Digital Commons Network^™

Promotion And Tenure For Medical Physicists Should Be Based On Article Specific Measures And Not On Journal Impact Factor, Samantha Hedrick, Jinzhong Yang, Yi Rong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Dna Mismatch Repair Deficiency As A Biomarker In Sarcoma, Ryan A Denu, Christopher D Quintana-Perez, Sintawat Wangsiricharoen, Davis R Ingram, Khalida M Wani, Alexander J Lazar, Ravin Ratan, Christina L Roland, Y Nancy You

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Lynch syndrome (LS) is a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by a germline loss-of-function mutation in a mismatch repair (MMR) gene. While sarcomas are not classically considered LS cancers, we investigated the MMR status and clinical features of sarcomas in LS patients to help inform optimal treatment strategies.

Methods: A prospectively maintained institutional clinical cancer genetics database was queried for LS patients (defined by pathogenic germline mutation in a MMR gene) with a documented diagnosis of sarcoma between 1998-2022. Tumor MMR status was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MMR proteins and secondarily by PCR assay if IHC was normal or …

Skin Cancer Risk In Patients With Brca Mutations, Lucy J Navsaria, Allen M Haas, Jessica L Corredor, Banu K Arun, Sharon H Giordano, Kevin T Nead, Mackenzie R Wehner

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

3d Gamma Analysis Between Treatment Plans For Nominally Beam-Matched Medical Linear Accelerators Using Pymedphys, Fada Guan, William Donahue, Simon Biggs, Matthew Jennings, Emily Draeger, Huixiao Chen, Yuenan Wang, Ngoc Nguyen, David J Carlson, Zhe Chen, Dae Yup Han

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Beam-matched linear accelerators (linacs) enable flexible patient scheduling and efficient treatment delivery in the event of unexpected machine downtime. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of 3D gamma index as an additional metric beyond standard measurement-based comparisons for more efficient evaluation of treatment plans between linacs with nominally matched beam models to ensure safe patient transfer. Seventeen 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans and thirty-six volumetric-modulated radiation therapy (VMAT) plans for different disease sites were selected from the original linac. An in-house script was used to automatically create new plans for the target linac and calculate dose …

Ras-Mutant Leukaemia Stem Cells Drive Clinical Resistance To Venetoclax, Junya Sango, Saul Carcamo, Maria Sirenko, Abhishek Maiti, Hager Mansour, Gulay Ulukaya, Lewis E Tomalin, Nataly Cruz-Rodriguez, Tiansu Wang, Malgorzata Olszewska, Emmanuel Olivier, Manon Jaud, Bettina Nadorp, Benjamin Kroger, Feng Hu, Lewis Silverman, Stephen S Chung, Elvin Wagenblast, Ronan Chaligne, Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, Deniz Demircioglu, Dan A Landau, Piro Lito, Elli Papaemmanuil, Courtney D Dinardo, Dan Hasson, Marina Konopleva, Eirini P Papapetrou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer driver mutations often show distinct temporal acquisition patterns, but the biological basis for this, if any, remains unknown. RAS mutations occur invariably late in the course of acute myeloid leukaemia, upon progression or relapsed/refractory disease1-6. Here, by using human leukaemogenesis models, we first show that RAS mutations are obligatory late events that need to succeed earlier cooperating mutations. We provide the mechanistic explanation for this in a requirement for mutant RAS to specifically transform committed progenitors of the myelomonocytic lineage (granulocyte-monocyte progenitors) harbouring previously acquired driver mutations, showing that advanced leukaemic clones can originate from a different cell type …

Psychophysical And Functional Outcomes In Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy After Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Narrative Review And Case Series, Peter D Vu, Kathleen Erin Mcdonough, Patrick M Dougherty, Ryan S D'Souza, Saba Javed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a complication that may occur after treatment with various anticancer drugs. In refractory CIPN cases, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has garnered increased attention. The use of gait analysis and psychophysical quantitative sensory testing (QST) as an objective measurement of CIPN-related damage has burgeoned; however, these changes have not been reported for patients with CIPN after SCS implantation using either burst or tonic stimulation.

