Digital Commons Network^™

Feasibility Of Generating Synthetic Ct From T1-Weighted Mri Using A Linear Mixed-Effects Regression Model, Anant Pandey, S. A. Yoganathan, Beibei Guo, Rui Zhang

Faculty Publications

Generation of synthetic computed tomography (sCT) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-only radiotherapy is emerging as a promising direction because it can eliminate the registration error and simplify clinical workflow. The goal of this study was to generate accurate sCT from standard T1-weighted MRI for brain patients. CT and MRI data of twelve patients with brain tumors were retrospectively collected. Linear mixed-effects regression models were fitted between CT and T1-weighted MRI intensities for different segments in the brain. The whole brain sCTs were generated by combining predicted segments together. Mean absolute error (MAE) between real CTs and sCTs across all patients …

The Cost Of Improving Nutritional Outcomes Through Food‐Assisted Maternal And Child Health And Nutrition Programmes In Burundi And Guatemala, Jessica Heckert, Jef L. Leroy, Deanna K. Olney, Susan Richter, Elyse Iruhiriye, Marie T. Ruel

Faculty Publications

Evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of multisectoral maternal and child health and nutrition programmes is scarce. We conducted a prospective costing study of two food‐assisted maternal and child health and nutrition programmes targeted to pregnant women and children during the first 1,000 days (pregnancy to 2 years). Each was paired with a cluster‐randomized controlled trial to evaluate impact and compare the optimal quantity and composition of food rations (Guatemala, five treatment arms) and their optimal timing and duration (Burundi, three treatment arms). We calculated the total and per beneficiary cost, conducted cost consequence analyses, and estimated the cost savings from extending …

Linking Nutrient Stoichiometry To Zika Virus Transmission In A Mosquito, Andrew S. Paige, Shawna K. Bellamy, Barry W. Alto, Catherine L. Dean, Donald A. Yee

Faculty Publications

Food quality and quantity serve as the basis for cycling of key chemical elements in trophic interactions; yet the role of nutrient stoichiometry in shaping host–pathogen interactions is under appreciated. Most of the emergent mosquito-borne viruses affecting human health are transmitted by mosquitoes that inhabit container systems during their immature stages, where allochthonous input of detritus serves as the basal nutrients. Quantity and type of detritus (animal and plant) were manipulated in microcosms containing newly hatched Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. Adult mosquitoes derived from these microcosms were allowed to ingest Zika virus-infected blood and then tested for disseminated infection, transmission, …

Location, Location, Vocation? Toward A Post-Recession Analysis Of Law School Choice, Elizabeth Chambliss

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Space For Every Student: Assessing The Utility Of A Family Friendly Study Room In A University Library, Tyler Graff, Bob Ridge, Holt Zaugg

Faculty Publications

Students currently in and returning to college are increasingly likely to have children. The demands of academic and family life can conflict, making it difficult for student parents to navigate both. Brigham Young University recently built a Family Friendly Study Room in the university library to provide a place for student-parents to care for their children while engaging in academic work. This study assessed the impact of the FFSR on patrons. Results show that the space is highly valued and offers both academic and relationship benefits. Moreover, students’ suggestions provide important feedback for future improvements. Recommendations for creating family-friendly spaces …

Dietary Inflammatory Index, Dietary Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity, And Colorectal And Breast Cancer Risk(Mcc-Spain Study), Mireia Obón-Santacana, Dora Romaguera, Esther Gracia-Lavedan, Amaia Molinuevo, Esther Molina-Montes, Nitin Shivappa, James R. Hébert, Adonia Tardón, Gemma Castaño-Vinyals, Ferran Moratalla, Elisabet Guinó, Rafael Marcos-Gragera, Mikel Azpiri Leire Gil, Rocío Olmedo-Requena, Macarena Lozano-Lorca, Juan Alguacil, Tania Fernández-Villa, Vicente Martín, Antonio J. Molina, María Ederra, Beatriz Perez, Nuria Aragonés, Adela Castello, José Mª Huerta, Trinidad Dierssen-Sotos, Ana Molina-Barceló, Marina Pollán, Manolis Kogevinas, Victor Moreno, Pilar Amiano

