Digital Commons Network^™

Scaling Covid-19 Rates With Population Size In The United States, Austin R. Cruz, Brian J. Enquist, Joseph R. Burger

Biology Faculty Publications

Using county-level data from the United States, we assessed allometric scaling relationships of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, deaths and age structure within and across the first four major waves of the pandemic (wild-type, alpha, delta, omicron). Results generally indicate that the burden of cases disproportionately impacted larger-sized counties, while the burden of deaths disproportionately impacted smaller counties. This may be partially due to multiple interacting social mechanisms, including a higher proportion of older adults who live in smaller counties. Moreover, these likely social mechanisms interacting with vaccinations and virus waves created a dynamic pattern whereby the rate and magnitude of …

Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Prenatal Care Utilization In Arkansas, United States., Pearl A Mcelfish, Aaron Caldwell, Donya Watson, Jonathan Langner, Jennifer Callaghan-Koru, Austin Porter, Don E Willis, Jennifer A Andersen, Nicola L Hawley, James P Selig, Amir Forati, Maria R Alcala, Lanita White, Enrique Gomez-Pomar, Clare C Brown

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: This study examines prenatal care utilization differences in Arkansas.

METHODS: Birth records data from the National Center for Health Statistics were used. The study population consisted of singleton live births in Arkansas from 2014 to 2022. Primary outcomes included number of prenatal visits, fewer than the recommended number of prenatal visits, late prenatal care, and no prenatal care. Summary statistics were computed, and adjusted rates ratios were calculated adjusting for maternal age, maternal education, and parity for payer, race/ethnicity, and rural/urban residence.

RESULTS: Mothers with a Medicaid-covered birth had 0.90 times fewer prenatal care visits and were 1.26 times …

Responses Of Skeletal Muscle To Mechanical Stimuli In Female Rats Following And During Muscle Disuse Atrophy, Alexander B. Sklivas, Zachary R. Hettinger, Sarah Rose, Alessandra Mantuano, Amy L. Confides, Sandra Rigsby, Frederick F. Peelor, Benjamin F. Miller, Timothy A. Butterfield, Esther E. Dupont-Versteegden

Physiology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of mechanotherapy to enhance recovery or prevent loss of muscle size with disuse in female rats. Female F344/BN rats were assigned to weight bearing (WB), hindlimb suspended (HS) for 14 days with reambulation for 7 days without mechanotherapy or reambulation (RA) with mechanotherapy (RAM) (study 1), or to WB, HS for 7 days, with HS mechanotherapy (HSM) or without mechanotherapy (study 2) to gastrocnemius muscle. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber type, collagen, satellite cell number, and protein synthesis (k_syn) and degradation (k_deg) were assessed. …

Circadian Influences On Sudden Cardiac Death And Cardiac Electrophysiology, Brian P. Delisle, Abhilash Prabhat, Don E. Burgess, Isabel G. Stumpf, John J. Mccarthy, Spencer B. Procopio, Xiping Zhang, Karyn A. Esser, Elizabeth A. Schroder

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Electronic And Paper Ballot Systems In Modern U.S. Elections, Gianna M. Wadowski, Nicholas D. Bernardo, Bridgett A. King, Gretchen A. Macht

Political Science Faculty Publications

In-person voting processes that rely on paper ballots have long dominated voting processes in the United States. However, following the implementation of the Help America Vote Act in 2002, states rapidly adopted new voting technologies that dramatically changed the in-person voting experience. Since then, states have continued to adopt new voting technologies as new challenges and opportunities have emerged. Although scholarship has demonstrated that new voting technologies can offer benefits, reported improvements to the in-person voting experience are inconsistent. Despite changes in voting equipment and voting methods, voters continue to wait in long lines, affecting turnout and voter confidence. Using …

Utility Of The Social Skills Improvement System–Rating Scales For Capturing Dynamic Social Constructs, Katherine E. Frye, Christopher J. Anthony, Pui Wa Lei, Kyle D. Husmann, James C. Diperna

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

Social skills are dynamic developmental constructs typically measured using assessments developed via cross-sectional methods. The measurement model of derivatives (MMOD), a factor analytic approach targeting individual growth trajectories, was used to evaluate the longitudinal factor structure of the Social Skills Improvement System—Rating Scales (SSIS-RS) teacher form with a sample of 1320 first and second grade students (51.6% female, 54.8% white, 20.6% Black, 14.4% Hispanic). Although results provided support for three of the original SSIS-RS factors (Assertion, Empathy, Self-Control), there was some evidence that the other four original domains (Cooperation, Responsibility, Engagement, Communication) could be explained by two factors in this …

Insulin Receptor Responsiveness Governs Tgfβ-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation: Insulin Resistance Instigates Liver Fibrosis, Wang-Hsin Lee, Evelyn A. Bates, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Cheavar A. Blair, Terry D. Hinds Jr.

