Digital Commons Network^™

Bone Fusion System, Frank D. Vrionis, Kamran Aghayev, Sabrina A. Gonzalez Blohm, James J. Doulgeris

USF Patents

A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a trans-pedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the …

A Novel Multimodal Postoperative Pain Protocol For 1- To 2-Level Open Lumbar Fusions: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Michael Markowitz, Barrett I. Woods, Gregory D. Schroeder, Christopher K Kepler, David Kaye, Mark Kurd, Joshua Armstrong, Alex R. Vaccaro, Kris Radcliff

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: There has been increased interest in exploring methods to reduce postoperative pain without opioid medications. In 2015, a multimodal analgesia protocol was used involving the perioperative use of celecoxib, gabapentin, intravenous acetaminophen, lidocaine, and liposomal bupivacaine. Overall, the goal was to reduce the utilization of scheduled opioids in favor of nonopioid pain management.

METHODS: The results of a consecutive series of 1- to 2-level open primary lumbar fusions were compared to a cohort of patients after the implementation the perioperative multimodal pain management protocol. Primary endpoints included patient-reported pain scores and secondary endpoints included length of stay.

RESULTS: There …

Microcalcification Crystallography As A Potential Marker Of Dcis Recurrence, Zoey A Miller, Arielle Mueller, Taebeom Kim, Jennifer F Jolivert, Ray Z Ma, Sahil Muthuswami, April Park, Derek B Mcmahon, Kevin T Nead, Ryan M Carey, Robert J Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have high mortality and significant treatment-related morbidity. It is vital to discover effective, minimally invasive therapies that improve survival and quality of life. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed in HNSCCs, and T2R activation can induce apoptosis. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that also activates bitter taste receptor 14 (T2R14). Lidocaine has some anti-cancer effects, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we find that lidocaine causes intracellular Ca

Advancements In Panoramic-Dic System For Vascular Imaging, Zhuangyu Zhang

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has become an important imaging technique in biomechanics, known for its non-invasive, optical assessment capabilities. However, traditional DIC systems have several limitations in biomechanical applications such as restricted observational fields and challenges to maintain the sample integrity. Advancements in the DIC technique have led to the development of panoramic-DIC (pDIC) systems. The pDIC system addresses the need for more comprehensive imaging of quasi-cylindrical samples by utilizing a sophisticated array of cameras and mirrors. It employs a concave conical mirror, transforming a conventional binocular stereo-DIC setup into an almost infinite-view system, through the use of multiple cameras …

Doug Haner Oral History, Doug Haner, Lorenzo Spaccarelli

Raymond College

No abstract provided.

People Are Less Myopic About Future Than Past Collective Outcomes, Markus Prior, Abdelaziz Alsharawy, Talbot M Andrews

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Myopia involves giving disproportionate weight to outcomes that occur close to the present. Myopia in people's evaluations of political outcomes and proposals threatens effective policymaking. It can lead to inefficient spending just before elections, cause inaction on important future policy challenges, and create incentives for government interventions aimed at boosting short-term performance at the expense of long-term welfare. But, are people generally myopic? Existing evidence comes mostly from studies that disregard either the future or collective outcomes. Political science characterizes people as myopic based on how they retrospectively evaluate collective outcomes, such as the state of the economy. Behavioral economics …

Lidocaine Induces Apoptosis In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Activation Of Bitter Taste Receptor T2r14, Zoey A Miller, Arielle Mueller, Taebeom Kim, Jennifer F Jolivert, Ray Z Ma, Sahil Muthuswami, April Park, Derek B Mcmahon, Kevin T Nead, Ryan M Carey, Robert J Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) have high mortality and significant treatment-related morbidity. It is vital to discover effective, minimally invasive therapies that improve survival and quality of life. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed in HNSCCs, and T2R activation can induce apoptosis. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that also activates bitter taste receptor 14 (T2R14). Lidocaine has some anti-cancer effects, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we find that lidocaine causes intracellular Ca

Aortic Valve Leaflets Are Asymmetric And Correlated With The Origin Of Coronary Arteries, Taylor S Koerner, Thomas Cunningham, Mayme E Marshall, Lauren S Talley, Megan Childress, Rami M Kharouf, Wen Li, Jorge D Salazar, Antonio F Corno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Asymmetry of the aortic valve leaflets has been known since Leonardo Da Vinci, but the relationship between size and shape and origin of the coronary arteries has never been examined. Our aim was to evaluate this anatomy in a population of pediatric patients using a cross-sectional study design.

