Digital Commons Network^™

Unveiling Immune-Related Gene Signatures In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Through Integrated Transcriptomic Analysis, Priyanga Paranthaman, Ramanathan Karuppasamy, Shanthi Veerappapillai

BioMedicine

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly immune-related gene networks, is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets. Aim: This study aimed to identify immune-related hub genes involved in TNBC progression by integrating microarray and RNA sequencing data. Methods: We integrated microarray and RNA sequencing datasets from five Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) studies (GSE36295, GSE37751, GSE61724, GSE38959, and GSE58135) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database. Key modules and hub genes were identified through network analysis. …

Evaluation Of Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala)-Based Herbal Formulae In Breast Cancer: Implications For Metastasis Via Zeb1 And Slug Modulation, Yen Shen Lu, Pei Yen Yeh, Ling-Chun Yeh, Chia-Lin Lee, Ying-Chyi Song

BioMedicine

Background: Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. [Asteraceae]) is classified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an herb that targets the gastric and pancreatic meridians to support normal nutrient uptake. As such, Bai-Zhu is commonly included in herbal formulations for treating gastrointestinal dysfunction and alleviating pain and swelling. Formulae containing Bai-Zhu are also frequently used as complementary or alternative therapies to mitigate the side effects of tumor treatments. However, their direct effects on cancer cells remain inadequately understood in modern biomedical science. This study aims to characterize the impact of Bai-Zhu-containing formulae on breast cancer cells using contemporary molecular and cellular …

Impacts Of Dna Ligase I Genotypes On Taiwan Parkinson’S Disease, Chao-Hsuan Chen, Wen-Shin Chang, Chia-Wen Tsai, Da-Tian Bau, Shih-Wei Hsu, Kun-Ting Hong, Chon-Haw Tsai, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Ming-Kuei Lu, Jai-Sing Yang

BioMedicine

Introduction: Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair pathways can modulate

DNA repair capacity and influence susceptibility to aging-related disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study evaluated the association between the DNA ligase I rs20579 polymorphism and PD risk.

Materials and Methods: Genotyping of DNA ligase I rs20579 was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in

123 PD patients and 492 age- and sex-matched controls of Taiwanese Han ethnicity.

Associations between rs20579 genotypes and PD risk were analyzed.

Results: Among controls, the genotype distribution of rs20579 was 78.7% GG, 19.3% AG, and 2.0% AA, compared with 75.6%, 21.1%, and …

Hepatoprotective Evaluation Of Benzoylated Emodin Derivatives: Integrating Bioinformatics And In Vitro Studies, Firdayani Firdayani, Putri Hawa Syaifie, Siska Andrina Kusumastuti, Muthia Rahayu Iresha, Wirawan Adikusuma, Dhecella Winy Cintya Ningrum, Etik Mardliyati, Ayu Masyita, Ariza Yandwiputra Besari, Fathir Azzaki Iradata, Lucy Arianie

BioMedicine

Background: Emodin exhibits various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective effects. However, its clinical application is limited by poor absorption and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to optimize emodin through benzoylation and to assess the hepatoprotective potential of the resulting derivatives integrating bioinformatics and in vitro methods.

Methods: We conducted network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict potential targets and interactions of benzoylated emodin derivatives. The derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. The hepatoprotective effects were assessed in vitro using a paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell injury model.

Results: Network pharmacology analysis and gene …

High-Throughput Robotic Ethanol Inhibition Assays For Engineered Thermophilic Biofuel Strains, Kevin He, Daniel Olson, Marybeth Maloney, Anthony Lanahan

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters

Ethanol stress assays are commonly used to evaluate microbial tolerance, metabolic adaptation, and fermentation performance. However, manual liquid handling introduces variability across replicate wells and small-volume pipetting steps, limiting reproducibility and throughput. This study developed an automated OT-2 robotic workflow to generate replicated ethanol concentration gradients for high-throughput inhibition assays in engineered thermophilic biofuel strains. Kinetic plate-reader measurements were used to quantify ethanol-dependent growth responses under anaerobic fermentation conditions. The reasearch question is: How do engineered thermophilic biofuel strains differ in ethanol-dependent growth inhibition under anaerobic fermentation conditions, and can automated robotic assays improve the reproducibility of these measurements? Can …

