Digital Commons Network^™

Uncovering Hidden Prognostic Patterns In Colorectal Cancer Histology Using Unsupervised Learning: A Computational Pathology Study, Wen-Tong Zhou, Yong Liu, Gang Yu, Kuan-Song Wang, Chao Xu, Jonathan Greenbaum, Chong Wu, Lin-Dong Jiang, Christopher J Papasian, Hong-Mei Xiao, Hong-Wen Deng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, yet current histopathological diagnostics capture only limited features. This study aimed to discover subtle, prognostically significant histomorphological patterns in CRC tissues using unsupervised deep learning. We developed a framework integrating convolutional neural networks with deep clustering, trained on 23,341 image patches from 493 patients. We identified 30 distinct histomorphological clusters from CRC tissue images. Through univariate and multivariate survival analyses, three clusters (Cluster13, Cluster19, and Cluster24) were consistently associated with patient prognosis. These clusters were integrated with clinical factors (T stage, N stage, and differentiation degree) to construct a …

Telemedicine As A Gateway To Early-Phase Oncology Trials: Lessons From 14,000 Patients And Future Directions For Global Access And Equity, Carlos Torrado, Clark R Andersen, Lei Kang, Amanda L Brink, Taiwo Adesoye, Hung Le, Clover J Patterson, Anna Poullard, Jessica A Osburn, Harold N Tan, Mohamed A Gouda, Sheena Charles, Gabriele E Urschel, Tin-Yun Tang, David S Hong, Stephane Champiat, Aung Naing, Apostolia M Tsimberidou, Ecaterina E Dumbrava, Sarina A Piha-Paul, Jordi Rodon, Timothy A Yap, Paula R Pohlmann, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Siqing Fu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Telemedicine expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its role in early-phase oncology trials remains uncertain. We evaluated its impact on recruitment, enrollment, equity, and access in a large phase I program.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients seen for first consultation in the MD Anderson Phase I Program (2016-2023). Recruitment (consent) and enrollment (treatment initiation) were compared by visit type, race/ethnicity, and geography across pre-pandemic (2016-2019), pandemic (2020-March 11, 2023), and post-public health emergency (PHE; March-December 2023) periods. A chart review of 400 patients validated findings.

Results: Of 14,085 patients, 7,247 were evaluated post-pandemic, with 36% (n …

Pan-Cancer Evolution Signatures Link Clonal Expansion To Dynamic Changes In The Tumor Immune Microenvironment, Xinyu Yang, Wei Liu, Geoff Macintyre, Peter Van Loo, Florian Markowetz, Peter Bailey, Ke Yuan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer is an evolutionary process characterized by profound intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), which can be quantified using in silico estimates of cancer cell fractions (CCFs) of tumor-specific somatic mutations. We demonstrate a data-driven approach based on CCF distributions to identify 4 robust pan-cancer evolutionary signatures from 4,146 tumors across 17 cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). These signatures define a continuum of cancer cell fractions reflecting neutral evolution, clonal expansion, and clonal fixation. Correlating evolutionary signatures with mutational and biological programs reveals that tumors enriched for clonal expansion and fixation are associated with immune evasion and distinct changes in …

Structural Insights Into Host-Pathogen Interactions Of Coronaviruses And Alphaviruses, Lucas Adams

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The co-evolution of virus and host may partly be understood in terms of “cross-recognition”; that is, as a virus evolves to recognize and infiltrate a suitable cellular environment, the host reciprocally has evolved to recognize and thwart such an invasion. While this interplay is complex, audacious structural biologists may reduce it to discrete physical interactions between the virus and specific host factors, such as cognate receptors (i.e., viral recognition of host) or antibodies (i.e., host recognition of virus). These interactions underlie basic features of viral infection, including cellular tropism and antiviral immunity, as well as critical phenomena of viral evolution, …

Glycative Stress Disrupts The Mitochondrial-Lysosome Axis And Promotes Geroconversion In Aging Cardiomyocytes, Diana Bou-Teen, Simonas Valiuska, Elisabet Miro-Casas, Chiara Rubeo, Elena Bonzon-Kulichenko, Zuzana Nichtova, Celia Fernandez-Sanz, Javier Inserte, Antonio Rodriguez-Sinovas, Begoña Benito, Eduard Ródenas-Alesina, Jesús Vázquez, Ignacio Ferreira-González, Marisol Ruiz-Meana

