Digital Commons Network^™

Tlr3 Mediated Type I Interferon Response In Mammalian Cell Defense Against Cryptosporidium Parvum Infection., Anjelica Matias

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of a diarrheal disease which affects many children in the USA as well as the rest of the world, yet the contribution of its double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viral symbiont, Cryspovirus (CSpV1) to host innate immunity remains unclear. This study investigated whether CSpV1 activates Toll Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling pathways and downstream Interferon type I (IFN I) responses in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells. Confluent Human Ileocecal Colorectal Adenocarcinoma cells (HCT8) were exposed to CSpV1, and the expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 (TRAF3), Nuclear Factor-𝜅-light chain enhancer of activated B-cells …

Diversity Of Sporous Plants (Bryophyta And Pteridophyta) And Lichens In The Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve Area, West Java, Yusuf Ibrahim, Gurnita Gurnita, Elfina Karima, Iwan Setia Kurniawan

Baghdad Science Journal

The study aims to determine the diversity of terrestrial fern species (pteridophyta) and mosses (bryophyta) in the Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java. The method used in this study is a qualitative description of the design of the transmission belt. Collected samples were conducted with a purposive sampling method. A lengthy transect line extends approximately 110 meters and comprises up to six quadrants, each measuring 10 by10 meters. The research identified eight types of terrestrial fern, including two in three orders and six families; seven species have been identified with a total of 437 individuals in the form of moss …

Understanding “Truth Of The Matter Asserted”, Frank Rosenblatt

Journal Articles

Many people struggle to understand hearsay. It’s not their fault. The hearsay definition is confusing and unhelpful, especially its final phrase: that hearsay is an out-of-court statement1 offered to prove “the truth of the matter asserted” in the statement.2 What does “truth of the matter asserted” mean? The definition’s plain language isn’t much help. This paper shares the basic example that I have found to be most effective in my law school evidence classes to diagnose hearsay.

Alcohol Drinking Sex-Dependently Regulates Interleukin-1 Pro-Inflammatory Signaling In The Prefrontal Cortex Of Mice And Rhesus Macaques, Andrea Liss, Clara Lowe, Mahum T. Siddiqi, Dhruba Podder, Marcis V. Scroger, Gianna Vessey, Kenna Martin, Noah M. Paperny, David M. Lam, Allison E. Martin, Jariel N. Bacar, Katie T. Vo, Amy Astefanous, Nolawit Belachew, Eghosa Idahor, April T. Davenport, James B. Daunais, William M. Hayes, Rita Cervera-Juanes, Tony D. Davis, Florence P. Varodayan

Pharmacy Faculty Scholarship

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes executive dysfunction, leading to reduced treatment adherence, worse clinical outcomes, and relapse. Current medications do not address these symptoms. Targeting the neuroimmune interleukin-1 (IL-1) system has potential, but its mechanistic role in prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction is unclear. Here we investigated how chronic alcohol consumption shifts IL-1 regulation of the rodent and non-human primate PFC. We found that alcohol drinking decreased reference memory and shifted the search strategy in mice of both sexes, and this deficit correlated with altered IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP) mRNA levels in the medial PFC (mPFC) of male mice. Notably, …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund, Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Christopher Rorden, Julius Fridriksson

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

The Echo: March 23, 2026, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Γδ T Cells At The Interface Of Innate And Adaptive Immunity In Cancer, Arnau Solé Casaramona, Martin F Bachmann, Eva Sevick-Muraca, Mona O Mohsen

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

γδ T cells are unconventional lymphocytes that bridge innate and adaptive immunity by combining recognition of stress-induced ligands independently of classical major histocompatibility complex molecules with the capacity to undergo clonal expansion and long-term adaptation. Their unusual ability to detect malignant transformation using semi-invariant T-cell receptors, butyrophilin recognition and natural killer-like receptors positions them as powerful effector cells in tumors that evade classical immune escape mechanisms. Furthermore, distinct γδ subsets have distinct phenotyping and specific tissue-residencies, which could be leveraged to modulate immunological responses. We evaluate engineered therapies and different experimental platforms for studying γδ T cell biology. We conclude …

Modern Dna Detection Via Traditional Methods: Conforming Algal Species In Soran Independent Administration, Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Balkes Haje Rasul, Farhad Hassan Aziz, Janan Jabbar Toma