Materials and methods: This manuscript encompasses two parts: 1) a presentation of pain improvement in a series of patients who underwent tonic vs burst SCS for CIPN measured by gait and …

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning In Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review, Vivian Salama, Brandon Godinich, Yimin Geng, Laia Humbert-Vidan, Laura Maule, Kareem A Wahid, Mohamed A Naser, Renjie He, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Clifton D Fuller, Amy C Moreno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Pain is a challenging multifaceted symptom reported by most cancer patients. This systematic review aims to explore applications of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) in predicting pain-related outcomes and pain management in cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases was conducted using terms: "Cancer," "Pain," "Pain Management," "Analgesics," "Artificial Intelligence," "Machine Learning," and "Neural Networks" published up to September 7, 2023. AI/ML models, their validation and performance were summarized. Quality assessment was conducted using PROBAST risk-of-bias andadherence to TRIPOD guidelines.

Results: Forty four studies from 2006 to 2023 were included. Nineteen studies used …

Explainable Artificial Intelligence And Domain Adaptation For Predicting Hiv Infection With Graph Neural Networks, Evan Yu, Jingcheng Du, Yang Xiang, Xinyue Hu, Jingna Feng, Xi Luo, John A Schneider, Degui Zhi, Kayo Fujimoto, Cui Tao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of explainable deep learning methods for graph neural networks to predict HIV infections with social network information and performing domain adaptation to evaluate model transferability across different datasets.

METHODS: Network data from two cohorts of younger sexual minority men (SMM) from two U.S. cities (Chicago, IL, and Houston, TX) were collected between 2014 and 2016. Feature importance from graph attention network (GAT) models were determined using GNNExplainer. Domain adaptation was performed to examine model transferability from one city dataset to the other dataset, training with 100% of the source dataset with 30% of the target dataset and prediction …

Early Detection Of Pancreatic Cancer: Study Design And Analytical Considerations In Biomarker Discovery And Early Phase Validation Studies, Lynette M Smith, Douglas W Mahoney, William R Bamlet, Fang Yu, Suyu Liu, Michael G Goggins, Sourat Darabi, Shounak Majumder, Qiao-Li Wang, Gregory A Coté, Michael J Demeure, Zhen Zhang, Sudhir Srivastava, Akhil Chawla, Grant Izmirlian, Janet E Olson, Brian M Wolpin, Jeanine M Genkinger, Kenneth S Zaret, Randall Brand, Eugene J Koay, Ann L Oberg

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal disease that is challenging to detect at an early stage. Biomarkers are needed that can detect PDAC early in the course of disease when interventions lead to the best outcomes. We highlight study design and statistical considerations that inform pancreatic cancer early detection biomarker evaluation.

Methods: We describe experimental design strategies in this setting useful for streamlining biomarker evaluation at each Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) phase of biomarker development. We break the early EDRN phases into sub-phases, proposing objectives, study design strategies, and biomarker performance benchmarks.

Results: The goal of …

T Alk Like Trees, Ken Dukes Jr

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Grant Writing: The Essentials, Jayme Renfro

Faculty Book Gallery

Welcome to the exciting and impactful world of grant writing! Whether you are a student embarking on a career in nonprofit management, a budding researcher eager to secure funding for your projects, or a professional looking to hone your grant writing skills, this textbook is designed to guide you through every step of the grant writing process. Grant writing is not just about securing funds; it's about crafting a story, building relationships, and making a tangible impact on communities and fields of study. This book aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to excel in this …

Nebraska Department Of Transportation Strategic Audit, Chloe Hoover

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is a state government agency that is responsible for the planning, development, design, construction, maintenance, and administration of the state highway system. Two strategic analyses are completed about NDOT: a PESTEL analysis and Porter’s Five Forces analysis. Both of these analyses showed that since NDOT is a state agency, it impacts foundational aspects of its strategy. NDOT’s strategy is influenced by its financial strategy, policies or political influence, and public importance. NDOT competes with other companies in its workforce and employees and/or applicants leaving NDOT for other companies. This report details NDOT’s strategy, competitive …

