Digital Commons Network^™

Retracted: Idea Density And Grammatical Complexity As Neurocognitive Markers, Diego Iacono, Gloria Feltis

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Language, a uniquely human cognitive faculty, is fundamentally characterized by its capacity for complex thoughts and structured expressions. This review examines two critical measures of linguistic performance: idea density (ID) and grammatical complexity (GC). ID quantifies the richness of information conveyed per unit of language, reflecting semantic efficiency and conceptual processing. GC, conversely, measures the structural sophistication of syntax, indicative of hierarchical organization and rule-based operations. We explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these measures, identifying key brain regions and white matter pathways involved in their generation and comprehension. This includes linking ID to a distributed network of semantic hubs, like …

Species Delineation, Phylogeography And Conservation Of Temperate Perches (Actinopterygii: Percichthyidae) From An Endemism And Climate Change Hotspot, Michael P. Hammer, David L. Morgan, Stephen J. Beatty, Mark G. Allen, Peter J. Unmack, Sean J. Buckley, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Jon Murphy, Mark Adams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Context: The south-western corner of Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes a freshwater fauna with a high proportion of endemic species. The temperate perches comprise nearly half of the obligate freshwater fishes of the region, representing important components of local ecosystems and are of significant conservation concern. Aims: Provide a spatially comprehensive molecular genetic assessment of species boundaries and major substructure for all local members of the family to better understand the interplay of ecology and environment across a common landscape. Methods: Nuclear markers (allozymes) and matrilineal (cytb) datasets were generated to infer genetic groupings and any instances of …

The Sudanese Identity In The Mirror Of Colonial And Post-Independence History, Abdalla Galaleldeen

The Journal of Social Encounters

After independence, Sudan’s political elite adopted colonial-inspired policies that sought to divide the country into North and South (Arabs versus Africans). This policy was further reinforced by the civil wars and by the failures of the Sudanese political elite to construct a cohesive national identity. In the post-independence period, one elite group aligned itself with an Arab identity, while another embraced an African identity. Logically, therefore, both identities—Islamic-Arab and African—encompass the majority of the population. Yet, while Islamists and Africanists each claimed to represent this majority, neither addressed the contradictions inherent in their positions. As the tension between the Islamic-Arab …

Sudan: A War Of Atrocities Report Of The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission For The Sudan, - Annual Report Of The United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights And Reports Of The Office Of The High Commissioner And The Secretary-General

The Journal of Social Encounters

This report documents attacks on civilians and objects essential for their survival in Sudan. It concludes that both parties to the conflict violated international human rights and humanitarian law, with most violations amounting to war crimes. The Rapid Support Forces’ conduct may also constitute crimes against humanity, including persecution and extermination. The report calls for accountability and sets out a roadmap for justice.

The Origins Of The Pax Christi International Movement: The Pax Christi In Regno Christi Crusade, François Mabille

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Pax Christi movement was created in 1944 by a French laywoman. Its original name was "crusade of prayers for the conversion of Germany", the term crusade referring to a very specific political and religious imagination, marked in particular by the intransigent Catholicism of the beginning of the 20th century and by a specious analysis of the origins of the Nazism. This article, resulting from a thesis devoted to the history of the movement from 1944 to 1983, reviews the genesis of Pax Christi, and its evolution during the first 5 years of its existence, from a "crusade of prayers" …

Dalit Poetry On The Eve Of Indian Independence: Gurram Jashuva And The Quest For Critical Consciousness And Collective Remembering, Chris Conway

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Dalit Literary movement irrupted on the scene in the early 1970s in the state of Maharashtra, India. Unblinking in its criticism of casteism and unnerving in its depiction of Dalit oppression, the movement sought to concretize the political aims of B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) through cultivating a critical Dalit consciousness liberated from caste identity and history. The movement enjoyed success in uniting Dalit groups across the country under this new name. However, fifty years later a new generation of Dalit and Dalit-supporting thinkers have begun to critically examine the implications of Dalit identity focusing particularly on its rootedness in suffering …

An Interfaith Paradise Lost? Religion And The Memory Of The Lebanese Civil War In Postwar Novels, Wilbert Van Saane