Baghdad Science Journal

This investigation was conducted on five genetically identified algal species at five sites in the Soran administration, with sampling monthly from March 2024 to January 2025. Accurate species identification is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystems, and managing water quality. Traditional morphological identification is standard practice for algal characterization, but these methods are time-consuming and error-prone, especially when dealing with similar-looking species or mixed populations. Modern DNA detection methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA barcoding, improve specificity and sensitivity. This study compares the effectiveness of DNA detection methods with traditional morphological techniques to confirm the presence of five …

Drowning Prevention In The West: Who Did It Better?, Arran Hedley

University Honors Theses

This paper aims to communicate the differences on how the US, UK and Australia have approached drowning prevention in each of their nations. This paper addresses drowning statistics within each nation, national, state and local policies, access to public facilities, and the preventative strategies, swim lessons and Lifeguarding. These are the criteria each nation is being graded upon, because each criteria is a factor that can help mitigate drowning deaths.

For literature around this subject, there are many papers on each individual nation's approach to drowning but in researching there does not appear to be a comparison of the nations' …

Gli Weekly, March 23, 2026, Franke Global Leadership Initiative

GLI Weekly

The Big Give -- Become an Ambassador -- Advising Information -- BTC Scholarship Workshops -- Beyond the Classroom Experience Planning -- Wild Stories: Wilderness, Policy, Packing, & Writing -- UM Global Career Accelerator -- EF Global Challenge -- Baby Food & Supply Drive -- K(no)w Fear -- Volunteer for the GLI -- GLI Volunteer: Bike Repair & EmPower Pack -- Project Community Connect -- BioBlitz at Traveler's Rest -- Animal Wonders Volunteer Day -- VolunteerUM -- TESOL Certificate Program -- Cliff Edwards Lecture Series: The Impending Death of Democracy, the Constitution and the Rule of Law -- The Global Engagement …

Assessment Of Early Breast Cancer Response To Chemotherapy With Ultrasound Radiomics, Swapnil Dolui, Basak Dogan, Corinne Wessner, Jessica Porembka, Priscilla Machado, Bersu Ozcan, Nisha Unni, Maysa Abu-Khalaf, Flemming Forsberg, Kibo Nam, Kenneth Hoyt

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective: This prospective study investigated the use of H-scan ultrasound (US) imaging as a novel component of a multiparametric radiomic analysis framework for characterizing human breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before and early after treatment initiation. Methods: Thirty breast cancer patients scheduled for NAC were scanned using a clinical US system (Logiq E9, GE HealthCare) equipped with a 9L-D linear array transducer. Radiofrequency (RF) data was obtained at baseline (pre-NAC) and after 10% and 30% of the complete dose of chemotherapy. The RF data was analyzed by a bank of 256 frequency-shifted bandpass filters to form H-scan US …

Autistic Traits And Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study Of Themes, Intentionality, And Temporal Focus, Leilani Forby, Farid Pazhoohi, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then …

Human Services Administrators’ Perceptions Of Youth In Acute Crisis Needs, Carey Alvord

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a lack of acute crisis services for youth in the United States. In San Luis Obispo County, California, there are no designated facilities with crisis stabilization services near family homes for children in acute crisis. Grounded in Stroul et al.’s system of care approach for children and families, the purpose of this qualitative force field analysis study was to explore human service administrators’ perceptions of the services youth in acute crisis need to stabilize within San Luis Obispo County. Directors at youth human services county departments and nonprofits were contacted to help recruit a purposeful sample of 11 …

Nano Zinc As A Source To Stimulate Calendula Officinalis Callus To Produce The Active Triterpenoid Glycoside, Abdulwadood S.M. Alsoufi, Suha Maher Abed, Sara Q. Suliaman, Anna Szakiel

Baghdad Science Journal

Plants can synthesize a large number of different active compounds and ingredients, which can be influenced under stress conditions. The plant in vitro culture technique is considered a suitable and useful method to propagate and protect the medicinal and herbal plants, and to extract active natural compounds. The main target of this work was to obtain callus of Calendula officinalis explants stimulated by Nano zinc, and then to extract the natural glycosides from callus in vitro culture and apply them against certain bacterial and fungal isolates. The explant of C. officinalis was grown on media containing a mix of hormones, …

