Digital Commons Network^™

Characterizing Treatment Non-Responders And Responders In Completed Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials, Dulin Wang, Yaobin Ling, Kristofer Harris, Paul E Schulz, Xiaoqian Jiang, Yejin Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Characterizing differential responses to Alzheimer's disease (AD) drugs will provide better insights into personalized treatment strategies. Our study aims to identify heterogeneous treatment effects and pre-treatment features that moderate the treatment effect of Galantamine, Bapineuzumab, and Semagacestat from completed trial data. The causal forest method can capture heterogeneity in treatment responses. We applied causal forest modeling to estimate the treatment effect and identify efficacy moderators in each trial. We found several patient's pretreatment conditions that determined treatment efficacy. For example, in Galantamine trials, whole brain volume (1092.54 vs. 1060.67 ml, P < .001) and right hippocampal volume (2.43e-3 vs. 2.79e-3, P < .001) are significantly different between responsive and non-responsive subgroups. Overall, our implementation of causal forests in AD clinical trials reveals the heterogeneous treatment effects and different moderators for AD drug responses, highlighting promising personalized treatment based on patient-specific characteristics in AD research and drug development.

Coronary Laser With Simultaneous Contrast Injection For The Treatment Of Stent Underexpansion, Mohsen Mohandes, Alberto Pernigotti, Cristina Moreno, Luis Mauricio Torres, Francisco Fernández, Diego Zambrano, Alfredo Bardají

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Stent underexpansion is a challenge in interventional cardiology. Some off-label treatments, such as rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and coronary lasing, have been used to overcome the problem. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of coronary laser atherectomy with simultaneous contrast injection and subsequent balloon dilation to optimize stent expansion.

METHODS: Coronary laser atherectomy with simultaneous contrast injection was used. After lasing, non-compliant balloon dilation at high pressure was performed to overcome the underexpanded point. The average increase in the minimum stent area (MSA) was measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and any complication …

Patients With Floaters: Answers From Virtual Assistants And Large Language Models, Gloria Wu, Weichen Zhao, Adrial Wong, David A Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: "Floaters," a common complaint among patients of all ages, was used as a query term because it affects 30% of all people searching for eye care. The American Academy of Ophthalmology website's "floaters" section was used as a source for questions and answers (www.aao.org). Floaters is a visual obstruction that moves with the movement of the eye. They can be associated with retinal detachment, which can lead to vision loss. With the advent of large language model (LLM) chatbots ChatGPT, Bard versus virtual assistants (VA), Google Assistant, and Alexa, we analyzed their responses to "floaters."

METHODS: Using AAO.org, "Public …

Outcomes Of Simultaneous Lengthening And Acl Reconstruction In Fibular Hemimelia: A Retrospective Case Series, Bradley Reeves, Brennan Roper, Reba Salton, Ava Baumann, Radomir Dimovski, Nancy Hadley-Miller, Jay Albright

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Fibular hemimelia is the most common congenital long bone deficiency. It is often associated with femoral and tibial deficiencies which result in a clinically evident leg length discrepancy. The primary soft tissue concern is ACL/PCL deficiency. If treatment includes bony lengthening, joint stability is imperative to avoid complications. In this study, we detail a novel technique for long bone lengthening and ACL reconstruction in a single, cohesive surgery. This consolidates the need for multiple procedures and offers improved limb length symmetry and knee stability for this patient population. Clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with hemimelia who underwent either femoral …

Treatment Of Lateral Epicondylitis: Is Surgery Still An Option?, Samuel G Ruiz, Marijke J Devos, Ryan J Warth, Dean W Smith

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background

The prevailing trend for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE) is nonsurgical. Although many providers consider LE surgery controversial, others consider surgical intervention in patients with recalcitrant symptoms. The purpose of this study is to analyze epidemiological changes in LE surgery over a 9-year period prior to the coronavirus pandemic in 2019.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the Texas health care database from 2010 to 2018 was performed. We analyzed all procedures performed for LE during the set time period using Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes. Statistical analyses included procedures performed, patient demographics, zone of residence, and insurance designation. …

Complete Pathologic Response With Pembrolizumab And Enfortumab Vedotin In Urothelial Carcinoma Of The Upper Urinary Tract, Kok Hoe Chan, Tung Shu, Majd Al Shaarani, Putao Cen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract (UTUC) presents a significant clinical challenge, often requiring aggressive surgical intervention for optimal management. We present a case of an 84-year-old woman with recurrent high-grade papillary UTUC of the left renal pelvis, refractory to prior endourologic interventions, who underwent neoadjuvant treatment with pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin (Pembro/EV) due to contraindications to cisplatin therapy. Following a favorable response to neoadjuvant therapy, the patient underwent laparoscopic left radical nephroureterectomy, achieving a pathologic complete response. We discuss the utility of Pembro/EV in the perioperative management of patients with UTUC, particularly in those ineligible for cisplatin-based therapy. …

Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombectomy In Pediatric Head Injury, Phillip Mitchell Johansen, Bronson Ciavarra, Ryan Mccormack, Matthew Kole, Gary Spiegel, Stephen Alan Fletcher

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Injury and subsequent thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses may be caused by closed head injuries secondary to a variety of different mechanisms. Skull fractures can lacerate or otherwise disrupt adjacent dural sinuses. The sequelae of such injuries may include thrombosis and either partial or total occlusion of the sinus, ultimately resulting in significant venous congestion. Sagittal sinus injury is associated with a more serious outcome due to the obligatory flow into the sinus, especially posterior to the coronal suture. In such cases, venous infarction may be a severe and life-threatening complication of head injury.

Case presentation: A 2-year-old …

Prenatal Diagnosis And Risk Stratification Of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Nimrah Abbasi, Sami Backley, Greg Ryan, Anthony Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare heterogenous disorder with varying degrees of severity. Infant survival rates in high-income countries are approaching 80% in isolated CDH; however, over 50% will have long-term morbidities. Advanced antenatal imaging, including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, has made it possible to prognosticate severity of CDH and to stratify risk when counseling expectant parents. Risk stratification can also better prepare healthcare teams to enable optimal neonatal management, and provide options for fetal intervention or, where legally permitted, pregnancy termination. Factors that may affect the immediate and long-term prognosis for CDH include prenatal diagnosis, gestational age …

Long-Term Safety Of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Encapsulated In Autologous Erythrocytes In Pediatric Patients With Ataxia Telangiectasia, Mary Kay Koenig, Vincenzo Leuzzi, Riadh Gouider, Eppie M Yiu, Barbara Pietrucha, Asbjørg Stray-Pedersen, Susan L Perlman, Steve Wu, Trudy Burgers, Rupam Borgohain, Rukmini Mridula Kandadai, Isabelle Meyts, Giorgia Bucciol, Anaita Udwadia-Hegde, Ravi Yadav, Donna Roberts, Aaron Dane, Maureen Roden, Dirk Thye, Biljana Horn, Howard M Lederman, William P Whitehouse

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) encapsulated in autologous erythrocytes (EryDex) was developed as an alternative to standard glucocorticoids in an effort to eliminate chronic steroid toxicity while preserving efficacy. The primary objective of this report is to describe the safety of long-term use of EryDex in treatment of pediatric patients with ataxia telangiectasia.

Methods: This is a post-hoc analysis of patients treated with EryDex for a minimum of 24 months in two prospective clinical trials. Outcomes include adverse events, growth, hemoglobin and serum iron, glucose levels, HbA1c, CD4+ lymphocytes, and bone mineral density.

Results: Sixty-eight patients completed a minimum of …

Double Hit In Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma With Germline Pathogenic Atm Mutation And Somatic Vhl Mutation, Kok Hoe Chan, Nicolas Duque Clavijo, Gustavo Ayala, Ryan Hall, Curtis Wray, Putao Cen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

While renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is often linked to smoking, obesity, and hypertension, hereditary forms also account for about 3% of RCC cases. Notably, NCCN guidelines identify 7 major hereditary syndromes associated with an increased RCC risk. Inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, such as ATM, BRCA, and TP53, significantly increase the risk of various cancers. Biallelic pathogenic mutations in ATM cause Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) syndrome, while heterozygous germline pathogenic ATM mutations, present in about 1% of the population, also elevate cancer risk. RCC has not traditionally been associated with germline pathogenic ATM mutations, only limited retrospective analyses have identified such …

Defining The Relationship Between Municipal Bankruptcy And Modern Federalism Jurisprudence, John Allen Livingston

FIU Law Review

This article delves into the relationship between municipal bankruptcy law and modern federalism jurisprudence, particularly focusing on Chapter 9 reform proposals and its constitutional implications. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic challenges, the article explores the historical context of municipal bankruptcy, critiques of Chapter 9's limitations, and proposals for empowering bankruptcy courts. It analyzes key doctrines of federalism such as the Anti-Commandeering and Anti-Coercion Doctrines, as well as the Clear Statement Rule, to evaluate the constitutionality of expanding bankruptcy courts' powers. The article navigates through scholarly debates, proposing a nuanced perspective on the role of federalism, state sovereignty, …