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay analyzes three Lebanese postwar novels: Nathalie Abi-Ezzi’s A Girl Made of Dust, Jad El Hage’s The Myrtle Tree, and Hoda Barakat’s The Tiller of Waters. I argue that these novels narrate the memory of war with reference to religious imagery and theological structures, especially the idea of a paradise lost as described in John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. The paradise these novels present consists of a harmonious relation between people of different faiths. The root of violence is situated in a distortion and misrepresentation of the narratives of others. The novels also include the theme of a …

Nomina Ignota: Dinosaurios, Dinosauroides Y Otros Animales Del Pasado Que Nunca Existieron, Charlie Charmer, Iván Narváez

Alambique. Revista académica de ciencia ficción y fantasía / Jornal acadêmico de ficção científica e fantasía

Aunque desaparecieron hace 66 millones de años, los dinosaurios no avianos y otros grandes reptiles con los que convivieron son un reclamo habitual en las historias de ficción del cómic, cine, literatura u otros medios de expresión artística y/o entretenimiento. A menudo, sirven también de inspiración para introducir criaturas inexistentes cuya imagen y denominación parten de referentes conocidos. En el presente trabajo se analizan los diferentes métodos utilizados para bautizar a estas criaturas, así como las características y funciones que sus nombres pueden tener en los mundos de ficción, acuñando una nueva categoría para la nomenclatura científica, aplicable exclusivamente en …

Engineering And Technology, Fred Haan

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

9/21/2025 for the event, Integration of Faith and Learning, at University Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia

Essential Role Of Protein Kinase R In The Pathogenesis Of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Amit Prabhakar, Rahul Kumar, Meetu Wadhwa, Abhilash Barpanda, Joseph Lyons, Asavari Gowda, Simren Gupta, Ananyaa Arvind, Prajakta Ghatpande, Arun P. Wiita, Brian B. Graham, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare and severe subtype of pulmonary arterial hypertension, characterized by progressive remodeling of small pulmonary arteries and veins with no therapies. Using a mitomycin C–induced (MMC-induced) rat model, we previously demonstrated that protein kinase R–mediated (PKR-mediated) integrated stress response (ISR) drives endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. To determine whether PKR is the primary mediator of ISR and the pathogenesis, we treated control (Ctrl) and PKR-knockout (KO) mice with the same dose of MMC. Consistent with rat data, Ctrl mice displayed ISR activation, vascular remodeling, and pulmonary hypertension after MMC treatment, while KO mice showed …

The Impact Of Intrauterine Devices On The Risk Of Ureaplasma Species Overgrowth: A Review Of The Literature, Joyce Miller

All Publications

Ureaplasma species (Ureaplasma spp.) are commensal organisms of the lower urogenital tract, but overgrowth has been associated with vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and pregnancy complications such as preterm labor. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are an effective contraceptive method; however, their use has been linked to an increased risk of urogenital infections, including those involving Ureaplasma spp., which may disseminate and lead to adverse health outcomes. There is still much uncertainty surrounding the connection between Ureaplasma spp. and IUDs, calling for further research to analyze the possible associated adverse effects. …

What Is Known About The Fish Intake Of People Living In Disadvantaged Communities In The Uk? A Scoping Review, Sarah Gale, Roseline Aboluwade, Louise Hunt, Clare Pettinger

School of Health Professions

Fish provides essential nutrients, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish) and other micronutrients, and may be seen to have a prominent role in protecting against non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. Recent UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey analysis suggests people are not meeting their weekly fish intake recommendation of at least two portions per week, of which one should be oily. Lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to eat poor-quality diets, with low fish intake, resulting in poor health outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the factors influencing fish consumption in people living within ‘disadvantaged …

Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Mediated Pathways In Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Nafld) And Its Implications On Magnesium And Zinc Mineral Deficiencies: A Scoping Review, Marianne Koleng, Leann Nguyen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The prevalence and incidence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is rising. In the United States alone, the prevalence of NAFLD is currently 38% and there has been a 50% increase over the last three decades. The present study investigated the role of ultratrace mineral deficiencies, specifically magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn), and if so, what nutritional interventions could be made to ameliorate or protect against the development of NAFLD. The role of trace and ultratrace minerals in pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways contributing to NAFLD, specifically Interleukin-6 (IL-6), were investigated. IL-6 is produced by hepatocytes and plays a crucial role in …