Colorimetric Detection Of Mercury (Ii) Ions Utilizing Bio-Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Via Microwave-Assisted Method With Matoa Leaf Extract, Ari Sulistyo Rini, Yolanda Rati, Gilar Adnan Ramadhan, Yan Soerbakti, Lazuardi Umar

Baghdad Science Journal

In this work, bio-colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Matoa (Pometia pinnata) leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent under microwave irradiation to promote rapid AgNPs formation. The influence of microwave irradiation powers (360, 540, and 720 W) on the optical, structural, and morphological properties of the synthesized AgNPs was systematically investigated. The AgNPs formation was characterized by yellowish-brown colloids formation with surface plasmon resonant (SPR) bands centered around 430 nm, as detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of C-H and O-H functional groups from polyphenols and flavonoids in Ag⁺ ion reduction. …

Potential Role Of Mir-484 In Modulating Vdr Gene Expression Level In Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stone Patients, Huda B. Babat, Luma Hassan Alwan Alobaidy, Issam Salman Al-Azzawi

Baghdad Science Journal

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones, accounting for over 70% of all types, are the most common stone type. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional epigenetic regulators, involved in disease development. One of these miRNAs is miRNA 484 (miR-484). Vitamin D (VD), a fat-soluble vitamin important for calcium (Ca) metabolism, is primarily mediated by the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), a nuclear transcription factor. This study aimed to investigate miR-484's regulatory role in modulating VDR gene expression, evaluate serum VD and biochemical parameters in CaOx kidney stone patients compared to healthy controls, and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers. Blood samples were collected …

Seasonal Variation And Spatial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Groundwater: Implications For Water Quality And Health Risks, Muzhda Qasim Qader, Shevan Jamel Jirjees, Masoud H. Hameed, Chiyai Maroof Sharif

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: This study evaluated the seasonal and spatial distribution of twelve heavy metals in the groundwater samples collected in fifty wells with the aim of assessing the quality of water and health hazards associated with it. The data were analyzed to compare the wet and dry seasons were the analytical data using pollution indices, the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), and the Single-Factor Pollution Index (SFPI). The results revealed that the water quality was mainly excellent (NPI < 0.01) even though in some areas, lead, vanadium, and copper were contaminated. Arsenic (0.0008–0.0145 μg/L), chromium (0.0009–0.0096 μg/L), and nickel (

Influence Of Beryllium Substitution On Vibrational And Electronic Properties Of Carbon Nano-Cone: Density Functional Theory, Rajaa K. Mohammad, Hussein M. L., Ammar S. Hameed, Luma M. Ahmed, Shurooq Sabah Abed Al-Abbas

Baghdad Science Journal

Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the effects of beryllium (Be) substitution on the vibrational and electronic properties of a single-wall carbon nano-cone. The study aims to clarify how Be incorporation modifies the structural stability and electronic characteristics of this nanostructure. Electronic parameters including ionization potential (I), electron affinity (Eea), Fermi energy (Ef), HOMO–LUMO energies, total energy (E), and band gap (Eg) were calculated. Infrared (IR) spectra, optimized geometries, electrostatic potential maps, and electron density distributions were also analyzed. The results indicate that Be substitution reduces the ionization potential while increasing the electron affinity. Incorporation of Be atoms …

A Novel Graphene Nanoplatelets Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor For Glycated Human Albumin Detections, Hadi Al-Sagur, Ali Al-Jawdah, Ali Al-Khazraji, Alexei Nabok

Baghdad Science Journal

This study presents the development of electrochemical biosensors for the glycated albumin (GA) sensitive detection as a crucial biomarker for monitoring glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus (DM). A ferrocene-labelled DNA aptamer specific to glycated albumin was developed as an electrochemical aptamer-based sensor to detect GA. The amine-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), with their enhanced surface area, provided an optimal substrate for aptamer immobilization through covalent interactions. The layer-by-layer full EDC/NHS-GNPs-Aptamer biosensor, tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV), exhibited strong redox peaks due to the good electron transfer activity between the biosensing structures. The GA-aptamer binding was studied using square wave voltammetry (SWV), …

New Optimal Formulas To Conjugate Gradient Method For Image Noise Reduction, Basim A. Hassan, Mohammed W. Taha

