Digital Commons Network^™

Regulation Of Autophagy-Mediated Pathways By Diet, Physical Activity, And Sleep In Alzheimer's Disease, Ajish Ariyath, Zoe Mputhia, Christopher Dougherty, Bushra Kaleelur Rahuman, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando, Belinda Brown, Samantha L. Gardener, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Ralph Martins, Prashant Bharadwaj

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, age-related, neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline, memory loss, and accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles. A key feature of AD is impaired protein homeostasis, often driven by autophagy dysfunction. Autophagy, a cellular degradation and recycling process, plays a vital role in maintaining neuronal health and is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic target in AD. Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and sleep can positively influence autophagy and support cognitive function. Intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) activate autophagy and promote longevity; physical activity enhances cerebral blood flow and …

Taurine Supplementation And Human Heat Tolerance: Mechanisms, Evidence, And Integration With Heat Acclimation, Cooling, And Hydration, Siavash Naddafha, Jeffrey R. Stout, Cassandra Evans

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Heat exposure during strenuous exercise increases core temperature and cardiovascular strain, impairing performance and elevating the risk of heat illness. Standard countermeasures include heat acclimation, cooling, and hydration/electrolyte planning. Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid present in excitable tissues and widely used as an oral supplement; emerging human trials suggest it can augment thermoregulation, primarily by enhancing eccrine sweating and evaporative heat loss. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic and applied evidence on taurine during exercise in hot environments and evaluates potential interactions with acclimation, cooling strategies (pre- and per-cooling), and hydration practices. Across a small number of randomized, mostly double-blind …

Loss Of Beta-Cell Identity And Function As A Mechanism Of Secondary Failure Of Sulfonylurea Therapy In Diabetes, Sumit Patel, Zihan Yan, Maria S Remedi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Sulfonylureas, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D), often lose effectiveness over time when used as monotherapy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of sulfonylurea failure, glibenclamide-releasing pellets were implanted in KK mice, a polygenic model that spontaneously develops T2D. KK mice receiving placebo pellets (KK-Placebo) developed hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Notably, KK mice implanted with glibenclamide (KK-Glib) showed improved blood glucose levels during the first 7 days, returning to KK-Placebo levels thereafter. KK-Glib mice exhibited reduced plasma insulin levels and insulin secretion in response to a glucose challenge compared with the …

Clinical Presentation, Risk Factors And Outcome Of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria Infection In Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation: A Multinational Case-Control Study, Mario Fernández-Ruiz, Sasinuch Rutjanawech, Carlos Mejía-Chew, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The clinical and microbiological features of infection due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) remain poorly understood.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multinational case-control study that included HSCT recipients (≥12 years) diagnosed with NTM disease between January 2008 and December 2018. Controls were HSCT recipients with no evidence of NTM disease, matched (1:2 ratio) by participating center and post-transplant survival. Logistic regression on matched pairs was used to investigate risk factors for NTM disease.

RESULTS: We included 25 cases of NTM disease. The most common HSCT type was allogeneic from unrelated donor (72.0%) after myeloablative conditioning …

Prediabetes Associates With Musculoskeletal Alterations Independent Of Total Body Adiposity, Alan Fappi, Clifton J Holmes, Chao Cao, Vasavi Shabrish, Aman P Aher, Karen Shen, Paul K Commean, Dwight A Towler, Dominic N Reeds, Gretchen A Meyer, Bettina Mittendorfer

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Excess adiposity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance, prediabetes, and Type 2 diabetes and increases the risk for sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia later in life. It has been proposed that altered metabolic function and musculoskeletal status in people with obesity are directly linked, presumably because they share common pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the effect of metabolic dysfunction, independent of adiposity, on musculoskeletal status is unknown.

METHODS: We performed a comprehensive assessment of musculoskeletal status in people with overweight/obesity and prediabetes (n = 12; 72% women; age: 67 ± 6 years; weight: 81 ± 11 kg; mean ± SD) and …

Association Of Sleep Disturbance With Survival After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis: Results From The Colocare Study, Anita R Peoples, Adetunji T Toriola, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Sleep problems are common among cancer patients. The relationship between sleep disruption and clinical outcomes after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis remains poorly understood. We investigated associations of sleep disruption with survival and recurrence in patients with CRC.

