Digital Commons Network^™

A Practical Guide To Light-Sheet Microscopy For Nanoscale Imaging: Looking Beyond The Cell, Stephanie N. Kramer, Jeanpun Antarasen, Cole R. Reinholt, Lydia Kisley

Faculty Scholarship

We present a comprehensive guide to light-sheet microscopy (LSM) to assist scientists in navigating the practical implementation of this microscopy technique. Emphasizing the applicability of LSM to image both static microscale and nanoscale features, as well as diffusion dynamics, we present the fundamental concepts of microscopy, progressing through beam profile considerations, to image reconstruction. We outline key practical decisions in constructing a home-built system and provide insight into the alignment and calibration processes. We briefly discuss the conditions necessary for constructing a continuous 3D image and introduce our home-built code for data analysis. By providing this guide, we aim to …

A 6-Month, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Of Customized Adherence Enhancement Versus A Bipolar-Specific Educational Control In Poorly Adherent Adolescents And Young Adults Living With Bipolar Disorder, Jennifer B. Levin, Molly Mcvoy, Joy Yala, Jessica Black, Carla Conroy, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: Few studies have addressed medication adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with bipolar disorder (BD). This 6-month prospective randomized-controlled trial (RCT) tested customized adherence enhancement for adolescents and young adults (CAE-AYA), a behavioral intervention for AYAs versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). Methods: Inclusion criteria were AYAs age 13–21 with BD type I or II with suboptimal adherence defined as missing ≥20% of medications. Assessments were conducted at Screening, Baseline, and weeks 8, 12 and 24. Primary outcome was past 7 day self-reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) validated by electronic pillbox monitoring (SimpleMed). Symptom measures included the Hamilton …

Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing Patterns And Prostate Cancer Stage At Diagnosis In Older Ohio Cancer Patients, Sajan N. Patel, Long Vu, Holly E. Hartman, Weichuan Dong, Siran M. Koroukian, Johnie Rose

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) screening recommendations do not support prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for older men. Such screening often occurs, however. It is, therefore, important to understand how frequently and among which subgroups screening occurs, and the extent of distant stage PCa diagnoses among screened older men. Methods: Using the 2014–2016 linked Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS) and Medicare administrative database, we identified men 68 and older diagnosed with PCa and categorized their PSA testing in the three years preceding diagnosis as screening or diagnostic. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify correlates of screening PSA and to …

Neurovascular Shifts, Sensory Sensitivity, And Pmdd In Autistic Women: Exploring Blood Flow Redirection, Mood Dysregulation, And Pain Tolerance During Menstruation, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article examines the relationship between Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), neurovascular dynamics, and sensory sensitivities in autistic women during menstruation. The redirection of blood flow to the uterus during the menstrual cycle has been found to exacerbate cerebral perfusion deficits in neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), which contributes to the mood dysregulation and emotional instability characteristic of PMDD. Autistic women, who often exhibit heightened sensory sensitivities, experience intensified discomfort during menstruation, as sensory overload and altered pain perception compound the emotional challenges of PMDD. These findings emphasize the need for neurodivergent-friendly menstrual products that mitigate both physical …

Navigating Life: Neuroscience And Inclusive Design In Wayfinding Systems, Stephanie Jost, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Wayfinding, as conceptualized by Lynch, has transformed from traditional navigation methods reliant on visual cues and landmarks to modern systems that integrate digital technologies and neuroscience. This study addresses the need for accessible and consistent wayfinding systems that accommodate diverse user abilities, particularly in complex environments such as public transit, hospitals, and large institutions. Current systems often lack coordination, clear signage, and comprehensive coverage, leading to navigation challenges. Through a multi-method approach, including literature review and case study analysis, this research evaluates best practices for inclusive wayfinding. Key findings emphasize the importance of consistent visual design, strategic sign placement, and …