Managing Mdls: A Report From The March 2025 Mdl Case Management Convening At Stanford Law School, Nora Freeman Engstrom, Owen Foulkes, Brianne Holland-Sergar

Faculty Journal Articles & Other Writings

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) has quietly become the defining feature of the federal civil docket, now accounting for the majority of all pending cases. Yet the judges tasked with steering these sprawling matters confront an almost impossible assignment: They must manage hundreds of thousands of claims, often with skeletal staffs, little binding guidance, and enormous pressure to deliver both efficiency and justice. This report—produced out of a March 2025 convening sponsored by the Rhode Center at Stanford Law School—confronts that reality head-on. Drawing on candid discussions among leading judges, practitioners, and scholars, it dives into four central tensions that shape MDL …

Temporal Dynamics Of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling In Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity, Fibi Meshrkey, Somaya Y. Ibrahim, Rushita A. Bagchi, William J. Richardson

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Anthracyclines are widely used chemotherapeutic agents with proven efficacy against a broad range of malignancies, but their clinical utility is limited by a well-documented, dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. While this toxicity has traditionally been attributed to direct cardiomyocyte injury, emerging evidence highlights the pivotal role of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in the development and progression of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. This review examines the diverse effects of anthracycline focusing on doxorubicin (DOX) and CFs across the temporal phases of cardiac injury. DOX activates fibroblast-driven extracellular matrix remodeling and promotes fibrosis through enhanced collagen production and the induction of cellular senescence, thereby exacerbating early myocardial inflammation …

A Scoping Review On Childhood Immunization Reminder Strategies Available To Parents In North America, Matilda Anim-Larbi, Vivian Puplampu, Sithokozile Maposa, Akram Mahani, Mary Chipanshi

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Objective: The scoping review protocol will be used to map out the immunization reminder strategies for parents’ literature to identify the effectiveness of these approaches in improving childhood vaccination uptake.

Introduction: Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to cause morbidity and mortality despite the introduction of childhood immunizations^1,2, with recent media alerts showing a surge of common childhood vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles³. Parents can play a pivotal role in ensuring their children receive vaccinations when due^4,5,6. However, effective immunization reminders could assist parents who forget or miss the immunization schedules for their children.

Inclusion criteria: The review …

Investigating Potential Alzheimer's Disease Therapies Through An Agent-Based Model Of Impaired Microglia Metabolismmodeling Impaired Microglia Metabolism, Cheyenne Ty, Abigail Penland, John Gerving, Martin Mendoza-Ceja, Megan Pratt, Kamila Larripa

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia globally and is marked by amyloid-β plaque accumulation, decreased brain pH, disrupted metabolism, and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and are critically involved in the progression of AD. While microglia can initiate protective immune responses to injury and disease, dysregulated microglial metabolism may contribute to the exacerbation of Alzheimer's pathology. To investigate potential therapeutic strategies, we developed an agent-based model simulating the effects of exercise and metabolic enhancement on dysfunctional microglia. Our findings suggest that …

Segmenting The Flour Beetle: Rnai Probes Into Embryonic Gene Function In Tribolium Castaneum, Sydney Do, J. Garcia, Ezzat El-Sherif

Research Colloquium

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) silences specific gene expression through the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In Tribolium castaneum, RNAi enables precise manipulation of gene activity, allowing researchers to study developmental processes and genetic interactions across all life stages. dsRNA is processed by ribonucleases into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or microRNAs (miRNAs), which are recruited by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which targets and degrades specific mRNA molecules, allowing the observation of loss-of-function phenotypes.

T. castaneum offers advantages as a model for RNAi studies, including a fully annotated genome, a strong RNAi response, ease of application, and gene expression dynamics …

High Phosphorus Diets And Bone Health: A Hidden Risk​, Sean Corcoran, Daniela Ramos, Mohammed Razzaque

Research Colloquium

Background: As fast food, high in phosphorus content, becomes a staple in the American diet, the population increases its dietary phosphorus intake above the recommended amount. According to the NIH guidelines, adults over 19 years and older are 700mg per day (NIH, 2021, Wickham). For context, a meal consisting of a big cheeseburger, medium fries, and a can of soda contains around 600mg of phosphorus (Arquette, 2014). Although phosphorus is essential for bone health as it is part of the structural component of bones, consuming excess amounts of phosphorus has been linked to vascular calcification, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and …

Murine Typhus Masquerading As A Urinary Tract Infection: A Case From Endemic South Texas, Nida Asif, Yareli Durazo, Corey Haines, Cesar Gutierrez

Research Colloquium

Background: Murine Typhus is a rare flea borne illness caused by Rickettsia typhi, with approximately 100-200 cases reported annually in the United States, primarily in Southern Texas, California and Hawaii, transmitted by fleas from rodents or other animals. It often presents with nonspecific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. Given its vague clinical presentation and regional endemicity, murine typhus is frequently underrecognized delaying appropriate treatment.

