Digital Commons Network^™

Nato's Evolution And European Security Dynamics, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has transformed dramatically since the end of the Cold War. As a collective defense alliance, it was primarily focused on defending itself against the Soviet Union. NATO is now focused on addressing multiple types of threats: traditional, hybrid, and non-traditional. This study uses a qualitative methodological approach that includes a systematic content review of NATO’s Strategic Concepts from to 1991–2022; NATO Summit Communiques; NATO Defense Planning Guidance and Elite Speeches. This allows us to analyse the causes and effects of NATO’s transformation over time. Our results suggest that because of Russia’s actions as a …

Global Evidence On Scaling Nature-Based Solutions For Compound Hazards, Sina Razzaghi Asl, Anahita Azadgar

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly promoted for climate adaptation to compound hazards, but systematic evidence of their effectiveness is still scarce. We address this gap with a systematic review of 38 studies. Each study was sorted by what its measurement design can support, not by what its authors claim. This produced four groups. Direct studies attribute a measured hazard reduction to the intervention, proxy studies infer protection from ecosystem condition, prioritization studies map suitable locations without estimating performance, and qualitative studies describe effectiveness without measuring it. We detect trends in geographic distribution, hazard combinations, intervention types, methodological approaches, and strength …

Strategic Mineral Competition And Democratic Governance In Africa, Chick Edmund

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

African countries have become focal points of a new round of competition among global powers to access key minerals required for an emerging green transition, as well as for advanced digital infrastructure and modern weaponry. In addition to their relatively high level of reserves of such minerals, which include cobalt, lithium, graphite and several types of rare earths, Africa is also home to many of the world’s most important deposits. These mineral riches present, however, a contradictory situation: on one hand, they represent the critical resources needed to achieve a low-carbon future; but on the other hand, these same resources …

Histopathological Effects Of The Intrathecal Chondroitinase Abc Administration In Spinal Cord Injured Rats: A Systematic Review, Mohammad Amin Habibi, Ali Anjomshoa, Mohsen Sadeghi-Naini, Zahra Ghodsi, Samuel Berchi Kankam, Erfan Razavi, Armin Aryannejad, Seyed Mohammad Piri, Akam Ramezani, Rasha Atlasi, Kawthar Mohamed, Sina Shoo, Meysam Kaveh, Akbar Fotouhi, Arman Zeinaddini, James S. Harrop, Alex R. Vaccaro, Michael G. Fehlings, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction: Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has been considered a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). We aim to identify and evaluate the histopathological effects of intrathecal ChABC administration in SCI rat models.

Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published from the inception of each database until November 22, 2022.

Results: Of 3857 screened citations, 17 studies met eligibility criteria and were entered into the qualitative analysis. Sixteen studies were of high quality, and one study was of medium quality. The four main rat strains used in studies were Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Lister hooded, …

January 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

• Age-Friendly Requirements for Hospital Quality Reporting
• APhA secures key congressional win allowing pharmacists to prescribe buprenorphine with specialized training
• "When the hospital leaves town"
• Med Spa Illicit GLP-1s | Supply Chain Safety
• CMS unveils new model aimed at functional, lifestyle medicine

Justicia Transicional Y Derechos Humanos, Ruti G. Teitel, Valeria Vegh Weis

Articles & Chapters

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experience Of Pediatric Pain Management: Insights From Families And Providers, Samrithaa Balakrishnan, Annesha Dey, Aarti Bavare, Paul Checchia, Katherine Shwetz, Natasha Afonso

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pain represents a subjective experience that manifests with emotional and physical discomfort. In pediatric care, pain management is especially complex due to communicative limitations, which creates a unique point of entry for parents to contribute to their child's treatment process. In this study, we explored whether families' perceptions of their child's pain and preferences for treatment were aligned with healthcare providers' pain management decisions. Using narrative-informed techniques in interviews with families and healthcare providers in pediatric care settings, we analyzed areas of concordance and discordance in pain assessment and treatment priorities. Our findings show that trust is built over time …

Designed Lands©Apes—Ar©Hitecture, Sculpture, Visual Art, Shape, Pi©Torial Work, Or . . . Nothing At All?, Richard H. Chused