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Aging is a major risk factor for heart failure, yet the molecular mechanisms linking cardiac aging to the inflammatory pathophysiology of heart failure remain elusive. Mitochondrial dysfunction and defective organelle quality control are emerging hallmarks of the aging heart, but their biochemical underpinnings are poorly defined. Using comprehensive glycomics, we found that cardiac mitochondria from physiologically aged mice (≥ 20 months) are the major intracellular reservoirs of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), derived primarily from the chemical attack of some α-oxoaldehydes on proteins. This was associated with mild mitochondrial dysfunction and structural remodeling. Lysosomes in aged hearts were enlarged, more …

Synergistic Microbiome-Peptidome Therapeutics: Exploring Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsmz 17648 And Stem Cell-Derived Peptides For Immunomodulation And Tissue Repair Across Diseases, Hasan M. Agha, Mohammed A. Abdalqader, Abdullah Asad Siddiqui, Shafiq Aazmi, Jantson Hoh, Oh Chin Kin Michelle, Sabaa M. Agha, Amjad Abdulhadi Mohammed, Muneer Mohammed Saleh Alsayadi

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorders are driven by interconnected immune dysregulation, metabolic instability, epithelial barrier disruption, and impaired tissue repair, limiting the durability of conventional single-target therapies. The global rise in chronic inflammatory, metabolic, and age-related degenerative diseases underscores an urgent need for multi-dimensional therapeutic strategies that move beyond isolated molecular targets. Despite rapid advances in microbiome science and regenerative medicine, these fields have largely evolved in parallel, with limited integration at the translational level. Emerging evidence identifies the gut microbiome as a central regulator of systemic immunometabolic homeostasis through microbial metabolites, barrier integrity modulation, and immune-cell education. In parallel, …

Polyherbal Phytochemicals As Multi-Target Inhibitors Of Key Breast Cancer Proteins: A Computational Approach, Nadia Wahyuningsih, Nashi Widodo, Sri Rahayu, Muhaimin Rifa’I

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Breast cancer is a primary worldwide health concern, and conventional therapies often cause side effects. This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a polyherbal formulation containing Curcuma longa, Phyllanthus niruri, Ziziphus mauritiana, Nigella sativa, and Annona muricata as multi-target inhibitors against breast cancer protein targets using molecular docking and molecular dynamics in silico approach. Bioactive compounds were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to identify the extract's phytochemicals. The compounds were examined for drug-likeness, membrane permeability, bioactivity, and toxicity. The inhibitory ability against the proto-oncogene pathway, which is commonly dysregulated and mutated in breast cancer, …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Ti-Enhanced F75/Ha Functionally Graded Materials Fabricated By Powder Metallurgy, Afrah M. Al Hussainey, Aseel Mustafa, Randa Kamel Hussain

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are a highly advanced class of biomaterials with graded structure and properties, enabling the fabrication of physiologically and mechanically compatible materials for use in various medical devices. This study aims to produce a functional-grade material based on a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy (F75) reinforced with 4% titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA). This will enhance the material's mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and bioactivity, making it suitable for use as a bone substitute. The natural eggshells were washed, burnt, and chemically processed to form hydroxyapatite with a Ca/P proportion of 1.67. FTIR showed that phosphate and OH groups were separate, …

Three Butterfly Genera Across The Central Texas Suture Zone, Qian Cong, Jing Zhang, Jinhui Shen, Leina Song, Nick V. Grishin

The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey

Genome-scale analyses of butterfly specimens across the Central Texas Suture Zone revealed that several taxa currently treated as subspecies exhibit genomic differentiation similar to that observed between species. Further investigation and genomic sequencing of additional specimens from across the ranges of these taxa support this conclusion and result in the following changes to nomenclature and taxonomy. Two new subspecies of Nymphalidae Rafinesque, 1815 are described: Asterocampa louisa monterra Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in Mexico: Nuevo León) and Asterocampa clyton plana Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in USA: Texas, Denton Co.). The following taxa are recognized as species, not subspecies: …

Biofilm Architecture Determines Proliferation Of Phages And Plasmids, James B. Winans

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

This thesis explores how biofilm architecture determines the spread and ecological consequences for the bacteria-dependent genetic elements phages and plasmids. Using Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae as model microbes, and the genetic elements T7 phages, λ phages, and conjugative plasmid pED208, we investigate how spatial structure influences phage infection dynamics, plasmid transfer, and interbacterial interactions within biofilms. We show that densely packed biofilms can protect sensitive bacteria from phage exposure and modulate competitive outcomes between obligately lytic and temperate phages. We find that entirely different outcomes can coöccur within microns of each other dependent on biofilm structure. We also demonstrate …

