Digital Commons Network^™

Cystic Fibrosis-Related Neurodegenerative Disease Associated With Tauopathy And Cognitive Decline In Aged Cf Mice, Danica F. Patton-Parfyonov, Xinming Wang, Sarah Barker, Deborah A. Corey, Edwin Vázquez-Rosa, Nichele Abeyesundere, Whitney M. Ward, Rebecca Darrah, Jung A. Woo, David E. Kang, Andrew A. Pieper, Thomas J. Kelley

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Highly effective modulator therapies (HEMT) are increasing the lifespan for many people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), making it necessary to identify and understand CF specific age-related consequences. In this study, we examine the impact of aging on cognitive function and age-related brain pathology in a CF mouse model focusing on phospho-Tau (pTau) pathology. Methods: Cognitive function was measured by novel object recognition and spontaneous alternation behavior tests. Hippocampal neuronal function was assessed by measuring long-term potentiation (LTP) electrophysiology, the synaptic correlate of learning and memory. Tau pathology was assessed by immunohistochemical analyses and western blot assessment of pTau levels …

A Simple One‐Item Nursing Falls Assessment Predicts Outcomes For Patients With Stage D Heart Failure Undergoing Surgical Advanced Therapies, Thomas Joseph O'Neill Iv, Eiran Z. Gorodeski

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Frailty portends worse outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) undergoing surgical advanced therapies. Falls are characteristic of frailty, but it is unknown if the history of falls predicts post-operative risk. We hypothesized that a one-item fall screening is associated with worse outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation at our institution between 2020 and 2023. Our primary exposure of interest was falls, as assessed by a nursing questionnaire within 12 months or less prior to surgery. We tracked hospital- and ICU-length of …

Ai & Xr Explorations To Support Social Interactions: Speculative Design For Ubiquitous Workplace Space By And For Neurodivergent Employees, Dominique Michaud, Alejandro Reyes, Jonathan Proulx Guimond, Fafadzi Akpene Agbe, Valérie Payen, Diane Gabrielle Tremblay, Marie Claude Leblanc, Claude Vincent, Geoffreyjen Edwards, Caroline Brassard, Marie Helene Parizeau, Valéry Psyche, Martin Caouette, James Hutson, Piper Hutson, Julie Ruel, Julien Voisin, Jocelyne Kiss

Faculty Scholarship

This study explores the potential of interdisciplinary theories and advanced technologies, such as augmented realities and artificial intelligence, to address the socio-professional integration challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum. It investigates the design of personalized, functional spaces that integrate interconnected living environments and intelligent systems tailored to support communication needs. Using speculative design methodology, the research adopts an experiential framework to examine alternative solutions, starting with a central hypothesis and testing it through debates with researchers, experts, neurodivergent individuals, and knowledge users. The premise is rooted in the recognition that neurodivergent individuals encounter significant barriers …

Integrating Ai-Driven Neurofeedback With Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Paradigm For Effortless Learning And Workforce Transformation, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This editorial discusses the merging of AI-driven neurofeedback with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to create a new model for effortless, unconscious learning. By interpreting and reinforcing specific neural patterns, these technologies can enable users to acquire skills without traditional instruction, making them especially valuable in fast-evolving industries. They also offer powerful tools for individuals with physical impairments by enabling control through thought alone. However, the author emphasizes the importance of ethical oversight, particularly around cognitive autonomy, data privacy, and consent. As the field matures, ongoing research and regulation will be essential to ensure responsible development and widespread, beneficial use.

