Digital Commons Network^™

Biodegradable Pcl–Plga Electrospun Nanofibers For Localized Cancer Therapy, Rahul Tiwari, Pranav, Joel Delossantos, Eswara N.H.K. Ghali, Luis Chavez, Vishal Sharad Chaudhari, Songyang Han, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

Localized chemotherapy offers a promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy while minimizing the systemic toxicity of conventional cancer treatment, particularly following tumor resection. Electrospun nanofibers are well suited for this purpose due to their high porosity, extracellular matrix-mimicking architecture, and capacity for localized drug release. In this study, electrospun nanofibers based on PCL and PLGA were developed for localized cancer therapy. Three distinct nanofibrous architectures were fabricated: PCL nanofibers, PCL−PLGA blended nanofibers, and PCL−PLGA multilayered (tetra-layered) nanofibers, and their encapsulation efficiency was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed uniform, bead-free nanofibrous morphologies, while Fourier transform infrared …

Serum-Derived Albumin As A Cryoprotective Agent For The Long-Term Storage Of Red Blood Cells: A Preliminary Examination, Thomas Bailey-Schmidt, Christine V Saunders, Chloë E George, Thomas G Scorer, Lynn M R Mccallum, Tracey E Madgett

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation extends the shelf life of red blood cells (RBC) from weeks to years, offering major advantages for blood banking logistics, especially in remote environments. However, current glycerol-based methods, though effective, are limited in scope due to complex post-thaw washing and incompatibility with routine clinical workflows. This study evaluated plasma-derived albumin as a potential alternative cryoprotective agent (CPA) for human RBC.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donor-derived RBC were suspended in 25% w/v bovine serum albumin (BSA) prepared in various diluents and tested for biocompatibility and cryoprotective efficacy under rapid freezing (immersion in liquid nitrogen) and gradual freezing with storage …

Assessment Of The Bioremediation Potentials Of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacterial Strains Recovered From Spent Engine Oil-Contaminated Environments In Southwest Nigeria, Nafisa Mohammed Babayola, Nasiru Bright Lecky, Chinweizu Obioma Onumaegbu, Olufunmiso Olusola Olajuyigbe, Martins Ajibade Adefisoye

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Environmental pollution from hydrocarbons and their derivatives is predominantly of anthropogenic origin, occurring mainly during mining, transportation, and storage. This often in an annual release of substantial amounts of pollutants into the environment. The effective restoration of petroleum-contaminated environments requires a series of interventions to remediate soil to its natural state. This study aimed to isolate and characterize biosurfactant-producing bacterial strains with potential bioremediation capabilities to assess the potential application for remediating soils polluted with spent engine oil in the Remo district, Ogun State. Bacterial isolates were recovered from soil samples collected from spent engine oil contaminated sites, using standard …

Toxoplasmosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome In A Patient With Newly Diagnosed Hiv/Aids, Shivam Singh, Divya Samat Md, Viraj Shah, Kelly Brenan-Rothschild, Anthony Donato

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a common cause of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in advanced HIV, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) can precipitate immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Toxoplasma-related IRIS is rare but poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Case Presentation: We report a 40-year-old male with advanced HIV (CD4 <35 cells/mm3, viral load 540,000 copies/mL) who initially presented with seizures and multiple ring-enhancing supratentorial lesions. Serology and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmedToxoplasma gondii, and he was treated with high-dose sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, dexamethasone, and ART. A lymph node biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with intracellularHistoplasmaspecies. One month later, following brief interruption of anti-toxoplasma therapy, he developed recurrent seizures and radiographic progression despite ART adherence. Repeat evaluation excluded other infections or malignancy. Brain biopsy confirmedT. gondii, and IRIS was diagnosed. The patient improved with re-initiation of high-dose anti-toxoplasma therapy, corticosteroids, and seizure prophylaxis. Discussion: This case illustrates paradoxical toxoplasmosis-associated IRIS in the context of advanced HIV and concurrent opportunistic infection. Early recognition, exclusion of alternative diagnoses, and continuation of ART with targeted antimicrobial therapy are essential. Conclusion: Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for IRIS in HIV patients with CNS …

Vitamin D Deficiency And Risk Of Cognitive Decline And Dementia: Implications And Prevention Strategies, Auda Fares

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Emerging evidence suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This paper reviews the epidemiological evidence, explores potential mechanisms underlying this association, and discusses implications for prevention strategies. Current supplementation strategies may not be fully effective due to individual variability. Personalized interventions based on genetic factors and routine vitamin D status testing in older adults are proposed as future directions for optimizing the impact of vitamin D supplementation in dementia prevention.

