Digital Commons Network^™

Protocol For Spatial Profiling Of Immune Cells In The Mouse Cornea And Conjunctiva Using Nanostring Geomx Dsp And Ncounterpro Platforms, Lois Kim, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Quantification of immune cells and their activation status in a spatially specific manner in a healthy or diseased tissue is a valuable tool in immunology. Here, we present a protocol for the spatial profiling of immune cells in the mouse cornea and conjunctiva. We describe steps for immunostaining with photocleavable oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies, selecting regions of interest (ROIs), and collecting UV-cleaved oligonucleotides using GeoMx DSP. We then detail procedures for hybridizing collected oligonucleotides, cartridge blotting using nCounter Pro Prep, data acquisition, and data analysis.

How British Toy Company Jellycat Should Manage Demand And Supply-Chain Volatility In An Uncertain Economic Landscape, Ava Heckmann

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Jellycat is a London-based toy company established in 1999 that gained traction during the pandemic as a result of a viral social media craze driven by nostalgia and renewed focus on mental well-being among adults and Generation Z in particular. Jellycat toys became an international sensation–sold in 77 countries worldwide with majority of sales from the United States, China, EU, and the UK (Jellycat, n.d.). Their plush toys are produced primarily in China and Vietnam (Jellycat, n.d.). This unanticipated social media trend caused a spike in demand that the company struggled to match as supply was constrained due to recent …

Analysis Of Novel Cannabis Products Labeled As Containing Thc-Jd, Kaelas R. Munger, Carlton C. B. Bone, Killian M. Anreise, Robert M. Strongin

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective:

THC-JD (tetrahydrocannabioctyl) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid with an eight-carbon C3 side chain, present in only trace amounts in hemp, requiring synthesis for commercial use. It has been promoted as potentially 19 times more potent than delta-9-THC, consistent with enhanced CB1 receptor affinities for cannabinoids with 7-8 carbon C3 side chains. While one peer-reviewed report identified THC-JD (tetrahydrocannabioctyl) in Japanese online products, an anecdotal report from the U.S. suggests mislabeling. Method: To inform regulatory efforts and consumer awareness and to address these discrepancies, this study chemically analyzed five U.S. commercial cannabis vape products marketed as containing THC-JD. Results: Utilizing GC-MS …

Kartera, Arwyn G. Alignay, Julianne Skye Alexandria A. Antonio, Jacob Mark R. Carlos, Lance P. Ercia, Ricardo P. Macatangay Iii, Christine A. Maranon

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Kartera was formed in July 2024, bridging the gap between physical and digital wallets while combining a convenient form and sustainability. These factors distinguish its product offerings from a recently stagnant set of commercial wallets. The venture is in an early growth stage in the wallet industry, having recently launched its flagship product. The product, a no-fold wallet constructed from Piñatex, a sustainable pineapple leather alternative, was launched in February 2025 during the ABM Bazaar and initiated the framework for design protection for future products. Kartera functions under the sole proprietorship of Lance Ercia, who is supported by four officers: …

Love And Lust: A Philosophical Assessment Of The Morality Of Watching Pornography In Romantic Relationships Through Aristotle’S Function Of Rationality And Virtue Ethics, Missy Gabrielle Magtibay Dimayuga, Kaisser Brent Sanchez Eufemio, Annika Almhyr B. Rivera, Aiyana Chantel Go Tuvilla, Maria Karla Ysabelle Ticzon Vesorio, Naoemi Mikka Ella Weill

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study examines the moral acceptability of watching pornography while being in a romantic relationship. It explores the role of consent and intent in determining whether the aforementioned act is morally acceptable or morally unacceptable. Using Aristotle’s Function of Rationality and his Virtue Ethics, the study establishes that the moral acceptability of pornography consumption is subjective, and its acceptability is not dictated by a universal and unconditional moral rule, but is rather dictated by the perspective, situation, and dynamic of the individuals in a relationship themselves. The study argues that the act may be morally acceptable given that there is …

Star Apple (Chrysophyllum Cainito) Leaf & Banana (Musa Acuminata) Peel Extract As A Hydrophobic Coating For Cardboard, Ferdinand F. Begnaen, Missy Noelle C. Velasco, Mary Catherine M. Alfonso, Sharee Mae A. Tamayo, Ashley Irish V. Balneg, Crizanne R. Barsatan, David Isaiah S. Gengania, Rivi N. Wacnisen, Nikah Mei I. James