Disparities In Dysphagia Care Among Head And Neck Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Gillian Michaelson, Claudia I. Cabrera, Alexis Nahra, Nina W. Zhao

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: To investigate the incidence of dysphagia among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and assess disparities in utilization of speech-language pathology (SLP) services across different demographic groups. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Analysis of data from the TriNetX global health network, comprising over 125 million deidentified electronic health records worldwide. Methods: HNC patients diagnosed with oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, or nasopharyngeal cancer with and without dysphagia between January 1, 2004 and October 30, 2024 were identified. Patients were divided into two cohorts for comparison: those who received SLP services after dysphagia diagnosis and those who did not. The association …

Phosphotungstic Acid Staining To Visualize The Vagus Nerve Perineurium Using Micro-Ct, Aniruddha R. Upadhye, Jennifer Coleman, Michael W. Jenkins, David Wilson, Andrew J. Shoffstall

Faculty Scholarship

Background and Purpose: Peripheral nerve stimulation is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating various disorders, but it is often limited by side effects, highlighting the need for a clear understanding of fascicular and fiber organization to design selective therapies. Micro-CT imaging of contrast-stained nerves enables the visualization of tissue microstructures, such as the fascicular perineurium and vasculature. In this work, we evaluated phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a contrast agent and assessed its compatibility with downstream histology. Methods: Human vagus nerve samples were collected from three embalmed cadavers and subjected to three different staining methods, followed by …

The Interchangeable-Part Structure Of Food And Drug Law, Adam I. Muchmore

Faculty Scholarship

This Article demonstrates that nested tiers of interchangeable parts serve as the foundation for the regulatory programs administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Core interchangeable parts used in FDA-administered programs include product categories, prohibitions on adulteration and misbranding, agency-registration requirements, current good manufacturing practices, product standards, marketing authorization requirements, postmarket requirements, and user fees. In each of these areas, Congress or the FDA has engaged in interchangeable-part lawmaking (IPL). IPL occurs when a government takes a portion of its law in one subject area and uses it as a model for its own law in another subject area. …

Sustained Release Of Antifibrotic Nintedanib From Polymer Microparticles Reduces Dosing Frequency While Reducing Inflammation In Murine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emmanuel Einyat Opolot, Filip Goshevski, Rahul Chaudhary, Horst A. Von Recum, Amar B. Desai

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening, progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options, often resulting in poor patient outcomes. Current treatments, such as Nintedanib (NTB) and Pirfenidone (PFD), require frequent administration, leading to adverse effects and low patient adherence. The purpose of this study was to investigate a sustained-release drug delivery system utilizing microparticles (MPs) composed of insoluble beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers to enhance the bioavailability and extend the release of NTB and PFD. Methods: A multidisciplinary approach, including in silico modeling, in vitro assays, and in vivo studies, was employed to assess the efficacy of β-CD-polymer MPs as …

The Fear Of Replacement: How Ai Panic In Journalism Mirrors Existential Crisis In Industry, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study systematically examines the portrayal of artificial intelligence (AI) errors, such as hallucinations and deepfakes, in journalistic contexts, evaluating whether these narratives reflect a broader existential anxiety about AI's role in reshaping journalism. Using a systematic literature review combined with a qualitative content analysis of recent AI-focused news reports, this study identifies recurring themes in media coverage to assess the accuracy and context of reported AI errors relative to actual technological limitations and affordances. Findings suggest that while AI errors are comparatively rare, they receive amplified coverage, often fueling public mistrust in AI technologies. Nevertheless, a balanced examination reveals …

Living Nondirected Kidney Donation: A Psychoanalytic Case-Based Investigation Of Altruism And Its Implications For Psychosocial Evaluation Guidelines, Robert M. Guerin

Faculty Scholarship

Why donate a kidney to a stranger? The history of living nondirected kidney donation, so-called altruistic or Good Samaritan donation, is notable for its associated skepticism if not outright rejection. Since its possibility, transplantation institutes have been concerned over the motives of individuals who present to their clinics with the wish to donate a kidney to a stranger. Are these motives pure? Might there be ulterior motives or secondary gain? Or might these motives be pathological, derivative from a psychiatric disease or syndrome? Although attitudes toward the nondirected donor have improved, skepticism remains: Why, after all, benefit another in this …

Teaching Interprofessional Collaborative Skills In Primary Care Using Team-Based Learning With Simulation: A Pilot Study, Elaine B. Cruz, Mamta K. Singh

