Digital Commons Network^™

Fall 2026 Environmental Sciences Seminar Series, Nress

NRESS Seminars

No abstract provided.

Seasonal And Geographic Trends In Photodynamic Therapy And Cryosurgery Use In The United States: A Cross-Sectional Study From 2015-2022., Dawn Merritt, Jon Lyons, Mouna Mikati, Christian Geils, Todd Schlesinger

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective field treatment for actinic keratoses (AKs). It is an ideal option for patients who prefer a minimally invasive procedure conveniently administered in their physician's office. Anecdotal clinician insights suggest that it may not be used at the same rate year-round.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates whether PDT and cryosurgery usage is affected by season and geographic location in the United States.

METHODS: The data source is an aggregate of closed and open United States medical procedural claims (

RESULTS: PDT utilization is affected by season and geographic location. Procedural claims peak during cooler months …

Contemporary Issues In Economics And Finance: The View From China, Kenneth S. Bigel

Open Touro Created

2026

This collection of essays showcases original research crafted by exceptional young scholars—primarily high school students from China and North America—guided step-by-step from topic selection to final publication. Across diverse subjects in business and the social sciences, these emerging researchers demonstrate curiosity, discipline, and global awareness. Their work provides a rare window into the questions today’s youth are asking on both sides of the Pacific, offering fresh perspectives and a meaningful bridge between two world powers. Designed not only to inspire but also to instruct, this compendium fills a long-recognized gap in early research education: it presents accessible, real student …

Inferential Statistics For Industrial Organizational Psychologists: A Practical Guide For Testing Hypotheses Using R, Caitlin Lapine

Open Touro Created

2026

This text aims to provide a practical guide for students in industrial organizational psychology or related fields to complete inferential statistics using R open-source programming language. It provides information about when to use particular statistical analyses and how to perform those with statistical software.

Language Acquisition And Emergent Literacy In The 21st Century, Albert H. White Jr.

Open Touro Created

2026

Grounded in contemporary scholarship and pedagogical research, this work employs an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to 21st-century literacy instruction while prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through its multimodal, universally accessible design—featuring interactive components, multimedia elements, and curated links to the New York State Department of Education Standards and Instruction Website—the resource facilitates critical engagement with content and alignment with state-mandated learning standards. Supplementary materials for pre-service teacher preparation and professional development are embedded throughout, enabling educators to customize and repurpose content for their specific contexts. Developed in partnership with Touro University and Colleges, this OER supports the continuous professional development …

Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases: A Concise Guide On The Fundamentals Of Infectious Disease In Podiatric Medical Education, Paramita Basu

Open Touro Created

2026

This Open Educational Resource (OER), Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, is a student-centered textbook designed to support pre-clinical podiatric medical students enrolled in PCLP 610 Infectious Diseases at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. The book is structured as a collection of concise “chapter briefs” or high‑yield notes that align closely with the course syllabus, lecture objectives, and student learning outcomes, while also reflecting the Microbiology learning objectives outlined in the AACPM Council of Faculties Curricular Guide.

The content covers core principles of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, host–pathogen interactions, antimicrobial therapy, resistance …

Dietitian-Led Nutrition Care Across The Cellular Therapy Continuum Supports Weight And Strength Recovery, Ashley Pagano Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Samantha Okerson Rdn, Erin Levine Rd, Cso, Ldn, Deanna Yerg Ms, Rdn, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

High-Osmolality Medication Exposure And Length Of Stay In Icu Patients With Rectal Tubes, Kimberly Cephas Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Rachel Geosits Ms, Rdn, Cnsc, Ldn, Matthew Fair Pharmd, Hope Kincaid Mph, Cph, Alison Sutter Mph

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

External Validation Of A Knowledge-Based Clinical Toxicology Consultant For Diagnosing Single Exposures, Hugo Lerogeron, Joel D. Schipper, Jay L. Schauben, Laurent Guéguen, Valentine Lacotte, Kim An Nguyen

Publications

Introduction

Clinical prediction models assist healthcare providers in estimating disease likelihood using multiple patient-specific factors. While these models are increasingly used, few undergo the essential process of external validation, which limits their clinical utility. In toxicology, timely diagnosis is crucial and expertise scarce, making knowledge-based systems an excellent choice to support medical decision making. A knowledge-based system developed using data from the Florida Poison Information Center Network has shown promise but lacks external validation. This study aims to evaluate its performance using data from the Lyon Poison Information Center to assess its generalizability

Methods

To externally validate the Florida diagnostic …

Alpacas: An Evaluation Methodology For No- Or Low-Cost Course Materials, Heather Leonard

