Digital Commons Network^™

A Journey Of Innovation In Mitral Transcatheter Edge-To-Edge Repair: Lessons From The Repair Registry, Gilbert H L Tang, Syed Zaid

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

The Free Press Vol. 56, Issue 10, 03-10-2025, Chris Tiner, Cayley Bowman

Free Press, The

Husky Hero--ICE Raids Nationwide--Unhoused Found Dead--Project 2025--Gun Violence in Maine--Mayo Street Arts Play--Book Review--Indoor Track and Field LEC Champions--USM Parking Update

A Robust Skin Cancer Classification Using Deep Learning, Abdelrahman Abbas, Hussam Elbehiery

Sustainable Machine Intelligence Journal

In the medical field, detecting skin cancer from pictures can be difficult. Skin cancer identification is a laborious process in modern medicine that could eventually result in patient death. Early detection of skin cancer is essential to the effectiveness of full treatment. It is difficult to diagnose skin cancer effectively. Consequently, there are not enough qualified dermatologists around the globe to meet the demands of modern healthcare. Data imbalance problems are caused by the wide diversity in data from several healthcare industry categories. Deep learning models are frequently trained in one category more than others due to issues with data …

Advances In Extracellular Matrix-Associated Diagnostics And Therapeutics, Morten Karsdal, Thomas R Cox, Amelia L Parker, Nicholas Willumsen, Jannie Marie Bülow Sand, Gisli Jenkins, Henrik H Hansen, Anouk Oldenburger, Kerstin E Geillinger-Kaestle, Anna Thorsø Larsen, Darcey Black, Federica Genovese, Alexander Eckersley, Andrea Heinz, Alexander Nyström, Signe Holm Nielsen, Lucas Bennink, Lars Johannsson, Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen, Dana E Orange, Scott Friedman, Mads Røpke, Vincent Fiore, Detlef Schuppan, Florian Rieder, Benjamin Simona, Lee Borthwick, Mark Skarsfeldt, Haakan Wennbo, Paresh Thakker, Ruedi Stoffel, Graham W Clarke, Raghu Kalluri, Darren Ruane, Faiez Zannad, Joachim Høg Mortensen, Dovile Sinkeviciute, Fred Sundberg, Molly Coseno, Christian Thudium, Adam P Croft, Dinesh Khanna, Michael Cooreman, Andre Broermann, Diana Julie Leeming, Ali Mobasheri, Sylvie Ricard-Blum

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the common denominator of more than 50 chronic diseases. Some of these chronic pathologies lead to enhanced tissue formation and deposition, whereas others are associated with increased tissue degradation, and some exhibit a combination of both, leading to severe tissue alterations. To develop effective therapies for diseases affecting the lung, liver, kidney, skin, intestine, musculoskeletal system, heart, and solid tumors, we need to modulate the ECM's composition to restore its organization and function. Across diverse organ diseases, there are common denominators and distinguishing factors in this fibroinflammatory axis, which may be used to foster new …

A Phase I/Ii Trial Of Avelumab Combinations With Ivuxolimab, Utomilumab, And Radiation Therapy In Patients With Advanced Gastrointestinal Malignancies, Jibran Ahmed, Anne Knisely, Carlos Torrado, Bettzy Stephen, Yali Yang, Juhee Song, Anas Alshawa, Abdulrazzak Zarifa, Anuja Jhingran, Eugene J Koay, Van Karlyle Morris, Milind Javle, Robert A Wolff, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Shubham Pant, Jordi Rodon, Aung Naing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Checkpoint agonists utomilumab (4-1BB agonist) and ivuxolimab (OX40 agonist) enhance Teffector cell function. Preclinical studies suggest that combining these drugs with avelumab (anti-PD-L1 antibody) can potentially synergize this effect. In addition, tissue abscopal effects of radiation therapy may improve antigen presentation, complementing PD-L1 blockade. We conducted a single institution, open-label, multi-arm, non-randomized, phase 1/2 clinical trial of avelumab in combination with ivuxolimab, with or without utomilumab, and radiation therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. Herein, we present a subgroup analysis in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tumors (pancreatic, colon, gastric, and hepatocellular).

