Digital Commons Network^™

Calibration Of Xl3t Xrf Analyzer Via Analysis Of Micromatter® Standards, Cooper Rr Scroggin

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Before Fall 2025, Dr. Iceman’s research students utilized Argonne National Labs’ Beamline to determine the contents of air samples for a wider air quality study.  The research cohort’s use of the beamline ceased, following scheduling and fiscal concerns, and with it the research on air quality.  Valparaiso University is in possession of an XL3t XRF Analyzer, which can be used to quantitatively measure the concentration of a range of elements in a sample.  For proper use, the instrument must be calibrated in such a way that the user knows the accuracy and precision of its readings.  Sets of vapor-deposited standards …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Thompson Mistmaiden (Romanzoffia Thompsonii), Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Sue Vrilakas

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for Thompson mistmaiden (Romanzoffia thompsonii) using NatureServe methodology, 2026.

Upright: Zheng 正 And The Semantics Of Political Legitimacy, Kaz Wegmuller

Open Educational Resources

This article examines the semantic structure of the left-right political binary in contemporary Anglophone discourse. It argues that the fusion of “right” as directional orientation with “right” as moral correctness produces a form of semantic over-determination that complicates the articulation of democratic legitimacy in periods of political crisis. The claim is not that directional metaphors determine political outcomes, but that they furnish a discursive resource that can be mobilized in struggles over authority, order, and rectitude. To illuminate the contingency of this fusion, the article turns to the East Asian concept of zheng 正 (uprightness), whose semantic independence from handedness …

Reengineering A Thermostable Keratinase Past The Boiling Point., Francis Jenney

PCOM Scholarly Works

Millions of tons of keratin-rich waste are disposed of annually, which could be revalorized, mitigating greenhouse emissions and pollution. Microbial keratinases offer tools for keratin waste valorization, yet they lack robustness for industrial use. In an Applied and Environmental Microbiology article, Y. Yang, Y. Luo, Y. Ding, Y. Yao, et al. (92:e01860-25, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.01860-25) integrated machine learning, rational design, and empirical screening to produce boiling-resistant variants that were reusable and highly effective at keratin degradation, demonstrating the promise of deep-learning-guided enzyme engineering.

Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage And Associated Factors Among Women Aged 25-59 In Eswatini: Insights From The 2021 Population-Based Hiv Impact Assessment (Phia), Abenezer Melaku Tafese, Bikiltu Dirbaba, Meseker Fentie, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Eswatini, which reported the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates globally in 2022. However, recent nationally representative published data on cervical cancer screening coverage in Eswatini remain limited. This study aimed to estimate cervical cancer screening coverage and identify factors associated with screening uptake among women aged 25-59 years in Eswatini.

METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2021 Eswatini Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA), a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey. Survey-weighted bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify …

Cafeteria Menu Makeover Could Reduce Students' Sugar, Salt Intake, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Pizza, pastries and parfaits are staples in many school cafeterias. But new research from the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi suggests some of students' favorite meals may contain more sodium and sugar than schools will be allowed to serve under updated federal nutrition standards.

Jeffrey Ruschak V. Commissioner Social Security

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Elodia Jimenez Diaz V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Neural-Immune-Cardiovascular Axis: From Mechanistic Crosstalk To Therapeutic Targets In Cardiovascular Disease, Junkang Cheng, Shuang Gao, Haowei Zhang, Wei Gao, Zeyuan Mei, Xiaoling Liu, Jocelyn Gao, Chenghu Guo, Guipeng An

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

The neural-immune-cardiovascular axis represents an emerging and highly integrated physiological and pathophysiological concept, describing a complex bidirectional communication network between the nervous, immune, and vascular systems. This review systematically examines the pivotal role of this axis in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. We first provide an overview of the fundamental signaling pathways between the components of this axis. Subsequently, we delve into the specific crosstalk mechanisms within the axis in the context of major cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. A central focus is placed on critically evaluating the potential therapeutic targets and …

Oerfsj Year 2 Annual Report With Sustainability Reflection, Oerfsj

OERFSJ Templates & Resources

Year 2 annual report focused on year 3 project plan and sustainability reflection for OERFSJ faculty.

Barriers To Recommendation Of Integrative Oncology Modalities In Supportive Care: A Mascc/Sio Survey, Alexandre Chan, Dalia Kagramanov, Reem Nasr, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana M. Lopez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Integrative oncology (IO) modalities aim to improve the quality of life of persons with cancer, including strategies to manage treatment and disease-related symptoms. As evidence increases to include IO in supportive care, interest grows globally. Understanding barriers to IO recommendation is key to facilitating its uptake.

METHODS: Members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) were invited to complete an online survey in Fall 2023 assessing barriers to IO recommendation on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics assessed demographic data and general counts of scaled agreement, while logistic regression analysis …

Research And Innovation Update, July 22, 2026, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Innovation

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Prescribing Poetry: Incorporating Literary Arts Into Patient Recovery, Amanda K. Bauer

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Poetry can help people understand and express complex emotions that often become apparent during illness. This literature review aims to determine whether poetry therapy -i.e., reading, writing, or listening to poetry- affects patient well-being when compared with standard of care treatment.