Articles & Chapters

This article arises from the saga of the construction and eventual destruction of a landmark landscape architectural work by the well-known artist Mary Miss that was constructed adjacent to the Des Moines Art Center called Greenwood Pond: Double Site. The project’s demise is emblematic of the remarkably ambiguous copyright problems that surround such artistic creations. They do not neatly fit into any category of copyrightable works. Though they may contain sculptural works, their overall designs are rarely totally sculptural. While architects typically draw plans and “sculpt” a landscaped space, the results usually are not “buildings,’ as required by the definition …

Host- And Pathogen-Related Determinants Of Pulmonary Versus Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis, Begna Tulu, Thomas Theo Brehm, Reinout Van Crevel, Tobias Dallenga, Andrew R Dinardo, Keertan Dheda, Johanna Eggeling, Wendemagegn Enbiale, Matthias I Gröschel, Jialun Hao, Vinod Kumar, Arjan Van Laarhoven, Rolanda Londt, Gareth Prosser, Philippa Randall, Norbert Reiling, Jan Rybniker, Ulrich E Schaible, Erwin Schurr, Isabelle Suarez, Sebastian J Theobald, Robert J Wilkinson, Christoph Lange

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tuberculosis (TB) primarily manifests as pulmonary TB (PTB), but extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) remains a major clinical challenge. Distinct diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties arise from differences in immune responses, pathogen behaviour and host susceptibility. However, the factors driving disease localisation are still incompletely understood. We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of studies examining differences between PTB and EPTB in terms of epidemiology, mycobacterial factors, genetic and epigenetic determinants, host immune responses, transcriptomic profiles, cytokine and chemokine patterns, and immunophenotypes. EPTB is more common among females, children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals with deficient granuloma formation. This review is intended to provide …

Use Of A Medication Management Algorithm In Depressed Youth Living With Hiv: Secondary Analysis Of A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial, Graham J Emslie, Beth D Kennard, Kristin Baltrusaitis, Sophia M Jones, Jessica M Jones, Jaime G Deville, Kathleen Pitts, David E Shapiro, Allison Eliscu, Larry K Brown

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Depression is a prevalent co-occurring condition in youth living with HIV. This report is a secondary analysis of a multisite cluster randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of a health and wellness cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with a medication management algorithm utilizing measure-based care (COMB-R) compared with enhanced standard of care (ESC). We describe and compare antidepressant prescribing strategies (i.e., antidepressant treatment, type of antidepressant) for youth living with HIV at COMB-R sites to those at ESC sites over the 24-week intervention. We also describe self-reported adherence to antidepressants.

Methods: Participants (12-24 years) were youth living with HIV diagnosed …

Updates In The Management Of Peanut Allergy, S Shahzad Mustafa, Aikaterini Anagnostou, Matthew Greenhawt

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Peanut allergy is a significant rising public health problem affecting both children and adults. Early peanut introduction has been adopted in multiple westernized nations as a preventative strategic measure to reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy, although implementation faces barriers. Multiple therapies to treat peanut allergy have been developed, including oral immunotherapy and omalizumab as approved treatments to provide protection against reactions from accidental exposure and reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, offering options beyond strict avoidance. Strategies in the developmental pipeline include epicutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy. The future is bright for individuals with peanut allergy, as these breakthroughs …

Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Modeling safe sleep in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) increases the likelihood that parents will follow these practices after discharge. Many NICU infants are put to sleep unsafely, and unsafe sleep practices are the leading cause of nonnatural death among children locally. We created safe sleep standards for infants older than 32 weeks based on national guidelines: infants should be placed supine in a flat, empty crib and should never be swaddled loosely. We aimed to increase the weekly percentage compliance with safe sleep recommendations from a baseline of 58% (0.58 compliant) to 85% (0.85 compliant) by March …

Improving Compliance With Safe Sleep Guidelines For Vulnerable Patients In A Community Safety Net Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Andrew Beverstock, Samantha Carlton, Hillary Lee, Thomas Lu, Kelsi Morgan, Ashlee Smith-Patel, Kelli Phillips, Joseph Hagan, Pablo Lohmann, Caraciolo Fernandes, Lisa Owens, Daniela Dinu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) often coexists with fetal growth restriction (FGR). The observed-to-expected (O/E) total fetal lung volume (TFLV) is used to assess CDH severity, predict outcomes, and direct fetal interventions. Expected TFLV measurements traditionally rely only on gestation age (GA). This simulation assesses how incorporating weight-adjusted GA norms affects O/E TFLV calculations in patients with isolated CDH and FGR.