Baghdad Science Journal

A key component of conjugate gradient (CG) algorithms is the directions used in the CG approach. Because of their low memory requirements, these directed methods have proven effective in various applications, especially image processing. For this study, we have developed a new conjugate gradient coefficient based on the well-known quadratic model, that will accelerate the convergence and increase the accuracy of the CG approach. Because the new method uses the second order curvature and provides improved direction. So, the global convergence and critical descent characteristics of the final algorithm provide reliable performance in a range of scenarios. The results of …

The Power Of A Princess: Rebranding For A New Generation, Victoria A. Heath

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The lyric “Well, that sounds an awful lot like princess problems” from Snow White (2025) reflects Disney’s evolving portrayal of its princesses as more self-aware and independent. This shift is echoed in earlier live-action adaptations, such as Beauty and the Beast (2017), where Belle’s longing for “adventure in the great wide somewhere” signals her rejection of a limited, traditional role. Guided by Feminist Film Theory and media framing, this study examines how Disney’s rebranding of princess characters in Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Little Mermaid (2023), and Snow White (2025) reflects contemporary ideals of empowerment. Through narrative content and …

Making Sense Of The Body: Cognitive Science, Disability, And Embodiment, Cheyne L. Joslin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to analyze different methodological approaches in the philosophy of cognitive science, with the goal of determining their usefulness for explaining and understanding bodily awareness and skill-acquisition over time. The examples of skill-acquisition are limited to motor control, impaired by various kinds of disability—but then acquired over time, via technological or rehabilitative means. These phenomena of motor learning are then viewed through the lens of two competing theoretical approaches in cognitive science: neuromechanical cognitive science, and radical enactivist cognitive science.

The strengths of the neuromechanical framework are found in its historical pedigree, and in the …

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation As An Adjuvant For Nonfluent Aphasia: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Lynsey M. Keator, Lisa Johnson, Roger Newman-Norlund Ph.D., Kyler Spell, Samaneh Nemati, Leigh Ann Spell, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Effective rehabilitation tools are essential for improving language outcomes in chronic aphasia. Speech entrainment is a behavioral treatment that has shown promise in enhancing speech output in nonfluent aphasia, potentially by acting as an external mechanism to synchronize anterior and posterior language regions in the left hemisphere. Transcranial alternating current stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance functional connectivity between brain regions by amplifying endogenous oscillations. This proof-of-concept study explored whether high-definition tACS (HD-tACS) could improve speech fluency in nonfluent aphasia when paired with speech entrainment. In a double-blind, pseudorandomized study, 1 mA of HD-tACS at 7 Hz was applied to …

Whole-Genome Crispr Screening Identifies Genetic Modifiers Of Stem Cell-Derived Islet Transplantation, Marlie M Maestas, Kameron Bradley, Mira Shunkarova, Noyonika Mukherjee, Matthew Ishahak, James Lu, Jeffrey R Millman

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Genetically engineering human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived islets is a promising strategy for improving transplantation for diabetes cell therapy; however, genetic perturbations that modulate transplantation outcomes have yet to be systematically explored.

METHODS: To identify potential targets, we performed an unbiased whole-genome CRISPR-activation screen in transplanted stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets). Specifically, we created a stem cell line with CRISPR-activation components (HUES8-VPR) and then transduced these stem cells with a lentiviral guide RNA library targeting the whole human genome. Following transduction, the stem cells were differentiated into SC-islets, which were subsequently transplanted into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) immunodeficient mice. After transplantation, SC-islets …

Chimes: March 23, 2026, Calvin University

Chimes

Calvin's 150th marked by historic royal visit by Ian Tjoelker

D3 Hockey makes nationals run in historic season before D2 move by Zack Kern & Hendrik Beelen

Celebrating 150 years: "Calvin on the Road" tour visits Grand Rapids by Alec DeYoung

Jordan archaeology May term cancelled by Sarah Sparling

Calvin's CubeSat program launches into action by Ellery Johnson

Sars-Cov-2 Nonspike Structural Proteins Hijack Mucosa Epithelial Cell Fate, Yan Gao, Lucas Lacerda Souza, Hong Soon Kang, Zehan Li, Juan Carlos Hernandez-Guerrero, Fábio Abreu Alves, Wei Zhang, Vikram Sharma, Sally Hanks, Jinhua Yu, Christopher Tredwin, Anton M. Jetten, Ciro Dantas Soares, Bing Hu