The Correlation Between Perceptual Abilities And The Acquisition Of Non-Native Consonant Clusters, Hope Emma Nielson

Theses and Dissertations

A common approach in the study of speech motor learning is to have speakers learn to produce clusters of consonants that do not occur in their native language. This study investigated the relationship between auditory or speech perceptual abilities and the initial acquisition of non-native stop-stop consonant clusters. Sixty young adult participants (56 female, four male) were administered a gap detection test and a speech-in-noise test to assess their innate perceptual skills. The participants then performed a nonsense-word repetition task featuring non-native consonant clusters in the initial position. The participants' spoken productions of the nonwords were recorded and analyzed acoustically …

Expert Recommendations To Strengthen Chikungunya Outbreak Surveillance And Reporting For Traveler Health Protection, Daniel C. Payne, Karoun H. Bagamian, Jeffery Goad, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Michael A. Johansson, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Eyal Leshem, Francesca F. Norman, Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales, Henrik Salje, Stephen Thomas, Scott C. Weaver, Lindsey A. Laytner, Rebecca Sturgis, Suzanne K. Scheele, Davidson H. Hamer

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chikungunya, a debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by chikungunya virus, has surged dramatically in the past two decades. Chikungunya outbreaks can intensify rapidly, with infections posing a significant endemic health burden in tropical/subtropical areas and for travelers. Health professionals require timely and accurate outbreak information to adequately protect travelers and assess chikungunya risk. However, detection is often insufficient in the areas most susceptible to outbreaks, leading to diagnostic and reporting delays. Consequently, travelers are often unaware of increased chikungunya infection risk at their destination. We assessed chikungunya surveillance and reporting resources, and we developed expert recommendations for traveler health protection. Because …

Full Issue - 53.1

New England Classical Journal

No abstract provided.

Researchers Develop Method To Detect Diseases Before Symptoms Appear, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi professor and his team have developed a technology that may one day lead to the early diagnosis of juvenile diabetes and CTE caused by traumatic brain injuries.

Recognizing Early Eating Disorder Signs In Pediatrics, Sarah Gubara, Sara R. Gould

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

A concise guide for frontline clinicians on early physical and behavioral red flags — changes in growth trajectory, micronutrient concerns, exam‑time anxiety or sudden “healthy” eating shifts. Dr. Sara Gould emphasizes practical 24‑hour recalls, when to order labs/EKG and how to use longitudinal data from well visits to detect problems sooner.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Modulate Obesity And Related Metabolic Complications For Yielding Improvements In Ibd Outcomes (Modify-Ibd): Consensus On Obesity And Cardiometabolic Comorbidities In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Systematic Reviews And The Rand/Ucla Appropriateness Method, Jalpa Devi, Sami Samaan, Priya Sehgal, Mouhand Mohamed, Matthew Vincent, Shannon Coombs, Michelle Doering, Edward L. Barnes, Amanda M. Johnson, Andres J. Yarur, Parakkal Deepak

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and related cardiometabolic comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, are increasingly prevalent among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These conditions influence disease activity, therapeutic response, surgical outcomes and overall quality of life, yet evidence remains fragmented. The Modulate Obesity and relateD metabolic complIcations For Yielding improvements in IBD outcomes (MODIFY-IBD) initiative aims to synthesise evidence and generate consensus recommendations to guide practice and future research in this area. This study describes a protocol for a structured evidence synthesis and Research And Development/University of California, Los …

The Bloom Of Atē: Women's Lives, Pain, And Metaphor In Sophocles' Trachinian Women, Casey Dué, Mary Ebbott

New England Classical Journal

This essay explores recurring metaphors for pain in the Trachinian Women and argues that they gain their meaning from the experiences of the women Deianeira and Iole, to later express the physical pain of Herakles, which is further conceptualized as atē. These metaphors employ imagery associated with natural cycles, such as blooming flowers and ocean waves. The metaphorical connections between the women’s emotional pain and Herakles’ physical agony helps us to arrive at a fuller understanding of what is meant when Herakles concludes that he is “like a parthenos” and has been found to be female (1071 and …

The Constitutional Dimension Of Ai: A Phenomenology Of Cybernetic Power, Andrea Simoncini

Maryland Law Review Online

No abstract provided.