Methods: Google Scholar and Valparaiso University's databases were searched using primary keywords "poetry therapy" and "poetry in medicine" to find six English-language studies published after 2008 that used poetry as the primary intervention.

Results: Across three studies, poetry therapy showed reductions in anxiety and stress levels. Patients also showed improvements in emotional regulation, with one study citing reductions …

Emergency-Only Dialysis Under Emtala And Barriers To Kidney Transplantation In Uninsured Patients: Clinical, Economic, And Ethical Considerations, Heta Patel

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Evaluate the clinical, economic, and ethical implications of emergency-only dialysis under the EMTALA and examine evidence supporting pathways to kidney transplantation for uninsured patients with ESRD. The population included uninsured and undocumented patients with ESRD. The intervention was transplant pathways compared with emergency dialysis, with outcomes including transplant access, clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, costs, and ethical considerations.

Methods: A structured narrative literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, UpToDate, and Research Rabbit. Searches focused on uninsured and undocumented populations, emergency dialysis, EMTALA, organ transplantation, health equity, ethical considerations, and post-transplant care. English-language publications after 2019 were included, with older …

Exploring The Role Of Parp Inhibitors For Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer Who Carry A Brca 1 Or Brca 2 Mutation, Kenzee Koselke

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as adjunctive therapy in patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer by assessing their effects on invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) compared with standard therapy.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies published within the past five years evaluating PARP inhibitors in BRCA1/2-mutated breast cancer. Included studies evaluated women with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2-negative early-stage or metastatic breast cancer. Studies involving HER2-positive disease, male patients, or non-BRCA-associated breast cancer were excluded. …

Curcumin Supplementation And Glycemic Control In Type 2 Diabetes And Prediabetes, Anushka Vohra

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current evidence regarding the effectiveness of curcumin supplementation on glycemic control in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes. Specifically, this paper examines whether curcumin improves glycemic outcomes when compared to standard treatment or placebo.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on glycemic control and β-cell function in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes. Randomized controlled trials involving adult human subjects that reported glycemic outcomes, including HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, or insulin levels, were included. Studies involving animal …

Artificial Lung Designs For Simulating Oxygen Therapy In Neonates, Kaylee Roberts, Gil Guinto

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

While supplemental oxygen is frequently administered to premature neonates via oxygen therapy, key details, like oxygen concentration in the lungs, are difficult to measure and not well understood. We aim to simulate the breathing of premature neonates while measuring oxygen concentration through an artificial lung design. Two prototype designs were constructed to control tidal volume and breathing rate as well as observe different breathing patterns. Both designs utilize different methods to expand and compress the lung. Design 1 utilizes a stepper motor and ball screw to expand and compress the bellows, combined with C++ to control tidal volume, breathing rate, …

The Relationship Between Hormone Replacement Therapy And Lipid Profiles In Postmenopausal Women, Renee Seaney

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objectives: This literature review examines the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lipid profiles in postmenopausal women and evaluates HRT’s potential role as an adjunctive or standalone therapy in lipid management.

Methods: Searches were performed in Google Scholar and the Valparaiso University library database using the terms “hormone replacement therapy and lipids,” “menopause HRT lipid levels,” and “menopause HRT cardiovascular.” Five peer-reviewed studies were selected, with designs ranging from randomized double-blind controlled trials to retrospective cohort studies, sample sizes from 22 to 562 postmenopausal women, and follow-up periods up to twelve months.

Results: Four of the five studies demonstrated …

Efficacy Of Curcumin As An Ayurvedic Adjunct To Standard Therapy In Patients With Mild To Moderate Ulcerative Colitis, Varsha S. George

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

To evaluate the current evidence regarding curcumin as an adjunctive therapy for adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC) and determine whether using it with standard medical therapy improves clinical remission, clinical response/symptom control, and endoscopic remission compared  with standard therapy alone

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses published between 2014 and 2026 evaluating adjunctive curcumin for UC. Studies of adults with mild-moderate UC receiving adjunctive curcumin were included. Pediatric populations, severe UC, and studies lacking clinical or endoscopic outcomes were excluded.. Five …

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome As A Sequela Of Long-Covid-19: Recognizing The Clinical Spectrum Of Covid-19 Related Dysautonomia, Bridget G. Pollard

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

This review evaluates the association between post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long-COVID, and the development of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in a symptomatic adult population. It examines the spectrum of COVID-19-related autonomic dysfunction, identifies barriers to timely diagnosis, and discusses clinical implications for screening, symptom management, and the necessary specialist referrals.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, citation tracking, and Research Rabbit to identify studies examining long-COVID syndrome, dysautonomia, and POTS. Peer-reviewed, English-language, full-text studies involving adults with long-COVID and dysautonomia were included, while studies published before 2020, acute …

The Relationship Between Oral Contraceptives And Soft Tissue Injuries In Women: Tailoring Reproductive Care For Female Athletes, Katy Smith

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

a)     Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on ligamentous injuries in female athletes, and if treatment/counseling should be tailored accordingly.