Faculty Publications

Inflammation and antioxidant capacity have been associated with colorectal and breast cancer. We computed the dietary inflammatory index (DII®), and the total dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) and associated them with colorectal and breast cancer risk in the population-based multi case-control study in Spain (MCC-Spain). We included 1852 colorectal cancer and 1567 breast cancer cases, and 3447 and 1486 population controls, respectively. DII score and NEAC were derived using data from a semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for energy-adjusted DII (E-DII), and a score …

Dietary Inflammatory Index, Dietary Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity, And Colorectal And Breast Cancer Risk (Mcc-Spain Study), Mireia Obon-Santacana, Dora Romaguera, Esther Gracia-Lavedan, Amaia Molinuevo, Esther Molina-Montes, Nitin Shivappa, James R. Hébert, Adonina Tardon, Gemma Castano-Vinyals, Ferran Moratalla, Elisabet Guino, Rafael Marcos-Gragera, Mikel Azpiri, Leire Gil, Rocio Olmedo-Requena, Macarena Lozano-Lorca, Juan Alguacil, Tania Fernandez-Villa, Vicente Martin, Antonio J. Molina, Maria Ederra, Conchi Moreno-Iribas, Beatriz Perez, Nuria Aragones

Faculty Publications

Inflammation and antioxidant capacity have been associated with colorectal and breast cancer. We computed the dietary inflammatory index (DII^®), and the total dietary non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) and associated them with colorectal and breast cancer risk in the population-based multi case-control study in Spain (MCC-Spain). We included 1852 colorectal cancer and 1567 breast cancer cases, and 3447 and 1486 population controls, respectively. DII score and NEAC were derived using data from a semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for energy-adjusted DII (E-DII), and …

Spatially Resolved Stellar Populations And Kinematics With Kcwi: Probing The Assembly History Of The Massive Early-Type Galaxy Ngc 1407, Anna Ferré-Mateu, Duncan Forbes, Richard Mcdermid, Aaron Romanowsky, Jean Brodie

Faculty Publications

Using the newly commissioned Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) instrument on the Keck II telescope, we analyze the stellar kinematics and stellar populations of the well-studied massive early-type galaxy (ETG) NGC 1407. We obtained high signal-to-noise integral field spectra for a central and an outer (around one effective radius toward the southeast direction) pointing with integration times of just 600 s and 2400 s, respectively. We confirm the presence of a kinematically distinct core also revealed by VLT/MUSE data of the central regions. While NGC 1407 was previously found to have stellar populations characteristic of massive ETGs (with radially constant …

Exploring Multiple Dimensions Of Young Women’S Fertility Preferences In Malawi, Ashley Larsen Gibby, Nancy Luke

Faculty Publications

Introduction Standard survey measures of fertility preferences, such as the desire for and preferred timing of future births, do not capture the complexity of individuals’ preferences. New research focuses on additional dimensions of emotions and expectations surrounding childbearing. Few quantitative studies, however, consider the influence of all three dimensions of fertility preferences concurrently.

Methods Using longitudinal survey data from the Tsogolo la Thanzi project (2009–2012) in Malawi, this study employed logistic regression analysis to investigate the influence of young women’s emotions, expectations, and a standard measure of fertility preferences on pregnancy and modern contraceptive use.

Results Young women experienced high …

Towards On-Demand E. Coli-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Of Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Seung-Ook Yang, Gregory H. Nielsen, Kristen M. Wilding, Merideth A. Cooper, David W. Wood, Bradley Charles Bundy

Faculty Publications

Stroke is the leading cause of death with over 5 million deaths worldwide each year. About 80% of strokes are ischemic strokes caused by blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPa) is the only FDA-approved drug to treat ischemic stroke with a wholesale price over $6000. tPa is now off patent although no biosimilar has been developed. The production of tPa is complicated by the 17 disulfide bonds that exist in correctly folded tPA. Here, we present an Escherichia coli-based cell-free protein synthesis platform for tPa expression and report conditions which resulted in the production of active tPa. While the activity …

Modelos Pedagógicos Y Metodológicos Para Los Estudios De Género En Clases De Pregrado, María Claudia André