Enhancing Organisational Performance Through Patient-Focused Learning Excellence In The Biopharmaceutical Industry, Lori Richter

Dissertations

Drug shortages, quality defects and challenges regarding innovation within the biopharmaceutical industry pose significant risks to patient safety and organisational performance. These problems persist despite the many scientific, technological and economic advances over the past several years in a well-funded, high-revenue industry operated by highly qualified personnel. Evidence suggests that the industry has yet to fully realise the potential for building organisational capabilities to enable learning from mistakes to enhance performance outcomes. This research study explored how biopharmaceutical companies can learn from their mistakes and embrace a culture of learning in order to reduce quality defects and drug shortages by …

A Fully Automated Global Post-Hoc Method Based On Abstract Argumentation For Explainable Artificial Intelligence And Its Application On Fully Connected Dense Deep Neural Networks, Giulia Vilone

Dissertations

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) has rapidly grown in the past decade due to the prevalence of machine learning, especially deep learning, in fields like healthcare and finance. While these models excel in accuracy, their complexity hampers transparency and interpretability. Ensuring understandable explanations for AI predictions fosters trust, prevents errors, complies with regulations, and enhances model refinement. The research project outlined in this thesis unfolds in phases. It commences with a comprehensive review of existing XAI studies, contributing to the field’s knowledge by proposing a taxonomy that organises theories and notions related to explainability, the evaluation approaches for XAI methods, and …

Attention-Aware With Stacked Embedding For Sentiment Analysis Of Student Feedback Through Deep Learning Techniques, Shanza Zafar Malik, Khalid Iqbal, Muhammad Sharif, Yaser Ali Shah, Amaad Khalil, M. Abeer Irfan, Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Automatic polarity prediction is a challenging assessment issue. Even though polarity assessment is a critical topic with many existing applications, it is probably not an easy challenge and faces several difficulties in natural language processing (NLP). Public polling data can give useful information, and polarity assessment or classification of comments on Twitter and Facebook may be an effective approach for gaining a better understanding of user sentiments. Text embedding techniques and models related to the artificial intelligence field and sub-fields with differing and almost accurate parameters are among the approaches available for assessing student comments. Existing state-of-the-art methodologies for sentiment …

Sex-Specific Correlations Between Orbital Volume And Anthropometric Characteristics In Taiwanese Adults, Yu-Chuan Tseng, Ying Hsu, Yu-Hung Lai, Chun-Ming Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose There is no study available addressing the relationship between orbital volume (OV) and skeletal patterns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between the OV and patient's characteristics (sex, age, height, and skeletal patterns) of Taiwanese adults. Materials and methods Cone-beam computed tomography images of 94 individuals (men: 47; women: 47) were analyzed to measure their OV and maxillary dimensions. The Student t test was used to compare the OVs of men and women. The correlations between the OV and skeletal patterns (Classes I, II, and III) were investigated through one-way analysis of variance followed …

High-Precision And Non-Invasive Measurement Of Crestal Bone Level By Optical Coherence Tomography, Shyh-Yuan Lee, Wei-Ting Chang, Dong-Yuan Lyu, Yu-Lin Lai, Jui-Ying Yen, Ya-Chi Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose Identifying crestal bone level (CBL) on the buccal and lingual aspects poses challenges in conventional dental radiographs. Given that optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the capability to non-invasively provide in-depth information about the periodontium, this in vitro study aimed to assess whether OCT can effectively identify periodontal landmarks and measure CBL in the presence of gingiva. Materials and methods An in-house handheld scanning probe connected to a 1310-nm swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system, along with self-developed algorithms were employed to measure the CBL in dental models with artificial gingiva. Markers were positioned 0.5 mm above the artificial gingival margin …

Evaluating The Image Recognition Capabilities Of Gpt-4v And Gemini Pro In The Japanese National Dental Examination, Masaki Morishita, Hikaru Fukuda, Kosuke Muraoka, Shino Yamaguchi, Taiji Nakamura, Izumi Yoshioka, Shuji Awano, Kentaro Ono

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/purpose OpenAI's GPT-4V and Google's Gemini Pro, being Large Language Models (LLMs) equipped with image recognition capabilities, have the potential to be utilized in future medical diagnosis and treatment, ands serve as valuable educational support tools for students. This study compared and evaluated the image recognition capabilities of GPT-4V and Gemini Pro using questions from the Japanese National Dental Examination (JNDE) to investigate their potential as educational support tools. Materials and methods We analyzed 160 questions from the 116th JNDE, administered in March 2023, using ChatGPT-4V, and Gemini Pro, which have image recognition functions. Standardized prompts were used for …