METHODS: CRC patients with stages I-IV (N = 895) were included in this study. Self-reported sleep disturbance was assessed presurgery using the sleep item from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core-30 and classified into "no/mild" or "moderate/severe" sleep disturbance. Cox-proportional hazard models were computed (HRs and 95% confidence intervals) to investigate associations of sleep disturbance …

Pendo And Shauku, Mikaela Curtis

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

Baked With Real Fruit And A Hint Of Deceit, Katherine La Serna

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

The Sled Dog Whisperer, Shawn Hannah

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

Patient Adherence To Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists In Obesity Management: A Narrative Review Of Real-World Evidence, Zainab M. Al-Shammaa, Heba M. Attash, Rahma S. Almallah, Abdulla Thamer, Fahad Saleem

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Obesity has become a widespread public health problem in many regions of the world. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have a dual effect on glycemic control and weight loss. Liraglutide, semaglutide, and dulaglutide were first used in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and their use is now growing among people without diabetes. Obesity management requires long-term or even lifelong interventions, so adherence to prescribed therapy is critical for achieving weight loss and maintaining it over time. Patient adherence to GLP-1RAs varies depending on the medication used, its dosing frequency, and whether findings come from clinical trials or real-world …

Evaluation Of Large Language Models As Decision Support Tools For Head And Neck Cancer Management: A Blinded Multidisciplinary Simulation Study, Sholem Hack, Ron J. Karni, Antonino Maniaci, Christopher E. Fundakowski, Luca Castellani, Fabiola Incandela, Remo Accorona, Miguel Mayo-Yanez, Martina Violati, Lorenzo Giannini, Niccolo' Mevio, Alberto Maria Saibene

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The management of head and neck cancer relies on multidisciplinary expertise; however, access to tumor boards remains variable. Large language models (LLMs) may support guideline-based decision-making, although performance in complex oncologic scenarios is not well defined.

METHODS: Fourteen synthetic cases based on real tumor board encounters were evaluated. Five blinded comparator arms produced recommendations: a human expert, Non-RAG-GPT-4, Non-RAG-GPT-5, RAG-GPT-4, and RAG-GPT-5. Eight head and neck oncologic surgeons scored each recommendation for appropriateness, clarity, specificity, and feasibility using 5-point Likert scales. Paired permutation testing and inter-rater reliability were assessed.

RESULTS: LLM outputs showed close alignment with expert recommendations. RAG-based …

Assessing The Coordination And Consistency Of The Policy System For Achieving China's Carbon Neutrality Goal Based On Text And Network Methods, Jinhua Xu

Double Helix Methodology

Lack of coordination and consistency in government policy-making has long been recognized as a weakness, yet its systematic quantification has been neglected. This study investigates this shortcoming by employing computational linguistics and network analysis tools to evaluate the coordination and consistency of climate policies in China through cross-referencing and collaboration among the State Council, ministries and local governments. A comprehensive dictionary of key policy terms and objectives from two key climate policies issued by the State Council, namely Opinions and Action Plan, was constructed to evaluate the succeeding 95 policy documents. The analysis of linguistic discontinuity provides insights into the …

Assessing Climate And Transition Risks To China's Agriculture Under 1.5 And 2.0 °C Global Warming Scenarios, Qiang Ji

Double Helix Methodology

China's agriculture faces dual risks from climate change and the transition to low-carbon agriculture, both of which pose substantial threats to food security and farmers' incomes. Understanding the trade-offs between these risks is essential to meeting climate goals and advancing sustainable agricultural development. This study establishes a comprehensive framework that integrates meta-analysis-derived parameters into the GTAP-E model to quantify the dual risks to China's agriculture under the 1.5 and 2 °C scenarios. The results indicate that under the 2 °C scenario, weaker mitigation efforts lead to higher climate risks, with maize production, prices, consumption, and self-sufficiency changing by about 1.5 …

An Impact Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of Utilizing Informal Health Communication Interventions To Spread Health Recommendations And Change Public Perception, Lina Mohamed Ezzat Ahmed Abdel Mawgoud

Theses and Dissertations

Brain health is an increasingly urgent but critically under-addressed public health priority in Egypt and the wider MENA region. Despite its centrality to aging, productivity, and overall quality of life, public understanding of brain health remains limited, and stigma continues to shape responses to dementia and cognitive decline. This study evaluates the effectiveness of informal, culturally adapted health communication as a tool to shift perception, increase awareness, and promote behavior change among non-medically trained adults in Egypt.

