Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Anti-Gdnf On The Sensory And Autonomic Nervous System In The Heart, Tryphosa Konadu

Honors Theses

Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death; about 1 in every five deaths is due to heart disease. “Heart disease” is a catch-all phrase that encompasses a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. Many of these symptoms can be attributed to dysfunction within the parasympathetic, sympathetic, and sensory nervous systems. Neurotrophic factors like GDNF (Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and NGF (Nerve growth factor) promotes neuronal survival, and regeneration of the nerve fibers of the heart, especially sensory and autonomic nerve fibers. Studies have suggested that increased expression of …

Recognizing Ibd In Kids: What Every Pediatrician Should Know, Mike Smith, Julie A. Bass

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

This episode walks through how to identify inflammatory bowel disease in children, the key red flags that matter, and practical steps primary care providers can take before referral. It’s essential because earlier recognition of pediatric IBD can prevent growth problems, nutritional deficiencies, and serious complications. Guest: Julie Bass, DO, Medical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program at Children’s Mercy and Professor of Pediatrics, offers clinical tips from years in pediatric gastroenterology. You’ll hear about stool testing like fecal calprotectin, basic blood work including CBC and CRP, growth monitoring, and when to consider colonoscopy or urgent referral for suspected Crohn’s …

Understanding The Experience Of Separation On The Substance-Exposed Mother-Infant Dyad, Tamara Lee Depascale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Maternal-infant separation following birth is a profoundly distressing experience that may have significant emotional, relational, and health implications for mothers with substance use disorders (SUD). Guided by Caring Science and Swanson’s Theory of Caring, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the dimensions of the health challenge associated with maternal-infant separation among mothers with SUD following birth and the approaches mothers used to navigate and respond to that experience. Data were collected through semi structured interviews with mothers who had experienced separation from their infants following birth and analyzed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed …

Using Polygenic Risk Scores To Evaluate Definitions Of Self-Reported Sleep Phenotypes Across Cohorts, Annah B Wyss, Michael Brown, Xiang Li, Brian W Spitzer, Zhijie Huang, Heming Wang, Richa Saxena, Linda Gallo, Qibin Qi, Wassim Tarraf, Robert Kaplan, Melissa Lamar, Hector M González, Charles Decarli, Myriam Fornage, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Kent D Taylor, Xiuqing Guo, Alexis C Wood, Peter Y Liu, Susan R Heckbert, Chloé Sarnowski, Jan Bressler, Alanna C Morrison, Bing Yu, Pamela L Lutsey, Carmen R Isasi, Susan Redline, Tamar Sofer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Study objectives: Since genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of sleep phenotypes have been conducted in differing populations and definitions of sleep phenotypes vary across studies, we investigated associations between several polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and potential sleep definitions among multiethnic cohorts.

Methods: Using data from four cohorts (HCHS/SOL, ARIC, MESA, BHS, N = 16 895), we considered multiple definitions of short and long sleep, insomnia, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). PRSs were developed based on summary statistics from GWAS in European ancestry individuals from the UK Biobank (UKB) and from GWAS conducted in a multiethnic population from the Million Veteran Program …

Exploring The Motivations And Educational Needs For Undergraduate Nursing Students To Enter Into Critical Care: A Qualitative Study., Christina S. Pradhan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Critical care nursing is a specialty that demands a high level of skill and dedication. In this high-stress, fast-paced environment, nurses must think fast and act decisively with sound clinical judgment and knowledge. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was to understand the motivating factors that cause nurses to enter the field of critical care, as well as to explore the ways in which undergraduate nursing studies may be improved to better prepare future critical care nurses. Knowles’ adult learning theory was well suited for nursing students bound for a critical care path. Students at two different baccalaureate …

Identifying The Effects Of Racial Bias On Levels Of Medical Mistrust Among Black And White Young Adults, Clayton L. Westmoreland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional group comparison was to examine whether differences exist in levels of medical mistrust, healthcare avoidance, and preference for racially concordant providers between young Black adults and young White adults residing in Texas. An electronic, pilot-tested survey was distributed via social media and included demographic items and Likert-scale measures to assess trust levels and healthcare decision-making behaviors. Independent samples t-tests were conducted using IBM SPSS software to compare group means. Results indicated statistically significant differences across all three variables. Young Black adults reported significantly higher levels of medical mistrust (lower scores indicating greater mistrust; …

