Digital Commons Network^™

Endogenous Processes Underlying Clock-Like Mutational Signatures, Teresa Druck, Rami I Aqeilan, C Marcelo Aldaz, Nicola Zanesi, Kay Huebner

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Wellcome Trust scientists have shown that “mutational signatures” in specific nucleotide contexts accumulate in genomes of mammalian tissues, providing clues to underlying causes of specific signatures. Analysis of cancer genomes has identified more than 50 single‐base substitution (SBS) signatures, with SBS1, SBS5, and SBS40 linked to aging and present in normal tissues. SBS1 results from cytosine demethylation, whereas SBS5 and SBS40 arise from unknown endogenous mechanisms. We hypothesized that loss of fragile‐site genes drives these two signatures. FHIT, located at FRA3B, is frequently deleted in cancers, and Fhit‐deficient mouse tissues exhibit a mutation profile resembling human SBS5. Data mining of …

Preclinical Ischemic Stroke Multicenter Trials (Prism) Collective Statement: Opportunities, Challenges, And Recommendations For A New Era, Cenk Ayata, Philip M Bath, Anna M Planas, Stuart M Allan, Johannes Boltze, Ryan P Cabeen, Claire L Gibson, Marilyn J Cipolla, Marcio A Diniz, Stefano Fumagalli, Fahmeed Hyder, Raymond C Koehler, Arthur Liesz, Sarah K Mccann, Tim Magnus, Louise D Mccullough, Emily S Sena, Simone Beretta, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Francesca Bosetti, Clinton B Wright, Patrick D Lyden, Lauren H Sansing

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Preclinical stroke research faces a critical translational gap, with animal studies failing to reliably predict clinical efficacy. To address this, the field is moving toward rigorous, multicenter preclinical randomized controlled trials (mpRCTs) that mimic phase 3 clinical trials in several key components. This collective statement, derived from experts involved in mpRCTs, outlines considerations for designing and executing such trials. mpRCTs offer advantages such as increased sample sizes, robust statistical design, incorporation of heterogeneity, and standardized protocols, but they face challenges in finding the right balance between standardization and heterogeneity, appropriate stroke model selection, and outcome measures, as well as the …

Blood Flow Regulates Metabolism In Hematopoietic Development, Pamela L Wenzel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Blood flow modifies oxygen availability and biomechanical forces within the vasculature of the embryo as the hematopoietic system develops. The aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) envelops the largest artery in the body and is a critical site for the emergence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Herein, I discuss the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and force as determinants of metabolism and fate determination. To address the effects of blood flow on hematopoietic development, I employ mouse embryo models and biomimetic culture. Real-time cell metabolic analyses show that oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) are altered by flow in cultures of …

Host Modulation Therapy In Periodontitis: From Established Therapies To Emerging Technologies, Aonjittra Phanrungsuwan, Jiaqi Huang, Neeraja Dharmaraj, Alejandra Cobos Perez, Omid Veiseh, Simon Young, Chun-Teh Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Periodontitis is a biofilm-induced chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss. According to a national survey, approximately half of the U.S. adults are affected by periodontal disease. To effectively prevent and treat periodontitis, it is essential to address its underlying causes. The primary etiological factors include polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis of the oral microbiota, and a dysregulated immune response. The standard therapeutic approach, mechanical removal of biofilm through debridement, sometimes demonstrates limited efficacy, particularly in cases of severe periodontitis, which may require adjunctive or additional therapy. Emerging evidence indicates that periodontal tissue destruction is initiated by …

Digital Communication Strategies For Culinary Medicine In Cancer Prevention And Survivorship: Information-Seeking Habits And Content Preferences Of Online Cooking Media Among Adults Participating In Four Cancer Prevention And Control Cohort Studies, Margaret Raber, Sara Fares, Maria Vazquez, Larkin Strong, Carrie Daniel-Macdougall, Lorna Mcneill, Karen Basen-Engquist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction

Poor diet and excess weight have been linked to increased risk for at least 13 types of cancer. Culinary medicine utilizes experiential cooking skill development to improve individuals’ capacity for healthy eating. Digital communication strategies offer pathways for scalable culinary medicine interventions, but little research has explored how online cooking tools could be leveraged for cancer prevention messaging. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study exploring online cooking information-seeking habits and content preferences among participants in four cancer prevention and control cohorts to inform future digital culinary medicine interventions.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with a convenience sample …