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Characterizing Stroke Presenting To A Regional Referral Hospital Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Uganda: A Retrospective Analysis, Christopher Burant, Shirley Moore, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Stroke, a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately impacts low and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) which reports the highest stroke burden. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated this situation, emerging as a significant stroke risk factor. The pandemic also disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, affecting stroke management and care accessibility, and leading to deteriorated conditions in stroke patients upon hospital admission. In this pre/during COVID-19 pandemic analysis of acute stroke cases presenting to a Ugandan hospital, we investigated the relationship between stroke admissions, management and treatment outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective medical record review in …

Scoping Review Of Socio-Ecological Factors Contributing To Sleep Health Disparities In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Megan L. Wenzell, Carolyn E. Ievers-Landis, Sehyun Kim, Samantha Desimio, Siobhan Aaron, Meng Miao

Faculty Scholarship

Given the high prevalence of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a critical need to examine how sleep problems may be exacerbated for children exposed to social and environmental adversity. Guided by the socio-ecological model, this review aimed to evaluate factors linked to sleep health disparities (SHDs) in children with ASD, determine possible gaps/limitations in existing literature, and identify possible solutions. A scoping review was selected to ascertain what is known about SHDs in ASD. Four databases identified articles from 2004 to 2023. Included articles were those conducted in children with ASD that focused on …

Addressing Hiv And Substance Use Health Disparities Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Individuals, Jamie V. Saunt, David L. Hussey

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose of Review: Advances in HIV testing, prevention, and treatment, alongside increased awareness and harm reduction efforts for substance use disorder (SUD) have improved care and treatment access over the past decade. However, racial and ethnic minorities with SUD and HIV or at risk for HIV still face disproportionately high health disparities. Understanding and addressing the reasons behind these disparities is crucial. Recent Findings: Structural and systemic barriers continue to negatively impact minoritized communities, due to lack of access to care, mistrust, and feelings of ostracization. Disconnected systems for HIV and SUD treatment complicate combined care. Delays in HIV diagnosis …

Affordable Acoustic Solutions: Enhancing Accessibility Through Sustainable Soundproofing Materials, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

The prohibitive cost of traditional soundproofing materials, such as Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) and acoustic mineral wool, often limits their accessibility for smaller studios, community spaces, and individual users. This review investigates the potential of sustainable, low-cost materials to offer an alternative without compromising acoustic quality. Magnetic sound dampeners, recycled wool, egg cartons, and bottle caps, for example, provide effective sound management at a fraction of the cost of commercial products. By focusing on upcycled and readily available materials, this study presents strategies to reduce the financial barriers to soundproofing. It also examines the effectiveness of these alternatives in spaces …

Alphafold 3, Ai, Antibody Patents, The Future Of Broad Pharmaceutical Patent Claims, And Drug Development, Brendan Bargmann, Robert A. Bohrer

Faculty Scholarship

Artificial intelligence (AI) will have an enormous impact both on pharmaceutical development and patent protection, particularly for antibody therapeutics. In Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the scope of Amgen’s therapeutic antibody patent to only those antibodies that were specifically described in Amgen’s patent application and that had been shown to bind to a particular region of the target antigen, blocking the activity of the antigen that caused disease. The reason for this limitation was the patent requirement of enablement: that potentially millions of antibodies could be generated to the target antigen but that not all …

Creatine Supplementation Is Safe, Beneficial Throughout The Lifespan, And Should Not Be Restricted, Richard Kreider, Andrew Jagim, Jose Antonio, Douglas Kalman, Chad Kerksick, Jeffrey R. Stout, Robert Wildman, Rick Collins, Diego A. Bonilla

Faculty Scholarship

As researchers investigating creatine supplementation, we have become increasingly concerned about reports that government agencies are attempting to restrict the sale of dietary supplements, including dietary supplements containing creatine, to children and adolescents. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell in the human body that plays a critical role in cellular metabolism. The daily turnover of creatine is about 2–4 grams/day, depending on muscle mass and physical activity levels (1, 2). About half of the daily need for creatine is synthesized in the body from amino acids (arginine, glycine, methionine) and stored as free creatine or phosphocreatine …