Experiences Of Cholesterol Management Among Obese Individuals: A Qualitative Exploration Of Statin Use, Diet, And Physical Activity, Ke'andra S. Foggie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia has increased over the past decade, with obesity identified as a major contributing factor. This study examined how individuals with obesity and hypercholesterolemia managed cholesterol and experienced related challenges within their daily lives. Guided by the Chronic Care Model, the research explored participant-reported experiences of statin therapy and lifestyle practices, including dietary behaviors and physical activity, as components of cholesterol management. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis to analyze participant-reported barriers, supports, and contextual factors that shape how these practices are incorporated into daily routines. Although extensive research has examined statin …

A Critical Review On Enhancing Equity Of Mental Health Treatment Of African American Families Through Social Support And Social Capital, Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, Morgan E. Cooley, Heather M. Thompson, Atensia Earp Bowen, Gabe Caress, Alicia Best

Journal of Justice-Informed Social Work Practice and Research

African American adults and children experience both disproportionality and disparity when in contact with the mental health delivery system. There are a number of contextual factors that influence the treatment of African American families, such as systemic oppression or racism in both society and the behavioral health system or individual expressions of mental health symptomology. This review will provide an overview of how mental health disparities crossover systems, perceptions of mental health and mental health treatment among African American families, provide some context for why this review was written, as well as discuss the context of social support and social …

Infant Hippocampal And Amygdala Volume In An Observational Follow-Up From A Randomized Clinical Trial For Maternal Prenatal Depression, Catherine H. Demers, Benjamin L. Hankin, Lillybelle K. Deer, Robert J. Gallop, Mercedes Hoeflich Haase, M. Camille Hoffman, Martin A. Styner, Nancy K. Grote, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology: Data Sets

Prenatal maternal depression may have intergenerational effects on offspring brain development, with potential socioemotional consequences. In an observational follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of a prenatal depression intervention (the CARE Project; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03011801), brain development and subsequent negative emotionality were examined among 109 infants born to mothers randomized during pregnancy to brief interpersonal psychotherapy or enhanced usual care. These data include MRI-derived hippocampal and amygdala volumes at approximately 6 weeks of age and a laboratory-based assessment of infant negative emotionality at 6 months.

Resulting Publication: Infant hippocampal and amygdala volume in an observational follow-up from a randomized clinical trial …

Functional Divergence Of Capicua Isoforms Explains Differential Tissue Vulnerability In Neurological Disease, Hamin Lee, Esmeralda Villavicencio Gonzalez, Elias M Rivera, Mark A Durham, Ronald Richman, Elizabeth H-Y Chu, Kailey Xia, Hu Chen, Zhandong Liu, Surabi Veeraragavan, Binoy Shivanna, Huda Y Zoghbi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Many neurological diseases impact specific brain regions despite widespread expression of the disease-related protein. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) primarily affects the cerebellum, though Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) is widely expressed. We previously showed that intensified interaction between mutant ATXN1 and Capicua (CIC) drives SCA1 pathogenesis in the cerebellum, whereas ATXN1 loss augments amyloid β production in the hippocampus and cortex. CIC, however, forms a complex with ATXN1 and its paralog, Ataxin-1-like (ATXN1L), yet knockout of either yields completely different phenotypes. To determine whether this could be due to CIC having two isoforms, we generated mice bearing either the long (CIC-L) or …

Inhibiting Chikungunya Virus Protease Using Mtase-Like Domain Interactions For Novel Antiviral Therapies, Justin G. Julander

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Persistent Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy As A Chronic Cancer Pain Syndrome: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Limitations, And Future Directions, Reed Firestone, Jamin Morrison

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, dose-limiting complication of cancer therapy and a major contributor to chronic neuropathic pain among cancer survivors. Although traditionally managed as a treatment-related toxicity, persistent CIPN frequently persists long after chemotherapy completion and is increasingly recognized as a major survivorship and palliative care challenge. This review synthesizes current mechanistic, clinical, and translational evidence and reframes persistent CIPN as a chronic neuropathic cancer pain syndrome. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by manual review of key references and clinical guidelines. Emphasis was placed …

Full Issue: Volume 4, Issue 1 - 2026

Bone Bulletin

i - Editors’ Note by Elijah Hoffman and Liam Gibbons

ii - Foreword by Dr. Alan Hilibrand

7 - Clinical Uncertainty in Digital Monitoring After Shoulder Arthroplasty by Abhi Pandey

10 - The Changing Value of Joint Arthroplasty Under the RVU System by Kiley Hamou