Faculty Publications

En este ensayo, se examina una aproximación pedagógica y metodológica al teatro como herramienta en cursos de pregrado a través del análisis de “El bigote” y “La casa chica”, dos obras cortas de la afamada dramaturga mexicana Sabina Berman. Ambas piezas se prestan como ejemplos para estudiar una extensa variedad de temas inherentes a la dramaturgia contemporánea y al discurso feminista latinoamericano, tales como la dinámica entre poder y género, machismo y marianismo, consumismo y clases sociales y el aspecto performático del género. Para enriquecer la comprensión de los estudiantes y profundizar en los temas relacionados con la identidad de …

Discovery And Characterization Of Bacteriophage Luckybarnes, Savannah L. Underwood, Amanda Foto, Amanda F. Ray, Alexander E. Nelms, Keyshawn L. Kennedy, Shelby G. Hartley, Logan M. Ryals, Chandan Gurung, William A. D'Angelo, Welkin H. Pope, Dmitri V. Mavrodi

Faculty Publications

Here, we report the genome sequence of LuckyBarnes, a newly isolated singleton siphovirus that infects Brevibacterium iodinum ATCC 15728 and has a 50,774-bp genome with 67 predicted genes.

Fluorescence Hplc Analysis Of The In-Vivo Activity Of Glucosylceramide Synthase, Kartik R. Roy, Sachin K. Khiste, Zhijun Liu, Yong Yu Liu

Faculty Publications

Almost all functions of cells or organs rely on the activities of cellular enzymes. Indeed, the in-vivo activities that directly represent the cellular effects of enzymes in live organs are critical importance to appreciate the roles enzymes play in modulating physiological or pathological processes, although assessments of such in-vivo enzyme activity are more difficult than typical test-tube assays. Recently, we, for the first time, developed a direct and easy-handling method for HPLC analyzing the in-vivo activity of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS). GCS that converts ceramide into glucosylceramide is a limiting-enzyme in the syntheses of glycosphingolipids and is one cause of cancer …

Norm Estimates For K-Plane Transforms And Geometric Inequalities, B. Rubin

Faculty Publications

The article is devoted to remarkable interrelation between the norm estimates for k-plane transforms in weighted and unweighted L ^p spaces and geometric integral inequalities for cross-sections of measurable sets in R ⁿ . A similar interrelation is studied for more general j-plane to k-plane transforms on affine Grassmannians and their compact modifications. The article contains a series of new integral-geometric inequalities with sharp constants, explicit equalities, conjectures, and open problems.

Unwinding Irrevocable Trusts, Thomas Simmons

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Providing A Piece Of The Puzzle: Insights Into The Aircraft Availability Conundrum, Jonathan D. Ritschel, Tamiko L. Ritschel, Nicole B. York

Faculty Publications

Aircraft availability (AA) is a key metric for assessing operational readiness. The declining trend in AA is a documented concern for senior Air Force leaders. This paper aims to investigate the components of non-available time and subsequently focuses on the largest and fastest growing category: not mission capable maintenance unscheduled (NMCMU). Then, utilization of aircraft platforms is examined to determine the readiness benefits of increasing available hours.

Communication Addressing North Carolina’S Role In The Cia’S Extraordinary Rendition And Torture Program And Request For Coordinated Measures Including State Visit, Investigations, And International Condemnation, Deborah M. Weissman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Dual Task Effects On Story Retell For Participants With Moderate, Mild, Or No Aphasia: Quantitative And Qualitative Findings, Tyson G. Harmon, Adam Jacks, Katarina L. Haley, Antoine Bailliard

Faculty Publications

Purpose: To determine dual task effects on content accuracy, delivery speed, and perceived effort during narrative discourse in people with moderate, mild, or no aphasia and to explore subjective reactions to retelling a story with a concurrent task.

Method: Two studies (one quantitative and one qualitative) were conducted. In study 1, participants with mild or moderate aphasia and neurotypical controls retold short stories in isolation and while simultaneously distinguishing between high and low tones. Story retell accuracy (speech productivity and efficiency), speed (speech rate, repetitions, and pauses), and perceived effort were measured and compared. In study 2, participants completed semi-structured …

Factors Affecting Marital Disruption Amongst Nigerian Immigrants In North America (Nina): A Pilot Study, Jochebed B. Ade-Oshifogun, Augusta Y. Olaore, Joan O. Aina

Faculty Publications

Background: It has been observed that some Nigerian Families that immigrated to North America (NINA) seem to have very stressful marital relationships that lead to separation or divorce. The goal of this study was to determine the level of marital satisfaction among NINA

Method: A simple, standardized survey tool was utilized to measure the index of marital satisfaction (IMS). The score varied from 0-100 with a lower score (<30 >points) indicating marital satisfaction. A demographic questionnaire was also administered to the subjects. Descriptive data analysis and level of marital satisfaction were computed in SPSS (version 25).