No Effect In Plasma Corticosterone Levels After Observation Of Diseased Conspecifics, B. M. Hardy, M. Chang, S. Mccallum, S. Santangelo, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Organisms commonly respond to stressors in their environment by increasing the secretion of corticosterone (CORT). While increased CORT is acknowledged as a response to predation risk by organisms inhabiting a landscape of fear, new research raises the potential for changes in CORT as a response to the risk of infection by organisms in their environment. An increase in CORT of a healthy, uninfected individual in response to their perception of the risk of infection in their environment could change their susceptibility to infection, highlighting a significant role for CORT to alter host–pathogen dynamics. To investigate the effects of infection risk …

The Role Of Autophagy In Intestinal Infection In Mice And C. Elegans, Gowri Kalugotla

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Although autophagy, which is the process by which cells reallocate nutrients and eliminate unwanted materials, has been studied for decades, the connections between autophagy, inflammation, and viral immunity are still under investigation. Our studies focus on two genes: murine Epg5, which is involved in fusion of the autophagosome and lysosome, and C. elegans atg-3, which is important for the elongation of the phagophore. Here, we find that Epg5 mutation protects against enteric viruses including norovirus and rotavirus. We identify IFN- responsive genes as a key alteration and observe that Epg5 mutant mice exhibit substantial alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Surprisingly, …

Investigating Corollaries Between Streptococcus Gallolyticus Subsp. Gallolyticus Virulence And Colorectal Cancer, Tyler G. Myers

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (Sgg) is a gram-positive, non-beta-hemolytic bacterium that belongs to the Lancefield group D of streptococcal pathogens. For the past several decades, associations between Sgg bacteremia and colorectal cancer (CRC) have been apparent, with gastroenterologists routinely recommending colonoscopies for positive cases of Sgg in either blood or stool samples. However, current research has not wholly established whether Sgg acts as a causative agent of CRC or if pre-existing cancers make the lumen of the colon more hospitable to its colonization. Regardless, Sgg has been implicated in the modulation of host inflammatory pathways and subsequent remodeling …

Perioperative Fluid Management In Cardiac Surgery: Contemporary Evidence And Clinical Controversies, Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Hchaimi, Hussein Alkhfaji, Majid Fakhir Al-Hamaidah, Mohammad Ali Hassan Jassim, Ammar Hoom Mahdi, Fatima Al-Sharwood, Sunder Etta

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Perioperative fluid therapy is a cornerstone of anesthetic management in cardiac surgery, where both hypovolemia and hypervolemia are associated with increased morbidity, forming a ``U-shaped'' relationship with outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed literature (2000–2024) identified via PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Database, focusing on randomized trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines for adult cardiac surgery. A central debate persists regarding fluid choice. Current evidence supports the preferential use of balanced crystalloids over normal saline, as large-volume saline is linked to hyperchloremic acidosis and reduced renal perfusion. Colloids like albumin and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) offer efficient volume expansion but require …

Interdisciplinary Management Of Severe Pediatric Subglottic Stenosis: A Case Report Of Endoscopic Balloon Dilation Under Shared Airway Conditions, Margaretha Gunawan, Syahrial Marsintha Hutauruk, Fauziah Fardizza, Christopher Kapuangan, Mikhael Yosia

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Pediatric acquired subglottic stenosis is a high-risk airway condition that requires close coordination between anesthesiology and otorhinolaryngology teams, particularly during endoscopic interventions performed under shared-airway conditions. This report describes the interdisciplinary management and anesthetic–surgical coordination in a child with severe acquired subglottic stenosis undergoing endoscopic balloon dilation, highlighting key decision points and airway management strategies. A 2-year-old boy with a history of prolonged and repeated endotracheal intubations presented with persistent dyspnea and noisy breathing, consistent with fixed extrathoracic airway obstruction. The case was reviewed in a multidisciplinary pediatric difficult-airway meeting, and operative management consisted of endoscopic airway evaluation and balloon …

Uncovering Hidden Features Of Copyback Viral Genomes, Sarah Pye

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Copyback viral genomes (cbVGs) are truncated non-protein coding viral genomes produced when an RNA virus polymerase detaches from the replication template and resumes elongation downstream, copying back a sequence complementary to the nascent strand. cbVGs can stimulate antiviral immunity and compete for viral proteins to suppress virus replication, but technical limitations of PCR-based approaches have painted an incomplete picture of the diverse cbVG populations generated during infection. Here, we sought to improve our understanding of cbVG molecular structure by harnessing long-read RNA sequencing tools. To do this, we developed a robust and reliable pipeline to sequence and analyze native full-length …