METHODS: Consecutive pediatric patients with trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE), with or without trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), were included in our study. Exclusion criteria: (I) bicuspid aortic valve; (II) aortic valve stenosis; (III) hypoplasia of aortic valve annulus, or aortic root; (IV) truncal valve; (V) coronary artery atresia; (VI) previous surgery on aortic valve …

Information-Rich 6d Single-Molecule Imaging Design Using Optimization, Tingting Wu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

When studying biochemical processes, localizing the targets alone will not paint a complete picture. We also need techniques to probe how biomolecules interact with one another, including how molecules are organized into larger structures, how they are oriented with respect to surrounding molecules, and how local chemical parameters, like pH and hydrophobicity, vary spatially and temporally. My dissertation focuses on single-molecule orientation localization microscopy (SMOLM, Chapter 1). The objective is to develop imaging techniques for measuring how molecules are oriented with respect to their surrounding molecules, namely, 3D orientation. Achieving optimal imaging performance requires careful design of both the forward …

Genomic Loci Influence Patterns Of Structural Covariance In The Human Brain, Junhao Wen, Aristeidis Sotiras, Daniel S Marcus, Pamela Lamontagne, John C Morris, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Normal and pathologic neurobiological processes influence brain morphology in coordinated ways that give rise to patterns of structural covariance (PSC) across brain regions and individuals during brain aging and diseases. The genetic underpinnings of these patterns remain largely unknown. We apply a stochastic multivariate factorization method to a diverse population of 50,699 individuals (12 studies and 130 sites) and derive data-driven, multi-scale PSCs of regional brain size. PSCs were significantly correlated with 915 genomic loci in the discovery set, 617 of which are newly identified, and 72% were independently replicated. Key pathways influencing PSCs involve reelin signaling, apoptosis, neurogenesis, and …

Co-Transmitting Interneurons In The Mouse Olfactory Bulb Regulate Olfactory Detection And Discrimination, Ariel M Lyons-Warren, Evelyne K Tantry, Elizabeth H Moss, Mikhail Y Kochukov, Benjamin D W Belfort, Joshua Ortiz-Guzman, Zachary Freyberg, Benjamin R Arenkiel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Co-transmission of multiple neurotransmitters from a single neuron increases the complexity of signaling information within defined neuronal circuits. Superficial short-axon cells in the olfactory bulb release both dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), yet the specific targets of these neurotransmitters and their respective roles in olfaction have remained unknown. Here, we implement intersectional genetics in mice to selectively block GABA or dopamine release from superficial short-axon cells to identify their distinct cellular targets, impact on circuit function, and behavioral contribution of each neurotransmitter toward olfactory behaviors. We provide functional and anatomical evidence for divergent superficial short-axon cell signaling onto downstream neurons …

Systems And Methods For Coupling Low-Bandwidth Imaging Devices To A Wearable Device Using A Reduced Number Of Data-Transmission Lanes, John Enders Robertson

Defensive Publications Series

Systems and methods are provided for recovering image data received from a low-bandwidth imaging device. One example system includes a low-bandwidth imaging device and one or more integrated circuits communicatively coupled with the low-bandwidth imaging device. The low-bandwidth imaging device is coupled to the one or more integrated circuits via at least one active data-transmission lane, and the one or integrated circuits also include another data-transmission lane. The one or more integrated circuits are configured to use the active data-transmission lane to receive first and second image data via the active data-transmission lane. The first and second image data start …

Nutritional And Wellness Strategies For Neurological And Psychiatric Recovery From Postcovid Syndrome And Post-Acute Sequelae Of Covid-19, Jeffrey Schaefer, Deepesh Khanna

HPD Articles

The post-COVID syndrome was officially recognized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, indicating that this syndrome has made a significant impact on our populace. Also, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is a term that describes the long-term health problems that some people experience after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. These problems can last for weeks, months, or even years, and can affect various parts of the body, such as the heart, lungs, brain, and blood vessels. This narrative review paper utilized the PubMed database to explore the pathophysiology of post-COVID syndrome's neurological and psychiatric …