Mother Knows Best? Mahmoud V. Mcknight And The Question Of Parental Free Speech In Public School Curriculum Selection, Natalie Wren

Maryland Law Review Online

No abstract provided.

Short Peptoid Capping Ligands Stabilize Dispersion Of Gold Nanospheres In Aqueous Solutions, Hanna G. Goldberg, Isabella K. Matusich, Jack M. Petersen, Nikhila Raman, Joseph C. Hong, Gabriela Edler, Daniel K. Tanaka, Jwwad M. Javed, Amelia A. Fuller

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Surface functionalization of colloidal gold nanoparticles with capping ligands is critical for controlling their dispersive stability and for introducing application-specific moieties. Peptoids (N-substituted glycine oligomers) are useful candidates for study as capping ligands owing to their straightforward preparation and their biocompatibility. In this work, we have prepared a library of five-residue peptoids and evaluated them as capping ligands for 10 nm gold nanospheres. Our findings revealed important sequence features of peptoids that stabilize nanosphere colloidal dispersions in a range of aqueous conditions that vary in ionic strength and pH. We have also characterized the sizes and surface charges of peptoid-capped …

Rethinking Functional Groupings In Basketball Wings Through Ecological Trait Frameworks, Dhruv Mehrotra

Theses and Dissertations

This paper starts with a review about Plant Functional Types and then goes deeper into the conceptual foundations of Plant Functional Types (PFT's) with detailed discussion of global trait spectra such as the leaf economics spectrum and the fast-slow continuum. Using concepts like response and effect traits, the review then talks about how a trait based ecological framework can provide a more robust guideline to classify plants. The review then talks about how players in basketball have been classified in the past along with some of the newer typologies. The review starts to draw some parallels between the ecological framework …

Acidic Extracellular Ph-Induced Pth Secretion In Male Mouse Parathyroids Is Ogr1-Dependent, Yanmei Yang, Mengcun Chen, Mingshu Cui, Elisabeth Lashbrooks, Bin Wang

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The role of extracellular acidity in regulating PTH secretion in cultured mouse parathyroid glands (PTGs) has not been studied to date, largely because of the technical difficulty of isolating mouse PTGs. We hypothesized that acidic extracellular pH directly stimulates PTH secretion through activation of a proton-sensing receptor, specifically ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1, also known as GPR68). To test this, we developed a method to reliably identify and isolate PTGs from male mice by administering 5-aminolevulinic acid, which induced selective fluorescence in these glands. Using this model, we demonstrate that acidic extracellular pH significantly stimulates PTH secretion in …

If You’Re Doing This Correctly, There Is A Cost: An Exploration Of The Work–Family Trade-Off Of Female Academics In Australia, Fleur Sharafizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This paper aims to explore how the gendered structures and expectations of neoliberal academic institutions inform and shape work–family trade-off considerations for women academics in Australia. It also sheds light on how these negotiations, and at times, the ensuing career or family gap, are experienced. In doing so, the paper deepens our understanding of the systematic barriers which do not only lead to gender inequalities in academia but also have broader individual and social implications. Design/methodology/approach: This exploratory study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews, which were thematically analysed to identify how female academics navigate the expectations associated with …

Sexual Touching While Sleeping: Occurrence, Context, Responses, And Perceptions Of Sexual Assault Among Undergraduates, Michelle Drouin, Tara Cornelius

Health Services and Informatics Research

Sexual consent is central to cases of sexual assault and rape. Logically, sleeping persons cannot consent; yet there has been scant research examining the experience of sexual touching while sleeping. The current research is the first known to specifically examine sexual touching with a sleeping partner, with a goal of understanding the contextual features surrounding, responses to, and perceptions of the legality and acceptability of these behaviors. Undergraduate participants from two universities (N = 724) completed several measures assessing their experience of sexual touching while sleeping, the context, sexual precedence, responses, and their perceptions of such touching. A significant proportion …