13 - SCALPEL TO ROBOT TO ALGORITHM: Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Evolution of Spine Surgery by Mateja Stefanovic

18 - Suture-Free Nerve Repair in Upper-Extremity Surgery by Adam Gaughan

20 - The Impact of Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet Surgery on Distal Radius Fracture Plating by Michael Carey

23 - Unicompartmental Versus Total Knee …

Biologic Adjuncts In Hand Surgery: Current Evidence, Limitations, And Clinical Implications, Joseph Kelly

Bone Bulletin

Introduction Biologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based treatments, have gained substantial attention across orthopaedics as agents that may enhance tissue healing and modulate inflammation.^1,4 Their use has expanded in the management of degenerative joint disease, tendinopathies, and fracture nonunion across multiple subspecialties within the field.^1,3,6 Despite the developing research base, prior hand-focused reviews have noted that orthobiologics in hand surgery remains an underdeveloped area, leaving limited guidance available to inform clinical decision making.^1-2

Conceptual Frameworks, Evolving Technology, And Common Misconceptions: How Orthopedic Hand Surgeons Choose Fracture Fixation Technique, Sudesh Jaisi

Bone Bulletin

Fracture fixation is often taught as a binary decision between operative and nonoperative management, which fails to reflect the complexity of real-world clinical decision-making. This article analyzes fracture fixation through a conceptual, fracture personality-based framework incorporating biomechanics, fracture characteristics, patient-specific factors, and evolving implant technology. Clinical decision-making is best understood as a spectrum of interventions, where multiple fixation strategies may be technically appropriate but differ in invasiveness, stability, complication risk, and functional recovery. Across representative fracture types, including distal radius and olecranon injuries, management is driven by fracture stability, anticipated behavior under physiologic load, and patient functional demands rather than …

Suture-Free Nerve Repair In Upper-Extremity Surgery, Adam Gaughan

Bone Bulletin

Introduction

Peripheral nerves have a limited capacity to regenerate.¹ Treating peripheral nerve injuries and the ensuing recovery of sensory and/or motor function are challenging for surgeons due to a number of variables that impact nerve recovery; including, the mechanism of nerve transection, the level or distance of injury relative to the target organ, patient age and comorbidities, and the repair technique employed. Most factors are not modifiable, but repair techniques are modifiable and can have a meaningful impact on outcomes. Nerve repair opt ions inc lude di r e ct end- to- end r epai r (neurorrhaphy), conduit-assisted repair, …

Factors Influencing Piglet Average Daily Gain During The First Week Of Lactation In Hyperprolific Sow Under Tropical Conditions, Yosua Kristian Adi, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul, Jakavat Ruampatana, Manmueang Malison, Roy Neville Kirkwood, Padet Tummaruk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Birth weight (BW) is a key determinant of average daily gain (ADG) in piglets; however, hyperprolific sow genetics, particularly under tropical conditions, have increased the proportion of low-birth-weight piglets. This study evaluated factors associated with ADG during the first 7 days of lactation within birth weight categories (1.3 kg). A total of 1,185 piglets from 97 litters that survived to day 7 were included. Factors analyzed were cumulative birth interval, birth order, colostrum intake per kilogram of body weight, rectal temperature at 24 h postpartum, sex, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and cross-fostering. Birth weight, cumulative birth interval, birth order, colostrum …

From Villi To Alveoli: Lung Involvement In Celiac Disease – A Narrative Review, Mateusz Marzec, Patrycja Cecha

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background:

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten that affects about 1% of the population and may present with extraintestinal manifestations. Pulmonary complications are considered rare and are poorly characterized. Lane-Hamilton syndrome is the best described lung manifestation, but data suggests a broader spectrum of respiratory involvement.

Methods:

We performed a narrative review with structured search strategy of PubMed and Embase (January 1, 1970 – December 1, 2025) using the terms celiac/coeliac and lung, pulmonary, respiratory, hemoptysis, hemosiderosis, alveolar hemorrhage, interstitial lung disease, alveolitis, bronchiectasis …

Inferior Alveolar Nerve Proximity In Mandibular Molar Distalization: Implications For Orthodontic Treatment Planning, Samantha Hsien-Chu Mao, Chia-Hsuan Chan, Yu-Jen Chang, Shiu-Shiung Lin, Chen-Feng Cheng, Te-Ju Wu