Activity Variations Of The Shanzuokou-Sihong Fault Within The Jiangsu Segment Of The Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Zone And Their Origins, Zhang Hao, Li Wei, Li Limei, Yan Yunxiang, Jiang Xin, Wang Jinyan, Zhao Qiguang, Gu Qinping, Xu Hangang

Coal Geology & Exploration

The Shanzuokou-Sihong fault, having undergone the entire evolutionary process of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault zone, exhibits segmentation during the latest activity epoch. Determining the location and origin of its activity segmentation will provide a significant reference for exploring the activity variations of its branch faults and their origins. This study investigated the activity of the Shanzuokou-Sihong fault using a three-dimensional approach combining field geological surveys, shallow seismic exploration, and cross-well stratigraphic correlation. The results show that the Shanzuokou-Sihong fault is a Late Pleistocene active fault on the east side of the North Maling Mountain and a Middle Pleistocene fault in Xinyi …

Zirconia Implants: A Mapping Review, Steven J. Sadowsky

Pacific Faculty Work

The advent of zirconia ceramics with excellent mechanical, biomechanical, and optical properties has made them attractive metal-free substitutes for titanium implants. Both animal and human studies have documented shortcomings with titanium implants. A mapping review of the current literature on three iterations of zirconia implant designs has been challenging due to heterogeneous success data and limited follow-up. Zirconia implants hold promise for a new generation of dental implants, but technical developments are needed for design and material enhancements that will need to be validated by long-term rigorous studies.

Effect Of Triple Antibiotic Paste, Double Antibiotic Paste, And Calcium Hydroxide On Antibiotic Resistance Of Tet Repressor Proteins, Tetracycline Resistance Gene W, And Tetracycline Resistance Gene Q: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Ertuğrul Karataş, Özgen Kırmızıbekmez, Mustafa Özkan Baltacı, Ahmet Adıgüzel

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: To investigate the effect of the use of Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP), and Double Antibiotic Paste (DAP) as intra-canal medicaments on the development of antibiotic resistance by evaluating tetracycline genes. Methods: Forty five patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups according to the intracanal medication using a web program (www.randomizer.org), (Ca(OH)2, TAP and DAP). Root canal bacteriological samples were collected before root canal treatment (S1) and after chemo-mechanical procedures (S2). Following root canal shaping procedures, intra-canal medication of the root canals was performed with selected intra-canal medicament. A second appointment was planned for the …

Management Of Ankyloglossia In A Non-Syndromic Patient Using A Super Pulsed Laser: A Life-Changing Treatment- A Case Report, Urfi Jawed, Afaf Zia, Ramniwas Kumawat, Afshan Bey, Maahin Mahmood

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Ankyloglossia affects a person’s overall well-being and life, from malnutrition due to poor feeding and mechanical problems to psychological stress and low self-esteem, thus affecting social life. This case reports the use of non-scalpel techniques, such as a super pulsed laser, to manage ankyloglossia in a non-syndromic patient suffering from speech incompetence and restricted tongue mobility and highlights its advantages over other conventional techniques. Case Report: A 17-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of restricted tongue mobility, due to which he could not pronounce certain words clearly. As the patient was apprehensive about the use of …

Prevalence And Clinical Characteristics Of Temporomandibular Disorders In Adults: An Epidemiological Study In The Mediterranean Region Of Türkiye, Esra Yavuz, Selmi Yardimci, Humeyra Tercanli

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of TMD in a sample of the population in this region and to characterize the clinical findings related to TMD. Methods: Four hundred and one participants were included in this study. “Presence of TMD” in the participants was evaluated using the Fonseca Anamnestic Index. Through clinical examination, the findings in the participants were classified as limited mouth opening, deviation, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, TMJ pain, and muscle …

Case Report And X-Ray Microtomography And Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis Of Teeth With Hypocalcified Amelogenesis Imperfecta, Rodrigo W. Marinoni, Thiago G. Silva, Leonardo S. Benato, Anelize M B Rumbelsperger, Antonio Adilson Soares De Lima