Stability And Outcome Of Surgical-Orthodontic Treatment In Patients Of Class Iii Deformity With And Without A History Of Orthodontic Treatment, Araya Chamsuparb, Yun-Fang Chen, Ying-An Chen, Chuan-Fong Yao, Tong Xi, Yu-Fang Liao, Yu-Ray Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Background/Purpose Many adult patients seeking surgical-orthodontic treatment have previously undergone orthodontic treatment during their youth. This study aimed to compare the stability and outcome of surgical-orthodontic treatment between Class III patients who had undergone previous orthodontic treatment and those who had not. Materials and methods 82 adult Class III patients who consecutively received surgery-first bimaxillary surgery were included, 30 who had not undergone orthodontic treatment (NFO group), 25 who had undergone orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction (FO-E group), and 27 who had undergone orthodontic treatment without premolar extraction (FO-NE group). Cone-beam computed tomography were obtained pre-surgery (T0), 1 week …

Assessment Of Simultaneous Alcohol And Cannabis Use And Its Related Consequences And Cognitions In College Students: A Narrative Review, Jennifer L. Shipley, Abby L. Braitman

Psychology Faculty Publications

As rates of students using cannabis continue to rise, simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis (such that their effects overlap; commonly referred to as simultaneous alcohol and marijuana [SAM] use) is prevalent among college students who use both substances. Although research focusing on SAM use and related cognitions and consequences continues to grow, there are no common established measures, as approaches vary across studies. This narrative review identifies current methods for assessing SAM use and measures of SAM-related consequences and cognitions (motives and expectancies) among college students, evaluates how they were developed, identifies gaps in the literature, and provides recommendations …

Mental Workload Modulates The Effects Of Baroreceptor Afferents On Sensorimotor Processing, Xiao Yang, Katie Herberlein, Anthony Reid, Dongfang Jiao, Fang Fang

Psychology Faculty Publications

The heart–brain interaction is the main mechanism for maintaining normative physiological processes, and its dysregulation underlies the somatic symptoms of various mental disorders. Cortical inhibition, triggered by afferent signals from baroreceptor activation, induces systematic variations in sensorimotor responses within a cardiac cycle, with reaction times (RTs) slower at cardiac systole compared to diastole (known as cardiac cycle time effects). However, recent data suggest that baroreceptor afferents not only inhibit simple responses but also facilitate complex sensorimotor responses during cardiac systole. The mental workload that is implicated in complex responses may modulate the cardiac cycle time effects. The current study aimed …

Ethical Decision-Making In Older Drivers During Critical Driving Situations: An Online Experiment, Amandeep Singh, Sarah Yahoodik, Yovela Murzello, Samuel Petkac, Yusuke Yamani, Siby Samuel

Psychology Faculty Publications

The present study examined the impact of aging on ethical decision-making in simulated critical driving scenarios. 204 participants from North America, grouped into two age groups (18–30 years and 65 years and above), were asked to decide whether their simulated automated vehicle should stay in or change from the current lane in scenarios mimicking the Trolley Problem. Each participant viewed a video clip rendered by the driving simulator at Old Dominion University and pressed the space-bar if they decided to intervene in the control of the simulated automated vehicle in an online experiment. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to analyze …

Sleep Disturbances And Psychological Well-Being Among Military Medical Doctors Of The Swiss Armed Forces: Study Protocol, Rationale And Development Of A Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Interventional Study, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Viola Rigotti, Zeno Stanga, Undine E. Lang, Rebecca K. Blais, Michelle L. Kelley, Serge Brand

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Compared to civilians and non-medical personnel, military medical doctors are at increased risk for sleep disturbances and impaired psychological well-being. Despite their responsibility and workload, no research has examined sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among the medical doctors (MDs) of the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF). Thus, the aims of the proposed study are (1) to conduct a cross-sectional study (labeled ‘Survey-Study 1’) of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF; (2) to identify MDs who report sleep disturbances (insomnia severity index >8), along with low psychological well-being such as symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, but …

Neuroticism Mediates The Association Between Autistic Traits And Choice Reaction Time Among Young Adults, Kassandra De Jesus Cintron, Xiao Yang

Psychology Faculty Publications

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that influences an individual’s cognitive functions and social interaction. While most studies have focused on children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD, elevated levels of autistic traits in subclinical populations may also influence individuals’ daily functioning. Autistic traits are also linked to the Big Five personality. In particular, neuroticism (emotion instability) has been shown to be positively associated with autistic traits, which may contribute to behavioral symptoms of autistic traits. The present study aimed to investigate the association between autistic symptoms and sensorimotor processing among a subclinical population. One hundred young adults (M …