Publications

Evaluating no- or low-cost course materials is a key concern for those supporting affordable learning initiatives. This article will review the current needs of researchers in no- or low-cost course material, the methods currently available to guide them, and a new method I have designed to specifically address needs that current methods cannot. This method, ALPACAS (Apt, License, Provenance, Accurate, Currency, Authority, and Sources), combines insights from several other well-known methods to assist librarians, course designers, and instructors in finding appropriate no- or low-cost course materials. For each item in ALPACAS, I will break down why it is important and …

Rural-Urban Differences In Dental Care Utilization After A Public Health Emergency, Quazi Minhaz Tabassum, Redwan Bin Abdul Baten, Ahmed A. Arif

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Overview of Key Findings

• Past year dental clinic visits declined among both rural and urban populations after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rural patients are more likely to report delayed dental service utilization than their urban counterparts.

• Participants residing in Medicaid expansion states or with health insurance coverage were 16% less likely to delay dental visits overall.

• The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened the existing challenges in dental healthcare access for urban and rural communities.

Review Of Current Research Describing The Influence Of Non-Health Care Drivers Of Health In Rural And Urban Populations, Katie Youngen, Julia Cecil, Tyrone F. Borders

Rural & Underserved Health Research Center Publications

Social determinants of health (SDOH) (also called social drivers of health) are the conditions of the environment where people live, learn, work, and play that are known to affect health outcomes.¹ The primary objective of this literature review is to summarize the most recent literature related to the Healthy People 2030 domains of a) economic stability, b) education access and quality, c) neighborhood and built environment, and d) social and community context.² Our particular focus is on non-health care drivers of health. The secondary objective is to identify gaps in literature applied to rural populations.

Sappan And Tingi Wood As A Dye For Gmelina (Gmelina Arborea Roxb.) And Lento-Lento Wood (Arthrophillum Diversifollium) At Different Coloring Duration, Andi Detti Yunianti, S Ssuhasman, Kidung Tirtayasa Putra Pangestu, Muthmainnah Muthmainnah, Abdul Hapid, Gustan Pari, Lisna Efiyanti

Baghdad Science Journal

This study investigates the effects of dyeing duration and soaking pre-treatment on the coloring performance of Sappan (Caesalpinia sappan) and Tingi (Ceriops candolleana) dyes applied to Gmelina (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) and Lento-lento (Arthrophyllum diversifolium) woods. Test samples were prepared, pre-treated by soaking at 80°C for 24 hours to remove extractives of the wood, and then colored using Sappan and Tingi dyes at 80°C for 6 and 12 hours. The depth of dye penetration was measured using a stereo microscope, and color variations were assessed using the CIELab color space. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) …

Application Of Asparaginase Enzyme In Reducing Acrylamide Formation In Roasted Coffee Beans, Zainab Funmilayo Abdussalam Muhyideen, Ku Madihah Binti Ku, Misnawi Jati, Zaibunnisa Abdul Haiyee

Baghdad Science Journal

Acrylamide is formed through the Maillard reaction between L-asparagine and reducing sugars during thermal processing. The enzyme L-asparaginase can effectively mitigate acrylamide formation by hydrolyzing asparagine into aspartic acid without affecting product quality. This study investigated the effect of asparaginase application methods, enzyme concentrations, and incubation temperatures on acrylamide reduction and pyrazine preservation in roasted Arabica coffee beans. Two enzyme application methods—soaking and spraying—were compared using 4000 U/g asparaginase. Soaking treatment achieved a greater acrylamide reduction (92.8%) compared to spraying (86.8%), and was therefore selected for optimization. Subsequently, enzyme concentrations (2000, 3000, and 5000 U/g) and incubation temperatures (40, 50, …

Influence Of Solvent Type On The Morphology And Mechanical Properties Of Electrospun Pmma Nanofibers, Mohd Khairulniza Mansor, Ahmad Faiza Mohd, Khairunnadim Ahmad Sekak, Norhanifah Mohd Yazid, Nurul Fatahah Asyqin Zainal, Yong Kok Chong

Baghdad Science Journal

Electrospinning is a versatile and widely used technique for producing nanofibers with controlled morphology and high surface area, essential for applications in filtration, biomedical engineering, and sensors. The choice of solvent plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the electrospinning process and the properties of the resulting fibers. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning using four different solvents: tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), chloroform (CHCl3), and acetone at a 20% (w/w) polymer concentration. Surface tension tests revealed that DMF exhibited the highest surface tension, at 40.11 mN/m, which influenced fiber formation. Electrospinning …