Gci-312 — Adaptive Agricultural Microclimate Conditioning System For Arid Environments, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

GCI‑312 is an open‑source, prototype‑ready adaptive agricultural microclimate conditioning system integrating electrostatic‑assisted droplet deposition, vortex atomization, pulsed evaporative cooling, environmental telemetry, and root‑zone thermal stabilization to experimentally reduce convective moisture loss and crop heat stress in arid environments. This disclosure provides full build and test specifications so a reader can assemble a 10×10 ft test cell and begin staged experiments immediately. The project targets substantial irrigation demand reductions under arid heat‑stress conditions (experimental targets: 20–30% irrigation reduction; exploratory upper target if all subsystems validate: up to 30–50% reduction) and documents clear hypotheses, test metrics, kill criteria, pivot paths, energy accounting, …

Municipal Wet-Food Recovery & Supplemental Fertilizer Pellet System, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a simplified municipal waste-recovery system designed to:

• recover expired canned foods and wet household food waste,

• recycle steel and aluminum food containers,

• reduce landfill methane generation,

• reduce municipal landfill burden,

• and produce supplemental fertilizer pellets intended for blending with conventional agricultural fertilizers.

Unlike conventional composting systems requiring extensive sorting, this architecture intentionally focuses ONLY on:

• wet food waste,

• spoiled food,

• and canned food products.

The system uses:

• sealed household collection bins,

• dedicated sanitary pickup trucks,

• low-shear food recovery processing,

• metal separation,

• thermal sanitization,

• dewatering,

• and conventional pelletization equipment.

Survival And Factors Associated With Mortality Among Patients With Oral Cancer At A Tertiary Hospital In Northeastern Thailand: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Somkiattiyos Woradet, Bhunyabhadh Chaimay, Nuntiput Putthanachote

Journal of Health Research

Background: Oral cancer is a major cause of premature mortality in Thailand. This study examines survival and prognostic factors in a northeastern tertiary-care setting.

Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Cancer Registry and medical records in a tertiary care hospital in Northeastern, Thailand. Patients diagnosed with oral cancer between January 2005 and December 2015 and followed until death or February 2020. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with mortality

Results: The median survival time was 18.67 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.70–22.83). It revealed …

Pertanggungjawaban Indonesia Terhadap Pencemaran Kabut Asap Di Kawasan Asean (Pendekatan Economic Analysis Of Law), Deni Bram

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Perempuan Dan Hak Asasi Manusia Dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam, Uswatun Hasanah

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

The Necessity Of Capacity Building For Indonesia's Effective Utilization Of Wto Dispute Settlement Mechanism: Implementation Of Gait Article Xx For Trade And Environment Issues, Windu Kisworo

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Big Game License Fees—Seeking Price Optimization Equity, Chip E. Miller, Brian Vander Naald

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

A Shift In The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Seasonal Pattern: A Single–Center Retrospective Study In Anhui, China (2023–2025), Yan Lu, Jie Zhang, Keran Zhu, Li Wang, Shenggang Ding, Liping Yuan

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Objective: Before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalizations followed a predictable seasonal pattern in Anhui, China, typically beginning in November and lasting until March of the following year. However, city-specific data for Anhui were limited. This study investigated the epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among hospitalized children in our centre. Methods: We reviewed the records of children aged ≤14 years who were hospitalized with RSV lower respiratory tract infection between June 2023 and May 2025. RSV infection was confirmed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing. Data on …

A Clinical Risk Stratification Approach For Sensorineural Hearing Loss In Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study From Vietnam, Nguyen D. Pham, Toan M. Duong

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Objective: To address the long-term burden of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) following pediatric bacterial meningitis and the need for early identification of at-risk children, particularly in resource-limited settings where universal post-meningitis screening is impractical. This study aimed to develop a clinically accessible risk stratification approach, using routinely available variables, to support triage and prioritization of audiological follow-up. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Children aged 1 month to 15 years, who were hospitalized with bacterial meningitis and underwent audiological assessment after recovery, were included. Hearing outcomes were evaluated by auditory …