Sex Differences In The Association Between Cardiac Vagal Control And The Effects Of Baroreflex Afferents On Behavior, Xiao Yang, Jacob Chaney, Aaron S. David, Fang Fang

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. While sex differences in CVD have been well documented, the physiological mechanisms of those sex differences remain unclear. As important components of the cardiovascular system, cardiac vagal control and baroreflex serve as mechanisms of sex differences in CVD and are modifiable factors for gender-specific CVD preventions. Methods: Ninety-four healthy adults (18–44 years of age; M_age = 21.09 years; 46 female) were recruited to complete the assessments of heart rate variability (HRV) at a resting baseline and the cardiac timing effect on an R-wave-locked reaction time (RT) …

Facilitating Thought Progression To Reduce Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial, Shai-Lee Yatziv, Paola Pedrelli, Shira Baror, Sydney Ann Decaro, Noam Shachar, Bar Sofer, Sunday Hull, Joshua Curtiss, Moshe Bar

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background:

The constant rise in the prevalence of major depressive disorder calls for new, effective, and accessible interventions that can rapidly and effectively reach a wide range of audiences. Recent developments in the digital health domain suggest that dedicated online platforms may potentially address this gap. Focusing on targeting ruminative thought, a major symptomatic hallmark of depression, in this study we hypothesized that delivering a digital health-based intervention designed to systematically facilitate thought progression would substantially alleviate depression.

Objective:

The study aims to investigate the efficacy of a novel digital intervention on the reduction of depressive symptoms. This intervention was …

Accountable Ai And Insider Trading: The Other 'Black Box' Problem, J. Scott Colesanti

Hofstra Law Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Mitigating Organizational Conspiracy Beliefs Through Strategic Internal Communication And Employee–Organization Relationships (Eor) In The Workplace, Young Kim, Hyunji (Dana) Lim

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study is to explore how strategic internal communication and the quality of employee – organization relationship (EOR) can reduce organizational conspiracy beliefs among employees and thus prevent the negative outcomes thereof in the workplace. Using a national survey (N = 810) of full-time employees in the United States, this study found that high-quality EOR based on two-way symmetrical communication with employees is likely to reduce the potential for conspiracy theories and, in turn, for turnover intentions in the workplace. This finding provides meaningful insight into how internal communication managers can mitigate negative employee outcomes that …

Chronic Adolescent Stress Alters Gr-Fkbp5 Interactions In The Hippocampus Of Adult Female Rats, Sydney Rowson, Mandakh Bekhbat, Sean Kelly, Molly M Hyer, Samya Dyer, David Weinshenker, Gretchen Neigh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic stress exposure during development can have lasting behavioral consequences that differ in males and females. More specifically, increased depressive behaviors in females, but not males, are observed in both humans and rodent models of chronic stress. Despite these known stress-induced outcomes, the molecular consequences of chronic adolescent stress in the adult brain are less clear. The stress hormone corticosterone activates the glucocorticoid receptor, and activity of the receptor is regulated through interactions with co-chaperones-such as the immunophilin FK506 binding proteins 5 (FKBP5). Previously, it has been reported that the adult stress response is modified by a history of chronic …

Created Stepping-Stone Configurations Depend On Task Constraints, Jeffrey B. Wagman, Maisha Tahsin Orthy, Amy M. Jeschke, Tyler Duffrin

Faculty Publications – Psychology

Previous studies have shown that choices about how to configure stepping-stones to be used as playground or exercise equipment reflect a person’s action capabilities. In two experiments, we investigated whether choices about how to configure stepping-stones to be used as a path for locomotion additionally reflect the goals for which or the constraints under which the path is to be used. In Experiment 1, participants created stepping-stone configurations (with rubber mats) that would allow them to cross a given space quickly, comfortably, or carefully. Configurations in the “Quickly” condition consisted of fewer mats, and longer mean (linear) distances between mats, …

A Frequent Diagnostic Pitfall: Dermatological Clinical Features And Pathological Results In Diagnosing Pagetoid Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ (Case Series), Sheng-Kai Wang, Jia-Wei Cai, Yu Zhang, Ya-Jing Lin, Yi-Hui Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ can occur on any skin or mucus surface and is more commonly found in elderly patients on areas of skin that have been sunburnt. Most previous case reports are from dermatologists, with few published reports from pathologists. In this study, three patients underwent pathological routine and auxiliary immunohistochemical (IHC) examination and were ultimately diagnosed with pagetoid SCC in situ - a different diagnosis from the initial clinical assessment. All three patients received a complete resection of the skin mass. After follow-up, as of June 2023, the patients had no tumour recurrence or metastasis. Pagetoid …