Barriers And Facilitators To Incorporating An Integrative Mind–Body Intervention In Youth With Type 2 Diabetes, Irina Bransteter, Molly Mcvoy, David W. Miller, Rose A. Gubitosi-Klug, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: There has been little to no qualitative research done with adolescents and young adults (AYA) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that can guide creation of interventions for this demographic. Using qualitative research methods, a novel mind–body intervention called Intervention for Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes (INTEND) has been developed for AYA aged 15 to 20 years, with the goal of improving self-management and coping skills, by enhancing routine care with augmented education coupled with mind–body skills. Method: Qualitative interviews with AYA 15 to 20 years of age with T2D, their parents, and professionals caring specifically for this population were …

Impact Of Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) Infections On Mental Health Diagnoses In Youth With Chronic Illness, Molly Mcvoy, Rina Hung, Irina Bransteter, David W. Miller, Jeffrey A. Dusek, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Objective: Stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic and limited availability of mental health care services have negatively impacted youth mental health in a significant way. In the first year of the pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by roughly 25% in pediatric populations. While the general trend is clear, this research aimed to explore the added mental health burden of acute COVID-19 on pediatric patients with chronic conditions and describe the differences in mental health outcomes between pediatric patients with 2 common chronic conditions (asthma and diabetes) to better understand specific factors that may increase susceptibility to mental health …

Impact Of Resin Molecular Weight On Drying Kinetics And Sag Of Coatings, Marola W. Issa, Christpher L. Wirth

Faculty Scholarship

Coating performance is influenced by factors inherent to formulation design and processing conditions. Understanding the complex interplay of these attributes enables for mitigating defects, such as sag, which is a gravity-driven phenomenon that impacts the aesthetic and functionality of a coating. The work herein investigates the impact of resin molecular weight and solvent choice on the drying kinetics and sag velocity in polymer films. These films, ranging in thickness from ~60 μm to ~120 μm were formulated with 45 % by weight polymer resin in one of two solvent packages with different relative evaporation rates (RER). Gravimetry was initially used …

Satirical Deepfakes, Surreal Dreamscapes & Nostalgic Pixels: The Rapid Evolution And Cultural Commentary Of Ai-Aesthetics, Andrew Smith, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

The rapid evolution of visual aesthetics driven by AI, shared globally through the internet and social media, has dramatically accelerated what once took centuries to develop. This article explores the unique visual tropes emerging from AI-generated content, characterized by surreal, uncanny, and often unsettling imagery. Examples range from the Dor Brothers' stylized narrative videos to horrifying depictions of transformations, such as people morphing into motorcycles. The article contextualizes this aesthetic within historical developments in creative experimentation, drawing parallels with David Bowie's unconventional approach to sound creation in the 1970s. It also considers how AI-driven art, free from copyright constraints in …

Ai Satire And Digital Dystopia: The Dor Brothers Crafting Imperfection And Political Commentary In Contemporary Video Art, James Hutson, Andrew Smith

Faculty Scholarship

The Dor Brothers' AI-generated video content exemplifies an inflection point in digital creativity, where technological limitations are repurposed as aesthetic tools. Drawing on recent interviews with Yonatan Dor, this article explores the innovative techniques of the brothers, such as masking visual imperfections with retro filters and embracing the unpredictability of AI outputs. Through generating numerous clips and meticulously editing selections, they create a unique aesthetic that juxtaposes surrealism with a gritty realism, often reminiscent of early CCTV or VHS footage. Their work not only transcends the typical "morphing face" trope of AI videos but also engages in satire, using deepfake-like …

Contemplating Existence: Ai And The Meaning Of Life, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries …

Enhancing History Education With Google Notebooklm: Case Study Of Mary Easton Sibley’S Diary For Multimedia Content And Podcast Creation, Paul Huffman, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores new features of Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-powered tool designed for advanced document analysis and educational content generation. Tested on the 92-page transcribed diary of Mary Easton Sibley, the founder of Lindenwood University, NotebookLM effectively generated FAQs, a study guide, a table of contents, a briefing document, and an audio overview in podcast format. By transforming static historical documents into dynamic learning materials, the document-based AI model provides a user-friendly interface for educators and students, especially those without experience in audio editing or podcasting. While successful in creating study guides and audio formats, the tool faced challenges in …