Case presentation:A 77-year-old lady with a known history of HFrEF of 25-30% was presented to the ED due to mild left lower quadrant abdominal pain associated with two episodes of loose bowel movements and decreased appetite …

Determining The Effects Of An Hiv Infective Model On The Development Of Neuropathic Pain In Alzheimer’S Disease Model Mice., Ayesha Usman, Megan W. Szobody, Jose Rios, Mohammed Alnoud, Khalid Benamar

Research Colloquium

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in producing neuropathic pain in an Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) mouse model. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 is correlated with increased release of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia mediators from astrocytes and glial cells in rodents, producing the identifiable symptoms of neuropathic pain. Similarly, studies show that 45.8% of AD patients experience chronic pain. The production of an HIV/AD comorbid mouse model will be useful in determining important pathological pathways for neuropathic pain and is vital to future studies in therapeutic approaches to these conditions. Two …

Role Of Vitamin D In Periodontal Integrity And Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: A Nhanes 2011 Study, John Nicholas Cauba, Noah Al-Hassan, Taha Al-Hassan, Krishi Korrapati, Maria Quiniones, Seratna Guadarrama, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga

Research Colloquium

Background: Periodontal disease, characterized by inflammation and damage to connective tissue due to biofilm accumulation and an inflammatory response, affects 20–50% of the global population. While some studies suggest a link between periodontal disease and cognitive decline, the role of vitamin D in this relationship remains underexplored. Given vitamin D’s involvement in immune modulation, bone remodeling, and possibly cognition, we hypothesize that higher serum 25(OH)D3 levels are associated with reduced periodontal damage and better cognitive performance in older adults.

Methods: We analyzed data from 905 participants (50% female), aged ≥60 years, in the NHANES 2011– 2012 cycle with complete periodontal …

Playful Learning Journeys: Exploring The Perceptions And Knowledge Of Lecturers/Tutors And Student Teachers, Frank Twum, Samuel Kweku Hayford, Dandy Dampson, Johnnie Kojo Hayford

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of play-based learning (PBL) by lecturers/tutors and student teachers. Ninety lecturers/tutors (68 males, 22 females) and 363 student teachers (191 males, 172 females) participated in the study. While both lecturers/tutors and student teachers favored PBL, they had some concerns. Lecturers/tutors acknowledged the benefits of PBL, including its enhancement of memory, conceptual development, and motor skills in children. However, nearly two-thirds found it time-consuming. Student teachers were of the view PBL promoted positive student experiences. However, more than half felt PBL offered limited opportunities for their own learning during lessons. Both groups demonstrated knowledge …

Semax For Parkinson’S Neuroprotection: A Qualitative Review Of Preclinical Evidence, Jefferson Tait, Mohammad Yaman Karkoutly, David Rakay, Edurado Aquino

Research Colloquium

Background: The use of peptides as an alternative treatment for neurological disease is an emerging practice that has had tremendous success. Semax, a synthetic heptapeptide derived from adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 4–10), is well known and used clinically in Russia and Eastern Europe for ischemic stroke therapy. Moreover, Semax has also been reported to modulate monoaminergic systems. Because Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons, Semax’s neuromodulatory properties make it a potential candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's. Here, we hope to evaluate whether Semax could be an alternative therapy for PD by reviewing evidence on its effects on …

The Role Of Metaphorical Imagery And Textual Gaps In Constructing National Meanings In The Poem “A Nation That Does Not Fade” By Issa Jaraba: An Analytical Study, Mohsena Abdullah Habib Al-Harthi