The Diagnostic Role Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide In Pediatric Acute Appendicitis: An Exploratory Study, Mehmet Sarikaya, Fatma Ozcan Siki, Fadime Ovali, Husamettin Vatansev, İlhan Ciftci

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Objective: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite derived from gut microbiota, has been linked to various chronic inflammatory conditions. However, its potential role in acute inflammation, such as pediatric acute appendicitis, remains unclear. This exploratory diagnostic study aimed to assess the preliminary diagnostic performance of serum and urinary TMAO levels in differentiating appendicitis subtypes. Methods: In this prospective study, 137 pediatric patients who underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis were included. Based on histopathological findings, patients were categorized into negative, non-complicated, and complicated appendicitis groups. Serum and urinary TMAO levels were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Group comparisons were performed …

Neuroscience-Based Intellectual Productivity: A Ten-Principle Methodology For Knowledge Workers, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Learning, Teaching, & Researching Optimization

This paper presents a comprehensive, neuroscience-grounded methodology for enhancing intellectual productivity among knowledge workers—particularly academic faculty and researchers operating under conditions of chronic cognitive overload. Drawing on ten foundational principles derived from contemporary cognitive neuroscience, we argue that substantial gains in research output, creative ideation, and knowledge integration are achievable not by working harder, but by working in deliberate alignment with the brain’s native computational architecture.

The ten principles address: strategic activation of the Default Mode Network (DMN) for incubation and creative insight; prefrontal cortex (PFC) energy management through temporal task separation; externalization of cognitive load via AI-assisted working memory …

181st University Of Notre Dame Commencement, University Of Notre Dame

Commencement Programs

• SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 4
• HEARING IMPAIRED INFORMATION 9
• GRADUATE SCHOOL 10
• MENDOZA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS GRADUATE BUSINESS 32
• GRADUATE ARCHITECTURE 38
• LAW SCHOOL 39
• UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 42
• COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS 44
• COLLEGE OF SCIENCE 51
• COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING 55
• MENDOZA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS 61
• SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 67
• KEOUGH SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS 67
• VALEDICTORIAN CANDIDATES 68
• EMERITI FACULTY 68
• HONOR SOCIETIES 69
• AWARDS AND PRIZES 77
• TASSELS 100

Investigating Racial Differences In The Receipt Of Antenatal Interventions Prior To Periviable Delivery, Niurka Monteserin, Whitney Bender

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) provides guidance on the use of antenatal corticosteroids, antibiotics, and cesarean delivery in the periviable period. Although racial differences exist in postnatal active management of periviable neonates have been described, less is known about racial differences in antenatal interventions preceding delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in the receipt of antenatal interventions before periviable delivery by birthing parent race.

METHODS:  We conducted a population-based cohort study using the National Center for Health Statistics database including periviable deliveries (20w0d-25w6d) from 2016-2021. Individuals delivering a non-anomalous live singleton gestation in a hospital were included. Births …

Rehabilitation Belief And Engagement Transformation (Rbet) Model: A Grounded Theory Approach, Jade Ibhar V. Cuambot, Marc Eric S. Reyes, Karen Katrina V. Trinidad

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Competitive sports injuries have significant physiological and psychological consequences for athletes. While rehabilitation medicine effectively addresses the physical aspects of injury recovery, the psychological and emotional journey of injured athletes remains neglected. Thus, the current study addresses this gap by examining athletes’ transforming belief systems and emotional experiences during injury rehabilitation. A qualitative research design grounded in grounded theory principles was conducted with professional athletes to understand how their beliefs toward rehabilitation evolved over time. Findings revealed a dynamic process of belief transformation consisting of seven interconnected stages, captured in the Rehabilitation Belief and Engagement Transformation (RBET) Model: (1) Pre-rehabilitation …

In Vitro Reversal Of Abc Transporter Mediated Multidrug Resistance In Human Ovarian And Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Models, Alison K. Kellom, Pia D. Vogel