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the anatomical boundaries of mandibular molar distalization, emphasizing the risk of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) contact. Patients and Methods: In total, 30 skeletal Class III patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (59 mandibular hemi-arches) were analyzed using pretreatment three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography scans. The shortest horizontal distance between the mandibular second molar and the inferior alveolar canal (M2-IAC) was measured at multiple depths below the cementoenamel junction, along with the distance to the lingual cortical plate (M2-MLC). Samples were categorized by vertical facial pattern (low-, normal-, and high-angle case). Simulated distalization cases predicting IAN contact were …

Comparative Evaluation Of Selected Properties Of Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon (Ta-C) Coated And Uncoated Beta Titanium (Β-Ti) Archwires - An In Vitro Study, Abhinaya Jotheswaran, Kurunji Kumaran Navaneethakrishnan

Taiwanese Journal of Orthodontics

Objective: The development of newer archwires can be achieved either by discovering novel materials or by modifying existing ones. The objective of the present study was to coat beta-titanium (β-Ti) archwires with tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C)/hard carbon and to evaluate selected physical and mechanical properties. Methods: Hard carbon–coated (n = 5) and uncoated (n = 5) β-Ti wires were assessed for surface roughness, wear resistance, load-deflection characteristics, and friction using appropriate testing apparatus under dry in vitro conditions. Results: Compared to uncoated β-Ti wires, ta-C–coated β-Ti wires demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in surface roughness, increased wear resistance, and lower …

Interstitial Fluid N-Glycans Serve As A Proxy For Serum Biomarker Discovery In A Pilot Study, Radka Saldova, Talus K. Gaymore, Caitriona Walsh, Eder Zavala, Paula M. Mendes

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Protein glycosylation is the most prevalent post-translational modification and is known to undergo profound alterations in disease. While serum N-glycosylation has been extensively studied, interstitial fluid is gaining prominence as a minimally invasive biomarker source, underscored by the widespread clinical adoption of wearable glucose monitors in diabetic patients. However, the glycomic landscape of interstitial fluid remains largely unexplored. Here, we have performed a comparative analysis of the N-glycome from interstitial fluid and matched plasma from five healthy volunteers using liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and exoglycosidase digestions. Strikingly, the interstitial fluid N-glycome closely shows overlapping profiles with the plasma of each …

Food And Drug Administration Audit Outcomes And Their Association With Class I And Class Ii Food Recalls, Mark Baker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foodborne illness and food recalls remain major public health concerns in the United States. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the purpose of this quantitative secondary analysis was to examine whether Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection classifications, warning letters, and prior 24-month inspection frequency were associated with facility involvement in a subsequent Class I or Class II food recall. Question-specific analytic files were created from publicly available FDA administrative records. Eligible records included FDA-regulated food facilities with qualifying inspection or warning letter events and sufficient data to assess recall involvement within a 12-month follow-up period. The final analytic …

Overcoming Igf1r-Mediated Resistance To Oncolytic Hsv1 And Radiotherapy Via Triple Combination Therapy, Alexandra A Miller, Min-Hye Noh, Jin Muk Kang, Jiyeon Kim, Lily Nguyen, Amanda S Kouaho, Grace Nguyen, Minxin Huang, Stephanie M Bean, Joshua Davis, Matthew P Mullarkey, Sunil Krishnan, Zhongming Zhao, E Antonio Chiocca, Tae Jin Lee, Ji Young Yoo

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

FDA-approved oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 (oHSV) therapy has emerged as a promising viro-immunotherapy for solid tumors. However, tumor- and tumor microenvironment (TME)-associated adaptations following viral treatment, such as feedback immune suppression, neoangiogenesis, and enhanced tumor aggressiveness, often hinder complete tumor eradication. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to oHSV is crucial to enhancing its clinical impact. We recently discovered that oHSV induces Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) secretion, shaping an immunosuppressive TME. Similarly, radiotherapy (RTx) activates the IGF1/IGF1R and YAP1 signaling pathways, further promoting therapeutic resistance. In this study, we investigated how oHSV-induced Insulin-like growth factor 1 …

Less Frequent Versus More Frequent Cervical Examinations In Labor: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Alessandro Petrecca, Benedetta Bina, Chiara Tersigni, Tullio Ghi, Vincenzo Berghella

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Digital cervical examinations are central to intrapartum care, yet their optimal frequency remains uncertain and is largely based on consensus rather than high-quality evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To compare less frequent versus more frequent cervical examinations during labor in terms of obstetrical, maternal and neonatal outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed Central, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to August 2025, without language or geographic restrictions. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251033729).