UB Journal for Humanities

This study aims to examine the poem “A Homeland That Never Fades” by the poet Issa Jarraba through the analysis of two key rhetorical mechanisms: metaphorical imagery and textual ellipsis, represented by the use of the ellipsis mark. The analysis seeks to answer the central question: How does Issa Jarraba employ metaphorical imagery and textual ellipsis in his poem “A Homeland That Never Fades” to construct national meanings and deepen their emotional impact? The study focuses on analyzing the manifestations of metaphorical imagery, while also addressing textual ellipsis as a rhetorical device that offers the reader space for reflection and …

Antiplatelet Effects Of Angelica Dahurica Root Extract Without Gastric Lesion Formation In Rats, Pitiphat Srisom, Kasem Rattanapinyopituk, Uthai Sotanaphun, Rataya Luechapudiporn

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Platelet aggregation plays a crucial role in hemostasis; however, excessive platelet activation can lead to thrombus formation, contributing to cardiovascular diseases. While aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid [ASA]) is commonly used as an antiplatelet agent, its longterm use is associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Angelica dahurica (AD), a traditional herbal remedy, has shown in vitro antiplatelet activity and cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition. However, its in vivo effects on platelet aggregation and gastric safety remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether Angelica dahurica root extract (ADE) could inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent aspirin-induced gastric lesions.

Materials and Methods: AD was extracted …

Bone-Sparing Effects Of Pueraria Mirifica Extract On Bone Loss In Androgen-Deficient Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca Fascicularis), Thaweechai Saetae, Taratorn Kemthong, Sukanya Jaroenporn, Suchinda Malaivijitnond

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Synthetic estrogens provide remarkable benefits for bone health in men; however, they also present several drawbacks after long-term use. Pueraria mirifica, a phytoestrogen-rich herb, has garnered attention due to its positive effects and minimal adverse side effects on bone in females. Most research on bone health has been conducted on rodents; however, bone architecture and remodeling in rodents differ from those in humans, making it challenging to apply the results to clinical trials.
Objectives: Thus, this study assessed the bonesparing effects of P. mirifica extract (PME) in androgen-deficient male cynomolgus macaques.

Materials and Methods: Adult male macaques were divided …

Screening And Evaluation Of Thai Herbal Plants As Multifunctional Agents For Targeting Amyloid Β Pathogenesis In Alzheimer's Disease, Ruedeemars Yubolphan, Suchinda Malaivijitnond, Sukanya Jaroenporn

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder driven by complex pathophysiological processes. Current therapeutic strategies emphasize the development of multifunctional agents, particularly those derived from natural sources, to target multiple stages of the amyloid β (Aβ) cascade, a central contributor to AD pathology.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-Aβ activity of nine Thai herbs and evaluate their potential as multifunctional agents for AD treatment.

Methods: Nine Thai herbs—Caesalpinia sappan (CS), Thunbergia laurifolia (TL), Rhinacanthus nasutus (RN), Tabernaemontana divaricata (TD), Cyperus rotundus (CR), Terminalia chebula (TC), Azadirachta indica (AI), Piper retrofractum (PR), and Asparagus racemosus (AR)—were screened …

Rutabaga Cultivation In The Lake Superior Region, Russell Magnaghi

Upper Country: A Journal of the Lake Superior Region

The vast expanse of the Lake Superior Basin has been home to a multitude of industries from copper and iron mining, timber extraction, steel mills, grain transfer ports, and ship construction. However, given its northern location, agriculture is usually ignored due to a short growing season and poor soils. Immigrants who settled there like Finns and Scandinavians were familiar with this environment but even Italians found that they could develop their cherished home gardens and small farms. Most immigrants had migrated from farming environments and now accepted the challenge to farm in this new environment.

Of the many crops that …

Comparison Of Pcr-Based Methods For The Detection Of Canned Tuna Species, Chloe P. Castanon, Denise Hernandez, Akshay N. Khetrapal, Rosalee S. Hellberg

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Canned tuna is susceptible to mislabeling due to its high consumer demand, complex global supply chains, and range of prices. DNA barcoding of a short fragment of the mitochondrial control region (CR), termed the CR mini-barcode, has been established as an effective method for tuna species identification. However, the high level of DNA degradation in canned tuna products reduces the effectiveness of this method. Therefore, this study aimed to compare CR mini-barcoding to targeted (i.e., real-time or multiplex) PCR-based methods to determine the most effective approach for canned tuna species identification. DNA was extracted in duplicate from 24 canned tuna …