Biological Sciences Theses and Dissertations

One of the major causes of treatment failure in aggressive cancers is multidrug resistance (MDR), which is linked to the overexpression of membrane efflux proteins that export chemotherapeutics from cancer cells. This mechanism prevents chemotherapeutic drugs from reaching cytotoxic concentrations intracellularly, allowing the cancer to survive. Two primary mediators of this mechanism are P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP). P-gp and BCRP are transmembrane ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters that are frequently overexpressed in MDR cancers. They utilize the binding and hydrolysis of ATP to transport a diverse range of amphipathic molecules of varying size (Schinkel and Jonker, 2003), …

Limited Long-Term Changes In Tree Physiological Function Despite Shifts In Forest Stand Structure Following Moth (Lymantria Dispar L.) Outbreak And Drought, Diane Radwanski, Tomer Duman, Kenneth L. Clark, Dirk W. Vanderklein, Karina V. R. Schäfer

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Introduction: In this study, we investigated forest stand dynamics and leaf gas exchange of co-occurring oak and pine species in an oak-pine forest in the Atlantic Coastal Plain in the Northeastern United States following defoliation by a moth (Lymantria dispar L.), and severe drought.Methods: We used forest stand inventory and leaf gas exchange data spanning from 2005-2015 to analyze the effects of drought and defoliation.Results and discussion: The defoliation and subsequent drought caused great mortality in a selected group of species and moderate mortality in others. Investigating these dynamics on a decadal time scale (2005 – 2015) revealed a shift …

Acute And Chronic Oral Administration Of Cannabidiol-Dominant Cannabis Products: Sex- And Formulation-Dependent Effects On Anxiety-Like Behavioral Patterns In Rats, Carlos R. Maestas-Olguin

Psychology ETDs

Interest in the anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid found within the genus, Cannabis, has grown significantly in recent years. However, preclinical investigations of CBD’s anxiolytic potential often elect to forgo translationally relevant models that maximize external validity in favor of greater internal and mechanistic validity. As a result, the effects of relatively low dose (< 3mg/kg) oral CBD administration on anxiety-like behaviors are not yet fully characterized. The present studies examined the impact of two orally delivered CBD-dominant cannabis products – a “full-spectrum” formulation derived from the whole plant and a CBD isolate derived from the same chemovar – on innate defensive behaviors exhibited by adult male and female rats in various tests of anxiety. Results indicated that acute and chronic low dose oral CBD administration attenuated anxiety-like behavior in rats, regardless of sex or formulation. These findings extend the growing corpus of literature describing anxiolytic-like effects of CBD.

Examining Associations Between Socioecological Factors And Addiction Cycle Domains In Separate Community And Treatment- Seeking Samples, Kara Link

Psychology ETDs

The Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) is a multimodal clinical assessment framework designed to capture the heterogeneity of addictive disorders and inform personalized treatment. The ANA is grounded in three neurofunctional domains aligned with the Koob and LeMoal addiction cycle stages: incentive salience (IS; binge/intoxication), negative emotionality (NE; withdrawal/negative affect), and executive function (EF; preoccupation/anticipation). In addition to these primary domains, the ANA also proposes ancillary assessment domains thought to be related to these neurofunctional domains. However, the ANA developers do not provide a rationale for including these ancillary measures in the framework nor hypothesize about their relevance to the ANA …

Predictors Of Opposite-Sex Antipathy, Mikayla R. Poe

Psychology ETDs

Evolutionary pressures have shaped men’s and women’s motivations to cooperate and compete with one another. Sexual conflict is generated in natural conditions but may be exacerbated by features of the modern world. The current study recruited participants from Prolific to respond to a Qualtrics survey (n = 812) to investigate the correlates of opposite-sex distrust/antipathy using the newly developed Opposite Sex Antipathy (OSA) scale, which is the first of its kind to allow cross-sex comparisons. Men and women’s antipathy for each other was predicted by perceptions that the opposite sex was of lower value to society, more harmful experiences …

Through A Pueblo Lens: Sovereignty, Ethics, And Research In Tribal Communities, Elaine Suazo-Miller