Roasting-Dependent Changes In Antioxidant Activity And Metabolite Profiles Of Coffea Liberica: Unraveling Bioactive Compounds And Their Functional Properties, Nuratikah Abdullah, Lay Kek Teh, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Mohd Salleh Rofiee, Lay Jing Seow, Eleena Mohd Yusof, Ye Han Sam, Eng Keng Seow

Baghdad Science Journal

Coffea liberica, despite its high antioxidant activity reported in the green bean, has had limited research in the literature on changes in metabolite profiling across different roasting levels. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and metabolite profiling of the green beans and various roasting levels of Coffea liberica brew using multiple antioxidant assays namely (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 1,1-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight (LC/MS-QTOF), respectively. Notably, light-roasted coffee brew retained the highest antioxidant activity …

Land Suitability For Seasonal Crops: Limiting Factors And Sdg-Aligned Management Strategies, Rahmawaty Rahmawaty, Abdul Rauf, T Alief Aththorick, R Hamdani Harahap, Christine Pepah, Rohani Simbolon, Minhajul Abidin, Nawang Wulan, Anggiat Hosea O Siregar, Mohd Hasmad Ismail, Seca Gandaseca

Baghdad Science Journal

A land evaluation study of Muara Batang Toru Sub-district is essential to determine its development prospects for seasonal crops. This study evaluates land suitability for six seasonal plants, including red chili, cucumber, shallot, tomato, eggplant, and bitter melon, in Muara Batang Toru Sub-district, South Tapanuli Regency. This study employs a survey method, integrating field observations and laboratory analysis with predetermined criteria based on a combination of internationally recognized standards and local conditions. Geographic information systems are used to map the actual and potential land suitability classes for vegetable crops. The findings indicate that most of the actual land suitability classes …

Patterns Of Antibiotic Resistance In Staphylococci Associated With Bovine Subclinical Mastitis, Intan Nurfarzana Mohd Safini, Muhammad Iqbal Hafiz Saad, Zuraifah Asrah Mohamad, Siti Khairiyah Mohd Hatta, Aziyah Abd. Aziz, Sophia Karen Bakon, Norashirene Mohamad Jamil

Baghdad Science Journal

Bovine mastitis, particularly subclinical mastitis (SCM), is a major concern in dairy cattle due to its asymptomatic nature and significant economic impact. In Asia, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are key pathogens. The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, posing risks to animal health and food safety. This study aimed to identify staphylococci associated with SCM and assess their antibiotic resistance (AR) profiles. Milk samples were collected from 20 cows at a dairy farm in Malacca, Malaysia, in August and October 2023. SCM was diagnosed using the California Mastitis Test (CMT), and bacterial …

Assessment Of Carbon Capture Potential In Rubber Plantations Via Landsat 9 Imagery Analysis, Ade Fitria, Rahmawaty Rahmawaty, Razali Razali, Jamin Saputra, Seca Gandaseca

Baghdad Science Journal

Indonesia is a significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, contributing 12.3% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) of total emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major GHG, is increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere. The CO₂ absorption can be increased through rubber plantations because rubber plants, such as forest plants, can process CO₂ as a carbon source for photosynthesis. This research aims to analyze carbon uptake in relation to tree density, biomass of rubber vegetation, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content, as well as to map the distribution of carbon potential using remote sensing. This research was conducted in …

Effect Of Demineralization And Physical Activation In Enhancing The Porosity And Adsorption Properties Of Recovered Carbon Black Pyrolyzed From Waste Tire, Siti Nuramirah Rabbani Muhammad Zaki, Nurul Fatahah Asyqin Zainal, Hartini Ahmad Rafaie, Suhaila Idayu Abdul Halim, Chia Chay Tay

Baghdad Science Journal

This research aims to improve the porosity structure and adsorption characteristics of rCB through demineralization and physical activation techniques. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) at various concentrations (1, 5, 6, and 10 M) was employed for demineralization, followed by the addition of 6 M potassium hydroxide (KOH). Physical activation was conducted at temperature ranges of 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500°C for durations of 1, 2, and 3 h. Characterization of rCB was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), ash content analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and iodine adsorption number (IAN). Demineralization decreased the ash content …

Effect Of Mycovirus Infection On The Hydrolytic Enzymes Activity Of Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4, The Causal Agent Of Banana Fusarium Wilt, Zhi-Qin Lai, Clement Kiing Fook Wong, Nor Ismaliza Binti Mohd Ismail, Ganesan Vadamalai