Acidic Extracellular Ph-Induced Pth Secretion In Male Mouse Parathyroids Is Ogr1-Dependent, Yanmei Yang, Mengcun Chen, Mingshu Cui, Elisabeth Lashbrooks, Bin Wang

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The role of extracellular acidity in regulating PTH secretion in cultured mouse parathyroid glands (PTGs) has not been studied to date, largely because of the technical difficulty of isolating mouse PTGs. We hypothesized that acidic extracellular pH directly stimulates PTH secretion through activation of a proton-sensing receptor, specifically ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1, also known as GPR68). To test this, we developed a method to reliably identify and isolate PTGs from male mice by administering 5-aminolevulinic acid, which induced selective fluorescence in these glands. Using this model, we demonstrate that acidic extracellular pH significantly stimulates PTH secretion in …

Cross-Scale Feature Learning For Alzheimer's Disease Detection Via Hybrid Deep Networks, Essam Haidar Majeed, Fallah H. Najjar, Safaa M. Kareem, Munaf H. Kareem, Duha Amer Mahdi

Baghdad Science Journal

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is the leading causeof dementia. Early diagnosis is essential for interepting the progressionof cognitive decline and favoring the clinical outcome, although conventional diagnostic means may not be able to identify early symptomatic forms. In this manuscript, we propose a residual attention-based hybrid deep learning model withthe EfficientNetB1 backbone for improving the classification of AD based on structural MRI data obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and ADNI1 datasets. The network structure integrates two-dimensional (2D) convolutional feature extraction, multi-head self-attention for building the global context information, and residual learning. The …

Enhanced Population Mean Estimation Using An Exponential Estimator With Known Medians Of Dual Auxiliary Variables Within A Neutrosophic Approach: Applications In Agricultural Yield Prediction, Anchal Yadav, Mukesh Kumar

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

In classical statistical theory, estimation of population parameters is generally carried out under the assumption that all observed data are precise, complete, and free from ambiguity. However, in many practical and real-world situations, data often deviate from these ideal conditions and instead appear in vague, uncertain, or interval-valued forms. Such imperfections reduce the effectiveness of traditional estimation techniques and motivate the development of more flexible and robust methodologies. To address these challenges, several improved estimators, particularly neutrosophic ratio-type estimators and their advanced extensions, have been proposed in recent literature. In this study, a new estimator known as the two auxiliary …

Wake-On-Anomaly Federated Architecture For Privacy-Preserving Poultry Health Early Warning, Mahmoud Aziz Louati

Masters Theses

Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks, respiratory disease, heat stress, and silent equipment failures share one operational reality: they are detected too late because today’s poultry-health workflow is reactive, manual, and dependent on producers volunteering commercially sensitive data. This thesis presents a wake-on-anomaly federated architecture that addresses both the detection-latency problem and the privacy–adoption deadlock that has so far prevented cross-farm collaboration. The architecture is organized in two tiers. Tier 1 is a lightweight LSTM autoencoder that continuously screens four routine telemetry channels (water, feed, house temperature, activity proxy) and emits a per-window reconstruction-error score. A debounced k-of-m trigger with cooldown …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 05/26/2026, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Isometric Force Characterization Of Braided Pneumatic Actuators, Ben Bolen, Mohammad Elzein, Lawrence Pang, Alexander Hunt

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Artificial muscles such as braided pneumatic actuators (BPAs) offer many advantages for robotic systems, including high durability and strength-to-weight ratios. However, their use in robotic systems is still extremely limited, in part due to their poor force, length, and pressure characterization. In this work, a test setup is created to compare force produced by Festo fluidic BPAs with leading models. Our analysis of the data has resulted in (1) the development of new equations to calculate force as functions of pressure and contraction for Festo BPAs with uninflated diameters of 10 mm and 20 mm, and (2) a novel equation …

Seed Endophyte Bacillus Atrophaeus Colonizes Root And Shoot Tissues Providing Antifungal Activity During Wheat Seedling Establishment, Anagha Wankhade, Zhiting Xu, Ashlynn Clark, David Britt