Enhancing Metacognitive Competencies Through Human-Centered Ai: The Role Of Custom-Trained Intelligent Agents In Workforce Upskilling, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This editorial examines the integration of human-computer intelligent interaction (HCII), specifically through human-centered artificial intelligence (AI) and custom-trained intelligent agents, to foster metacognitive competencies critical for workforce upskilling. With 59% of the workforce projected to require substantial upskilling by 2030, developing personalized AI models tailored to individual cognitive and learning profiles presents an innovative pathway. These custom-trained agents leverage human-computer interaction (HCI) technologies and machine learning methodologies to enhance understanding of one’s own learning processes-metacognition-thus empowering individuals to optimize their future learning and adaptability. This approach not only enhances the individual’s ability to engage effectively with complex tasks in the …

Innovative Mechanisms For Marketing Health Insurance: An Experimental Field Test (Results From Colorado), Wendy Netter Epstein, Christopher Robertson, David Yokum, Hansoo Ko, Kevin Wilson

Faculty Scholarship

We hypothesize that marketing messages using a generosity framing have the potential to draw healthy persons into the insurance pool, thereby improving access and health outcomes and lowering premiums, but without removing choice or requiring substantial government action. The dependent variable for our field experiment is whether or not recipients of the marketing campaigns enroll in health insurance via the participating exchanges or in Medicaid.

The End Of The U.S.-Backed International Order And The Future Of International Law, Monica Hakimi, Jacob Katz Cogan

Faculty Scholarship

The international order that the United States has for decades led and maintained is undergoing dramatic change. In this Essay, we explain that international law during this period was constituted with, and dependent on, U.S. power; that the two became (in odd-couple fashion) entwined together; and that, as the international order changes, the international legal system, its content and its architecture, will also inevitably change.

"Price Discrimination" Discrimination, Talia B. Gillis

Faculty Scholarship

Credit price personalization, where lenders set prices based on individual borrower and loan characteristics, is a common practice across many loan types, with conventional accounts of its harms focusing on the ways in which risk-based pricing, or setting prices based on borrowers’ credit risk, can lead to disparities for protected groups like racial minorities and women. This Article examines an often-overlooked yet potentially harmful form of price personalization — charging borrowers different rates based on their willingness-to-pay, known as price discrimination — and argues that this practice can exploit vulnerable borrowers, including protected groups like racial minorities and women, by …

Wildfire Smoke And U.S. Law, Michael B. Gerrard

Faculty Scholarship

Many of the most wicked feedback effects of climate change relate to wildfire smoke. In some places the greenhouse gases poured into the atmosphere by wildfires exceed the reductions achieved by all efforts to fight climate change. At the same time, climate change is a major reason why wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense. Climate change and wildfires feed each other. However, environmental law and climate policy have paid relatively little attention to wildfires. The smoke from these fires — a major cause of illness and death, even thousands of miles from the blazes — is mostly unregulated. Efforts …

Understanding Processes That Produce Racial Disparities In California Death Sentences: A Review Of The Literature, Catherine M. Grosso, Michael Laurence, Jeffrey A. Fagan

Faculty Scholarship

A robust and extensive body of empirical research, and a rich historical record, documents a recurring and pervasive influence of race in the application of California’s death penalty. This article reviews the legal and social science research to document multiple paths through which institutions and processes produce these racial disparities over many decisions in many cases across four decades. The article reviews relevant literature by decision, institution, or actor and presents key findings. This includes documenting the history of the broad statutory design of the California capital punishment statue. The review also considers research on policing, including the influence of …

The Restatement Of Children And The Law: Modern Regulation In A Developmental Framework, Elizabeth S. Scott