Methods: A simulated dataset (n=1,005) utilized published mean fetal weight and TFLV references. Computer-generated variables included observed weights (3rd-10th %ile), O/E TFLV (10-65 %), and percent liver herniation (0-42 %). GA estimates were corrected by weight and used to …

A Review Of Current Research And Barriers To Access: Exploring Disparities In Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery, Nikita Das, Ali A Mohamed, Akshat Katyayan, Meena Vessell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) impacts at least 30% of pediatric epilepsy patients, adversely affecting neurodevelopment and quality of life, as well as risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). While surgical intervention has proven to be an effective treatment for DRE, disparities in access to surgical care persist. Compared to adults, pediatric patients face unique challenges, including delayed recognition of surgical candidacy, limited access to specialized epilepsy centers, complex care coordination, and socioeconomic barriers.

Summary: This review explores the current state of pediatric epilepsy surgery, highlighting its effectiveness in achieving seizure freedom, improving neurocognitive outcomes, and reducing long-term healthcare …

Sodium Supplementation Algorithm To Promote Growth In Infants Who Are Preterm: Randomized Clinical Trial, Brianna M Liberio, Gregory M Sokol, Hannah Rakow, Kelly Mosesso, Valerie Hole, William W Wong, Shaji K Chacko, Jeffrey L Segar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of an algorithm using urine sodium (Na) concentration to guide dietary Na supplementation compared with standard care to promote growth in infants who are preterm.

Methods: A randomized trial was conducted in 4 neonatal units in Indianapolis, Indiana, involving infants between 250/7 to 296/7 weeks gestation with birthweight > 500 g. Study arms consisted of standard care or use of algorithm beginning at 14 to 17 days postnatal age. The primary outcomes were somatic growth (weight, length, and head circumference) measured by change in Z-score between aged 2 weeks and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Secondary outcomes …

Layers To Leaves: A Suite Of Modular 3d Printed Hydroponics Components For Research And Education, Ethan A Shaw, Suraj K Chandramouli, Michael P Dzakovich

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hydroponics is a widely utilized technique to precisely control the plant growing environment and maximize productivity. In some cases, hydroponics systems can be expensive and require specialized expertise to build and maintain. Here, we present a suite of 3D-printed devices that can be constructed into a single or double tower hydroponics system of variable height and composition. This system is easily scalable to fit the needs of a user and can be implemented in a variety of research and educational contexts. Components in this suite can be made from inexpensive plastic filament using household-grade 3D printers. The vertical design of …

Tracheobronchial Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma In Four Pediatric Patients, Kalen Hendra, Muhammad Ijlal Khan, Mitali Thanawala, Manuel Silva-Carmona, Eric D Zee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pediatric tracheobronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), also called pulmonary MEC, is a rare malignant primary lung neoplasm that is typically found in the large airways. Patients may present with symptoms such as cough, pneumonia, fever, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue. These nonspecific symptoms (or lack of symptoms in some cases) often result in a delayed diagnosis. Chest CT typically demonstrates findings consistent with bronchial obstruction and diagnosis is made via histopathology. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment and children often have favorable outcomes. Here we present four cases of tracheobronchial MEC in children treated at three …

Association Of Alcohol Use With Helmet Use In Cyclists: Analysis Of The National Trauma Data Bank, Daniel C Brock, Gaibo Yan, Chad T Wilson, Emanuel Narcis Husu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Helmet use significantly reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury among cyclists; however, the influence of alcohol use on helmet-wearing adherence remains understudied in large national data sets. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between alcohol use and helmet use in injured cyclists.

Methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 155 766 cyclists with traumatic injuries from the National Trauma Data Bank spanning 8 years (2017-2023). Cyclists were categorized by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as follows: not screened, sober (BAC < 0.02), impaired (BAC 0.02-0.08), intoxicated (BAC ≥0.08), and multidrug intoxicated (BAC ≥0.08 plus ≥1 positive drug screen). The primary outcome was helmet usage. Secondary outcomes included mortality, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, Injury Severity Score, and adverse events. Comorbid substance use disorders were considered as covariates.

Results: Alcohol use was associated with a dose-response decrease in helmet use. Helmet …

Reframing Trauma-Informed Care For Refugee And (Im)Migrant Health Systems: From Interpersonal Practice To Structurally Embedded Care, Hyojin Im, Sophia Banu, Aisha Koroma, Sarmaya Mustafayeva

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Variability In Documentation Of Neurological And Psychiatric Examinations Among Emergency Department Patients With Behavioral Health-Related Presentations: A Retrospective Study, Heba Mesbah, Payton Kim, Jide Oluwadare, Abdulelah Almanie, Inaara Malick, Nidal Moukaddam

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) serve as a critical safety net for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises, a population that faces substantial medical morbidity and well-documented disparities in healthcare delivery. Thorough physical and neuropsychiatric assessment is essential in this setting to identify medical conditions that may mimic or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. Incomplete documentation of these assessments may reflect gaps in care processes and represent a potential marker of inequity.

Objective: To characterize the completeness of documented neurological and psychiatric examinations among adult ED patients presenting with primary behavioral health-related chief complaints and to assess whether documentation patterns suggest persistent gaps …

Chemoradiation After Chemotherapy For Metastatic Cervical Cancer Can Provide Chemo-Free Time, Spoorthi Kamepalli, Ashley Chavana, Michelle Ludwig, Madeline Flanagan, Shelly Sharma, Tracilyn Hall, Anthony Costales, Jan Sunde, Claire Hoppenot

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Stage IVB cervical cancer is treated with a life-prolonging and palliative intent with systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of these patients who had an adequate response to chemotherapy to be eligible for consolidative radiosensitizing chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiation) and subsequent outcomes.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective review of metastatic cervical cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and evaluated for treatment with consolidative pelvic chemoradiation at a single safety-net hospital system from 2016 to 2024. Demographic data and clinical information were collected from electronic medical records. Stata was used for …

Gender-Specific Behavior Reductions In Spontaneous Locomotive And Rearing In A Rat Model Of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot Study, Serena Jiyeon Kim, Kevin Cao, Patrick M Dougherty, Kathleen E Mcdonough, Saba Javed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) from agents like paclitaxel causes sensory loss and functional impairment, with limited treatment options. To better model patient-relevant outcomes, we used open field video tracking in rodents to assess gait, anxiety, and exploratory behavior. This approach provides a more comprehensive assessment of CIPN-related deficits beyond pain responses.

Methods and materials: Adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats were given paclitaxel (Taxol; 24 mg/kg cumulative dose) or a vehicle over 8 days. Their distance traveled, time spent in the center and outer zones of the OF test, and rearing behaviors were recorded using a PhenoTyper 4500 …

Phase I Study Of Niraparib With Radiotherapy For Treatment Of Metastatic And Locally Advanced Invasive Carcinoma Of The Cervix (Nivix), Piyush Pathak, Eunji Jo, Susan Hilsenbeck, Matthew L Anderson, Alfredo Echeverria, Shelly Sharma, Jan Sunde, Tracilyn Hall, Anthony Costales, Claire Hoppenot, Michelle Ludwig

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: This Phase I study evaluated the safety and tolerability of concurrent niraparib, an oral poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1/2 inhibitor, with definitive radiotherapy in women with locally advanced or platinum-sensitive metastatic cervical cancer. Dose escalation followed a Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design with a target dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) rate of 30%.