b)     Methods: A literature search for this narrative review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, and the Christopher Center library databases. Search terms included OCPs, ligament injuries, female athletes, menstruation, menstrual cycle, and follicular phase. English-language studies published from 2017 onward examining soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes of reproductive age were included. Relevant articles were identified with ligamentous, soft tissue, and MSK injuries as the …

Terrence Colbert V. Allstate Property & Casualty Insurance Co

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Tile-Based Knot Assembly With Celtic!, Divya Bajaj, Ryan Knobel, Juan Manuel Perez, Rene Reyes, Ramiro Santos, Tim Wylie

Computer Science Faculty Publications

In this paper we focus on the intersection of tile assembling systems, edge-matching puzzles, combinatorial games, and knot construction and identity. As a basis, we utilize the game Celtic!, which is a 2-player board game where the goal of the game is to construct knots where one knot uses more of a player’s pieces than the other player over all knots. All pieces must build off an existing knot and a valid knot must be closed. We consider three variations: a 0-player self-assembly variation that deterministically places pieces to form a closed knot of some length, a 1-player puzzle variation …

Global Performance Of Remote Sensing-Based And Reanalysis-Driven Models To Estimate Open Water Evaporation, Júlia Brusso Rossi, Ayan Santos Fleischmann, Leonardo Laipelt, Bruno Comini De Andrade, Joshua B. Fisher, Justin L. Huntington, Christopher Pearson, R. Iestyn Woolway, Roseilson Vale, Júlio Tota, Gabriel B. Senay, Huilin Gao, Anderson Ruhoff

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Evaporation plays an essential role in the water cycle, influencing local and regional climates while directly impacting water availability in lakes. However, directly measuring evaporation over water bodies remains challenging due to the high costs of installing and maintaining the required in situ instrumentation. Although several remote sensing algorithms have been providing evaporation estimates, the lack of a global validation hinders our understanding of their relative uncertainties and performances across different regions. Here, we analyze the performance of a suite of models that leverage satellite data and meteorological reanalysis to estimate evaporation over lakes worldwide. We compare 3 remote sensing‐based …

Unh Launches Statewide Initiative To Study Ticks, Diseases And The Environment, Beth Potier, Robbin Ray

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Diabetic Alert Dogs As Glucose Monitoring Tools: Detection Accuracy For Hypoglycemic And Hyperglycemic Events, Dianne C. Dollison

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this review was to determine whether trained diabetic alert dogs (DADs) provide detection accuracy comparable to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for hypo- and hyperglycemic events in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using UpToDate and Google Scholar. Studies involving adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes that reported glucose detection accuracy for DADs or CGMs were included. Pediatric-only and non-glucose-detection studies were excluded. Because few direct head-to-head studies lasting 6 months or longer were available, shorter-duration studies were included as supporting evidence. Outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, …

Reframing The Conversation: Evidence-Based Communication Strategies To Address Parental Vaccine Hesitancy, Azucena Hernandez

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of the literature review is to identify factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy and evaluate evidence-based communication techniques. Effective communication techniques can be implemented in clinical practice to address hesitancy and improve parental attitudes toward vaccination.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies examining parental vaccine hesitancy and provider communication strategies. Search terms included vaccine hesitancy, parental attitudes, childhood immunization, communication strategies, motivational interviewing, and vaccination uptake. Peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2012 and 2025 were reviewed. Seven studies were selected based on relevance, methodological quality, and applicability …

A Guide To Pain Management Options In Childbirth, Julia Renay Purtell

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: To evaluate evidence on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic labor pain management strategies and provide clinicians with an evidence-based framework for patient counseling on analgesic methods and the associated maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A structured literature search was conducted using Research Rabbit to identify studies on labor analgesia using keywords related to labor pain, pain relief, epidural analgesia, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management, and pain intensity. Studies evaluating parturients undergoing labor with the intention of vaginal birth and examining various pain management strategies were included. Studies involving non-laboring patients or analgesia outside the context of active labor and intended …

More Than Rest: The Impact Of Sleep On Cardiovascular Disease, Jane S. Thomas

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate whether < 6 hour sleep duration and poor sleep quality, compared with normal >7 hour sleep duration, increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults. Outcomes included cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular mortality, and related cardiovascular health measures. Methods: A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar to evaluate the relationship between sleep parameters and cardiovascular outcomes. English-language, full-text studies published since 2019 involving adults were included, while pediatric studies and non-cardiovascular outcomes were excluded. The review included three prospective cohort studies, two meta-analyses, and one interventional study. Results: Evidence consistently demonstrated that short sleep duration …

Impact Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist On Reducing Major Adverse Limb Events In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease, India A. Harris

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

The purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of utilizing Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) to prevent major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) versus standard treatment.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using systematic searches of MEDLINE and Google Scholar for studies evaluating GLP-1RAs and vascular outcomes. English-language, full-text studies published since 2020 assessing GLP-1RA use and limb-related outcomes were included; older studies and those not involving GLP-1RAs were excluded. Primary outcomes include a reduction in MALE and a decrease in risk factors associated with MALE. Secondary outcomes include transcutaneous …