Researching A New Religious Phenomenon Of The Central Asia: Digital Sufism, Bekzhan A. Azhimov, Nurlan Kairbekov, Jolaman Bulan, Tussipkhan Imammadi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This study examines the emergence of digital Sufism as a modern spiritual phenomenon. It investigates the participation of Sufi groups on social media, the themes conveyed in their online sermons, and the ways their digital strategies compare with other Islamic organizations. The article further explores how Sufi orders navigate virtual environments, questioning whether they reveal elements of esoteric knowledge in these spaces. The notion of digital Sufism is presented as a lens for understanding how Sufi traditions integrate modern technology to widen the influence and relevance of their teachings. The research highlights how Sufism has adjusted to the challenges of …

An Interdisciplinary Approach To Understanding The Social Ministry Of The Orthodox Church Of Ukraine In The Context Of Christian Theology And Socio-Humanitarian Sciences, Rostyslav Didukh

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article presents a comprehensive interdisciplinary scientific and theological analysis of the social ministry of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in the context of Christian theology and socio-humanitarian disciplines. Modern approaches of Orthodox theology to the social mission of Christianity ensure the integrity of the development of the human and society. The need to ensure the coherence of theological concepts of the Orthodox Church social teaching with the existing church and parish life, church educational mission, theological education, and social work is emphasized. Special attention is paid to the interdisciplinary connections of Orthodox theology, religious studies, psychology, pedagogy and …

Reclaiming Sophia In The Age Of Ai: Theological And Ethical Reflections On Consecrated Technology And Human Dignity, Matthew H. Sauber

Faculty Scholarship 2026

The cultural emergence of artificial intelligence systems named after figures of divine wisdom—most notably the Hanson Robotics humanoid Sophia, granted Saudi citizenship in 2017—reveals a gap between the language of the wisdom traditions and that of contemporary technology. This paper treats that gap as the occasion for theological and ethical reflection on AI. Drawing on the Sophia tradition across its Hebrew, Hellenistic-Patristic, Gnostic, Russian Sophiological, perennialist, and Sufi articulations—especially Sergei Bulgakov’s account of Sophia as mediation between divine wisdom and created order—it develops a framework termed Consecrated Technology. The argument unfolds in three moves: (1) a structural critique showing how …

Generative Artificial Intelligence Application In Occupational Therapy Education, James Wersal, Justin Mason, Mary Shotwell

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is a developing technology within Higher Education Institutions with substantial potential to transform teaching pedagogy, improve individualized learning experiences, and automate administrative functions. GenAI has the potential to bring significant enhancements by advancing adaptive learning interfaces, customized learning materials, and automate administrative support. Despite these benefits, ethical considerations, data privacy, and the risk of over-reliance should be considered prior to using GenAI. The authors highlight how GenAI is supported by adult learning theory and provide practical strategies for incorporating GenAI in the occupational therapy curricula and to support the faculty role. The impact of GenAI on …

What Motivates Occupational Therapy Students To Self-Study Anatomy, Samantha Williams, Athena Kirou-Mauro, Kelly Hennessy, Lexi Davidson, Emily S. Ho

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Informed by self-determination theory, this study examined the motivations and preferred learning styles of entry-level occupational therapy students and explored how their perceived anatomy competency related to their academic performance. To investigate this, ninety-seven occupational therapy students completed a reflective assignment through which they set anatomy self-study learning goals. Self-study learning approaches were categorized, and the relationship between student perceived anatomy competency and academic outcomes (i.e., anatomy quizzes, term grades) was analyzed. When examining self-study learning approaches, students favored computer assisted instructional tools (n = 75, 77%) and integrated clinical application with their learning goals (n = 52, …

Crispr-Cas9 Unleashed: Gene-Slicing Adventures In The Cancer Battlefield, Shivakuma Sonnaila, Shilpi Agrawal

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cancer, a global health menace, continues to pose significant challenges in terms of incidence and mortality, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Despite existing treatments, the limitations persist, prompting a quest for novel approaches. The emergence of immunotherapy marked a transformative era in solid tumor treatments, yet its efficacy is constrained by adverse effects. Concurrently, the integration of advanced technologies into cancer treatment explores the vast potential residing at the molecular level through gene analysis and manipulation. This review articulates the role of state-of-the-art genome editing technology, notably clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas9), in overcoming the constraints of immunotherapy for …