Public Administration ETDs

This thesis explores the intersection of tribal sovereignty, ethical research conduct, and data ownership through an auto-ethnographic examination of my experience seeking research approval with the Pueblo of Santa Clara Tribal Council. Using the Pueblo’s protocols and decision-making processes as a lens, the study highlights how sovereignty is practiced in daily governance and how it shapes relationships between Indigenous communities and academic institutions. Three themes frame the analysis: (1) tribal sovereignty and building trust, (2) ethical research conduct and navigating the research process, and (3) data ownership, sensitivity, and sharing results. Each theme connects personal experience to key literature in …

Identity, Sexuality, And Gender: Perspectives From Self-Identified Sexually Fluid People, Mattilyn Wiseman

Psychology ETDs

Research on sexual fluidity has relied on categorical, gender-based measurement frameworks that prioritize quantifying change over exploring the lived experience of sexually fluid people. This study employed Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to qualitatively and ideographically explore how self-identified sexually fluid people made sense of their own sexual identity, gender (more broadly), and attraction as it relates or does not relate to gender. Three participants completed structured interviews with open-ended questions. Participants unanimously made sense of identity as a self-constructed journey and tied to their social realities. Participants’ lived experiences of their own gender identities informed their sense-making of gender more …

The Concept 'Pollination' And Bee Pan-Trap Color And Uv Reflectance Determine The Taxonomic Compositions Of Bee Taxa Captures Across An Elevation Gradient And Seasons In The Jemez Mountains Of New Mexico, Esther A. Burton, Kelly B. Miller, Paul J. Watson, David C. Witherington, Steven Poe, David Lightfoot

Biology ETDs

This thesis examines the pollinator concept and tests how sampling methods shape bee communities. Chapter 1 provides a conceptual and philosophical analysis, arguing that pollination is a process and that pollinators are context-dependent functional roles rather than fixed taxonomic categories. It traces the concept’s development from natural history to ecological theory, introduces a dual-goal model separating plant reproduction from visitor foraging, and proposes a classification framework based on evidentiary certainty and pollination potential to resolve ambiguity in pollination research.

Chapter 2 applies these ideas empirically by evaluating how pan-trap color and ultraviolet (UV) reflectance influence bee assemblages across elevation and …

From Cranes To Clinics: Genomic Epidemiology At The Human-Animal Interface, Sarah Shrum

Biology ETDs

Emerging infectious diseases represent a significant, increasing threat to human life, economic stability, and global security. The One Health framework, which promotes human health and wellness through the understanding that animal, environmental, and human health are interwoven, is critical to understanding pathogen emergence and transmission. This is underscored by the fact that roughly 60% of all human pathogens and 75% of emerging infectious disease are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted from animals to humans.

The work presented in this dissertation integrates genomic epidemiology, ecological analysis, and One Health Surveillance approaches to characterize cross-species circulation of opportunistic yeast pathogens (Candida …

Investigating Changes In The Stable Isotopic Composition Of Juniperus Osteosperma Over 34,000 Years Of Climatic Shifts, Lisa S. Garcia

Biology ETDs

Isotopic compositions of plants from the past provides empirical evidence for paleoclimatic shifts and plants physiologically response. This study used Neotoma paleomiddens (fossilized debris piles) collected from Death Valley National Park, which contained preserved abundant plant materials. These middens range from modern to >35,000 years and capture different climatic events in Earth history. Employing Juniperus osteosperma (Utah Juniper) leaves found in middens, I investigated variation in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition. To help interpret paleomidden results, we used modern field and herbaria samples of Juniperus from a spatial gradient stretching across their geographic range. Results showed δ ¹³C …

Reassembling Riparian Ecosystems: Stream Restoration Effects On Vegetation, Arthropods, And Aquatic-Terrestrial Connectivity, Katelyn P. Driscoll

Biology ETDs

Riparian areas exist at the aquatic-terrestrial interface and provide disproportionate ecosystem services, yet multiple stressors have degraded these zones globally. Stream restoration seeks to reverse degradation, but rigorous evaluation of treatment effectiveness remains limited. I conducted a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study in the southern Rocky Mountains to evaluate two stream restoration treatments—beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and plug-and-ponds (P&Ps)—across three dimensions of riparian ecosystem response. Using Bayesian analysis, I quantified treatment effects on functional diversity and composition of riparian plant communities. Using generalized linear mixed models, I evaluated restoration effects on riparian arthropod abundance, richness and guild composition across lateral gradients and …