Feasibility Of An Environmental Scan-Based Approach To Collecting Information About Factors Impacting Cancer Genetics Services In Latin American Countries, Erica M Bednar, Roni Nitecki Wilke, Kirsten Jorgensen, Michael T Walsh, Stephanie Nutt, Karen H Lu, Leandro Nóbrega, Aline Patricia Soares Dias De Souza, Gabriela Da Silva Oliveira, Carlos Eduardo Mattos Da Cunha Andrade, Nelson Purizaca-Rosillo, Pamela Mora, Aldo López Blanco, Lenny N Gallardo-Alvarado, David Cantú-De León, J Alejandro Rauh-Hain

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Clinical cancer genetics services are expanding globally, but national policy and health care systems influence availability and implementation. Understanding the environmental factors within a country is required to appropriately implement, adapt, and evaluate cancer genetics service delivery models. An environmental scan (ES) is an approach used in business, public health, health care and other sectors to collect information about an environment or system for strategic decision making and program planning. An ES has been previously used to assess cancer genetics clinic-level factors to inform quality improvement efforts in the United States. We assessed the feasibility of using an ES …

Assessment Of Gender Differences In Letters Of Recommendation For Physical Therapy Residency Applications, Darren Q Calley, Sunyang Fu, Marissa D Hamilton, Austin W Kalla, Christopher K Lee, Veronica A Rasmussen, John H Hollman, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Letters of recommendation (LOR) are an integral component of physical therapy residency applications. Identifying the influence of applicant and writer gender in LOR will help identify whether potential implicit gender bias exists in physical therapy residency application processes.

Review of literature: Several medical and surgical residency education programs have reported positive, neutral, or negative LOR female gender bias among applicants and writers. Little research exists on gender differences in LOR to physical therapy education programs or physical therapy residency programs.

Subjects: Seven hundred sixty-eight LOR were analyzed from 256 applications to 3 physical therapy residency programs (neurologic, orthopaedic, sports) …

Imipridones Inhibit Tumor Growth And Improve Survival In An Orthotopic Liver Metastasis Mouse Model Of Human Uveal Melanoma, Chandrani Chattopadhyay, Janos Roszik, Rajat Bhattacharya, Md Alauddin, Iqbal Mahmud, Sirisha Yadugiri, Mir Mustafa Ali, Fatima S Khan, Varun Vijay Prabhu, Philip L Lorenzi, Bo Wei, Elizabeth Burton, Rohini R Morey, Rossana Lazcano, Michael A Davies, Sapna P Patel, Elizabeth A Grimm

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly aggressive disease with very few treatment options. We previously demonstrated that mUM is characterized by high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here we tested the anti-tumor, signaling and metabolic effects of imipridones, which are CLPP activators, which inhibit OXPHOS indirectly and have demonstrated safety in patients.

Methods: We assessed CLPP expression in UM patient samples. We tested the effects of imipridones (ONC201 and ONC212) on the growth, survival, signaling and metabolism of UM cell lines in vitro, and for therapeutic efficacy in vivo in UM liver metastasis models.

Results: CLPP expression was detected in primary …

Issue 41

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

The Care Crisis: The Neurology Of Dementia And International Solutions, Sophie Paton

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Will My Celsius Addiction Kill Me?: The Thermogenic Drink And Its Impact On Nutrition And Metabolism, Katie Johnstone

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Genes And Zzz's: The Genetic Variations Of Sleep Disorders, Ananya Sivasubramaniam

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Invisible Intruders: The Growing Presence Of Microplastics And Its Effects On The Brain, Megan Carlson

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Peeling Back Allergies: Punica Granatum And Its Various Bene.Its, Mina Stalhamer, Haimanot Assefa

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Civil Liability And Intra-Fraternal, Sexually Predatory Behavior, Gregory S. Parks, Ryan W. Mckee