Cis-Regulatory Evolution Of Wnt Family Genes Contributes To A Morphological Difference Between Silkworm Species, Kenta Tomihara, Ana Pinharanda, Young Mi Kwon, Andrew M. Taverner, Laura S. Kors, Matthew L. Aardema, Julia C. Holder, Lin Poyraz, Takashi Kiuchi, Peter Andolfatto

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Closely related species often exhibit distinct morphologies that can contribute to species-specific adaptations and reproductive isolation. One example is Lepidopteran caterpillar appendages, such as the “caudal horn” of Bombycoidea moths, which have evolved substantial morphological diversity among species in this group. Using interspecific crosses, we identify the genetic basis of the caudal horn size difference between Bombyx mori and its closest relative Bombyx mandarina. The three largest of eight QTL account for one third the mean horn length difference between the species. The largest of these, on chromosome 4, encompasses a conserved Wnt family gene cluster, key upstream regulators …

Moderate-Temperature Hydrothermal Treatment Removes Detectable Dna And Antibiotic Resistance Genes From Municipal Sludge While Preserving Resource Value, R Sean Norman M.Sc., Ph.D., Mirza Isanovic, Gabrielle Kartzmark, Nicole Berge

Faculty Publications

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are key reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with municipal sludge containing high bacterial densities and diverse ARGs that may spread through land application. Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is a process that inactivates pathogens and stabilizes biomass, but its performance at moderate temperatures is less understood. We evaluated HT (100°C–250°C; 2–24 h) for degrading bacterial DNA and ARGs in dewatered municipal sludge. DNA was quantified by fluorometry, bacterial presence confirmed by 16S rRNA gene PCR, and ARGs profiled by qPCR targeting 84 clinically and environmentally relevant genes. HT up to 250°C produced modest carbon densification, high solids …

Moderate-Temperature Hydrothermal Treatment Removes Detectable Dna And Antibiotic Resistance Genes From Municipal Sludge While Preserving Resource Value, R. Sean Norman, Mirza Isanovic, Gabrielle Kartzmark, Nicole Berge

Faculty Publications

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are key reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with municipal sludge containing high bacterial densities and diverse ARGs that may spread through land application. Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is a process that inactivates pathogens and stabilizes biomass, but its performance at moderate temperatures is less understood. We evaluated HT (100°C–250°C; 2–24 h) for degrading bacterial DNA and ARGs in dewatered municipal sludge. DNA was quantified by fluorometry, bacterial presence confirmed by 16S rRNA gene PCR, and ARGs profiled by qPCR targeting 84 clinically and environmentally relevant genes. HT up to 250°C produced modest carbon densification, high solids …

International Consensus-Driven Recommendations For Patient-Reported Outcome Research Objectives In Early Phase Dose-Finding Oncology Trials: Optimise-Ror, Emily Alger, Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi, Amylou C Dueck, Anna Minchom, Madeline Pe, John D Peipert, Claire Snyder, Stefan N Symeonides, Roger Wilson, Ethan Basch, Yu Qiao, Susan E Bates, Helen Bulbeck, Lizzie Dean, Massimo Di Maio, Aaron R Hansen, Olga Kholmanskikh, Ken Kobayashi, Dónal Landers, Christophe Le Tourneau, J Jack Lee, Brigette B Y Ma, Lynley V Marshall, Sheetal Patel, Joan Petrie, Gregory R Pond, Kieran Prior, Khadija R Rantell, John F Reeve, Olga Solovyeva, Nolan A Wages, Harald A Weber, Melanie J Calvert, Christina Yap

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: There is growing scientific interest in incorporating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in early phase dose-finding oncology trials (DFOTs) to assess tolerability, inform dose selection, and guide later stage trial design. However, research indicates that PRO objectives in DFOTs are often unclear. The Incorporating Patient-Reported Outcomes in Dose-Finding Trials-Research Objectives Recommendations (OPTIMISE-ROR) project was established to support trialists to effectively incorporate PROs into DFOTs.