Administrative Arrest Warrants: Armed Encounters Outside The Judicial Process, Meg Penrose

Faculty Scholarship

This Article considers three related questions. First, is a person “seized” under the Fourth Amendment when law enforcement restricts a person’s movements in their home and limits their ability to leave or go about their business? Second, does the answer to this seizure inquiry turn on the person’s citizenship status? And third, how do lawyers ensure that courts discard bad law? This last question is not a qualitative assessment— with good and bad law being tied to one’s legal ideology. Rather, certain legal holdings, dating back over half a century, have been whittled away if not entirely eroded. When this …

Bridging Disciplines With Ai-Powered Coding: Empowering Non-Stem Students To Build Advanced Apis In The Humanities, Daniel Plate, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

The integration of AI-powered coding assistants, such as Cursor AI, GitHub Copilot, and Replit’s Ghostwriter AI, represents a transformative shift in programming education, particularly for non-STEM students. These tools democratize coding by enabling natural language code generation, intelligent error correction, and context-aware assistance within familiar coding environments. This article explores how these technologies empower educators across disciplines to introduce basic and advanced coding concepts to humanities students, a demographic traditionally underserved in programming education. By leveraging AI, instructors can teach non-STEM students the foundational principles of coding and guide them through the development of sophisticated projects, such as building APIs …

Technoculture And Language Models In Archaeology: Reconstructing And Preserving Cultural Narratives Through Digital Humanities, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Technoculture, which examines the intersection of culture and technology, has increasingly permeated archaeological practice, transforming both scholarly research and public engagement [1-3]. The introduction of digital tools such as virtual reality (VR), geographic information systems (GIS), and large language models (LLMs) has democratized access to archaeological knowledge, enabling communities to engage more actively with their cultural heritage [4-6]. This short article explores the mutual influence of technocultural studies and AI technologies on archaeology, with a focus on the preservation and reconstruction of cultural narratives through digital means.

The first aspect of this intersection lies in how technocultural tools are creating …

Developing Empathetic Ai: Exploring The Potential Of Artificial Intelligence To Understand And Simulate Family Dynamics And Cultural Identity, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted various domains. Yet, the exploration of AI's potential to develop a deep understanding of family culture and identity remains underexplored. This study introduces the concept of "a love of grandma and apple pie" to symbolize the potential of various AI to internalize and appreciate familial relationships, cultural traditions, and personal identity. The proposed study would investigate how an advanced deep learning model, trained on diverse unstructured datasets—including multimedia data from 100 families-could learn and reflect human-like emotions, values, and cultural understanding. Utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for visual data processing …

Diffuse Interface Modeling Of Non-Isothermal Stokes-Darcy Flow With Immersed Transmissibility Conditions, Hyoung Suk Suh

Faculty Scholarship

The coupling between free and porous medium flows has received significant attention since it plays an important role in a wide range of problems from fluid-soil interactions to biofluid dynamics. However, modeling this coupled process remains a difficult task as it often involves a domain decomposition algorithm in conjunction with a special treatment at the interface. The problem can become more challenging under non-isothermal conditions because it requires the iterative procedure at every time step to simultaneously meet the transient mass continuity, force equilibrium, and energy balance for the entire system. This article presents a diffuse interface framework for modeling …

Carbon-Sulfur Bond Elongation As The Promoting Reaction Coordinate In The Efficient Sub-Nanosecond Intersystem Crossing In Thianaphthene Derivatives, Cameron Griffith, Erqian Mao, Sean J. Hoehn, Sarah E. Krul, Carlos E. Crespo-Hernández

Faculty Scholarship

Thiophene derivatives have become integral to OLEDs, photovoltaics, and photodynamic therapy research. A deeper understanding of their excited state dynamics and electronic relaxation mechanisms is expected to provide important physical insights of direct relevance for these applications. In this study, thianaphthene (TN), 2-methylbenzothiophene (2MBT), and 3-methylbenzothiophene (3MBT) are investigated using femtosecond broadband transient absorption and steady-state spectroscopy techniques along with time-dependent density functional calculations in cyclohexane and acetonitrile. The photophysical properties and electronic relaxation mechanisms of these derivatives are elucidated. Small fluorescence quantum yields ranging from 0.4 to 1.1% are measured. It is demonstrated that excitation of TN at 290 …