Methods: The primary objectives of this study …

Assessment Of Fish Biodiversity Of The Cimandiri Watershed, West Java, Indonesia, Rudhy Gustiano, Haryono Haryono, Gema Wahyudewantoro, Krismono Krismono, Rusdianto Rusdianto, Firman M. Nur

Makara Journal of Science

Information on the fish biodiversity of the Cimandiri Watershed is incomplete, and human activities and anthropogen-ic impacts pose a significant threat to this biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to assess the biodiversity of fish in the Cimandiri Watershed. The results indicated that fish biodiversity in the area included 104 species belonging to 49 families. There were 26 species in the upstream area, 47 species in the middle area, and 61 species in the downstream area. Forty-three species were native to Indonesia, and 7 of the native fish were endemic to the area. There were 11 introduced species belonging …

Cloning And Expression Of Scamp3 In Escherichia Coli Bl21(De3) With In Silico Sequence-Based Cancer Epitopes Prediction, Selly Setiati Rajagukguk, Sabar Pambudi, Astari Dwiranti, Doddy Irawan Setyo Utomo, Anom Bowolaksono

Makara Journal of Science

Secretory carrier membrane protein 3 (SCAMP3) is a crucial membrane protein involved in intracellular vesicle traffick-ing and exocytosis. The SCAMP3 expression has been observed in diverse cancer types, such as melanoma, glioma, hepatocellular and breast cancer. Increased SCAMP3 expression has been reported in certain cancer cells relative to that in normal cells, suggesting the potential role of SCAMP3 in cancer development or progression. In this study, we successfully cloned and expressed SCAMP3 in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3). SCAMP3 was amplified and insert-ed directionally into the prokaryotic expression vector pET21d(+). The transformation of recombinant plasmid into E. coli BL21(DE3) cells were …

Antibacterial Activity Of Endophytic Actinobacteria Isolated From Ziziphus Mauritiana Against Multidrug-Resistant Strains, Hafifatunil Khairani, Jepri Agung Priyanto, Muhammad Eka Prastya, Dwi Retnowati

Makara Journal of Science

Increasing resistance to existing antibiotics has led to a need for new alternative sources. Among the possibilities that need to be explored is the endophytic actinobacteria associated with Ziziphus mauritiana. The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of endophytic actinobacteria isolated from Z. mauritiana against five multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Thirty actinobacteria isolates were obtained from the roots, stem, and leaves of the plant using the serial dilution technique. Using a double-layer agar test, we found that colonies from five of the 30 isolates (16%) exhibited antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the M18 strain of Bacillus …

Do Universities Choose The Right Strategies For X Engagement? The Case Of Six Universities In Thailand, Mathupayas Thongmak

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand how Thai public universities engage their stakeholders on X (the social media platform previously known as Twitter). This article answers the following research questions: 1) What are the X message strategies of six public universities? 2) Do they choose the most effective strategies to drive X engagement in terms of favorites and reposts?

Method: Data was automatically collected using anX analytic tool, and the potential variables were extracted semi-automatically using tools appropriate to text mining, sentiment analysis, word cloud, and so on. Posts from six universities in Thailand were investigated.

Results: …

Suppression Of Stress Granule Formation Is A Vulnerability Imposed By Mutant P53., Elizabeth A. Thoenen, Atul Ranjan, Alejandro Parrales, Shigeto Nishikawa, Dan A. Dixon, Sugako Oka, Tomoo Iwakuma

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Missense mutations in the TP53 (p53) gene have been linked to malignant progression. However, our in-silico analyses reveal that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with mutant p53 (mutp53) have better overall survival compared to those with p53-null (p53^null) HCC, unlike other cancer types. Given the historical use of sorafenib (SOR) monotherapy for advanced HCC, we hypothesize that mutp53 increases sensitivity to SOR, a multikinase inhibitor that induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here we show that mutp53 inhibits stress granule (SG) formation by binding to an ER stress sensor, PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), and a key SG component, GAP SH3 …