Moringa Oleifera As An Immunomodulator, Noha Swilam, Khaled A. Nematallah, Omayma Eldahshan'

Pharmacy

Moringa oleifera has gained increasing attention for its diverse pharmacological properties, including its potential to modulate immune responses. This chapter explores the immunomodulatory potential of M. oleifera, exploring both its phytochemical composition and experimental evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies. Key bioactive constituents, such as flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic), glucosinolates (glucomoringin) and their hydrolysis product, benzyl isothiocyanate, are identified as contributors to its immune-regulating properties. It has been demonstrated that these substances affect cytokine expression, suppress pro-inflammatory mediators, increase phagocytic activity and alter lymphocyte reactions. In order to support the plant's traditional use …

Mickey Mantle, Chata, And The Case Of The Missing Baseball Cards, Manuel F. Medrano

History Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

So, You Wanna Be A Vaquero, Manuel F. Medrano

History Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

For Two Cents A Pound, Manuel F. Medrano

History Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fajitas, Vaqueros And Viboras, Manuel F. Medrano

History Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Words That Heal Or Harm: A Narrative Review On Language Use In Nursing Care.", R. Sudha, A.S. Neya

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Examination Of Orexin Receptor Antagonism With Suvorexant In Individuals With Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Case Series Study, Heather Webber, Jessica Badawi, Douglas Calvillo, Jin Yoon, Michael Weaver, Scott Lane, Joy Schmitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Peripheral Cd200r Signaling: A Critical Regulator Of Post-Stroke Inflammation In Aged Mice, Conelius Ngwa, Afzal Misrani, Yan Xu, Jingjing Wang, Rodney Ritzel, Fudong Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The immune responses to ischemic stroke are subjected to endogenous inhibitory pathways that delimitate the post-stroke inflammation. Among them, the interaction between CD200 and its receptor (CD200R) is increasingly recognized for its role in regulating neuroinflammation across various central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In the present study, we have examined the role of central (brain) vs. peripheral CD200R signaling in acute ischemic stroke using aged bone marrow chimeric (BMC) mice (16-19 months old). These chimeras were generated by transplanting bone marrow from CD200R knockout (KO), green fluorescent protein (GFP), or wild-type (WT) donor mice into irradiated recipient mice, and then …

Contemporary Opportunities And Potential Of Auger Electron-Emitting Theranostics, Seok-Yong Lee, H Charles Manning

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Recent breakthroughs in radiopharmaceutical (RP) therapy have emerged interest in employing Auger electron (AE)-emitting radionuclides as potential agents for precise theranostics. AE provides energy with exceptional localization due to their short tissue penetration range (TPR, < 10 nm), rendering them particularly effective for targeting nuclear DNA in tumor cells. In this context, AE-emitting radionuclide therapy (AE-emitting RLT) enables the targeted destruction of tumor cells while reducing harm to adjacent healthy tissue, a significant challenge in this field. Preclinical and early clinical investigations reveal the efficacy of AE-emitting RLTs in the theranostics of diverse malignancies, such as glioblastoma, prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. Notwithstanding these developments, challenges and limitations persist regarding dosimetry, delivery efficiency, and the treatment of radiotoxicity. A new paradigm is being developed to tackle the obstacles encountered by integrating molecular target markers (e.g., PARP) that function near the nucleus to improve the intranuclear delivery efficiency of AE-emitting radionuclides. Novel radiochemical methods such as these have facilitated the more stable and efficient labeling of biomolecules with AE-emitting radionuclides. Also, recent advances in DNA-molecular targeting, nanoparticles, nucleic acid/protein engineering, click- or bioorthogonal conjugation chemistry, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based structure modeling present concrete opportunities to overcome these limitations. Moreover, the integration of diagnostic imaging companion platforms employing theranostic radioisotope pairings facilitates real-time assessment of therapeutic efficacy and biodistribution, resulting in the formulation of enhanced treatment regimens. This review summarizes the prior development, recent advancements, barriers in clinical implementation, and future perspective of AE-emitting RLTs.