Faculty Scholarship

In May 2024, the membership of the American Law Institute approved the Restatement of Children and the Law, the first Restatement to focus on the law regulating children and families. The combined efforts of five Reporters (Elizabeth Scott, Reporter, and Richard Bonnie, Emily Buss, Clare Huntington and Solangel Maldonado, Associate Reporters), working for almost nine years, this new Restatement covers most of the legal landscape of American law's relationship to children. It is organized in four Parts: Part I, Children in Families, deals with parental rights and authority and state intervention in families; Part II, Children in Schools, covers children's …

The Limits And Promise Of Global Antitrust Law, Anu Bradford, Adam S. Chilton, Katerina Linos

Faculty Scholarship

A large body of evidence suggests that open, competitive markets are a key driver of economic development. In recognition of this fact, many of the world’s leading economies not only adopted their own antitrust laws to promote competition, but they also urged developing countries around the world to do the same. This resulted in a remarkable proliferation of global antitrust law over the last several decades. Many studies have empirically examined the effect of this development, and, consistent with the hopes of policymakers, they have largely found that adopting antitrust laws produces positive economic outcomes.

In this Article, we reassess …

Introduction – Emerging Pollutants In Water: Threats, Challenges, And Research Needs, Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa, Ali Fares, Gabriel Eckstein

Faculty Scholarship

Water is indispensable for life, health, and environmental sustainability, as underscored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Traditional water quality assessments have historically focused on pathogens, nutrients, and heavy metals. However, recent decades have witnessed growing concerns over Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), a diverse class of pollutants with potential risks to human health and ecosystems. CECs encompass pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and microplastics, entering water bodies via wastewater, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff. Their persistence and adverse effects pose significant challenges to water treatment technologies. This manuscript explores the scientific understanding, environmental fate, and societal implications …

Tomorrow’S Climate Law, Today, Daniel E. Walters

Faculty Scholarship

The prospects for domestic legislation or international treaties that would require governments, businesses, and individuals to stop emitting the greenhouse gases that cause global climate change are particularly bleak these days. Even as the United States has recently passed its most ambitious climate legislation to date in the Inflation Reduction Act and related “green industrial policy” legislation, these successes were ultimately a compromise with politicians who refused to consider more direct controls on emissions. Assuming they survive the second Trump Administration, the green subsidies and nudges contained in these laws, coupled with a groundswell of private environmental governance, will do …

Capital Formation, The Sec, And Accredited Investors, Neal F. Newman, Lawrence J. Trautman, Brian Elzweig

Faculty Scholarship

Protecting the investing public, while simultaneously facilitating the efficient flow of capital needed by all new and growing businesses continues as a primary responsibility of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Enhancing the capital formation process is a necessary step in the creation of jobs and growth of any economy. Central to the SEC’s regulatory schematic is the proposition that some particularly sophisticated and wealthy investors require less protection than those with less knowledge, experience, and resources. During December 2023, for just the third time, the SEC staff issued a report examining the status of the natural person accredited …

Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Creation, And The Future Path Of Copyright Law, Peter K. Yu

Faculty Scholarship

Most literature at the intersection of copyright and AI has focused primarily on what copyright law is or ought to be. Frequently overlooked is the question of what copyright law will be in the AI space. Understanding this question is crucial because the path of copyright law chosen by the United States will have a major impact on the country's economic and technological future.

This article begins by scrutinizing two lines of arguments that have been advanced to deny copyright protection to AI-generated works: constitutional and incentive-based. The article then discusses a third line of arguments—harmonization-based arguments—and identifies select instances …

Guide To Sec And Business Open Source Corporate Intelligence, Lawrence J. Trautman, Brian Elzweig, Neal F. Newman

Faculty Scholarship

An agency of the U.S. intelligence community observes, "The explosion of open source intelligence (OSINT) in recent years has transformed how governments and people around the world consume and process information about society and global issues." It is likely that "We all use open-source and probably don't even realize it, but we also use it for different reasons. You might use open-source information to do a credibility check and to find out more about the person selling you something on Facebook marketplace." Others "may research someone… met on a dating app or before hiring someone for a job." Every use …