Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

Dictating The Divine: Revisiting Authorship, Intention, And Authority From Sacred Texts To Generative Ai, James Hutson, W. Travis Mcmaken

Faculty Scholarship

This article interrogates the historical practice of mediated authorship in religious texts to draw critical parallels with contemporary debates surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models (LLMs). By juxtaposing the mediated authorship of sacred texts, such as the Hebrew Bible and New Testament—where figures like the Apostle Paul dictated theological concepts to scribes who infused these directives with their interpretive insights—with the generative processes of LLMs, this research underscores the shared dynamics of co-constructed authorship across historical and technological contexts. Employing interdisciplinary methodologies from art history, textual studies, and reception theory, as well as theological and biblical studies, …

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 …

Computed Microtomographic Imaging Of Revascularization During Healing Of Achilles Tendon Injury, Seher Yilmaz, Ozan Akkus

Faculty Scholarship

Angiogenesis in injured tendons may contribute to regeneration, but quantifying it post-injury has been mostly limited to 2D semi-quantitative histology. This study aimed to develop micro-CT as a 3D tool to quantitatively assess tendon blood vessels in an experimental animal model. Adult male Wistar rats (N = 36) had injuries induced in their Achilles tendons by needle insertion. The study included three post-injury groups: 12 hours post-injury (12H), 3 weeks post-injury (3W), and 8 weeks post-injury (8W). The uninjured left Achilles tendon served as the control for each group. Intravital cardiac perfusion with barium sulfate enhanced contrast between tendon and …

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 …

Development And Evaluation Of The Da Vinci Ai Tutor: Enhancing Accessibility And Personalized Learning In Art History Education, James Hutson, Tiffani Barner

Faculty Scholarship

This study examines the implementation of the Da Vinci AI Tutor, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based tutoring platform designed specifically for enhancing personalized and accessible learning in art history within higher education. Launched in Fall 2024 at a private liberal arts institution in the Midwest, the system integrates a conversational AI avatar modeled after Leonardo da Vinci, incorporating immersive virtual reality environments and multimodal interaction capabilities to engage students across undergraduate survey courses, advanced Renaissance classes, and graduate comprehensive exam preparations. Addressing significant gaps in existing humanities education research, the current study explores two primary research questions: (i) How AI-driven …

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 …

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 …

Sex & Startups, Jens Frankenreiter, Talia B. Gillis, Eric L. Talley

Faculty Scholarship

Private law offers a unique solution to the problem of long-term fiscal commitment. When Congress enacts a spending program that will take many years to reach fruition, there is a risk of a subsequent Congress or President cutting off funding in the interim. There is no escape from the problem within appropriations law itself. One solution, however, is to entrust private sector allies as vessels of long-term commitment. As a matter of political economy, that solution draws on policy-feedback theory. As a matter of law, the solution rests on a mechanism that Congress already uses but has not recognized its …

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 …

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 …

Development Of A Self-Management Tool For Individuals With Seizure Clusters: Trial Design And Methodological Report, Molly Mcvoy, Eytan Hirsch, Luisa Londono, Kari Colón-Zimmermann, Jin Seok Cho, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Despite advances in anti-seizure medications (ASMs) for people with epilepsy (PWE), adverse outcomes, negative health events (NHEs), and breakthrough seizures remain common. Rescue medication (RM) can better manage repetitive seizures, but barriers to RM use persist. Self-management for PWE and a history of NHEs (SMART) is an evidence-based epilepsy self-management program aimed at reducing barriers and maximizing facilitators to self-care in high-risk PWE. Methods: This 2-phase, ongoing clinical trial adapts SMART to integrate RM support for PWE with repetitive seizures. Phase 1, now completed, used input from an advisory board (AB) of PWE, caregivers, and clinicians to adapt the …

Experimental Investigation Of External Flow Condensation Heat Transfer In Horizontal Tube-In-Tube Configuration, Jiayuan Li, Jayachandran K. Narayanan, Chirag R. Kharangate

