Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing The Consistency Between Age Estimations Across Various Three-Dimensional Model Creation Methods In An Attempt To Find A Practical Proxy For Physical Remains, Jeanne R. Wood

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether digital three-dimensional models can serve as a viable alternative to physical human remains to allow continued research on fragile physical specimens. As digital three-dimensional models have become increasingly prevalent in anthropological and archaeological research, it is essential to assess their limitations and capabilities, particularly for subjective assessments that rely heavily on visual interpretation (Remondino & El-Hakim, 2006). While previous studies have focused on the use of digital three-dimensional models for quantitative measurements, their effectiveness for subjective analyses remains unclear (Cooper et al., 2003; Sholts et al., 2010; Stull et al., 2014; …

Pathologist-Like Explainable Ai For Interpretable Gleason Grading In Prostate Cancer, Gesa Mittmann, Nidia Messias, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Gabaergic Interneurons Contribute To The Fatal Seizure Phenotype Of Cln2 Disease Mice, Keigo Takahashi, Nicholas R. Rensing, Elizabeth M. Eultgen, Letitia L. Williams, Sophie H. Wang, Hemanth R. Nelvagal, Steven Q. Le, Marie S. Roberts, Balraj Doray, Edward B. Han, Patricia I. Dickson, Michael Wong, Mark S. Sands, Jonathan D. Cooper

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The cellular etiology of seizures in CLN2 disease, a childhood-onset neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1), remains elusive. Given that Cln2R207X/R207X mice display fatal spontaneous seizures and an early loss of several cortical GABAergic interneuron populations, we hypothesized that these 2 events might be causally related. To study the cell-autonomous effects of interneuron-specific TPP1 deficiency, we first generated transgenic mice expressing loxP-flanked lysosomal membrane-tethered TPP1 (TPP1LAMP1 mice) on the Cln2R207X/R207X genetic background, and then crossed TPP1LAMP1 mice with Vgat-Cre mice. These Vgat-Cre; TPP1LAMP1 mice accumulated storage material in cortical and striatal interneurons. Vgat-Cre; …

Multimodal Reprogramming Of The Tumor Microenvironment By Mmr And Dual Checkpoint Blockade In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Models, Mulu Z. Tesfay, Aleksandra Cios, Khandoker Usran Ferdous, Randal S. Shelton, Bahaa Mustafa, Camila C. Simoes, Murat Gokden, Isabelle R. Miousse, Kimberly J. Krager, Marjan Boerma, Alicja Urbaniak, Anuradha Kunthur, Sri Obulareddy, Joshua M. Eichhorn, Steven R. Post, Jean Christopher Chamcheu, Omeed Moaven, Chiswili Y. Chabu, Dan G. Duda, Matteo Conti, Bruno Nardo, Rang Govindarajan, Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico, Lewis R. Roberts, Mitesh J. Borad, Martin J. Cannon, Alexei G. Basnakian, Bolni M. Nagalo

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, thus, there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic options for this dismal condition. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with improved response to immune checkpoint blockade in HCC, but their low abundance in most cases limits their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we demonstrate, in mice, that low-dose intratumoral immunovirotherapy with the trivalent measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) induces superior tumor-growth delay and extended host survival compared to individually administered vaccines for measles, mumps, or rubella viruses. Further, our results show that MMR therapy synergizes with PD-1 and …

Synthetically Expressive: Evaluating Gesture And Voice For Emotion And Empathy In Vr And 2d Scenarios, Haoyang Du, Kiran Chhatre, Christopher Peters, Brian Keegan, Rachel Mcdonnell, Cathy Ennis

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The creation of virtual humans increasingly leverages automated synthesis of speech and gestures, enabling expressive, adaptable agents that effectively engage users. However, the independent development of voice and gesture generation technologies, alongside the growing popularity of virtual reality (VR), presents significant questions about the integration of these signals and their ability to convey emotional detail in immersive environments. In this paper, we evaluate the influence of real and synthetic gestures and speech, alongside varying levels of immersion (VR vs. 2D displays) and emotional contexts (positive, neutral, negative) on user perceptions. We investigate how immersion affects the perceived match between gestures …

Peer Education Programme To Improve Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health In Rwanda, Aimable Nkurunziza, Michael Habtu, Germaine Tuyisenge, Nadja Van Endert, Godfrey Katende, Assumpta Yamuragiye, Justine Bagirisano, B.H. Jean Hitayezu, Olive Tengera, Edward Rwagasore

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: A peer education programme was developed in response to the tendency of high school students in Rwanda to seek sexual and reproductive health information from peers who are often inadequately informed.