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This research aims to find a natural way to make cardboard more water-resistant, increasing its recyclability and lifespan by using banana peels (BP) and star apple leaves (SAL). The inspiration behind this study comes from commercial coatings that are made from synthetic chemicals, such as fluoropolymers and silicone, that can harm the environment. Since cardboard easily absorbs water, the researchers tested different mixtures of BP and SAL to determine which combination works best as a coating. Using ethanol maceration to extract hydrophobic compounds, epicuticular wax was obtained from SAL, while powdered BP was macerated with hexane. The extracts were concentrated …

The Role Of Social Media In Philippine Disaster Management: A Systematic Literature Review, Maxim Alexandrite V. Inoferio, Rich Angelo P. Santos, Henry Joshua A. Hernandez, Jeyson T. Taeza

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Despite the Philippines being one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, research on the role of social media in its disaster risk management remains limited. This study addresses this gap through a systematic review of existing literature on social media use in Philippine disaster risk management. The analysis is framed within the context of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its four thematic areas: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery, which guide disaster risk reduction efforts in the country. Results show that social media is primarily employed in response to typhoons and earthquakes, …

Analysis Of Ghg Emissions From A Local Production Of Coconut-Based Biodiesel And Its Market Delivery: A Case Study In The Philippines, Andre Faytaren Bacod, Dmitri John A. Omahoy, Derrick Francis F. Pua, Jose Antonio Mendoza Vidal, Jeremias A. Gonzaga

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

As the world continues to strive for sustainability, different advancements in sources of energy have been made in hopes of reducing the dependency on non-renewable sources. These include the production of biofuels like biodiesel, which involves the conversion of different biomass. However, while the production of biodiesel has been proven to be more beneficial to the environment, there are other factors regarding its production that contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). The transportation and distance between different sectors of the biofuel supply chain indirectly affect the total amount of GHG produced in its life cycle. This research aims …

A Vector Autoregressive (Var) Model For The Hourly Forecasting Of Climatological Data In General Santos City, Jezzu Morrisen C. Quimosing, Feevol S. Into, Ayeesha Kate N. Castro, Criss Allyn C. Hongoy, Bai Ashfahana A. Abdullah, Ma. Sofia Franchesca P. Dizor, Leo James M. Podador, Joshua Caleb G. Pagalan, Ralph Laurence Valdueza

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

With rising concerns over climate change and its impacts, this study develops and evaluates a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model to forecast climatological data in General Santos City: surface pressure, specific humidity, wind speed, air temperature, precipitation, UVA and UVB irradiance, with data from January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2024. Mean hour calculations confirmed seasonality via the QS test (p < 0.001) for all variables except precipitation; Mann-Kendall tests indicated significant trends for all tested variables, and UV irradiances were the only variables with no significant long‐term trend. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test (p < 0.001) established stationarity of variables, and Granger‐causal relationships were identified. Results indicated a bidirectional Granger-causal relationship between variable pairs (p < 0.001). The AIC-based model selection identified VAR(168) as the best-fitting model, effectively capturing cyclic patterns up to one week. The residuals passed the Ljung-Box tests for no residual autocorrelation (p > 0.05), and OLS-CUSUM plots indicated structural stability. Mean root-mean-square error determined out-of-sample forecasting accuracy to be good for most variables, and poor for UVA and UVB irradiance; therefore, while the VAR(168) model does generate accurate forecasts, it still presents challenges. …

“Neither Living Nor Dead”: From Nazgûl To The Sídhe In Tolkien's The Fellowship Of The Ring (1954), Noelia Ramos

Journal of Tolkien Research

This study explores the influence of Celtic supernatural folklore, particularly the banshee tradition, on Tolkien’s depiction of the Nazgûl in The Fellowship of the Ring. Using W.B. Yeats’ Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (1888) and the Celtic Twilight movement as a comparative framework, it analyses “A Short Cut to Mushrooms” and “A Knife in the Dark”, focusing on liminality, spectral presence, and supernatural dread. These parallels are further contextualised through reference to early Irish texts The Táin Bó Cúailnge and The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn, central works within the Celtic literary compilation known to Tolkien …

University Students’ Attitudes Toward And Intentions To Use Generative Ai In The Classroom: Findings From Pre- And Post-Genai Teaching Initiative Surveys, Yanfeng Xu, Hengtao Tang, Gareth Rees-White, Oz Ince, Allison Byxbe, Michael Stoeltzner, Gloria Washington, Shan Qiao, Sicheng Wang, Mercy S. Namateng, Omar Roy

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aimed to examine and compare factors associated with support for integrating GenAI into classroom settings and the intention to use GenAI tools in future education among students in pre- and post-GenAI teaching initiative surveys in an R1 university in the United States. Online surveys via Qualtrics were administered at the start and end of the Fall 2024 semester. Descriptive and bivariate analyses and ordered logistic regression models were conducted. In the pre-GenAI teaching initiative survey, significant predictors associated with students’ support for GenAI tools were students’ interest in GenAI and perceived usefulness. Significant predictors associated with their intention …

Addressing The Problems Of Data Variations, Quality, And Scarcity In Training Deep Neural Networks, Jian Sun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The performance of deep neural networks (DNNs) is strongly influenced by the characteristics and quality of the underlying datasets. This Ph.D. dissertation addresses three pervasive data challenges-imbalance, quality degradation, and scarcity-that commonly hinder the effectiveness of DNNs in computer vision (CV) and natural language processing (NLP) applications.