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The insulin receptor (INSR) has been shown to be hyperactive in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in humans and rodents with liver fibrosis. To explore HSC cellular mechanisms that INSR regulates during pro-fibrotic stimulation, we used CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We knocked out a portion of the INSR gene in human LX2 HSC cells (INSRe5- 8 KO) that regulates insulin responsiveness but not the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) or transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling. The INSRe5- 8 KO HSCs had significantly higher cell growth, BrdU incorporation, and lower TP53 expression that suppresses growth, and they also exhibited increased migration compared to the Scramble …

Lc-Ms Analysis Of Serum Lipidomic And Metabolomic Signatures In Pediatric Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Feiyu Yan, Shengnan Wang, Yilin Wang, Yan Sun, Jing Yang, Lirong Sun, Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva, Pan Deng, Lingzhen Wang

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a prevalent hematologic malignancy that primarily affects children. The diagnosis and treatment of pediatric ALL remain challenging. This study aimed to identify differential lipids and metabolites that may hold potential for improving ALL treatment.

Methods In this retrospective case-control study, serum samples obtained from children with ALL and healthy controls were analyzed. Serum lipidome and metabolome alterations of ALL were analyzed by comparing pediatric patients with ALL with healthy controls based on liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of serum lipidomic and metabolomic signatures.

Results We identified 2,298 lipid features in the serum. Among …

Artesunate Enhances The Efficacy Of Enzalutamide In Advanced Prostate Cancer, Xinyi Wang, Jinghui Liu, Fengyi Mao, Yifan Kong, Qiongsi Zhang, Chaohao Li, Daheng He, Chi Wang, Yanquan Zhang, Ruixin Wang, Sally R. Ellingson, Qiou Wei, Zhiguo Li, Xiaoqi Liu

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of death among men worldwide. Treatments targeting the androgen receptor pathway remain the standard therapy for PCa patients. Enzalutamide (ENZ), a second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, was developed to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, while patients initially respond to ENZ, drug resistance typically develops within a few months. Artesunate (ART), a semisynthetic derivative of the Artemisinin plant, is approved for antimalaria treatment. In this study, we conducted an FDA-approved drug screening and identified ART as a potential candidate for overcoming ENZ resistance in PCa. Mechanistically, ART induces the degradation of c-Myc, enhancing …

Development Of Measures For Highway Criticality Assessment, Xu Zhang, Mei Chen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Existing network criticality assessments, often biased towards heavily used highways in populous areas by incorporating traffic and sociodemographic attributes, can lead to an underestimation of the vital role of rural infrastructure. Consequently, rural highways, particularly low-volume roads, often receive less consideration despite their critical role in network connectivity and local access to services and economic opportunities. To address this, we develop a criticality framework based on the egalitarian principle, which prioritizes equitable consideration of all network links regardless of traffic volume or population density, comprising two complementary measures. First, the normalized betweenness centrality quantifies a road's relative importance in efficiently …

Demographic Characteristics And Parenthood Across Three Cohorts Of Sexual Minority Adults, Kay A. Simon, Gaëlle Meslay, Rachel H. Farr, Stephen T. Russell

Psychology Faculty Publications

As measurement of sexual minority (SM) people's demographic characteristics has evolved over time, it is of interest to understand how identity intersections within SM communities, such as SM parents, have also changed. The current study aimed to investigate how SM parents may or may not differ in demographic characteristics from SM childfree adults and how the demographic characteristics of SM parents may differ across three cohorts. Participants could be part of one of three age cohorts, with each cohort reflecting distinct historic or cultural events related to LGBTQ+ people's experiences. We used data from a national probability study of 1502 …

Two-Year Feasibility And Safety Of Open-Label Autologous Peripheral Nerve Tissue Implantation During Deep Brain Stimulation In Patients With Parkinson's Disease, Jorge E. Quintero, Monica J. Chau, John T. Slevin, Lisa Koehl, Julie A. Gurwell, Elizabeth Wallace, Richard J. Kryscio, Riham El Khouli, Amelia J. Anderson-Mooney, Frederick A. Schmitt, Greg A. Gerhardt, Craig G. Van Horne