Baghdad Science Journal

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp cubense Tropical Race 4 also known as Fusarium odoratissimum (FO) is a fungal pathogen affecting banana (Musa spp.). It secretes plant cell-wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) to penetrate and colonize roots, resulting in wilting symptoms and host death. Mycovirus is a virus that infects fungus. It was discovered that mycovirus could be a biocontrol agent by causing hypovirulence in fungal pathogens, a typical symptom of suppressed pathogenicity of an infected host. Hypovirulence was also associated to reduced PCWDE activity in several plant fungal pathogens. To date, no hypovirulent mycovirus was reported in FO. Hence, this study …

Double-Layered Tin-Polydimethylsiloxane (Pdms) Composites: Evaluation Of Porosity And Structural Morphology Of Polymeric Composites, Nurul Syafiqah Roslan, Nur Maizatul Azra Mukhtar, Ainorkhilah Mahmood, Nor Aimi Abdul Wahab, Rafidah Zainon, Hanisah Zainal Abidin, Aishah Zarzali Shah, Nor Iwani Nor Izaham

Baghdad Science Journal

The pursuit of advanced materials for radiation protection has highlighted the potential of polymer–metal composites. Porosity is a key factor influencing radiation attenuation, as fewer voids reduce pathways for radiation penetration. Recent studies emphasize the role of filler distribution in enhancing both mechanical properties and shielding performance. This work investigates the structural morphology and porosity of tin–PDMS composites prepared with pure tin (PS) and tin alloy (AS) fillers at 10–60 wt.% loadings, along with a tin–alloy mixture series (TM). Morphological features, particle distribution, oxygen content, and porosity were comprehensively analyzed. Results show that porosity strongly correlates with filler distribution and …

Low Temperature Ac Photoelectrochemical Etching Of Si-Doped N-Type Gan: Nanostructure Fabrication For Enhanced Msm Photodetector Performance, Nur Iwani Nor Izaham, Ainorkhilah Mahmood, Rosfariza Radzali, Alhan Farhanah Abd Rahim, Nur Maizatul Azra Mothtar, Mahayatun Dayana Johan Ooi, Naser Mahmoud Ahmed

Baghdad Science Journal

This study has investigated the fabrication of porous Si-doped gallium nitride (GaN) using low-temperature alternating current photoelectrochemical (ACPEC) etching at varying etching durations for MSM photodetector applications. The structural and optical characteristics of the porous GaN samples were examined using a 400 W high-pressure mercury-vapour lamp (Hg-HPVL) and 4% KOH electrolyte with 50 Hz of 100 mA alternating current (AC). Current-voltage (I-V) measurements were conducted to analyse the platinum-deposited GaN for MSM photodetector performance. FESEM micrographs of the etched samples revealed coral-like and nano-tunnel pore formations, while AFM topography showed a significant increase in surface roughness compared to in the …

Study Of Soil Erodibility In Its Relationship With Coffee Plant Productivity Based On Agroforestry In Silaen Sub-District, Toba Regency, Fitra Syawal Harahap, Rahmawaty Rahmawaty, Abdul Rauf, Rahmanta Rahmanta, Delvian Delvian, Badaruddin Badaruddin

Baghdad Science Journal

Coffee plants (Coffea sp.) are currently a plantation crop in great demand among farmers in Silaen Sub-district. However, the soil conditions in Silaen Sub-district are dominated by sandy soil, which can trigger soil sensitivity to high erosion potential. One of the efforts to mitigate the decline in coffee production can be done through estimating the soil erodibility index in Silaen Sub-district. This research aims to estimate the soil erodibility index and obtain its relationship with agroforestry-based coffee production in Silaen Sub-district, Toba Regency. The method for determining land boundaries using land map units (SPL) in the form of land …

Zero-Sum Thinking, Meritocratic Beliefs, And Preferences For Basic Income And Universal Healthcare, David Chavanne

Economics Faculty Publications

This study uses survey responses to explore how support for basic income and universal healthcare is linked to zero-sum thinking and meritocratic beliefs. Consistent with earlier work, I find that zero-sum thinking and weaker meritocratic beliefs both lead to greater levels of support for basic income and universal healthcare. Using a path analysis, zero-sum thinking is also found to strengthen support for basic income and universal healthcare along two separate channels -- one via zero-sum thinking’s direct effect on policy support and a second via an indirect effect, whereby zero-sum thinking is attached to weaker beliefs in meritocracy, which in …

Ossabaw Island - New Georgia Encycopedia, New Georgia Encycopedia.