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a genetic disease characterized by producing morphological and structural changes in tooth enamel. Objective: To highlight the morphological changes observed in teeth with hypocalcified AI based on scanning electron microscopy and microtomography analysis. Case report: An adult male had teeth seriously compromised by hypocalcified AI. The treatment plan involved removal of third molars followed by restorative and prosthetic treatment. After extraction, the teeth were analyzed by SEM and X-ray microtomography (microCT). Teeth with AI revealed the presence of microfractures arranged from the outer surface to the center of the enamel. Microfractures had a cracked or “cracked …

Surface Roughness Of Restorative Materials After Simulated Toothbrushing With Toothpastes Containing Theobromine And Arginine: An In Vitro Study, Fikri Öcal, Burak Dayi, Zeynep Küçükakçalı

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: This study examined the effect of toothpastes containing theobromine and arginine on the roughness changes of microhybrid composite, nanohybrid composite, and giomer restorative materials. Methods: A total of 90 disc-shaped specimens were prepared using microhybrid composite (Arabesk-Ara), nanohybrid composite (Herculite-Her), and giomer (Beautifil II-Gio). The samples were divided into 3 subgroups (n = 10), and initial surface roughness was evaluated with a mechanical profilometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All samples were then subjected to a 1-year brushing simulation via a toothbrushing simulator using toothpastes containing theobromine (Theodent Classic, Theodent) or arginine (Colgate PRO-Relief, Colgate Palmolive); a …

Clinically Effective Regenerative Therapy For Primary Endodontic Lesions With Secondary Periodontal Lesions: A Case Report, Martina Amalia, Budi Budi, Iceu Estu Kurmaena, Nevi Yanti, Hesty Nurcahyanti, Aini Hariyani Nasution

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

The diagnosis and prognosis of teeth with endo-perio lesions present a major challenge for dentists. Proper diagnosis is critical in determining treatment and the long-term prognosis. However, treating complex endodontic and periodontal lesions is one of the most common challenges in current clinical practice. The coexistence of pulpal and periodontal tissue damage may complicate diagnosis and further influence dental prognosis. This article consists of a case report evaluating the efficacy of xenografts and resorbable membrane pericardium in treating bifurcation lesions associated with periodontal lesions of the left mandibular first molar. A 22-year-old female patient was referred by conservative dentistry with …

Vascular Injury Risk Stratification For Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (Llif) At L4-L5: A Morphometric Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Takashi Hirase, Aaron J Greenberg, Catherine G Ambrose, Derek T Bernstein, Jeffrey J Ratusznik, Rex A W Marco

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Proper vascular injury risk stratification (VIRS) methods for L4-L5 lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgery have not been well-described. The objective of this study was to propose a novel VIRS method for L4-L5 LLIF surgery via the transpsoas approach.

METHODS: Axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of adult patients were obtained and analyzed. The VIRS scores were assessed using anterior disc line to posterior vessel wall distance, the disc vessel angle (DVA), and the disc edge to vessel distance at the level of L4-L5 disc space.

RESULTS: Ninety-one consecutive adult patients were included in the study. The right common iliac …

Hippocampal Subfield Volumes In Covid-19: A Preliminary Multicenter Study Using 7t Mri, Salem Alkateeb, Jinghang Li, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Monica Goss, Jayandra J. Himali, Karl Li, Rejani R. Nair, Beth E. Snitz, Gowland Penny, Valentina R. Garbarino

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Hippocampal formation atrophy is a well-established imaging biomarker of several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, temporal lobe epilepsy, and schizophrenia. The hippocampus is divided into subfields that have different functions and vary in sensitivity to different diseases. This study investigates the potential interaction between COVID-19 and the various hippocampus subfields, which may shed light on the long-term neurological consequences of the virus.

Method: We obtained high-resolution T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) MRI images using 7T scanners located at three sites in two countries: Pittsburgh (n=14) and Texas (San Antonio and Houston) (n=40) in the USA, and Nottingham, …

Lower Locus Coeruleus Integrity In Older Covid-19 Survivors: Initial Findings From An International 7t Mri Consortium, Heidi I.L. Jacobs, Tamer Ibrahim, Farhaan S. Vahidy, Timothy D. Girard, Akram A. Hosseini, Salem Alkateeb, Richard Bowtell, Gowland Penny, Mohamad Habes, Valentina R. Garbarino

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been associated with structural brain changes, consistent with its neurological manifestations. Recent studies showed a specific predilection for brainstem glial activation and hypometabolism, possibly indicating involvement of the locus coeruleus. The locus coeruleus (LC) modulates many cognitive functions and behaviors and its norepinephrine projections regulate both immune responses and vascular reactivity. We aimed to examine differences in LC integrity between COVID-19 survivors and controls.