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a loss of functioning neurons in the substantia nigra. Two options exist when encountering damaged neurons: replace or support. We implemented a strategy of using autologous peripheral nerve tissue, in a reparative state, to provide a collection of neurorestorative support to unhealthy neurons with the goal of modifying the motor progression of PD. Objective: Report on two-year compliance feasibility, safety, and clinical experience of combining this delivery at the time of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Methods: Participants with PD undergoing open-label peripheral nerve tissue implantation to the substantia nigra …

Panchromatic Absorption Of Unsymmetrical Donor-Acceptor Dyes Based On A Meta-Conjugated 1,3,5-Heteroaryltriazine Core, Jacob G. Rothera, Hi Taing, Menandro Cruz, Anton Dmitrienko, V. Nicholas Vukotic, Sean M. Ryno, Chad Risko, A. Mohan Raj, William G. Skene, S. Holger Eichhorn

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Attachment of three different heterocycles with electron donor or acceptor character to a central 1,3,5-triazine core generates readily soluble side-chain free dyes with two displaying soft crystalline mesomorphism and one displaying a nematic liquid crystal phase as confirmed by polarized optical microscopy, calorimetry, gravimetric analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction. Equally intriguing is the dyes’ relatively strong electronic communication between donor and acceptor subchromophores that are meta-conjugated to one another, which is experimentally observed as a broad intramolecular charge-transfer absorption that can extend over 100 nm past the most intense absorption event and is computationally confirmed through density functional theory (DFT) …

Media Through The Lens Of Scientific Reductionism: The Gene-Ius Of Genetic Determinism In Gattaca, Asmita Lehther

Kentucky Undergraduate Journal for the Health Humanities

This essay examines the construct of scientific reductionism within the framework established by Andrew Niccol’s film Gattaca, illustrating how genetic determinism shapes social hierarchies and opportunities. By analyzing Vincent's struggle as an "in-valid" in a society that equates genetic superiority with worth, the essay critiques the reduction of individual potential to biological labels, revealing the oppressive nature of such systems.

Sowing The Seeds Of Confusion To Reap Content Mastery, Rebecca Mcgrail

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Getting Students Excited About Chemistry, Jovita Daraezinwa

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Meeting Community Need In The Classroom: Creative Collaborations Between Students And Cooperative Extension, Liz Combs, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Zines: Radical Tools For Empathy And Introspection, Aanya Chugh

Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Deformation And Collectivity In Doubly Magic Pb 208, J. Henderson, J. Heery, M. Rocchini, M. Siciliano, N. Sensharma, A. D. Ayangeakaa, R. V.F. Janssens, T. M. Kowalewski, Abhishek, P. D. Stevenson, E. Yüksel, B. A. Brown, T. R. Rodriguez, L. M. Robledo, C. Y. Wu, S. Kisyov, C. Müller-Gatermann, V. Bildstein, L. Canete, C. M. Campbell, S. Carmichael, M. P. Carpenter, W. N. Catford, P. Copp, C. Cousins, M. Devlin, D. T. Doherty, P. E. Garrett

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Lead-208 is the heaviest known doubly magic nucleus and its structure is therefore of special interest. Despite this magicity, which acts to provide a strong restorative force toward sphericity, it is known to exhibit both strong octupole correlations and some of the strongest quadrupole collectivity observed in doubly magic systems. In this Letter, we employ state-of-the-art experimental equipment to conclusively demonstrate, through four Coulomb-excitation measurements, the presence of a large, negative, spectroscopic quadrupole moment for both the vibrational octupole 31- and quadrupole 21+ state, indicative of a preference for prolate deformation of the states. The observed quadrupole moment is discussed …

The Core Circadian Clock Factor, Bmal1, Transduces Sex-Specific Differences In Both Rhythmic And Nonrhythmic Gene Expression In The Mouse Heart, Xiping Zhang, Spencer B. Procopio, Haocheng Ding, Maya G. Semel, Elizabeth A. Schroder, Mark R. Viggars, Tanya S. Seward, Ping Du, Kevin Wu, Sidney R. Johnson, Abhilash Prabhat, David J. Schneider, Isabel G. Stumpf, Ezekiel R. Rozmus, Zhiguang Huo, Brian P. Delisle, Karyn A. Esser