Peninsula Dental School

COVID-19 patients readily present with severe epithelial damage, such as tissue ulceration and erosion, along with disrupted tissue repair, in multiple organs. The mucous membranes of the lung alveoli [1, 2], gastrointestinal tract [3, 4], nasal [5] and oral cavity [6, 7] are the primary targets of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infected epithelium triggers a dysregulated immune response that further damages tissues and organs [8, 9–10]. Increasing evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause direct damage to epithelial cells and fibroblasts [11, 12–13]. Here, we report that the mucosa epithelia of COVID-19 patients can undergo cellular dedifferentiation before any …

Beyond The Dark Hours: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Experiences And Coping Strategies Of Graveyard Shift Workers, Jerelie Robert Muyalde Alcause, Rhuss Maico Mangahas Bartolome, Jayvee Ysulan Bagaporo, Salvador Franz Niño Vargas Aquino, Ian Patrick P. Aquino, Arbee Ray Tokyas Akit, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Graveyard shifts are often correlated with poor working hours and may lead to a reduced level of cognitive and emotional function. Current studies focus on the physical effects of this schedule but often overlook the unique challenges of maintaining a work-life balance under such conditions. Through in-depth interviews, this study explores the psychological and emotional impact of long-term graveyard shifts, along with the coping mechanisms workers use to balance their work and personal lives. The findings of this study reveal that graveyard shift workers commonly experience social isolation, often distancing themselves from friends and family. Emotionally, they report feelings of …

Sa Tibo(K) Ng Kamera: Pagmamapa Sa Dating Ng Mga Lesbiyanang Tauhan Sa Pelikulang Pilipino (1982–2023), Miguel Jae P. Asido, Samuel P. Bernardino, Kataryna Theriz M. Dato-On, Armione Kiera M. Magadia, Ma. Jayanne C. Mapugay

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Pawang nakatuon sa katangian at identidad ang mga diskurso sa lesbiyana sa pelikulang Pilipino subalit hindi pa nasusuri ang dating ng mga tauhang ito nang nakatuon sa teksto. Tinumbok ng pag-aaral na ito ang dating ng anim na lesbiyanang tauhan gamit ang modelo ni Tiongson (2022). Sumandig ang modelo sa Dating ni Lumbera (2000) na tumutuklas sa mga kondisyon sa pagtanggap ng mga likhang-pampanitikan. Natagpuan ang mga karanasang naglululan ng dating ng mga lesbiyanang tauhan na kinatawan ng mga pangunahing temang: Pagpapahalaga sa Propesyon, Pagtutulad sa Lalaki at mga Istiryotipo, Pagkakaila sa Sekswalidad, Pagbubunsod ng Pandalawang-Kasariang Pamantayan ng Lipunan, at …

Protocol For Spatial Profiling Of Immune Cells In The Mouse Cornea And Conjunctiva Using Nanostring Geomx Dsp And Ncounterpro Platforms, Lois Kim, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Quantification of immune cells and their activation status in a spatially specific manner in a healthy or diseased tissue is a valuable tool in immunology. Here, we present a protocol for the spatial profiling of immune cells in the mouse cornea and conjunctiva. We describe steps for immunostaining with photocleavable oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies, selecting regions of interest (ROIs), and collecting UV-cleaved oligonucleotides using GeoMx DSP. We then detail procedures for hybridizing collected oligonucleotides, cartridge blotting using nCounter Pro Prep, data acquisition, and data analysis.

How British Toy Company Jellycat Should Manage Demand And Supply-Chain Volatility In An Uncertain Economic Landscape, Ava Heckmann

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Jellycat is a London-based toy company established in 1999 that gained traction during the pandemic as a result of a viral social media craze driven by nostalgia and renewed focus on mental well-being among adults and Generation Z in particular. Jellycat toys became an international sensation–sold in 77 countries worldwide with majority of sales from the United States, China, EU, and the UK (Jellycat, n.d.). Their plush toys are produced primarily in China and Vietnam (Jellycat, n.d.). This unanticipated social media trend caused a spike in demand that the company struggled to match as supply was constrained due to recent …