Method: Participants are enrolled across 3 US and 1 UK sites using harmonized cognitive and 7T MR-imaging protocols. Here, we analyzed data from 18 participants enrolled at Houston Methodist (12 COVID-19 …

Multi-Layer Strip Ionization Chamber For Proton Quality Assurance And Imaging, Shuang Zhou

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Proton therapy is the most advanced radiation treatment modality. Proton treatment is delivered via pencil beam scanning (PBS) technique, in which a pencil beam scans the target spot-by-spot and layer-by-layer. An effective quality assurance (QA) device is needed to verify the quality of treatment dose delivery. Current clinical practice employs films or a two-dimensional (2D) detector to measure the dose at one or a few arbitrarily selected depths, which is insensitive to delivery error and time-consuming. A 3D dosimeter that can measure the 3D dose distribution is needed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of proton QA. Furthermore, preclinical studies …

Education For Primary Care Providers On Advance Care Planning: A Systematic Literature Review, Lindsey Ward

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Background: Healthcare providers in primary care treat patients at various stages of life. As patients age, it becomes necessary for providers to support their older patients throughout the aging process and address patient care even into life’s end stages. Primary care providers (PCPs) are well-positioned to provide this support and can do so through incorporating end-of-life (EOL) conversations in practice. Such discussions are called advance care planning (ACP). Though PCPs can play a crucial role in their patients’ EOL care decisions, providers report their limited knowledge of ACP as a barrier to its application.Consequently, further education for providers on utilizing …

Is Public Debt Environmentally Friendly? The Role Of Eu Fiscal Rules On Environmental Quality: An Empirical Assessment, Giovanni Carnazza, Thomas Renström, Luca Spataro

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

The EU has embarked on multiple initiatives reflecting its commitment to environmental enhancement and sustainable transitions. Notable among these are the European Green Deal and the NextGenerationEU recovery plan, both pivotal in fostering eco-friendly policies and sustainable practices within the region. Conversely, the fiscal rules within the EU, designed to manage budgetary deficits and debt-to-GDP ratios, may pose challenges to the implementation of fiscal measures targeted at achieving environmental quality objectives. These regulatory constraints potentially curtail the fiscal space available for policies aligned with the environmental goals set forth by the EU. To address this issue, using a panel of …

Ypfs Lessons Learned Oral History Project: An Interview With Zoltan Pozsar, Zoltan Pozsar, Sandra Ward

Documents

No abstract provided.

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound For The Diagnosis Of Frequent Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review, Ernesto Calderon Martinez, Edna Diarte, Diana Othon, Leonardo Rodriguez Reyes, Daniel A. Aguirre Cano, Carolina Cantu Navarro, Maria G. Ycaza, David Arriaga Escamilla, Jinal Choudhari, George Michel

School of Medicine Publications

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as an indispensable diagnostic tool in cardiology, particularly within the emergency department. This narrative synthesis provides a comprehensive exploration of POCUS applications in cardiovascular diseases, elucidating its multifaceted roles and addressing challenges. The review delves into the technical attributes of POCUS, emphasizing its noninvasive nature, radiation-free qualities, and suitability for non-radiologists. It navigates through educational strategies, stressing the importance of structured programs for the seamless integration of POCUS into clinical practice. Highlighting its efficacy, the synthesis discusses POCUS applications in various scenarios such as dyspnea, chest pain, cardiac arrest, aortic dissection, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary …

Impact Of Staff Engagement On The Safety And Quality Standards Of Health Services Organizations In Erbil: An Analytical Study, Satya Subrahmanyam, Sara Azad Fouad Arif

Arab Economic and Business Journal

The health-care sector leadership views staff engagement as a critical issue affecting the safety and quality standards provided by health service organisations. Various studies emphasize a strong association between staff engagement and the performance of the healthcare sector in the working environment. The aim of the research was to evaluate the relationship between staff engagement and the performance of the healthcare sector. By using the quantitative method, a total of 106 questionnaires were collected from the staff who work for private hospitals. The findings revealed that there is significant association between staff engagement and the performance of the healthcare sector.