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Genomic And Phenotypic Correlates Of Mosaic Loss Of Chromosome Y In Blood, Yasminka A. Jakubek, Xiaolong Ma, Adrienne M. Stilp, Fulong Yu, Jason Bacon, Justin W. Wong, Francois Aguet, Kristin Ardlie, Donna K. Arnett, Kathleen Barnes, Joshua C. Bis, Tom Blackwell, Lewis C. Becker, Eric Boerwinkle, Russell P. Bowler, Matthew J. Budoff, April P. Carson, Jiawen Chen, Michael H. Cho, Josef Coresh, Nancy J. Cox, Paul S. De Vries, Dawn L. Demeo, David W. Fardo, Myriam Fornage, Xiuqing Guo

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Mosaic loss of Y (mLOY) is the most common somatic chromosomal alteration detected in human blood. The presence of mLOY is associated with altered blood cell counts and increased risk of Alzheimer disease, solid tumors, and other age-related diseases. We sought to gain a better understanding of genetic drivers and associated phenotypes of mLOY through analyses of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a large set of genetically diverse males from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program. We show that haplotype-based calling methods can be used with WGS data to successfully identify mLOY events. This approach enabled us to identify differences …

Staying Sane In The Membrane: Neutral Sphingomyelinase 2 As A Master Regulator Of Plasma Membrane Ceramide, Zainuddin Quadri, Erhard Bieberich

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Ceramide, a key signaling sphingolipid in the plasma membrane, plays a pivotal role in fundamental cellular processes such as adhesion, polarity, and programmed cell death. The generation of plasma membrane ceramide is largely attributed to the activity of two types of sphingomyelinases: neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2, Smpd3) and acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase, Smpd1). While many studies have explored ceramide generation following experimental activation of these enzymes, the mechanisms governing basal or steady- state ceramide levels have remained poorly understood. Using an innovative mass spectrometry approach developed in the Canals’ lab, the team has quantified the distinct contributions of nSMase2 and aSMase …

The Mitochondria As An Emerging Target Of Self- Renewal In T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Majd Al-Hamaly, Evelyn Winter, Jessica S. Blackburn

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common leukemia in children, with the T-cell subtype (T- ALL) accounting for 15% of those cases. Despite advancements in the treatment of T-ALL, patients still face a dismal prognosis following their first relapse. Relapse can be attributed to the inability of chemotherapy agents to eradicate leukemia stem cells (LSC), which possess self-renewal capabilities and are responsible for the long-term maintenance of the disease. Mitochondria have been recognized as a therapeutic vulnerability for cancer stem cells, including LSCs. Mitocans have shown promise in T-ALL both in vitro and in vivo, with some currently in …

A Comparison Of Commonly Utilized Diagnostic Biopsy Techniques For Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review By The Apsa Cancer Committee., Martha Teke, Barrie S. Rich, Ashley Walther, Dana Schwartz, Lucas A. Mcduffie, Gisela Butera, Jonathan P. Roach, David H. Rothstein, Dave R. Lal, Kimberly Riehle, Andres Espinoza, Nicholas Cost, Elisabeth Tracy, David Rodeberg, Timothy Lautz, Jennifer H. Aldrink, Erin G. Brown

Surgery Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Historically, surgical biopsy (SB) for diagnosis of pediatric solid tumors was considered necessary to provide adequate tissue for histologic and molecular analysis. Less invasive biopsy techniques such as image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB), have shown comparable accuracy with decreased morbidity in some adult studies. However, data regarding the safety and efficacy of CNB in pediatric tumors is limited. This study's aim was to assess the overall rate of successful diagnosis and safety of CNB compared to SB in children with malignancies.

METHODS: A PRISMA compliant systematic review was performed in MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase and CINAHL Plus database searches …

The 2024 American Association For Thoracic Surgery Expert Consensus Document, Jasleen Kukreja, Jose Luis Campo-Canaveral De La Cruz, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Edward Cantu, Hiroshi Date, Frank D'Ovidio, Matthew Hartwig, Jacob A. Klapper, Rosemary F. Kelly, Sandra Lindstedt, Lorenzo Rosso, Lara Schaheen, Michael Smith, Bryan Whitson, Sahar A. Saddoughi, Marcelo Cypel