Nsd2 Inhibitors Rewire Chromatin To Treat Lung And Pancreatic Cancers, Jinho Jeong, Simone Hausmann, Hanyang Dong, Kacper Szczepski, Natasha M Flores, Andy Garcia Gonzalez, Liyang Shi, Xiaoyin Lu, Joanna Lempiäinen, Moritz Jakab, Liyong Zeng, Tourkian Chasan, Eric Bareke, Rui Dong, Emma Carlson, Reinnier Padilla, Dylan Husmann, Julia Thompson, Gerry A Shipman, Emily Zahn, Courtney A Barnes, Laiba F Khan, Liz Marie Albertorio-Sáez, Eva Brill, Vishnu Udayakumar Sunita Kumary, Matthew R Marunde, Danielle N Maryanski, Cheryl C Szany, Bryan J Venters, Carolina Lin Windham, Michal Eligiusz Nowakowski, Iwona Czaban, Mariusz Jaremko, Michael-Christopher Keogh, Kang Le, Michael J Soth, Benjamin A Garcia, Łukasz Jaremko, Jacek Majewski, Pawel K Mazur, Or Gozani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

NSD2 catalyses the epigenetic modification H3K36me2 (refs. 1,2) and is a candidate convergent downstream effector of oncogenic signalling in diverse malignancies3–5. However, it remains unclear whether the enzymatic activity of NSD2 is therapeutically targetable. Here we characterize a series of clinical-grade small-molecule catalytic NSD2 inhibitors (NSD2i) and show that the pharmacological targeting of NSD2 constitutes an epigenetic dependency with broad therapeutic efficacy in KRAS-driven preclinical cancer models. NSD2i inhibits NSD2 with single-digit nanomolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration potency and high selectivity over related methyltransferases. Structural analyses reveal that the specificity of NSD2i for NSD2 …

Freeze-Dried, Not Frozen: Lyophilized Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles And Therapeutic Function In Neuroinflammatory Models, Janet R Ashley, Aidan M Collier, Scott D Olson, Charles S Cox

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer a promising acellular therapy for immune modulation, but clinical translation is hindered by variability and storage constraints. Lyophilization (freeze-drying) could enable shelf-stable EV therapeutics, although its effects on biological activity remain incompletely defined.

Study design: We compared the immunomodulatory effects of frozen and lyophilized EVs from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AD), and umbilical cord (UC) MSCs using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rodent splenocytes and microglial models and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Variables included batch scale (small vs large), cytokine priming, and MSC source. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion was measured …

Digital Marine Citizenship Training Module: Toolkit For Digital Placemaking, Katharine Willis

School of Art, Design and Architecture

As a coastal nation, the UK has long drawn inspiration from the sea - shaping our history through travel, industry, the arts, leisure and more. The coastline remains a place of identity and possibility. It also offers signifi cant benefi ts for health, wellbeing and connection, yet many local people are disconnected from nearby shores.This Training Module is an easy to use resource to reimagine community relationships with the sea and make coastal spaces more inclusive, welcoming and vibrant for all.Connected SeascapesOrigins of the Training Module The Connected Seascapes Toolkit stems from a collaborative project between Plymouth City Council, the …

All Life As Witness: Developing A Mode Of Investigation Into Political Disappearance In 1960s Venezuela Reframed By Skinner Releasing Technique And Indigenous Knowledge, Livia Daza-Paris

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This practice-based research develops Ecologies of Poetic Forensics, an investigative mode for approaching political disappearance as a felt, ongoing condition that also reverberates across worlds beyond the human. Focused on my father's disappearance during Venezuela's 1960s revolutionary movement, the research follows relational dynamics within the personal, political, ecological ‘many worlds’ (Indígena Zapatistas 1996) shaped by state violence, including those of campesinos (land-based workers) in Cocorote, Lara State. The inquiry unfolds across Venezuela, Canada, and the United States, tracing territory that exceeds state borders.