Guarding Ossabaw Island: History and Archaeology of the 47th N.Y.V.I. Camp

A brief history of Ossabaw Island published online by the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Impact Of Protein Corona Morphology On Nanoparticle Diffusion In Biological Fluids: Insights From A Mesoscale Approach, Beatrice Cipriani, Hender Lopez

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate considerable potential in medical applications, including targeted drug delivery and diagnostic probes. However, their efficacy depends on their ability to navigate through the complex biological environments inside living organisms. In such environments, NPs interact with a dense mixture of biomolecules, which can reduce their mobility and hinder diffusion. Understanding the factors influencing NP diffusion in these environments is key to improving nanomedicine design and predicting toxicological effects. In this study, we propose a computational approach to model NP diffusion in crowded environments. We introduce a mesoscale model that accounts for the combined effects of the protein corona …

Readability Of Online Patient Education Materials For Myopia Management, Monica Jong, Michelle Waugh, Pinar Ozmizrak, Ian Flitcroft

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Purpose: Patients are turning to the internet to access educational materials to help them make healthcare decisions, making readability an important factor. This cross-sectional study assessed the readability of online patient education materials for myopia management treatments that have regulatory approval. Methods: The top 10 Google search results from May 2024 for freely available online patient information on myopia management modalities and regulatory-approved products in Canada and Australia were analysed for readability. The modalities included orthokeratology, myopia control spectacle lenses, myopia control soft contact lenses and atropine. The products included MiYOSMART® [HOYA®], Stellest® [Essilor®], MyoCare® [ZEISS], MiSight® 1 day [CooperVision®], …

Negligible Rebound In Myopia Progression Following Cessation Of Treatment With 0.01% Atropine For 3 Years: Year-4 Results From The Champ Phase 3 Clinical Trial, Champ Trial Group Investigators, Karla Zadnik, Erica Schulman, Ian Flitcroft, Jennifer S. Fogt, Louis C. Blumenfeld, Tung M. Fong, Eric Lang, Simon P. Chandler, Houman D. Hemmati

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Introduction: Stage 2 of the Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression (CHAMP) study was conducted to observe the safety, efficacy and rebound effects of low-dose atropine sulphate ophthalmic solutions (0.01% and 0.02%) for paediatric myopia in the year following cessation of 3 years of prior treatment. Methods: The study was a multicentre, randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial. Children aged 3 to < 17 years with myopia (spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) from −0.50 to −6.00 D) who entered and completed Stage 1 (3 years of treatment) participated in the fourth-year follow-up (Stage 2). Stage 1 participants who were treated with atropine 0.01% or 0.02% were re-randomised 1:1:1 to atropine 0.01%, atropine 0.02% or vehicle in Stage 2. Stage 1 vehicle-treated participants were re-randomised 1:1 to atropine 0.01% or atropine 0.02% in Stage 2. Outcomes included changes in cycloplegic SER, changes in axial length (AL), responder status continuity and progression to high myopia. Results: Four hundred and twenty participants were randomised in Stage 2. Negligible rebound was observed among the participants who switched from 0.01% atropine to vehicle compared to those who continued on 0.01% atropine treatment (least square mean difference in SER change from Month 36 to Month 48 between continued treatment and switching to vehicle = 0.019 D, 95% CI [−0.14, 0.18], p = 0.82 for the modified Intent to Treat set). Stage 1 responders remained responders in 83-90% of participants in various Stage 2 groups. Safety profiles were favourable, with mild, transient adverse events. Conclusions: Atropine sulphate ophthalmic solution (0.01%) exhibited negligible rebound in myopia progression after treatment cessation following 3 years of continued treatment, highlighting its potential as a treatment option. The treatment maintained a favourable safety record, and the overall benefit and risk assessment support its potential use as a long-term myopia management option. Clinical trial registration: The Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression (CHAMP) study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03350620, registration date November 17, 2017).

Cross-Domain Antimicrobial Resistance In Poultry Farming: A One Health Assessment Of Antimicrobial Use And Multidrug Resistance In Kiambu County, Kenya, Ann Kangai Munene, Peter Muiruri Mwangi, Lilly Caroline Bebora, Christine Minoo Mbindyo, John Muthini Maingi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major One Health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in humans, animals, and the environment. Poultry production is recognized as a key reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, yet few studies in Kenya examine AMU and AMR across interconnected human–animal–environment domains. This study assessed AMU patterns among poultry farmers in Kiambu County and characterized phenotypic resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from humans, chickens, and chicken environments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2024, involving 102 poultry farms. Farm demographics and AMU data …