Aim: To assess the effect of Sexual and Reproductive Health Peer Education Programme (SRH PEP) on knowledge and the attitudes of SRH among high school adolescents in Rwanda. Setting: The study was conducted at selected high schools in Rwanda.

Methods: This pre-test and post-test design study was conducted in two selected high schools. The pre-test data were collected in February 2020, followed by the post-test data in May …

Hydroxyapatite Microspheres Induce Durable Pleurodesis And Are Rapidly Cleared By Pleural Osteoclasts, Yusuke Tanaka, Yuki Takahashi, Yuma Shindo, Lori B. Pitstick, Steven L. Teitelbaum, Wei Zou, Xiangning Wang, Jason C. Woods, Kathryn A. Wikenheiser-Brokamp, Francis X. Mccormack

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Talc pleurodesis is highly effective for preventing recurrence of pneumothorax and pleural effusion, but it can be complicated by dissemination, acute lung injury, lead exposure, and foreign body-induced chronic inflammation and pain. Our objective is to develop a safe, biodegradable, contaminant-free particle for pleurodesis. We used mouse models of pneumothorax and malignant pleural effusion to compare the efficacy and safety of pleurodesis with talc and hydroxyapatite microspheres (HAM). Intrapleural instillation of microspheres induced pleural adhesions, fibrosis, and symphysis as effectively as talc and resulted in more durable protection from experimental pneumothorax. HAM and talc both induced an osteoclastogenic, inflammatory, and …

From Simulation To Reality: Experimental Analysis Of A Quantum Entanglement Simulation With Slime Molds (Physarum Polycephalum) As Bioelectronic Components, Eduardo Miranda

School of Art, Design and Architecture

This study investigates whether it is possible to simulate quantum entanglement with theoretical memristor models, physical memristors (from Knowm Inc.) and slime molds Physarum polycephalum as bioelectric components. While the simulation with theoretical memristor models has been demonstrated in the literature, real-world experiments with electric and bioelectric components had not been done so far. Our analysis focused on identifying hysteresis curves in the voltage-current (I-V) relationship, a characteristic signature of memristive devices. Although the physical memristor produced I-V diagrams that resembled more or less hysteresis curves, the small parasitic capacitance introduced significant problems for the planned entanglement simulation. In case …

Structural Variation, Selection, And Diversification Of The Npip Gene Family From The Human Pangenome., Philip C. Dishuck, Katherine M. Munson, Alexandra P. Lewis, Max L. Dougherty, Jason G. Underwood, William T. Harvey, Pinghsun Hsieh, Tomi Pastinen, Evan E. Eichler

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The NPIP gene family is among the most positively selected gene families in humans/apes and drives independent duplication in primate lineages. These duplications promote genetic instability, leading to recurrent disease-associated microduplication and microdeletion syndromes. Despite its importance, little is known about its function or variation in humans, as short-read sequencing cannot distinguish high-identity duplications. Using long-read assemblies of 169 human haplotypes, we find extreme variation in the content and organization of NPIP loci. We identify fixed and polymorphic paralogs and observe ongoing positive selection. With long-read RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we create paralog-specific gene models, the majority of which were not …

Synaptic Transmission Promotes Brain Metastatic Outgrowth In Breast Cancer, Jayanta Mondal, Patrick Nylund, Prit Benny Malgulwar, William E Johnson, Jason T Huse

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This work demonstrates that normal neuron-to-neuron signaling machinery is hijacked by metastasizing cancer cells during their outgrowth in the central nervous system.

Quiescent Oxphos-High Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells That Persist After Chemotherapy Depend On Bcl-Xl For Survival, Slawomir Andrzejewski, Marie Winter, Leandro Encarnacao Garcia, Olusiji Akinrinmade, Francisco Madeira Marques, Emmanouil Zacharioudakis, Anna Skwarska, Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, Marina Konopleva, Guangrong Zheng, Susan A Fineberg, Daohong Zhou, Evripidis Gavathiotis, Tao Wang, Eugen Dhimolea

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The persistent residual tumor cells that survive after chemotherapy are a major cause of treatment failure, but their survival mechanisms remain largely elusive. These cancer cells are typically characterized by a quiescent state with suppressed activity of MYC and MTOR. We observed that the MYC-suppressed persistent triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells are metabolically flexible and can upregulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes and respiratory function ("OXPHOS-high" cell state) in response to DNA-damaging anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, but not to taxanes. The elevated biomass and respiratory function of mitochondria in OXPHOS-high persistent cancer cells were associated with mitochondrial elongation and remodeling, …

Synthetically Expressive: Evaluating Gesture And Voice For Emotion And Empathy In Vr And 2d Scenarios, Haoyang Du, Kiran Chhatre, Christopher Peters, Brian Keegan, Rachel Mcdonnell, Cathy Ennis