Grounded in global evidence on cognitive reserve, neuroplasticity, and the life-course approach to brain health, the intervention translated expert-informed brain health recommendations into …

Investigating The Risk Factors Affecting The Control Of Diabetes And Hypertension In The Refugees Living In Egypt, Noura Seada

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of global deaths, with high prevalence of Diabetes and Hypertension worldwide. Egypt hosts over 1 million registered refugees and asylum seekers, often lacking inclusion in social protection or insurance schemes. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the control of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and Hypertension (HTN) among Syrian and Sudanese refugees in Egypt, focusing on healthcare access, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health behaviours.

Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design using a self-administered questionnaire and BMI measurement. Data were collected from 246 refugees diagnosed with type T2D and/or HTN in the …

Statute Meets Custom: Explaining Provincial Variation In Child Marriage After Indonesia’S 2019 Reform, I Made Yudisthira, Diahhadi Setyonaluri

Jurnal Ekonomi Kependudukan dan Keluarga

This study investigates whether Indonesia’s 2019 Marriage Law reform, which raised the minimum legal age of marriage to 19, has been associated with lower child marriage prevalence. Using province-level aggregates from the 2022 Indonesian National Socio-Economic Survey (SUSENAS, N = 1,237,946), we distinguish documented and undocumented unions and estimate Ordinary Least Squares models with controls for poverty, education, assets, rural residence, religious composition, and marriage dispensations. Descriptive maps show prevalence is highest in South Kalimantan (18%), East Java (17%), and West Java (17%), with undocumented unions concentrated in West Nusa Tenggara (7%), Banten (5%), Papua (5%), and West Sulawesi (5%). …

Developing A Welfare Index Based On Maqasid Shariah: Assessing The Contribution Of Hajj Fund Management In Indonesia, Agus Khoeron Fadli, Nugroho Bhanuaji Susanto, Fikri Rafif Nurcahyo

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose – This study evaluates the welfare contribution of the Ummah’s Endowment Fund (Dana Abadi Umat, DAU) within Indonesia’s Hajj fund management by constructing a Maqasid Shariah-based Welfare Index (WI–DAU) to assess whether allocations translate into community welfare benefits.

Design/methodology/approach – Using Al-Najjar’s Maqasid Shariah framework, the research combines expert judgment and practitioner insights with the Analytic Network Process (ANP) to derive weights for welfare dimensions and program activities. The index is calculated from planned budgets and realized DAU allocations over 2018–2024.

Findings – The weighting results place safeguarding the physical environment as the most important dimension (0.299), while safeguarding …

Keeping It Together: Assessing The Wellbeing Of Project-Based Development Practitioners In Egypt, Amira Ahmed Abdallah Fekry Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the wellbeing of project-based development practitioners in Egypt, revealing how systemic pressures—bureaucracy, job insecurity, and fragmented workloads—undermine both wellbeing and productivity. The study employed a mixed-approach, combining 10 in-depth interviews with subject matter experts and practitioners and 75 surveys with development practitioners in Egypt. Data revealed that while many practitioners are driven by purpose, structural challenges erode resilience and motivation over time. Social support networks and personal coping strategies help but cannot replace institutional protections. The study argues that wellbeing must shift from being treated as an individual concern to a structural responsibility. Reframing organizational models around …

Salivary Protein Quantity, Ionic Value, And Protein Movement In Stunted And Non-Stunted Children In Indonesia, Munifah Abdat, Sri Rezeki, Putri N. Zulkifli, Mela R. Adinda, Ardiansyah S. Pawinru, Eka Setyawardana

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: This study aimed to analyze total salivary protein quantity, ionic activity, and protein molecular movement in children with and without stunting.