Predicting Precipitation And Ndvi Utilization Of The Multi-Level Linear Mixed-Effects Model And The Ca-Markov Simulation Model, Fatima Belhaj, Hlila Rachid, Ouallali Abdessalam, Aqil Tariq, Belkendil Abdeldjalil, Beroho Mohamed, Hassan Alzahrani, Hajra Mustafa, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The current work intends to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of precipitation and the Normalized Differentiate Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the Loukkos watershed and provide scenarios for their recent and future evolution, therefore determining the degree of association. We conducted a study on the time series data of precipitation and NDVI from 1999 to 2019. The NDVI prediction is conducted using the CA-Markov model and the linear mixed-effects multi-level model (LME) with precipitation data from 2019 to 2040. The CA-Markov model was employed to predict the vegetation indices for 2029 and 2040 using 1999, 2009, and 2019 data. The model simulates …

Volume 1, Issue 1, Authors Listed Within Journal Issue

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Spring 1983), marks the beginning of a new era for Arkansas Tech University’s literary journal, as it transitions from its former identity as The Five Cent Cigar to Nebo. Published biannually by the English Department, Nebo takes its name from both the Chaldean god of writing and the iconic Arkansas landmark, Mount Nebo, symbolizing the journal’s dedication to creative expression and literary excellence.

This inaugural issue showcases poetry and fiction from both emerging and established writers, featuring works by Howard Nemerov, Dana Gioia, and Lily Peter, among others. With this transition, Nebo affirms …

Difficulties And Challenges Facing Use Of Interactive Multimedia Applications (Imms) To Develop The Skills Of Reading And Writing In English From The Visually Impaired Students' Points Of View At The Syrian Governmental Universities, Hala Muhammad Sulieman, Nadim Badie Mustafa

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

The article aimed to identify the challenges and difficulties associated with the use of interactive multimedia applications (IMMs) for developing the skills of reading and writing in EFL (English as a foreign language) from the perspective of visually impaired students at the Syrian governmental universities, considering their gender and academic year as variables, on which the article problem relies on. The researcher developed a questionnaire of 43 questions, and divided them into three sections and two main themes. After the validity of the questionnaire had been verified, and its stability had been calculated as well, it was applied to gather …

Transmedia Edutainment For Sustainable Advocacy: How Narrative Engagement And Counterarguments Influence Generation Z’S Response To Sustainable Development Messages, Aya Shata, Michelle Seelig, Nick Carcioppolo

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Media convergence has created new forms of storytelling, such as transmedia edutainment (TE-E), which can serve as an innovative communication strategy for promoting pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. Because of the limited evidence about the persuasive outcomes of narrative TE-E, this research investigates the role of TE-E as a novel communication approach that advocates for sustainable development among Generation Z. Drawing on narrative persuasion theories, we conducted an experiment (N = 441) that examined the narrative mechanisms of TE-E, focusing on narrative engagement and counterargument, and assessed the narrative outcomes of different single formats—including video, game, and comic—compared with TE-E. Findings …

A Standards Perspective On Genomic Data Reusability And Reproducibility, Ishi Keenum, Scott A. Jackson, Emiley Eloe-Fadrosh, Lynn M. Schriml

Michigan Tech Publications

Genomic and metagenomic sequence data provides an unprecedented ability to re-examine findings, offering a transformative potential for advancing research, developing computational tools, enhancing clinical applications, and fostering scientific collaboration. However, effective and ethical reuse of genomics data is hampered by numerous technical and social challenges. The International Microbiome and Multi’Omics Standards Alliance (IMMSA, https://www.microbialstandards.org/) and the Genomic Standards Consortium (GSC, https://gensc.org) hosted a 5-part seminar series “A Year of Data Reuse” in 2024 to explore challenges and opportunities of data reuse and reproducibility across disparate domains of the genomic sciences. Addressing these challenges will require a multifaceted approach, including common …

Retreatability Of Bioceramic And Resin-Based Root Canal Sealers Using Xp Shaper Rise: An In Vitro Study, Muhammed Ahmed Omar Abouel Seoud Phd, Shehab Saber