SMU Law Review Forum

Sexually predatory behavior has long been an issue within many institutions and organizations. The Catholic Church has been scrutinized for the involvement of Popes, priests, nuns, and others as perpetrators and enablers of child sexual abuse. Reports of child sexual abuse dating back as far as the 1940s have plagued the Catholic Church in both the US and Europe, with estimates in the US across all dioceses suggesting over four thousand priest/deacon perpetrators and over ten thousand victims affected between the 1950s and 2002. Similarly, sexual abuse has been an issue in the Boy Scouts of America, dating back to …

Appearance Investment And Intimacy: Direct And Indirect Effects In The Context Of Romantic Relationships, Lillian P. Palmer, Setareh M. Rossman, James Cordova

Psychology

Physical appearance is highly valued in Western society and has the potential to impact many domains of personal life, including romantic relationships. This study examined the direct effect of appearance investment on intimacy and indirect effects through perfectionist self-presentation presentation and relationship mindfulness, utilizing a Structural Equation Model approach. Appearance schemas are cognitive generalizations about the importance of physical appearance within one’s self-concept and contribute to cognitive and behavioral investment in appearance. Concern for appearance influences how individuals interact with others and process the world around them, thus it has the potential to influence relationship health. However, no study to …

The Dark Cloud : A Creative Exploration Of Anxiety Through 3d Animation, James Applegate

Postgraduate

Fear and anxiety are mundane and innately human experiences, and ones that everyone struggles with on occasion. However, approximately a third to a quarter of all adults will suffer from clinical anxiety disorders at some point in their lives. Of these, many will go undiagnosed, and of those that do, only a fraction receive proper treatment.

Electrochemical Treatment Of Mining And Oilfield Wastewater Using Recycled Titanium Alloy Electrodes, Sean Michael Thompsen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis explores the integration of circular economy principles into wastewater treatment through the innovative use of recycled Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy electrodes. By repurposing titanium alloys from metal additive manufacturing (AM) waste, the research aims to address the treatment of acidic and oil-contaminated industrial wastewater in a sustainable manner. The recycled electrodes demonstrate notable stability and fouling resistance in challenging acidic conditions, attributed to their unique surface porosity and conductive properties. Electrochemical processes, including hydrogen evolution at the cathode, facilitate metal ion precipitation and destabilize surfactant-stabilized oil droplets. Cyclic voltammetry and long-term stability tests highlight the electrodes’ resilience, providing an …

Filtered Reality: Artificial Intelligence In Social Media & The Mental Health Of Adolescents, Maria Savva

Open Educational Resources

This instructional module was developed for teacher candidates preparing to teach in New York secondary schools, which include middle (6-8) and high schools (9-12). A three-pronged approach has been used to ensure teacher candidates develop a comprehensive and contemporary understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it relates both to their respective disciplines and its impact on the adolescents they will be teaching. Using a three-pronged approach, teacher candidates will: consider the rapidly changing landscape of their own discipline and how it has been impacted by developments in AI; examine the effects of AI, including through social media platforms, on the …

Integration Of Ai In Project Management World And Impacts, Shravani Ramaiah, Keerthivasan Kumar

School of Professional Studies

In organizations, effective project management is crucial to achieving business objectives. The ability to gain real-time insights from dynamic data across areas such as finance, resource allocation, and performance metrics can significantly enhance decision-making. Instead of relying on manual report generation, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enable managers to access actionable insights instantly. AI-driven analytical tools provide live data analysis, allowing managers to make more informed and timely decisions. This is especially important when paired with Agile methodologies, as AI can help streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and maximize efficiency by automating routine tasks and providing predictive analytics. …

Chronic Illness Education 2024: A Guide To Navigating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Polina Chuikov, Bilal Ahmed, Brennan Smith, Karina Medina, Masoud Harati

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Enhancing Resources For Addressing Childhood Obesity, Ankita Satyavarapu, Ihunanya Agomuoh, Kaab Husain, Kristofer Hilliard, Rachel Lycans, Rene Andino-Galva, William Burstein

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness Education 2024: Better Sleep In Improved Cardiovascular Health, Jenna Brokaw, Kalyyanee Nanaaware, Mikhail Salnikov, Nicholas Daher, Timothy Page, Zoha Rizvi

Patient Education Projects

No abstract provided.