Biological Engineering Student Research

Seed-associated endophytes become active during germination, playing important roles as early colonizers of plant tissues and contributing to plant health while residing in a protective niche. In this study, we characterized a wheat-derived bacterial isolate, JunSE1L, to determine its functional traits and ecological role in the plant microbiome. The isolate was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus based on 16S rRNA analysis. JunSE1L exhibited nutrient-dependent plasticity in colony architecture, forming robust hydrophobic biofilms and pellicles under rich nutrient availability while swarming and forming thin, often dendritic colonies under defined nutrition. JunSE1L produced highly surface-active compounds that lowered the surface tension of water …

Diabetes Case Detection Based On Neuroevolutionary Algorithm And Ganet Tool, Ivan V. Stepanyan, Safa A. Hameed, Minhai Hou

Baghdad Science Journal

This paper proposes a method utilizing an evolutionary algorithm (EA) to improve the learning process within the artificial neural network (ANN). The study utilized two models: the neuroevolutionary algorithm and the GANet tool. These algorithms were trained on two clinical diabetes datasets to discern health conditions. Each Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FANN) layer in a neuroevolutionary algorithm is broken into multiple ANNs according to the number of neurons. The evolutionary technique later utilizes crossover and mutation operations to produce an ideal FANN. Enhanced artificial neural networks were subsequently incorporated to provide an innovative and robust functional artificial neural network for …

Evaluation Of Serum Eotaxin And Related Biomarkers In Focal And Generalized Epilepsy, Fenik Ahmed Nadir, Firas Shawqi Algburi, Zeyan Abdullah Ali, Shaima Ahmed Nadir

Baghdad Science Journal

Epilepsy is a common brain disorder, characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures, with associated neuropsychiatric and cognitive comorbidities and increased mortality. Assessment of serum Eotaxin and related biomarkers offers useful information about neuroinflammatory activity and metabolic imbalance in epilepsy, and may have potential value as diagnostic and prognostic tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Eotaxin, Intelectin-1, Kynurenine, and Proprotein Convertase-1 and epilepsy. The study consisted of 90 subjects who were classified into three groups: 30 healthy controls, 31 patients with focal epilepsy, and 30 patients with generalized epilepsy. Serum samples were obtained, and biomarker concentrations …

The Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase As A Potential Diagnostic Marker For Beta-Thalassemia And Its Correlation With Hemoglobin Profiles, Duaa K. Mohammed, Layla O. Farhan

Baghdad Science Journal

The erythropoietic dysfunction and iron insufficiency associated with β -Thalassemia (β -TH) underscore the importance of augmenting traditional diagnostic techniques with independent biomarkers, beyond standard panels. This single-center case–control study (n = 120 β -TH major, 55; β -TH intermedia, 25; control, 40) examined whether circulating phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) distinguishes patients from controls and correlates with hemoglobin fractions. The serum PI3K was significantly higher in β -TH (p < 0.001), with excellent discrimination tested in serum (AUC = 0.934; optimal cut-off > 1301 pg/mL; sensitivity 100%, specificity 80%). In a multivariable model, HbA₂% and HbF% were both positively and independently associated with PI3K. These results are biologically consistent with the interaction of erythroid …

T2b Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Diagnosed By Frozen Section With High-Grade Dysplasia At The Cystic Duct Margin: Diagnostic And Prognostic Considerations, Christopher M. Ahmad, Rachana Tadakamalla, Rae-Anne Kastle, Salman Muqeet, Amer Abboud

Student Publications

Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is an uncommon gastrointestinal malignancy that is frequently discovered incidentally during cholecystectomy. Intraoperative frozen section is often used to guide surgical decision-making but has inherent limitations, particularly in assessing depth of invasion. We report the case of a 78-year-old female who underwent an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a gallbladder mass. Intraoperative frozen section demonstrated a tubulovillous adenoma with at least carcinoma in situ. Subsequent permanent histologic evaluation revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma invading the hepatic-side perimuscular connective tissue, consistent with pT2b disease. Despite the advanced T stage, the tumor exhibited several relatively favorable histologic features, including negative margins …