Conference papers

The creation of virtual humans increasingly leverages automated synthesis of speech and gestures, enabling expressive, adaptable agents that effectively engage users. However, the independent development of voice and gesture generation technologies, alongside the growing popularity of virtual reality (VR), presents significant questions about the integration of these signals and their ability to convey emotional detail in immersive environments. In this paper, we evaluate the influence of real and synthetic gestures and speech, alongside varying levels of immersion (VR vs. 2D displays) and emotional contexts (positive, neutral, negative) on user perceptions. We investigate how immersion affects the perceived match between gestures …

Bacillus Sp. Sw14 Isolated From Arid Mangroves Sediments Enhances Tomato Plant Growth: Insights From Genome Analysis And Greenhouse Evaluation, Balamurugan Sadaiappan, Qurban Ali, Mahideen Afridi, Munawwar Ali Khan, Sunil Mundra

All Works

Mangroves grow in arid regions with high temperatures, low precipitation, and evaporation. Despite low humidity and high salt concentration, these arid mangroves support diverse microorganisms, including salt-and temperature tolerant. The bacteria isolated from these arid mangroves have potential applications in arid agronomy, which alleviate plant stress and enhance plant growth. In this study, we characterize the genome of previously reported PGP and stress-tolerating bacteria, Bacillus sp. SW14, isolated from mangrove sediments of Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates. Further, we investigated its effects on tomato seed germination and plant growth. Genome size of the strain SW14 is 4.25 MB, with …

Mechanistic Study Of Pexidartinib-Induced Toxicity In Human Hepatic Cells, Si Chen, Yuxi Li, Xilin Li, Nan Mei, Xiaobo He, Matthew S Bryant, Xuan Qin, Feng Li, Lei Guo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pexidartinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 for treating adult patients with symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumors. Because of its hepatotoxicity risks, pexidartinib received a boxed warning; however, mechanistic studies on this hepatotoxicity remain limited. In this study, we demonstrate that pexidartinib decreases cell viability in primary human hepatocytes and hepatic HepG2 cells. A 24-h treatment with pexidartinib led to apoptosis in HepG2 cells, as evidenced by increased caspase 3/7 activity and the induction of cleaved PARP and γ-H2A.X. Pexidartinib-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was observed at early time points of …

One-Sided Matching Portal (Osmp): A Tool To Facilitate Rare Disease Patient Matchmaking., Matthew Osmond, E Magda Price, Orion J. Buske, Mackenzie Frew, Madeline Couse, Taila Hartley, Conor Klamann, Hannah G B H Le, Jenny Xu, Delvin So, Anjali Jain, Kevin Lu, Kevin Mo, Hannah Wyllie, Erika Wall, Hannah G. Driver, Warren A. Cheung, Ana S A Cohen, Emily G. Farrow, Isabelle Thiffault, Care Rare Canada Consortium, Andrei L. Turinsky, Tomi Pastinen, Michael Brudno, Kym M. Boycott

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Genomic matchmaking-the process of identifying individuals with overlapping phenotypes and rare variants in the same gene-is an important tool facilitating gene discoveries for unsolved rare genetic disease (RGD) patients. Current approaches are two-sided, meaning both patients being matched must have the same candidate gene flagged. This limits the number of RGD patients eligible for matchmaking. One-sided matchmaking, in which a gene of interest is queried in the genome-wide sequencing data of RGD patients, would make matchmaking possible for previously undiscoverable individuals. However, platforms and workflows for this approach have not been well established.

RESULT: We released a beta version …

Clinical Utility Of Diffusion Tensor Imaging In Sport-Related Concussion: A Systematic Review, Shiv Patil, Rithvik Kata, Serhat Aydin, Mert Karabacak, Konstantinos Margetis, Sotirios Bisdas

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

OBJECTIVE: Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a prevalent form of traumatic brain injury that is associated with long-term neurological and psychiatric impairment, particularly among athletes with a history of repetitive concussions. The biological variability of SRC's impact on the brain, as well as a lack of objective biomarkers to diagnose and prognosticate concussion, has prompted interest in advanced neuroimaging methods such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). By measuring disruptions in water diffusivity due to head trauma, DTI can detect alterations in white matter integrity that are not visualized by conventional imaging methods. This systematic review aims to synthesize major trends and …

Neighborhood Social Cohesion Associated With Chronic Liver Disease Prevalence And All-Cause Mortality, Tiange P. Zhang, Jennifer L. Dodge, Divya Ayyala-Somayajula, Norah A. Terrault