Faculty Scholarship

Flow condensation is an important process used to achieve heat rejection across thermal power and energy systems. Studies on tube condensation have concentrated on the condensing fluid flowing in the inner tube. However, common heat exchanger configurations like the shell-and-tube types see the condensing fluid on the outer surface of the tubes. To address this gap, in this study, we investigate the local and channel-averaged heat transfer characteristics of flow condensation happening on the exterior of a horizontal tube in the tube-in-tube configuration. An external flow condensation module is developed and tested to obtain heat transfer and flow visualization data, …

Redefining Cancer Photodynamic Therapy With Gold Nanoparticles, Zoey A. Lockwood, Michael R. Jirousek, James P. Basilion, Clemens Burda

Faculty Scholarship

Despite advancements made in treatment options, cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has gained attention as a minimally invasive and highly selective treatment option for cancer. However, challenges due to the hydrophobicity of photosensitizers and their poor tumor selectivity have limited their use in cancer therapy. Recent developments in nanotechnology, particularly the use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), help overcome these challenges. AuNPs provide a stable and biocompatible platform to deliver photosensitizers, improving their solubility, stability, and ability to target tumors while reducing side effects. Functionalized AuNPs take advantage of mechanisms like …

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 …

Micro-Costs, Kiel Brennan-Marquez, Brendan S. Maher

Faculty Scholarship

The modern world is filled with tiny attentional impositions (cognitiveasks) that inflict small mental burdens (micro-costs) on virtually everyone, everywhere, all the time. Micro-costs make life worse, and everybody knows it. They sap collective energy; they lead to worse decisions; they exacerbate inequality; and they contribute to an overall sense of "mismanagement" in the world, a sentiment that readily pairs with destructive political impulses.

Yet the law has essentially ignored micro-costs-until now. In what follows, we construct a theory of micro-costs that gives the phenomenon analytic shape and charts a path forward for reform. Drawing on the insights of philosophy, …

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 …

Science-Based Policy Recommendations For Managing Emerging Pollutants: Protecting Water Quality For The Health Of People And The Environment, Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa, Ali Fares, Gabriel Eckstein, Regina M. Buono, Mary Trudeau, James E. Nickum, Xingui Xia, Atikur Rahman, Marijn Korndewal, Cassiana C. Montagner, Piero R. Gardinali, Robert Michael Di Filippo, Anoop Veettil

Faculty Scholarship

Emerging water pollutants are a growing global concern due to their ubiquitous presence in water resources worldwide and their potential adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. Limited scientific understanding of sources of emerging pollutants’ emissions to water bodies and their pathways, behaviour, and fate in aquatic environments, as well as human health and ecological effects, is a significant hindrance in managing emerging water pollutants. With exceptions concerning PFAS/PFOS and microplastic beads, there are few regulations for emerging pollutants in national water and environmental policies, which results in a critical gap in safeguarding human health and aquatic ecosystems through effective …

Who Owns The Heat? Property Rights In Geothermal Energy, Gabriel Eckstein

Faculty Scholarship

Landowners can have ownership claims to oil, gas, water, and other tangible natural resources located in their subsoil. But can they also claim rights to the thermal energy found below their land? With 50,000 times more heat energy within the top 10,000 meters (around 33,000 feet) of the Earth’s surface than contained in all of the world’s oil and natural gas resources combined, geothermal energy is a tremendously promising, clean, and renewable energy resource. Yet, ambiguities in property rights related to the development and ownership of geothermal energy resources raise questions about who is entitled to benefit from that potential. …

Legal Market Decartelization, Milan Markovic, Nuno Garoupa

Faculty Scholarship

American lawyers’ grip on the legal market is receding. Scholars and policymakers increasingly agree that the public has little to lose and potentially much to gain from legal market decartelization - the weakening of the lawyers’ monopoly over the legal services market. Harkening to deregulatory initiatives abroad and in Arizona and Utah, reformers contend that removing restrictions on the corporate delivery of legal services and unauthorized practice of law will slash costs and expand access to justice.

Drawing on economic theory and recent market developments, this Article offers a cautionary rejoinder. Understandable concerns about cartelization and lawyer rent-seeking have led …