Methods: Using the Enhancing Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) Network's methodological framework, guideline development included the following: (1) a methodological review of published DFOTs incorporating PROs; (2) candidate item generation, refined through expert consultation; (3) …

Evaluating Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris Gallopavo Silvestris) Behavioral Ecology In The Southeastern United States, Chad Argabright

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo spp.) is a game bird species in North America who are one of the great success stories in restoration and conservation. Wild turkeys were extirpated from most of their range in the early 20th century, but through habitat restoration and translocation efforts the population was restored to the point of being sustainably harvested in 49 U.S. States by the late 20th century. However recent declines in wild turkey population indices have necessitated ongoing research on the behavioral ecology of wild turkeys to help counteract these declines. East Texas specifically for the past century has …

The Comparison Of Fresh And Dry Duckweed (Lemna Minor L.) On Metal (Cr6+, Cd2+, And Zn2+) Removal From Wastewater, Rahin Islam, Noah Smith, Ben Jang, Lin Guo

Student Publications

Heavy metals contaminating the environment is a global concern. Duckweed (Lemna minor) is a promising plant for the phytoremediation and biosorption of metal-contaminated water. Although studies have shown that duckweed can remove multiple metals, there is limited research comparing the efficiency of fresh and dried biomass for wastewater treatment. To evaluate the performance of both forms, fresh and dried duckweed were exposed to metal solutions containing varying concentrations of Cr6+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ (5 mg/LCr6+ +1mg/LCd2+ 10mg/LZn2+;10mg/LCr6+ +5mg/LCd2+ +50mg/LZn2+; or 50 mg/LCr6+ +25mg/LCd2+ +250mg/LZn2+)for a duration of 168 h. Metal uptake in fresh duckweed followed zero-order kinetics for Cr6+, Cd2+, …

Dual Phagocytosis-Checkpoint Blockade Revitalizes Immune Surveillance In Mouse Models Of Glioblastoma, Jonghoon Ha, Yifan Wang, Yifan Ma, Annette Wu, Shiyan Dong, Seong Dong Jeong, Jared L Edwards, Mengyu Chang, Yen-Tzu Chang, Xiaotian Wang, Maurice Dufilho, Michelle Najarro Torres, Shannon Mccabe, Weiye Deng, Adam J Grippin, Jeffrey S Weinberg, Shaan M Raza, Franco Demonte, Ian E Mccutcheon, Sujit Prabhu, Sherise D Ferguson, Chibawanye I Ene, Kadir Akdemir, Sreyashi Basu, Sonali Jindal, Benjamin R Schrank, Jian Hu, Sangeeta Goswami, Vinay K Puduvalli, Frederick F Lang, Kristin Huntoon, Padmanee Sharma, Betty Y S Kim, Wen Jiang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of tumor cells elicits potent antitumor immunity. Nonetheless, sole-blockade of the anti-phagocytosis molecule CD47 has yielded insufficient therapeutic outcomes. Here, we report that glioblastoma (GBM) cells expressed abundant levels of phagocytosis checkpoint CD24. We further show that dual blockade of CD24 and CD47 synergistically enhances the pro-phagocytic activity of macrophages, thereby improving tumor antigen cross-presentation and activating the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. This innate immune activation facilitates T cell infiltration into tumors and sensitizes tumors to anti-PD1 therapy, improving survival outcomes in murine GBM models, including immunosuppressive tumors reflecting human GBM-like features. Thus, our …

Microrna-625-3p Increases Chemosensitivity In Ovarian Cancer Cells Through Decreasing Ssx2ip-Mediated Cisplatin Export In Extracellular Vesicles, Chi-Lam Au-Yeung, Tetsushi Tsuruga, Marina A Talor, Yadira J Pacheco, Guangan He, Zahid H Siddik, Byeong J Cha, Suet-Ying Kwan, Kwong-Kwok Wong, Kay-Pong Yip, Samuel C Mok

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a disease that is difficult to manage due to its heterogeneous clinical behavior. No reliable prediction of response to chemotherapy is currently available and the overall survival rate remains poor. Herein, we sought to determine the molecular mechanisms by which microRNAs (miRNAs) confer chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and demonstrate the efficacy of targeting miRNAs to sensitize HGSC to cisplatin treatment.