Material and Method: Saliva samples were collected from 30 children aged 4-6years (15stunted and15 non-stunted). Proteins were extracted using 0.1 M HCI. The total protein quantity was determined using the Bradford assay and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Salivary ionic activity (dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total dissolved solids) and salivary viscosity were measured using an ionic meter and an Ostwald viscometer, respectively. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman correlation analyses (a=0.05).

Results: Stunted children had …

The Voices Of Educators And Elders: Examining A Supplemental Educational Program Through A Culturally Responsive Lens In Gullah Geechee And African American Communities, Kelly D. Shelton

Dissertations

African American students in South Carolina experience historical educational suppression (Anderson, 1988; Bowers et al., 2018; Fabel, 2019). This qualitative case study investigated how the use of African Diaspora and Gullah Geechee culture in supplemental education programs supported the academic success of youth. Using a culturally and historically responsive literacy and critical race theoretical framing (Gay, 2013; Hammond, 2015; Ladson-Billings, 2014; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1997; Mills, 1997; Muhammad, 2020), this study captured the voices and insights of community elders and program directors of The Village Group, that makes use of Gullah Geechee cultural, academic, and vocational practices to engage and …

Preoperative Malnutrition Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications Following Lumbar Fusion: A Propensity-Matched Analysis, Ali Mehaidli, Muaaz Wajahath, Jad Lawand, Omar Abdalla, Lorenzo Deveza, Noah Hodson, Ryan J Berger, Kevin Taliaferro

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Lumbar fusion (LF) is a common surgical intervention for degenerative spinal conditions but carries significant short- and long-term risks. Preoperative malnutrition, characterized by low serum albumin or leukocyte counts, impairs wound healing and increases susceptibility to infection, yet its influence on LF outcomes remains underexplored. This study evaluates the association between preoperative malnutrition and long-term postoperative outcomes following LF.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing LF between 2003 and 2023 were identified in the TriNetX US Collaborative Network. Malnutrition was defined as serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL or leukocyte count < 1,500/mm3 within 1 year preoperatively. A 1:1 propensity score match was performed for demographics, comorbidities, surgical approach, and body mass index (BMI), yielding two cohorts (n=20,693 each). Ninety-day and 5‑year postoperative outcomes were compared using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Malnourished patients experienced significantly higher 90‑day rates of transfusion (8.4% vs. 4.5%; HR 1.87, 95% CI: …

Ai-Driven Stratified Modeling For Early Liver Disease Detection: A Comparative Study Of Ensemble And Conventional Machine Learning Classifiers, Ghadeer Murtadha Ali, Ali Aqeel Hadi, Mustafa Abdulkareem Abbas, Abdullah Alkarar Mohammad, Ahmed Fadhil Abdulhussein

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Background: Early prediction of liver disease remains challenging in routine clinical diagnostics due to the multifactorial nature of hepatic dysfunction and the limited discriminative capacity of conventional laboratory-only assessments.

Objective: This study aims to develop and rigorously evaluate a robust machine learning framework for binary liver disease classification, emphasizing predictive stability, diagnostic balance (sensitivity–specificity), and statistical reproducibility across repeated experiments.

Methodology: A structured dataset of 1,700 records with 11 features representing demographic, behavioral, genetic, and clinical determinants was used to train and compare five supervised models: CatBoost, AdaBoost, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Tree. Performance was assessed …

Unlocking Hope: Mirtazapine's Promise In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment, Rebecca K. Hicks, Iram Kingson, Jordan Gaal, Suzanne Holroyd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are first-line treatments for OCD, a significant proportion of patients remain refractory to these interventions. Mirtazapine, an atypical antidepressant with unique pharmacological properties, has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. This review synthesizes existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety profile of mirtazapine in OCD management. We analyze clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports, distinguishing high- vs. low-quality evidence, and discuss mechanisms underlying mirtazapine's therapeutic effects. Additionally, …

Corporate Power, Ecological Crisis, And Animal Rights, Carl Boggs

Fast Capitalism

No abstract provided.