Results: Forty-five of the …

Environmental Microcystin Targets The Microbiome And Increases The Risk Of Intestinal Inflammatory Pathology Via Nox2 In Underlying Murine Model Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Sutapa Sarkar, Diana Kimono, Muayad Albadrani, Ratanesh K. Seth, Philip Busbee, Hasan Alghetaa, Dwayne E. Porter, Geoff I. Scott, Bryan Brooks, Mitzi Nagarkatti, Prakash Nagarkatti, Saurabh Chatterjee

Faculty Publications

With increased climate change pressures likely to influence harmful algal blooms, exposure to microcystin, a known hepatotoxin and a byproduct of cyanobacterial blooms can be a risk factor for NAFLD associated comorbidities. Using both in vivo and in vitro experiments we show that microcystin exposure in NAFLD mice cause rapid alteration of gut microbiome, rise in bacterial genus known for mediating gut inflammation and lactate production. Changes in the microbiome were strongly associated with inflammatory pathology in the intestine, gut leaching, tight junction protein alterations and increased oxidative tyrosyl radicals. Increased lactate producing bacteria from the altered microbiome was associated …

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Bilingual English-Spanish Assessment Sentence Repetition Task For Clinical Decision-Making, Lisa A. Fitton Ph.D., Rachel Hoge, Yaacov Petscher, Carla Wood

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was a) to examine the underlying components or factor structure of the Bilingual English-Spanish Assessment (Peña et al., 2014) sentence repetition task and b) to examine the relationship between Spanish-English speaking children's sentence repetition and vocabulary performance. Method: Participants were 291 Spanish-English speaking children in kindergarten and first grade. Item analyses were used to evaluate the underlying factor structure for each language version of the sentence repetition tasks of the BESA. The tasks were then examined in relation to a measure of English receptive vocabulary. Results: Bifactor models, which include a single underlying …

Determination Of Molecular Contributions To The Nonlinear Refractive Index Of Air For Mid-Infrared Femtosecond Laser-Pulse Excitation, D. Langevin, J. M. Brown, M. B. Gaarde, A. Couairon

Faculty Publications

Numerical simulations of the rotational contribution of oxygen and nitrogen molecules to the Kerr refractive index change in air are performed for ultrashort laser pulses in the near- and mid-infrared wavelength region. The calculated molecular response is parametrized by means of a damped harmonic oscillator model that is easily tractable in numerical simulations of long-distance propagation of ultrashort laser pulses. Our simulations show that pulses from available mid-infrared laser systems are long enough to be dramatically affected by the molecular response of air during propagation.

Populations Are Not Declining And Food Webs Are Not Collapsing At The Luquillo Experimental Forest, M. R. Willig, L. Woolbright, S. J. Presley, T. D. Schowalter, R. B. Waide, T. Heartsill Scalley, J. K. Zimmerman, G. González, A. E. Lugo

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of Neutron Production In Atmospheric Neutrino Interactions At The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, B. Aharmim, S. N. Ahmed, A. E. Anthony, N. Barros, E. W. Beier, A. Bellerive, B. Beltran, M. Bergevin, S. D. Biller, R. Bonventre, K. Boudjemline, M. G. Boulay, B. Cai, E. J. Callaghan, J. Caravaca, Y. D. Chan, D. Chauhan, M. Chen, B. T. Cleveland, G. A. Cox, X. Dai, H. Deng, F. B. Descamps, J. A. Detwiler, P. J. Doe, G. Doucas, P. L. Drouin, M. Dunford, S. R. Elliott, H. C. Evans, G. T. Ewan, J. Farine, H. Fergani