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing different frequencies of cervical examinations in term singleton pregnancies during labor were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers …

Epilepsy-Associated Digenic Variants Affecting An Actin-Mitochondria-Glutamate Pathway Promote Seizure Susceptibility, Shenzhao Lu, Mengqi Ma, Shabab B Hannan, Mingxi Deng, Hu Chen, Zhijian Yu, Lindsey D Goodman, Haein Kim, Yun Zhao, Sandeep Kumar Dubey, Wen-Wen Lin, Xueyang Pan, Debdeep Dutta, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, Jill A Rosenfeld, Xi Luo, Zhandong Liu, Joshua M Shulman, Hugo J Bellen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, yet more than half of individuals with a presumed genetic cause still lack a molecular diagnosis despite the identification of over 1,000 monogenic epilepsy genes. This diagnostic gap is unlikely to be resolved by improved variant detection alone, suggesting that variants affecting the same biological pathway may combine to cause disease. By studying epilepsy-associated actin regulatory genes, we identified a conserved "actin-mitochondria-glutamate (AMG) pathway". We demonstrate that reduced actin polymerization promotes DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and enhances glutamatergic transmission, leading to seizures. The glial innate immune pathway, a …

Setting The Stage For Surviving Cancer, Kelly Allen

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Margaret Petersen, theater artist and assistant stage manager of the Grand Rapids Ballet, is featured in the cover art for the Summer 2026 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). The self-portrait photograph depicts Petersen standing cheerfully on a terrace, dressed as an orange “safety cone” holding onto an IV pole. She takes in some fresh air as she receives her chemotherapy medication at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavillion. Donned in orange coveralls and a modified hat topped with a small traffic cone and the word SAFETY emblazoned across the front, it is the costume she created to wear …

Incivility And Toxicity In Occupational Therapy Academic Environments, Sharon Gutman, Sandra Rogers, Rondalyn V. Whitney

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Toxicity in the academic environment is defined as an insidious form of behavior that is characterized by overt negativity with the intent to cause harm and includes bullying, manipulation, gas lighting, discrimination, preferential treatment, and ostracization. Reasons accounting for the existence of toxicity in academia include long-standing cultural norms of competition for scarce resources, devaluing of collaboration, unrealistic workload expectations and benchmarks for success, a milieu of excessive and negative critique, low salaries and professional rewards, and a hierarchical ranking system that encourages abuse of power without consequences. The impact of toxicity in academia on occupational therapy faculty include high …

The Content Validity Of The Functional Cognition Index In Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Fci-Iadl) As A Screening Tool For Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) In Older Adults In Singapore, Namrata P. Sadarangani, Phyllis Simon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome that is considered a transition phase between healthy cognitive aging and dementia. The person may have subjective memory complaints, substantiated by family or caregiver and/or impaired executive function, that lead to difficulties performing complex Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Our objective was to develop a tool to assess functional cognition in IADLs as a screen for MCI in older adults.

Method: A Qualtrics survey questionnaire was rated by 15 content experts on the relevance of the 22 test item questions to the cognitive domains being measured using a 4-point …

Small Cell Lung Cancer In A Never-Smoking Patient: A Case Highlighting Diagnostic And Screening Gaps In Primary Care, Edward Hamilton, Alexandra She, Francis Jenney

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is best known in relation to tobacco exposure and tends to be seen in advanced disease. Contemporary guidelines in lung cancer screening demonstrate a strong emphasis on smoking exposure, which may serve as a barrier to recognition in never-smokers who lack conventional risk factors. As a result, SCLC in never-smokers remains an important but underrecognized consideration in general and primary care settings. The current case involves a 65-year-old African American man who has never been a smoker but who presented with progressive thoracic pain, shortness of breath, and unintended weight loss, leading to the discovery …

Comparative Evaluation Of Radioisotope Accumulation In Stems And Leaves Of Wild Flora In Nineveh Governorate For Environmental Pollution Indicator, Amina Q. Al-Bakri, Ayman Albanna, Mazin N. Fadhel

BioMed Visions Journal

It is a comparative assessment of natural deposition of radioisotopes in wild plants' stems and leaves from 11 sites of Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Levels of ^226Ra, ^232Th, and ^40K activities were determined using high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and radiological equivalent indices—Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE), Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE), Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), and hazard indices (Hex, Hin, Iγ) were determined. All results indicated invariably greater radionuclide accumulation in leaves than in stems at every station. Mean Raeq in leaves was 63,473 Bq/kg and in stems 60,854 Bq/kg, and the highest …