Methods: Next-generation miRNA sequencing was performed using microdissected HGSC specimens to identify an miRNA signature for intrinsic chemoresistance, and miR-625-3p was selected for further study. The effects of miR-625-3p on cisplatin sensitivity …

Waste-To-Energy Innovations And Advances In Hydrothermal Carbonization, Microwave, And Pyrolysis Processes: A Review, Ali Mohammed Saleh, Noah Mohammed Saleh, Mahmod A. Abdulqader, Hadi Hamdi Mahdi, Jafar Keighobadi, Omar K. Ahmed, Khalil Farhan Yassin, Azil Bahari Bin Alias, Omar Abed Habeeb, Ibrahim Awad Mohammed

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

The accelerating global generation of municipal solid waste, coupled with escalating energy demands, presents one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Conventional waste disposal pathways, such as landfilling and incineration, exacerbate environmental degradation and resource loss. In response, thermochemical technologies—specifically hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), microwave-assisted processing, and pyrolysis—have emerged as promising strategies for waste valorization and renewable energy recovery. This review critically examines recent advancements in these technologies, emphasizing their roles in converting diverse waste streams into high-value energy carriers and carbon-rich materials. Comparative analysis reveals that HTC operates efficiently under subcritical water conditions, producing hydrochar with …

The Sentience Of The Horse And The Philosophy Of Natural Horsemanship: Implications For Hrd Leadership, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper advances a biologically grounded philosophy of leadership through the lens of Natural Horsemanship. It reframes leadership as an embodied, sentient process rather than a purely cognitive or behavioral construct. Drawing from neuroscience, affective biology, sociology, and human resource development (HRD), it proposes that the horse–human relationship provides a living model for relational intelligence. The horse’s exquisite attunement to human emotion—mediated through limbic regulation and bio-behavioral synchrony—reveals that influence arises not from authority but from coherence. Leadership, like horsemanship, is a reciprocal act of co-regulation in which trust, safety, and communication are revealed through physiology before language. By examining …

Pelvic Health: Lived Experience, Needs And Resources For Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Louise Carroll, Catherine Doody, Cliona O’ Sullivan, Carla Perrotta, Brona M. Fullen

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects up to 50% of women and can substantially impact physical function, psychological wellbeing, and quality of life. Despite its prevalence, gaps remain in understanding the experiences and support needs of reproductive-age women, particularly within the Irish healthcare context. This thesis aimed to explore the lived experience of women with POP, examine knowledge and care gaps among women and healthcare professionals (HCPs), and develop an intervention to support self- management. A mixed-methods approach was used. A systematic review identified limitations in the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and highlighted opportunities to better capture biopsychosocial characteristics …

When Irl Is Not An Option: Social Media Bans And The Exclusion Of Autistic Youth, Melanie Gruben, Ashley Sheil, Anne Ryan Duffy, Jacob Camillleri, Michelle O'Keeffe, Hazel Murray

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

After the roll-out of the social media ban in Australia in 2025, policy makers are considering psychosocial benefits and logistical implications. However, the needs of autistic people, who may rely more on the Internet for social connection earlier in life, should be taken into account. This white paper proposes a responsibility to support alternative means of social connection for autistic young people where bans are considered, as IRL (in real life) socialising is not always accessible.

Selfhealth: Continuous Semantic Intelligence For Privacy-Aware Lifelogging, Allie Tran

Women+ in Early Career Research Symposium

Lifelogging — the continuous digital recording of everyday experience through wearable cameras and sensors — has long promised benefits for memory augmentation, health monitoring, and lifestyle analysis. However, current systems follow a capture–store–retrieve model that delays analysis until after data collection, limiting their practical usefulness and creating significant privacy risks through prolonged retention of sensitive raw data. This paper argues that lifelogging should instead analyse data at the moment of capture, enabling timely, context-sensitive support and safer handling of personal information through privacy-by-design. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach through SelfHealth, an early prototype system built on a custom …

Sigrescuer: A Pan-System Framework For Noise Correction And Mutational Signature Identification Across Sequencing Platforms, Peter T. Nguyen, Maria Zhivagui

Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine Faculty Research

Introduction: Mutational signatures serve as molecular fingerprints of the biological processes and exposures that shape cancer genomes. However, accurate signal recovery remains challenging due to pervasive background variants, sequencing artifacts, technical noise, and platform-specific biases that obscure true mutagenic patterns, hampering biomarker discovery, and mechanistic interpretation. Methods: Here we introduce SigRescueR, a rigorous, pan-system, computational framework based on Bayesian inference designed for noise correction and mutational signature identification. SigRescueR applies statistically robust baseline correction to effectively disentangle true mutational signals from confounding noise and artifacts. Results: When applied to extensive datasets spanning experimental models and human cancers, SigRescueR reliably identified …