There are no correlative studies to determine if DRA causes dyspareunia after pregnancy. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate if there is a correlation between DRA and dyspareunia among women 6-10 weeks postpartum. METHODS: In this retrospective study, participants were postpartum women ages 18-40. Exclusion criteria included current physical therapy treatment for DRA, cesarean section, or connective tissue disorder. The participants completed the Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20). A telehealth visit instructed participants on the self-palpation method to measure the inter-rectus distance in order to determine if they have a DRA. Participants then completed an in-person measurement of their inter-rectus distance using ultrasound, the gold standard for determining the presence of DRA. The participants then completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-31). RESULTS: Results will be analyzed in March as the data collection is still taking place. CONCLUSION: Data collection is currently being completed until March 2024. Our hypothesis states that postpartum women with diastasis rectus abdominis will develop dyspareunia at a higher rate than women without diastasis rectus abdominis. This research study will be conducted using a cross-sectional study design and will use qualitative content analysis of a descriptive questionnaire sent out to all participants via email.Graduate School, Academic Affairs, University Librarie

Developing familiarization training game for extended reality spacesuit user interface

Poster and abstract presented at the FYRE in STEM Showcase, 2024.Research project completed at the Department of Economics; College of Innovation and Design; School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries; Department of Aerospace Engineering; Department of Psychology; School of Computing; Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR); NASA Johnson Space CenterNASA astronauts do not have access to feasibly replicable training environments and instead rely on virtual simulations for proper preparations. However, astronauts often do not have prior experiences in these virtual reality spaces or prior knowledge of the controls or functions. Developing a game-orientated virtual familiarization training protocol provides NASA astronauts with experience in the extended reality user interface in a head-mounted display. This familiarization training game was developed in virtual reality (VR) using the software Unreal Engine (UE) 5.2.1 and built to be displayed in a Meta Quest Pro HMD headset. To gather data, a human-in-the-loop (HITL) testing protocol was utilized that uses rapid iterative OXYGEN testing and evaluation (RITE) with think-aloud protocol and the System Usability Scale (SUS) digital survey. Participants are requested to test the software multiple times over a several-month period by completing the quests in the familiarization video game to track usability improvements over time. The participant's first test is used as a control utilizing the verbal and survey feedback given during and after the trial to compare with future tests. The results from the HTL testing revealed that prior VR templates in Unreal Engines (UE) presented limitations for developing custom interactions. Furthermore, this project contributed a prototype for scalable future research and development projects

Development of a wearable fetal heart rate monitor: An analysis of fetal electrocardiogram extraction algorithms

Presented to the 23rd Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 12, 2024.In a time of increased ease of access to medical care, there remain groups that lack sufficient access to healthcare. Maternal and fetal healthcare in rural and underserved areas remains insufficient. Inferior maternal and fetal healthcare outcomes can be correlated with decreased access to healthcare. Based on existing studies, congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect and cause of infant death and can be treated when found in a timely manner; this treatment can increase survival rates. Utilizing wearable technology allows greater access to maternal and fetal healthcare in rural and underserved communities, leading to an increase in positive medical outcomes. As the first step in development, extraction algorithms to separate fetal and maternal heart rate were explored. Four different extraction algorithms (BSS, TS, KF, and AFM) and various subtypes were analyzed to determine the most accurate separation technique to produce the clearest fetal heart rate. This study analyzed the FECGSYN Toolbox v1.0.0, an open-source realistic non-invasive foetal ECG (NI-FECG) generator. Different signal-to-noise ratios were utilized for the Muscular Artifact (6dB, 12dB, 18dB, 24dB) and Baseline Wander (-4dB, 0dB, 4dB, 8dB) data sets. Algorithms were analyzed according to the accuracy of the extracted fetal heart rate in comparison with the actual fetal heart rate. Fetal heart rate was successfully extracted from the synthesized data. For the BSS algorithm, extraction accuracy remained fairly consistent as signal-to-noise ratio increased, based on eight channel input. For the TS and KF algorithms, extraction accuracy generally increased as signal-to-noise ratio increased. For the AFM algorithm, extraction accuracy slightly increased as signal-to-noise ratio increased. Next steps of the project include determining the most accurate algorithm subtype that will remain accurate when exposed to different noise levels

First record of Belosphys spinosus (Cetacea - Odontoceti) from the Choptank Formation (Middle Miocene), Southern Maryland

Presented to the 20th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 26, 2024.Research completed in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Physical Science, Geology, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences."Rediscovered" fossil specimens, those that have lingered in university or museum collections for decades before being studied, can provide new context on the anatomy, distribution, and paleobiology of established species. In this study, a partial thoracic vertebra rediscovered in Wichita State University collections that had been labeled as an indeterminate whale bone is interpreted as an additional specimen of Belosphys spinosus. An enigmatic species of odontocete whale, Belosphys spinosus has previously been reported from the Lower Miocene Calvert Formation in southern Maryland, where it is known from partial thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Comparisons between the rediscovered vertebra and literature descriptions of known Belosphys spinosus specimens have revealed several anatomical traits that support a referral to this species. Locality data associated with the described specimen indicates that it was collected from the Middle Miocene Choptank Formation, which directly overlies the Lower Miocene Calvert in southern Maryland. Thus, while the new specimen does not provide further anatomical information about Belosphys spinosus or expand its geographic range, it extends the temporal range of this mysterious cetacean species by a span of 1-2 million years into the Middle Miocene. Additionally, the vertebra increases the number of whale species in the Choptank Formation, highlighting the high diversity of marine vertebrates in this region during the Middle Miocene.Graduate School, Academic Affairs, University Librarie