Class imbalance remains one of the most frequent causes of degraded model generalization. While Focal Loss effectively mitigates inter-class imbalance by assigning higher weights to minority classes, it struggles with intra-class imbalance, particularly in video datasets where longer clips dominate feature representation. To address this, I implement and utilize …

Optimization Of Contact Time, Adsorbent Dosage, And Initial Ph For Methylene Blue Removal In Aqueous Solution Using Citrus Aurantium Peels, John Rich M. Adorna, Maria Carmela M. Lajara, Aldrin James F. Tolentino, Hiromi O. Yazaki

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

The growing contamination caused by the dye and textile industries has generated serious environmental issues due to the release of chemically synthesized dyes such as methylene blue (MB), which are toxic and resistant to biodegradation. This study examines the impact of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial pH on the removal efficiency of MB using Citrus aurantium peels as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent. The Box-Behnken design methodology was employed to identify optimal conditions for maximum removal. The research consisted of 15 experiments to determine the adsorption capacity under various conditions. Results showed that the removal efficiency was highest …

Into The Spectrum: Investigating The Range Of Color Vision In The Foraging Behavior Of Diacamma Rugosum (Asian Bullet Ants), Manjho Aron R. Broniola, Ethan Jay O. Dayandante, Patricia Erin D. Sotto, Lawrence P. Belo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Ants showcase that size does not always matter. Through their small stature, they continue surviving in the land they live in, continuously being resourceful for their colony. Each ant serves their purpose of building, hunting, and growing their colony. They used their heightened senses to communicate danger, routes, and food sources from which they could contribute to the colony. Typically done via pheromones, also known as their “scent.” Previous studies have raised the preference of other ant species to be colors of short wavelengths. Now, this study deals with the ethology of ants, specifically regarding their foraging behavior, raising the …

Session Ia: Natural Sciences Presentation 1 - Elucidating Elimia: Affinities Of North Carolina Freshwater Snails, Andrew Wilson

Life of the Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference

Study of Pleuroceridae snail variation and evolutionary relationships.

Domestic Guestworkers: A Call To End The H-2b Program And Empower American Workers, Preston Huennekens

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Federal Prosecution In The Shadows Of Constitutional Immunity, J. Richard Broughton

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Executive Immunity, Corruption, And The Rule Of Law: Death By A Thousand Cuts, Kimberly Breedon

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The Removal Responsibility, Kevin Frazier

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Dred Scott, Military Enslavement, And The Case For Reparations, Hugh Mcclean

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Building Jerusalem: Commercial Law And Ethics Of The Benefit Corporation, Jeff Lingwall, Susan Park

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Paws And Persuasion: How Dog Influencers Shape Hotel Booking Decisions, Wei Wei, Lu Zhang, Tianyu Ying, Yanyan Zheng

Rosen Research Review

The research by Wei, Zhang, Ying, and Zheng explores how pet influencers—specifically dog influencers on Instagram—impact hotel booking intentions. Through two experiments, the study reveals that message appeal (rational vs. emotional) interacts with audience characteristics like prior experience and perceived attractiveness of the pet influencer. Rational messages are more persuasive for less experienced travelers and when the pet influencer is perceived as less attractive. Emotional messages, while engaging, are less effective in these contexts. This research uncovers the nuanced power of pet influencer marketing and offers practical strategies for hospitality marketers seeking to tap into the booming “cute economy” of …

Successful Treatment Of Juvenile Sterile Granulomatous Dermatitis And Lymphadenitis In A Pomeranian Aged 5 Months Using Topical Hydrocortisone Aceponate And Systemic Antibiotic, Nutjira Sawatmongkol, Sirada Tayayouth, Suttiwee Chermprapai

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A 5-month-old intact male Pomeranian puppy was presented with a 2-week history of acutely swollen face, eyelids, lips, and muzzle. A physical examination revealed focal alopecia, folliculitis, and erythema on the muzzle, periocular, and perianal areas; crusts were also found around the muzzle. The puppy received monthly oral afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime. No ectoparasite was observed based on a trichogram test. Skin cytology revealed intracellular cocci and neutrophils. A skin biopsy taken from the muzzle revealed pyogranulomatous perifollicular dermatitis with epidermal spongiosis, intraepidermal pustules, and a superficial crust. This condition was diagnosed as juvenile cellulitis on the basis of age, …