The research brings the Skinner Releasing Technique, a movement practice oriented by poetic imagery and embodied …

The Persistent Shock Of The Old: Making The Case For The Responsive Development Of Artwork Deploying Historical Museological Display Techniques., Duncan Cameron

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

My sculpture work and thesis investigate the potential of historical museological practices—particularly Victorian and Edwardian display technologies—in contemporary art-making and sculptural practice. I ask three central questions: how can the collection and display of natural history materials be ethically defended in the present day; how might traditional exhibition orthodoxies be reconfigured to privilege the prosaic, domestic, and handmade over the novel and precious; and what role does the idiosyncratic and beautiful play in narrating material stories within an ethical, Anthropocene-aware framework?The study employs a practice-led methodology combining iterative art-making, critical reflection, and active fieldwork. Working from a studio in Somerset, …

Planetarity And Relation: Ecology As Method, Ashish Ghadiali

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

The List of Works submitted comprises research through film, text, exhibition, performance and policy engagement, developed during a three-year period from 2021 to 2024 in the site-specific location of Southwest England. This multi-modal and interdisciplinary practice is framed in response to the question of how art and cultural strategy can, in the contexts of climate breakdown and global racial inequity, be conceived of as agency for environmental justice. In this integrative summary, I present a theoretical framework where ecology, in response to conditions of environmental crisis, is understood not only as a subject of inquiry but also as method. In …

Feminism, Domestic Abuse And The Singer-Songwriter, Kathryn Ferguson

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This project explores how feminism and domestic abuse can be articulatedthrough songwriting. Research in music therapy, sociology and popular musicincreasingly speaks to the value of songwriting as a tool for personal andcommunity empowerment, but there is space to actively use songwriting toexplore feminist issues independently of the traditional commercial context ofpopular music. Existing feminist music has been deemed as at its mostsuccessful when it is linked clearly to social change in our communities(Greene, 2017, p.8). Modern popular feminist songwriting has been criticised fornot going far enough in deconstructing systemic patterns of patriarchy (Tong,2024, p.9). Considering this, engaging with academic research …

Inward Versus Outward Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth: A Case Study Of China, Xiaoning Chen

Plymouth Business School Theses

The thesis aims to investigate the determinants of IFD and OFDI and their impact on economic growth. To bridge the research gap, this study uses China as a case study and structures three empirical chapters to investigate the relationship between IFDI, OFDI and economic growth.The structure of the study consists of six chapters, the first empirical study uses time series data and applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) techniques to investigate the determinants of IFDI from 1980 to 2023, aiming to investigate the determinants of China’s IFDI. The findings demonstrate market openness, human capital, inflation and market size are the …

Patient And Practitioner Workshops For An Intellectual Disabilities And Epilepsy Neuropsychiatric Genetic Research Database Register: Ethical Dilemmas For Study Design, Rohit Shankar, Jon Allard, Dannielle Bilkey, Brendan Mclean, Pamela Bowman, Chloe Staples, Lance Watkins, Anna Simpson, Elizabeth Boardman, Sarah Mitchell, Sarah Lennard

Peninsula Medical School

BackgroundThere is a need for more research studies focussed on People with ID (PwID) and Epilepsy and for the design of these studies to be shaped by this complex and vulnerable population and those who care for and support them.AimsTo develop understanding as to how a future NHS genetic research database register for PwID and Epilepsy should be conducted in a way which is inclusive, suitable and appropriate for them, their carers and the NHS settings where the research would be undertaken.MethodsThree workshops were completed with 17 formal participants: (1) PwID and Epilepsy (n2); (2) carers of PwID and Epilepsy …

Investigating The Impact Of Carboxylated Polystyrene Nanoplastics In The Liver Using Cell Lines And Precision-Cut Liver Slices, Namrata Pandey, Paula Boeira, Nathaniel J. Clark, Eleanor T. Walker, Somaiah Aroori, Jemimah Denson, Richard C. Thompson, Matthew E. Cramp, Shilpa Chokshi, Ashwin Dhanda

Peninsula Medical School

Background and Aims: Increasing reports of plastic accumulation in human tissue have raised concerns about potential adverse health outcomes. Evidence of negative effects of nanoplastics is heterogeneous and provides limited insights into the underlying pathogenic toxicity mechanisms in humans. Methods: In the present study, carboxylate-modified fluorescently labelled polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) were used to investigate uptake and cytotoxicity in three different hepatic models of varying complexity, including HepG2 cells, IHH cells, and human precision-cut liver slices (hPCLS). Results: The results show model- and dose-dependent effects on hepatocytes. 74.2% ± 13.4% of the IHH cells showed PS NPs uptake at 0.1 …