A Magnetic-Directed Micro-Particle With Near-Ir Light Triggered Guest-Release Property, Jin Ge, Xiang Cheng, Lihan Rong

Faculty Scholarship

In this study, guest carriers, composed of magnetic-directed hydrogel particles with near-infrared (NIR)-light-triggered guest-release properties, are prepared via the one-pot method. The gel particles contain photostable NIR-responsive polypyrrole nanoparticles with temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide), the combination of which can induce the accelerated release of encapsulated drugs by 337% upon 5 minutes of NIR light irradiation based on the release profile of NRMG-1 at 10–15 min. Additionally, with magnetic iron oxide particles crosslinking the polyvinyl alcohol frames, these gel particles can form a physical barrier that decreases the release rate by 20% under an external magnetic field over 24 h. The magnetic …

Mhongoose: A Meerkat Nearby Galaxy H I Survey, Stacy S. Mcgaugh

Faculty Scholarship

The MHONGOOSE (MeerKAT H i Observations of Nearby Galactic Objects: Observing Southern Emitters) survey maps the distribution and kinematics of the neutral atomic hydrogen (H i) gas in and around 30 nearby star-forming spiral and dwarf galaxies to extremely low H i column densities. The H i column density sensitivity (3σ over 16 km s−1) ranges from ∼5 × 1017 cm−2 at 9000 resolution to ∼4 × 1019 cm−2 at the highest resolution of 700. The H i mass sensitivity (3σ over 50 km s−1) is ∼5.5×105 M at a distance of 10 Mpc (the median distance of the sample …

3d Mr Fingerprinting For Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Imaging Of Whole Mouse Brain, Yuran Zhu, Yuning Gu, Walter Zhao, Jiahao Lu, Junqing Zhu, Christina J. Macaskill, Andrew Dupuis, Mark A. Griswold, Dan Ma, Chris A. Flask, Xin Yu

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: Quantitative MRI enables direct quantification of contrast agent concentrations in contrast-enhanced scans. However, the lengthy scan times required by conventional methods are inadequate for tracking contrast agent transport dynamically in mouse brain. We developed a 3D MR fingerprinting (MRF) method for simultaneous T1 and T2 mapping across the whole mouse brain with 4.3-min temporal resolution. Method: We designed a 3D MRF sequence with variable acquisition segment lengths and magnetization preparations on a 9.4T preclinical MRI scanner. Model-based reconstruction approaches were employed to improve the accuracy and speed of MRF acquisition. The method's accuracy for T1 and T2 measurements was …

Development Of A Selective Novel Fluorescent Substrate For Sodium-Dependent Transporters, Richard S. Agnes, Raymond F. Muzic Jr.

Faculty Scholarship

Aim: To synthesize, characterize, and validate 6FGA, a fluorescent glucose modified with a Cyanine5.5 at carbon-6 position, for probing the function of sodium-dependent glucose transporters, SGLT1 and SGLT2. Main methods: The synthesis of fluorescent glucose analogue was achieved through “click chemistry” of Cyanine5.5-alkyne and 6-azido-6-deoxy-D-glucose. Cell system studies were conducted to characterize the in vivo transport properties. Key findings: Optical analyses revealed that 6FGA displayed similar spectral profiles to Cyanine5.5 in DMSO, allowing for concentration determination, thus supporting its utility in quantitative kinetic studies within biological assays. Uptake studies in cell system SGLT models, LLC-PK1 and HEK293 cells, exhibited concentration …

Scheduling Meetings: Are The Odds In Your Favor?, Harsh Mathur

Faculty Scholarship

Abstract: Polling all the participants to find a time when everyone is available is the ubiquitous method of scheduling meetings nowadays. We examine the probability of a poll with m participants and ℓ possible meeting times succeeding, where each participant rejects r of the ℓ options. For large ℓ and fixed r/ℓ, we can carry out a saddle-point expansion and obtain analytical results for the probability of success. Despite the thermodynamic limit of large ℓ, the ‘microcanonical’ version of the problem where each participant rejects exactly r possible meeting times, and the ‘canonical’ version where each participant has a probability …