Child Poverty Typologies And Protective Factors In Scavenger Communities: Implications For Participatory Social Development Strategies, Debrina Vita Ferezagia, Budiman Mahmud Musthofa

Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia

This study aims to develop a typology of child poverty and identify protective factors that can support the formulation of social development strategies. The research was conducted through a case study in a scavenger settlement area in Jakarta using a qualitative approach, through observations and in-depth interviews. The findings show that child poverty in scavenger communities can be categorized into three main dimensions: material poverty, opportunity poverty, and relational poverty. However, behind these vulnerabilities, several protective factors play a crucial role in sustaining the resilience of both children and the community. In the dimension of material poverty, although children face …

Fighting The Black Snake: The Dapl And The Case For Indigenous Environmental Stewardship, Kenny Moll

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis analyzes the current scope of environmental injustice on Native lands in the U.S. Specifically it examines The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and its impacts on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota. Western colonialism and capitalism have dominated North American ecosystems since their forcible introduction hundreds of years ago, causing the commodification of natural resources and leading to injustices such as that of the “Black Snake.” However, the story of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s resistance will be analyzed through the framework of Indigenous philosophy and environmental justice. Chapter 1 analyzes the implementation of the DAPL and …

The Innovative Food Choice Map As A Bottom-Up Mixed-Methods Approach To Studying Food Choice Motivations, Uyen Thuy Xuan Phan, Edgar Chambers Iv

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

This study presents the innovative Food Choice Map (iFCM) as a methodological innovation for investigating food choice motivations using an integrated qualitative and quantitative approach. One hundred in-depth interviews were conducted with adults living in the United States, during which participants constructed individualized visual maps of their typical weekly diet. These maps documented specific foods and beverages, eating occasions, frequencies of consumption, and self-articulated motivations for each choice. Using a bottom-up framework grounded in real consumption events, qualitative data were inductively coded into fifteen motivation constructs, which were subsequently analyzed using Correspondence Analysis to demonstrate how motivational patterns can be …

Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Indonesia Dalam Pandangan Media Internasional Berbahasa Arab, Said Muhammad Hasan Al Syarif

Multikultura

This study examines how Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program is represented in Arabic language media, focusing on the construction of ideology and the framing of public policy within discourse. As a quick-win initiative of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration in 2025, the MBG Program aims to improve nutrition and human capital quality, yet it has sparked controversy and drawn significant international media attention. This research addresses a gap in existing studies by critically analyzing the representation of Indonesian social policy in Arab media. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method using Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), encompassing three dimensions: …

Public Perception Of Pedestrian Space In Industrial Zones: A Case Study Of The Pulogadung Industrial Zone, Herlina Merinda, Hayati Sari Hasibuan, Sri Setiawati Tumuyu

International Review of Humanities Studies

Addressing the difficulties of sustainable development, the Jakarta Industrial Estate Pulogadung encounters the challenge of becoming more inclusive in constructing infrastructure for walkers by creating paths that are friendly for pedestrians As walking serves as an important sustainable and healthful means of transport, having pedestrian pathways can enhance how the public views pedestrian accessibility in their workplace. This, in turn, can promote the use of more eco-friendly public transport options. This research aims to explore how the public views pedestrians in industrial zones, with the goal of promoting spaces that are friendly to walkers. The study utilized a quantitative method …

Skipjack Tuna Bones As A Source Of Calcium And Phosphorus For The Raw Material For Remineralization Of Teeth, Syamsiah Syam, Nur F. Arifin, Ayustikarini Surahman, Waode Da. Swastika

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the amount of calcium and phosphorus contained in skipjack tuna bones, the most widely produced and consumed fish in Indonesia, so that in the future, these fish bones, which are often unused, can potentially be utilized as raw materials for tooth remineralization.

Material and Method: The sample was skipjack fish bone powder (Katsuwonus pelamis) which was then subjected to functional group analysis with the Fourier Transform Infra-Red instrument (FTIR), calcium level analysis with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and phosphorus level analysis with a UV-Visible Spectrophotometer.

Results: The functional groups of skipjack …