Dentistry

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-vitro the retreatability of premixed calcium-silicate-based sealer versus resin-based sealer when combined with gutta-percha using the single-file system XP-endo Rise.Materials and methods: 26 canals in typodont acrylic Nissin teeth were instrumented with E-flex blue rotary instruments up tosize 0.35mm and taper of 4%. Root canals were divided into two groups, obturated using either hydraulic condensation techniquewith a bioceramic sealer (n=13) or continuous wave of compaction (CWC) technique with a resin-based sealer (n=13). Theretreatment procedure was done for both groups using the XP-endo Rise instruments. The time required to complete theretreatment procedures …

Volume 30-2 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 30-2 Complete Issue

The Modernization Of Agriculture In The United Arab Emirates, Saif S. Saif

The Geographical Bulletin

The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). with a population of 1.6 million is located in an arid landscape. That results in a scarcity of arable land and water. To understand the aims of the U.A.E. in adopting modern agricultural methods, current agricultural activity in the U.A.E. is examined. Also a background of traditional agricultural ways and tools are associated in order to comprehend the practices farmers must follow to secure their needs from their agricultural endeavors. This research focuses on the agricultural methods which have been promoted by the government. Modernization of agricultural methods has achieved higher production, and is related …

Volume 31-2 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 31-2 Complete Issue

Research Needs In Human Geography, Stanley D. Brunn

The Geographical Bulletin

Scholars need to ponder research themes and directions for future human geographics and for those studying human geographics of the future. Geographers in the next century will continue to study familiar themes, including landscapes, environments, regions, diffusions, interactions, and places at all scales (personal to extraterrestial) within social, economic, political, and cultural contexts. Ten research themes are suggested for future inquiry. These include internationalizing economic geography, information and communications, timespace convergence, networks and networking, administrative organization and reorganization, postindustrial economies and societies, quality of life and welfare issues, including survival, and the human intellect and spirit. Pioneering research in these …

Wetland Heritage Of The Upper Great Lakes: An Appreciation, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

It is doubtful if any resource has been so abused and at the same time used as the earth's wetlands. In spite of an anti wetland prejudice, the resource has been utilized by Native Americans, fur traders and settlers. This investigation reveals that wetlands in the upper Great Lakes were not areas to be avoided but rather attractive resources to be exploited. Wetlands provided dietary and agricul tural resources, aesthetic settings and have contributed significantly to conser vation awareness. Vendable and eco nomic values recognized in the last few years are yet additional services these liquid assets provide.

Volume 31-1 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 31-1 Complete Issue

Russian Orthodox Churches In Alaska, Stephen M. Straight

The Geographical Bulletin

The only remaining evidence that Russians once occupied Alaska are the 78 Russian Orthodox churches are chapels located on the Aleutian Peninsula and coastal Alaska. A popular tourist attraction, the architecture of these churches are copies those of mainland Russia. Russian orthodox churches are noted for their onion dome styles, but several variations do exist. Modification in church design was often dictated by climatic conditions. Gale-force winds encouraged construction of low structures. Heavy snowfalls led to the design of steep roofs and steeples. St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka burned down in 1966. Rebuilding it has caused a religious …

The Failure Of Beaver Dams And Resulting Outburst Flooding: A Geomorphic Hazard Of The Southeastern Piedmont, David R. Butler

The Geographical Bulletin

Beaver are geomorphic agents through their building of dams and creation of pond environments. In the southeast United States, the successful reintroduction of beaver has vastly increased the number of ponds impounded by beaver dams. These dams may fail, producing rapid and potentially catastrophic draining of beaver ponds, a geomorphic hazard which has not gained sufficient notice. This paper examines several cases of known dam failure and subsequent rapid drainage of beaver ponds. Reconstructions of the discharge from these ponds was accomplished using standard hydrologic relationships of stream dimensions or pond volume to discharge. Peak flood discharges may be catastrophically …