Association Between Residential Distance To Airport And Blood Lead Levels In Children Under 6 Living In North Carolina, 1992–2015, Abdul-Nasah Soale

Faculty Scholarship

Even with progress in lead poisoning prevention, research has consistently shown there is no safe blood lead level (BLL) for children.1 Behavioral and cognitive deficits are associated with lead exposure, even at low levels.2 Unfortunately, many piston-engine aircraft are still fueled by leaded aviation gas (avgas). The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 5.2 million people live within 500m of an airport where avgas is used.3 Our past research in six North Carolina (NC) counties indicates that children living within 500m of airports where avgas is used have ∼4% higher BLLs than children who lived beyond 2,000m (reference group); …

Uncertainty Quantification In Machine Learning Models Via Gaussian Process Regression: A Comparative Study, Ayorinde E. Olatunde, Weiqi Yue, Pawan K. Tripathi, Roger H. French, Anirban Mondal

Faculty Scholarship

As the use of Machine learning models in science and engineering continues to increase, there is an increasing need for quantifying the uncertainties inherent in the predictions of these models. The more complex a model is, the more the uncertainties in its predictions increase. Amongst the plethora of methodologies used in quantifying uncertainties lies Gaussian Process Regression (GPR). GPR surmounts some of the popular shortfalls of other state-of-the-art methodologies. Although GPR has some quick wins in its application for uncertainty quantification, it is plagued with some shortfalls, such as scalability issues when the feature space increases as well as an …

Reducing Disparities Through Online Accessibility Information, Benjamin A. Barsky, Michael Ashley Stein, Lisa I. Iezzoni

Faculty Scholarship

Over the coming decades, physicians in the US can expect to see more patients with disabilities as medical advances extend the lives of persons with complex congenital or early-onset conditions and as the population ages with a higher incidence of multimorbidities and functional impairments. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overall age-adjusted disability prevalence in 2021 among adults aged 18 years or older was 27.2%, with estimates of 12.1% for mobility disability, 6.1% for hearing disability, and 4.8%for vision disability. In 2021, however, only 63.2%of persons with any disability aged 18 to 44 years reported …

Using Latent Variables To Improve The Management Of Depression Among Hemodialysis Patients, Douglas D. Gunzler, Martha Sajatovic, Ashwini R. Sehgal

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Screening for depression can be challenging among hemodialysis patients due to the overlap of depressive symptoms with dialysis or kidney disease related symptoms. The aim of this study was to understand these overlapping symptoms and develop a depression screening tool for better clinical assessment of depressive symptoms in dialysis patients. Methods: We surveyed 1,085 dialysis patients between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2023 at 15 dialysis facilities in Northeast Ohio with the 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) and kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL) instrument. To evaluate overlap across questionnaire items, we used structural equation modeling (SEM). We …

Limits To Asset Manager Adaptation, Madison Condon

Faculty Scholarship

In Our Lives in Their Portfolios, Brett Christophers provides an account of the rise of ‘asset manager society’ – a world in which the infrastructures of public life are converted from public to private ownership. Here I use Christophers’ analysis to comment on growing calls for asset manager investment in climate adaptation. The asset manager business model requires ever-escalating returns, a poor fit with the now unavoidable losses that climate change promises to bring.

Contemplating Existence: Ai And The Meaning Of Life, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries …

Questionable Arbitrator Habits, Robert H. Smit

Faculty Scholarship

International arbitrators do some things in conducting arbitrations, that tend to go without saying, but that I struggle to accept without question. I speak not of major procedural missteps that run afoul of principles of due process or of procedural “best practices” codified in soft law instruments like the IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence. Rather, I speak of some of the smaller, uncodified procedural behaviors — procedural habits, I call them — that international arbitrators adopt within the confines, and between the interstices, of those codified due process and soft law “best practice” parameters. I speak of widely …