Surgery Faculty Publications

Background: Donor lung procurement and preservation is critical for lung transplantation success. Unfortunately, the large variability in techniques impacts organ utilization rates and transplantation outcomes. Compounding this variation, recent developments in cold static preservation and new technological advances with machine perfusion have increased the complexity of the procedure. The objective of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Clinical Practice Standards Committee (CPSC) expert panel was to make evidence-based recommendations for best practices in donor lung procurement and preservation based on review of the existing literature. Methods: The AATS CPSC assembled an expert panel of 16 lung transplantation surgeons from …

Suicidal Ideation, Planning, And Attempts Changes Among Diverse Canadian Public Safety Personnel After The Emotional Resilience Skills Training, Jolan Nisbet, Kirby Q. Maguire, Taylor A. Teckchandani, Robyn E. Shields, Katie L. Andrews, Tracie O. Afifi, Alain Brunet, Terence M. Keane, Gregory P. Krätzig, Renée S. Macphee, Ronald R. Martin, Michelle C.E. Mccarron, J. Patrick Neary, Shannon Sauer-Zavala, R. Nicholas Carleton

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Public safety personnel (PSP) experience occupational stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events, which increase the odds of screening positive for mental health disorders, and the risk of suicide. This study estimates suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Canadian PSP, and assesses associations with Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST). Method: The current study uses a longitudinal prospective sequential experimental cohort design that engages participants for approximately 16 months. Participants (n = 186, 60.5% men) were administered the structured Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview at three time points relative to the ERST: pre-training, post-training, and 1-year follow-up. Results: At pre-training, PSP reported past-month …

Establishing A Student-Run Mobile Clinic In Appalachian Kentucky: A Community-Based Pilot Program To Address Health Inequities, Bradley A. Firchow, John C. Cornelius

Journal of Appalachian Health

The establishment of a student-run mobile clinic in Morehead, Kentucky, led by students from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s (UKCOM) Rural Physician Leadership Program (RPLP), aims to address health inequities in rural Appalachian communities. This pilot program is designed to serve vulnerable populations, including the unhoused, by delivering free, accessible healthcare services directly to underserved populations. This program serves as a model for expanding access to healthcare in rural regions while promoting a collaborative, community-based approach to addressing social determinants of health.

Investigating Suicide Risk Factors Among Appalachian West Virginian Adults, Erin D. Caswell, Angela M. Dyer, Summer D. Hartley, Caroline P. Groth, Mary Christensen, Sahiti K. Tulabandu, Bryce K. Weaver, Ruchi Bhandari

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Suicide rates in the United States have increased over the past two decades, with rural areas, particularly the Appalachian Region, facing unique challenges that elevate suicide risk. These include economic hardships, social isolation, and limited access to mental health services.

Purpose: This study addresses critical gaps in understanding lifetime suicide risk in West Virginia (WV), a predominantly rural state entirely within the Appalachian Region. By identifying the factors driving urban-rural differences in suicide risk, this research seeks to inform interventions tailored to the state's distinct needs and provide insights applicable to the broader Appalachian Region

Methods: Using 2021 Mountain …

Comparative Outcomes Following Randomization To A Pilot Facebook-Based Hiv Prevention Intervention Among Appalachian Women Involved In The Criminal Legal System, Megan F. Dickson, Erika Pike, Michele Staton

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural Appalachian women who use drugs and are involved in the criminal legal system are at increased risk for health consequences (such as HIV/Hepatitis C). Service barriers throughout rural communities have prompted a need to examine the effectiveness of novel intervention delivery methods (e.g., social media).

Purpose: This study aims to determine if enhancing an existing HIV prevention intervention with additional modules delivered via Facebook improves service access by examining short-term outcomes among Appalachian women returning to the community following jail release.

Methods: Between 2019 and 2022, consenting women from two rural Appalachian jails were randomly selected, screened, interviewed, …

Clinician Attitudes And Experiences In Screening Patients For Social Determinants Of Health Using Prapare, Pranav Rane, Mathew B. Weimer M.D., Adam Baus

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. SDOH significantly influence health outcomes; as such, healthcare systems should screen for patients’ social needs. PRAPARE is standardized screening tool designed to assess and address patients’ social needs.

Purpose: This study examines SDOH screening at Valley Health Systems, a federally qualified health center based in Huntington, West Virginia. The aim of this research is to assess clinician attitudes and experiences in using the PRAPARE tool to screen for SDOH.

Methods: A self-administered online survey was conducted from April to May 2022 …