Faculty Publications

Neutron production in giga electron volt-scale neutrino interactions is a poorly studied process. We have measured the neutron multiplicities in atmospheric neutrino interactions in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiment and compared them to the prediction of a Monte Carlo simulation using genie and a minimally modified version of geant4. We analyzed 837 days of exposure corresponding to Phase I, using pure heavy water, and Phase II, using a mixture of Cl in heavy water. Neutrons produced in atmospheric neutrino interactions were identified with an efficiency of 15.3% and 44.3%, for Phases I and II respectively. The neutron production is measured …

Repurposing Of Glycine-Rich Proteins In Abiotic And Biotic Stresses In The Lone-Star Tick (Amblyomma Americanum), Rebekah Bullard, Surendra Raj Sharma, Pradipta Kumar Das, Sarah E. Morgan, Shahid Karim

Faculty Publications

Tick feeding requires the secretion of a huge number of pharmacologically dynamic proteins and other molecules which are vital for the formation of the cement cone, the establishment of the blood pool and to counter against the host immune response. Glycine-rich proteins (GRP) are found in many organisms and can function in a variety of cellular processes and structures. The functional characterization of the GRPs in the tick salivary glands has not been elucidated. GRPs have been found to play a role in the formation of the cement cone; however, new evidence suggests repurposing of GRPs in the tick physiology. …

Changes In The Spatial Distribution And Anatomy Of A Range Shift For The Atlantic Surfclam Spisula Solidissima In The Mid-Atlantic Bight And On Georges Bank, Jeremy R. Timbs, Eric N. Powell, Roger Mann

Faculty Publications

The Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima supports one of the largest fisheries on the US northeast coast. Using ~30 yr of data from surfclam stock surveys, variance-to-mean ratios (VtMRs) were calculated both temporally and spatially for a range of surfclam size classes to determine the degree of patchiness. The VtMR declined from the 1980s to present in all regions (offshore Delmarva, New Jersey, Long Island, Southern New England, Georges Bank); however, VtMR rose with increasing clam size. Taylor’s power law (TPL) analysis corroborated the VtMR; the surfclam is highly patchy across its range. The surfclam’s proclivity for a patchy distribution varied …

Managing With Low Milk Prices: Three Areas That Can Help Your Bottom Line, Peter S. Erickson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Association Between Exposure To Air Pollution And Hippocampal Volume In Adults In The Uk Biobank, Dawson W. Hedges, Lance D. Erickson, Jackie Kunzelman, Bruce L. Brown, Shawn D. Gale

Faculty Publications

Background: The hippocampus is important for memory processing. Several neuropsychiatric diseases including Alzheimer’s disease are associated with reduced hippocampal volume, and further the hippocampus appears vulnerable to environmental insult. Air pollution has been associated with cardiovascular disease, abnormal brain structure, and cognitive deficits.

Objective: Because of hippocampal vulnerability to environmental insults and based on the association between exposure to air pollution and cognitive function and brain structure, we evaluated the association between exposure to toxins in air pollution and left and right hippocampal volume using brain-imaging and air-pollution data from the UK Biobank, a large community-based dataset.

Methods …

Somebody To Lean On: The Moderating Effect Of Relationships On Links Between Social Withdrawal And Self-Worth, Brandon N. Clifford, Larry J. Nelson

Faculty Publications

Previous research has discovered different subtypes of social withdrawal based on motivations to approach or avoid social interactions. Each of these motivations are uniquely related to indices of maladjustment during emerging adulthood, including aspects of the self. However, research has yet to investigate whether or not relationship quality moderates these associations. The purpose of this study was to examine whether relationship quality with best friends, romantic partners, mothers, and fathers, respectively, serve as protective factors in the negative links between shyness and avoidance and self-worth. The participants included 519 college students (Mage = 19.87, SD= 1.99, 61% female) from four …

Parenting Styles Are Associated With Overall Child Dietary Quality Within Low-Income And Food-Insecure Households, Michael P. Burke, Sonya J. Jones, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Christine E. Blake, Maryah S. Fram

Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine the association between parenting styles and overall child dietary quality within households that are low-income and food-insecure.

Design: Child dietary intake was measured via a 24 h dietary recall. Dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005). Parenting styles were measured and scored using the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire. Linear regressions were used to test main and interaction associations between HEI-2005 scores and parenting styles.

Setting: Non-probability sample of low-income and food-insecure households in South Carolina, USA.

Participants: Parent–child dyads (n 171). Parents were ≥18 years old and children were …