Editorial Comments The Old Homestead, Fred B. Kniffen

The Geographical Bulletin

In a less restrictive sense the same is true of our modern households. All the basic needs common to man the animal must be provided for. However, our great technical advancement over primitive peoples permits a variety of ways in which we shape our shelters, prepare our foods, and supply needs we were not even aware of a century ago. We have radio, TV, and kitchen appliances to perform tasks accomplished by hand when I was a lad. Let me illustrate by example. As a boy in the first years of the century I lived in a modest village on …

Building Relationships For Meaningful Co-Created Indigenous Climate Education, B. Hanson, R. Mccann, D. Smiley, S. Hinck, A. R. Archie, N. Butler

Environment and Society Student Research

This project involved a multicultural team collaboratively co-creating a climate change module by and for Indigenous people. Embracing the framework of cultural humility, we recognized the bidirectional learning inherent in the project and its role in mitigating power dynamics within the team. This endeavor underscored the significance of transparency, effective communication, respect, reciprocity, trust building, and sensitivity to cultural contexts. Our findings emphasized the need for locally grounded programs that echo local traditional wisdom. We discovered that fostering an environment conducive to active listening and patience is pivotal in establishing a secure space. Our research affirms the equal validity and …

The Management Of Severe Sepsis And Septic Shock: A Novel Update And Bedside Reference Guide, Matthew M.T. Carvey, Jonathan Glauser

Researchers, Instructors, & Staff Scholarship

Purpose of Review: This review highlights recent advances in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock, emphasizing new strategies aimed at improving overall survival and reducing mortality in this patient population. Recent Findings: The primary organization responsible for guiding sepsis management is the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Several recent studies, which will be summarized in this article, have investigated sepsis screening tools, capillary refill time, antibiotic timing, intravenous fluids, vasopressor use, corticosteroids, and even vitamin C, all of which contribute to the development of new and effective guidelines for managing severe sepsis and septic shock. Summary: Despite years of …

“We Will Tend To It”: The Reconstruction Of The Wimauma, Florida’S Bethune Area Through Archival Research And Oral Histories, Alanah Cooper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on heritage preservation efforts led by Wimauma community members interested in preserving the history and heritage of Wimauma’s Bethune Area—a historically African American community. This study aims to challenge the dominant narratives of Wimauma that erase/silence the tangible and intangible legacy of the Bethune Area. By collecting and drawing upon oral histories from community residents; engaging in participant observations; conducting archival research, my thesis will strive to construct an expanded narrative of Wimauma to include the history and heritage of the Bethune Area and the everyday lives of underrepresented people and families who helped shape Wimauma. This …

Comparison Of Deep Learning And Traditional Machine Learning Models For Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers, Kesheng Wang Phd, Ma, Bs, Donald A. Adjeroh, Wei Fang, Suzy M. Walter, Danqing Xiao, Ubolrat Piamjariyakul, Chun Xu

Faculty Publications

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition characterized by a decline in cognitive ability and progression of cognitive impairment. It is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to compare deep learning (DL) and traditional machine learning (ML) methods in predicting MCI using plasma proteomic biomarkers. A total of 239 adults were selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort along with a pool of 146 plasma proteomic biomarkers. We evaluated seven traditional ML models (support vector machines (SVMs), logistic regression (LR), naïve Bayes (NB), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor …

Evaluation Of The Gelation Characteristics And Printability Of Edible Filamentous Fungi Flours And Protein Extracts, Lauren Doyle, Suvro Talukdar, Youling Xiong, Akinbode Adedeji, Tyler Barzee

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

AbstractThere is a pressing need to produce novel food ingredients from sustainable sources to support a growing population. Filamentous fungi can be readily cultivated from low-cost agricultural byproducts to produce functional proteins for food biomanufacturing of structured products. However, there is a lack of scientific knowledge on the gelling characteristics of fungal proteins or their potential in additive biomanufacturing. Therefore, this study investigated the feasibility of utilizing fungal protein extracts and flours from Aspergillus awamori, Pleurotus ostreatus, Auricularia auricula-judae as sole gelling agents in 3D-printed products. Protein extracts were successfully prepared using the alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation method and successful physical …