Methods: Women ≥18 years with FIGO stage IIIC2 (bulky nodes >1 cm) or stage IV cervical cancer demonstrating response to platinum-based induction chemotherapy were eligible. Niraparib 100 mg was administered daily concurrent with pelvic radiotherapy (45-57.5 Gy via IMRT with nodal boosts) and brachytherapy, continuing 28 days post-radiation. Per …

Phase 1 Trial Of Withania Somnifera Leaf Extract (Rh324) In Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Including [18f]Fdg Pet/Ct As A Short-Term Metabolic Biomarker To Assess Efficacy: A Novel Model For Assessment Of Complimentary Therapies In Early Phase Human Clinical Trials, Jin Uk Heo, Santosh Rao, Herbert B Newton, Afshin Dowlati, Raymond F Muzic, Arash Kardan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Withania somnifera (WS), commonly known as ashwagandha, has been used in the traditional medical system of India. It has shown significant activity against numerous solid tumor varieties in pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies. This study focuses on RH324 (ReHeva Biosciences, Columbus, OH), a pharmaceutical-grade formulation derived from WS, which has received FDA allowance for clinical development as a botanical drug in the treatment of cancer.

Methods: A phase 1 open label dose ranging study of oral RH324 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was conducted. The primary endpoint of the study was assessment of short-term safety …

Beyond Drugs And Surgery: Superselective Adrenal Artery Embolization Redefines Primary Aldosteronism Management-A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kimia Darmiani, Mehrad Zare, Alisa Mohebbi, Mohammad Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari, Mohammad Ghasemi Rad, Afshin Mohammadi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a leading cause of secondary hypertension associated with increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. Superselective adrenal artery embolization (SAAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to adrenalectomy and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of SAAE in PA management.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library through June 2026 for studies enrolling patients with PA treated by SAAE. Outcomes of interest were changes in blood pressure (BP), biochemical markers (serum potassium, aldosterone, renin activity, and aldosterone-to-renin ratio), clinical and biochemical response rates, daily …

Inducible Pou Class 2 Homeobox 3 Expression In Human Intestinal Organoids As A Model Of Human Tuft Cells, Carolyn Bomidi, Luqiong Wang, Hoa Nguyen-Phuc, Mary K Estes, Sarah E Blutt

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Sewers To Solutions: A Guide To Wastewater Pathogen Monitoring, Justin R Clark, Anthony W Maresso

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is the analysis of wastewater to detect pathogen levels or activity for public health awareness or action. Pioneered in the 1940s, WBE underwent a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing important information about number of cases, outbreaks, and seasonal impact. With advancements in detection technologies and growing interest in environmental surveillance, WBE is poised to become a standard practice in public health monitoring. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of the art of pathogen WBE, including methods of molecular detection, analysis of wastewater data, real-world applications and programs, public health interventions, and benefits and …

Editorial: Advances In Phage Applications: Deciphering Phage Biological And Ecological Mechanisms Through Metagenomics, Tasha M Santiago-Rodriguez, Gary A Toranzos

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Cand1 As A Dna-Dependent Protein Kinase-Regulated Coactivator Of Androgen Receptor And The Arv7 Splice Variant, Ross A Hamilton, Basil Paul, Ping Yi, Kimal Rajapakshe, Anil K Panigrahi, Sandra L Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Anna Malovannaya, Nancy L Weigel, David M Lonard, Charles E Foulds

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

ARv7, the most prevalent androgen receptor (AR) variant in castration-resistant prostate cancer, lacks the ligand binding domain (LBD), rendering it resistant to LBD-targeted therapies. Identifying new therapeutic targets requires defining the coregulators and associated regulatory enzymes that govern AR and ARv7 transcriptional activity. Here, we have developed a cell-free DNA pulldown assay employing androgen response elements (AREs) to isolate and characterize the AR- and ARv7-associated coregulator complexes formed on DNA. Mass spectrometry analyses of ARE DNA pulldowns revealed previously unrecognized AR and ARv7 associating coregulators, such as cullin-associated NEDD8-dissociated protein 1 (CAND1), in addition to previously known coregulators. ARv7 showed …

Helicobacter Pylori And Cancer: What's The Link?, Elettra Merola, Giovanni Mario Pes, David Yates Graham, Maria Pina Dore

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a human bacterial pathogen that causes one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide. The microorganism has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group I carcinogen. While the etiological link to gastric cancer is well established, the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms driving this transformation are highly complex and incompletely understood. Fundamentally, the infection results from the chronic presence of acute on chronic gastric mucosal inflammation. H. pylori pathogenicity is increased by bacterial virulence factors including the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and Vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) …