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

Background and Aims: Neighborhood social cohesion (NSC)—the degree of trust and solidarity within a community—may influence health through multiple pathways including shaping healthy norms, perception of safety, and stress. Whether NSC influences chronic liver disease (CLD) prevalence and associated mortality in the United States is unknown. Methods: Using 172,047 adults from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey with linkage to National Death Index mortality data, NSC was measured using questions on help availability, accountability, trustworthiness, and connectedness among neighbors, with composite scores (4–16) categorized as minimal (4–7), low (8–10), moderate (11–13), and high (14–16). Logistic and Cox regression tested the …

What Can Bird Poop Teach Us About The History Of U.S. Imperialism?: Guano Islands And Manifest Destiny Beyond Continental Borders, Eliot Fackler

The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies

In high school and college history courses, Manifest Destiny is often taught as a period when the United States expanded across the North American continent in the decades before the Civil War. This article outlines an inquiry-driven lesson examining the Antebellum guano rush and its devastating consequences to show that Manifest Destiny was also characterized by extracontinental imperial ambitions. It highlights the lasting impacts of the 1856 Guano Islands Act and links the guano rush to subsequent empire-building efforts, U.S. militarism, and ecological destruction. The article provides relevant background history, descriptions of possible class activities and assessments, and options for …

2023 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Poster Award Winners, Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

2023 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Program Booklet, Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

A Deep Dive Into The Nazis’ Animal World: Facilitating The Holocaust Through Symbolization, Filippa V. Frogner

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

This paper examines the use of animal symbolism in Nazi propaganda as a tool to dehumanize Jewish individuals and facilitate the Holocaust. Through an analysis of propaganda posters, films, and literature, it highlights how Jews were consistently depicted as animals such as rats, cockroaches, and monkeys—symbols associated with filth, disease, and inferiority. These portrayals, often reinforced by explicit textual messages, stripped Jews of their humanity and encouraged widespread acceptance of their persecution and extermination.

By exploring the methods, extent, and consequences of this dehumanizing propaganda, the paper sheds light on the critical role of animal symbolism in shaping public perception …

Review Of How God Found Me: Memoirs Of An American Guru, Jennifer Greene

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Review Of Sex And Sects: The Story Of Mormon Polygamy, Shaker Celibacy, And Oneida Complex Marriage, Cheryl Coulthard

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

2024 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Oral Presentation Award Winners, Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

2024 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Poster Presentation Award Winners, Applachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Driftwood On The Hydraulic Performance Of A-Type Piano Key Weirs Situated In-Stream Or At Reservoirs, Pascal Venetz, Michael Pfister

4th International Workshop on Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs

Driftwood is a natural part of most river ecosystems. The knowledge of its interaction with hydraulic structures, such as PKWs, is essential for two reasons: To (1) avoid uncontrolled inundations because of the level rise initiated by trapped driftwood (reducing the weir discharge coefficient), and (2) initiate the passage of the wood over the PKW, so that it remains in the river to further fulfill its environmental services. Knowledge of the conditions motivating driftwood to block at a PKW is essential. The present study accordingly focuses on the blocking probability of driftwood at PKWs and the resulting head increase – …

Hematologic Recovery In Ehrlichia-Infected Dogs: A Meta-Analysis Of Doxycycline’S Therapeutic Impact, Mahmoud Kandeel, Mohamed Marzok, Maryam Mahmoud, Khalid M. Al Khodair

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), caused by Ehrlichia canis, is a globally prevalent tick-borne disease with significant hematologic manifestations, including anemia and thrombocytopenia. Doxycycline is the first-line treatment, but its effects on hematologic recovery remain inconsistently reported. This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of doxycycline on hematologic parameters in E. canis-infected dogs. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Five studies (one randomized controlled trial, four non-randomized trials) involving 116 dogs were included. Data on erythrocytes, leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes), platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were extracted. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, …

2021 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Award Winners, Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

2021 - Appalachian Student Research Forum Program Booklet, Appalachian Student Research Forum, East Tennessee State University

Appalachian Student Research Forum

No abstract provided.

Unified, Site-Selectable Waterless Cooling Architecture For High-Density Ai Data Centers, Joseph Jm Walker

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a unified cooling architecture for AI-intensive data centers that achieves near-zero consumptive water use (WUE ≈ 0). The design modularizes heat capture into 1 MW_IT pods and provides a site-selectable rejection manifold that can simultaneously or alternatively employ (A) dry coolers, (B) closed-loop borefield geoexchange, (C) natural-water plate heat exchangers (non-consumptive intake/outfall), and (D) optional heat reuse via district heating or industrial offtake.

The novelty lies in tri-path blending + revenue-aware reuse, seasonal recharge of geothermal baselines, and permit-aware plume control in real-time supervisory logic. The system is engineered for high-density GPU loads, modular scale-out, and resilient …