Translational Barriers To Aav And Crispr Gene Therapy In Diabetes, Abdulrahman G. Alharbi

Saudi Medical Journal

Gene therapy targets diabetes pathophysiology rather than symptoms, yet clinical translation is slower than preclinical success. This review synthesizes 143 registered trials (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2010-2025) identifying systematic implementation barriers. Despite >15 years of development, 83% of trials remain in Phase I-II. Only zimislecel achieved Phase III outcomes (83% insulin independence at 12 months, n=12, requiring immunosuppression). VM202 for diabetic neuropathy failed Phase III despite positive extension results. Three systematic barriers emerged: (1) human transduction efficiency is 6-8.7-fold lower than preclinical models; (2) pre-existing immunity excludes 58-78% of candidates; (3) manufacturing capacity serves <2.5% of target population (40-400 years to treat at maximum capacity). These constraints explain why ex vivo cell therapies advanced to efficacy trials while in vivo gene delivery remains in Phase I despite longer development timelines. Research priorities should emphasize non-viral delivery systems offering scalable manufacturing and universal hypoimmune donor cells to address access barriers.

Semaglutide In Metabolic Medicine: A Review On Clinical Applications And Emerging Therapeutics, Abdulrahman A. Aljabri

Saudi Medical Journal

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus affect over 800 million and 537 million individuals worldwide. Semaglutide, a weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has advanced treatment of pathophysiological processes linked to metabolic dysregulation. This review consolidates evidence on its mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness across established and emerging applications, safety, and prospects for personalized therapy. Clinical studies have shown that semaglutide sustains glycemic control, promotes substantial weight loss, and provides cardiovascular and renal protection. Recent FDA clearance marks the first therapeutic alternative for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis among the emerging applications. Pharmacogenomic insights facilitate personalized therapy; however, clinical applications remain in experimental …

A Multi-Task Cnn-Lstm Model With Attention Mechanism For Climate Temperature Forecasting Over Iraq, Salim M. Mohammed, Omar M. Mustafa, Lailan M. Haji, Omar M. Ahmed

Al-Bahir

Accurate forecasting of climate temperature at the regional scale is crucial to agriculture planning, water resource management, and disaster preparedness. Still, due to the nonlinear and complicated temporal patterns in regions such as Iraq, conventional climate models fail to meet this imperative. This paper presents a novel deep learning model that not only predicts monthly average temperature values but also predicts the temperature trend, hence addressing the regional climate prediction problem holistically. The proposed model is designed as a multi-task deep learning framework integrating Convolutional Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory networks, and an attention mechanism to process historical monthly temperature …

Library Newsletter: Mid March ‘26, Iwasaki Library

Iwasaki Newsletters

This Library Newsletter reached faculty, staff, and students of Emerson College on March 20th, 2026. This is the only published issue of March 2026. This is the eleventh issue of the third volume. It includes top stories such as volunteering at Relaxapalooza, Emerson Alum Kelsey Day (‘21) celebrates book release at the Library, WasteNot Emerson, building a Community Archive Project, an EBONI display, and librarians assisting with final projects.

Determination Of Trace Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) In Dosage Forms And Redbull Samples Using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Technique Coupled With Spectrophotometry, Sally Ghanem Ahmed, Wijdan Shakir Khayoon

Baghdad Science Journal

This paper introduced a sensitive determination method measurement spectrophotometric coupled with dispersive liquid-liquid micro extraction based on charge transfer complex formation between pyridoxine hydrochloride and chloranil using alkaline buffer (pH = 10.5). After that, the extraction of charge transfer complex was conducted by injection a mixture of chloroform and acetone solvents followed by spectrophotometric measurement of tiny organic droplets at λ = 535 nm. The important parameters affecting the formation of the complex and efficiency of DLLME such as concentration of chloranil, volume and pH of buffer solution, reaction time and the optimum conditions of DLLME has been studied and …

Stimulation Of The Medial Septum Diagonal Band Of Broca Rescues Learning And Memory Deficits In Fmr1 Ko Mice, Mohamed Ouardouz, Amanda E Hernan, J. Matthew Mahoney, Rodney C Scott

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and a leading monogenic cause of autism, arises from the loss of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (Fmr protein), leading to synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that the frequency-specific electrical stimulation of the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) can restore cognitive and synaptic impairments in Fmr1 knockout mice, a validated model of FXS. Thirty minutes of 35 Hz MSDB stimulation significantly improved subsequent recognition memory, sociability, spatial learning, and fear memory, with recognition memory enhancements persisting for up to 7 days after daily 30 min …

Chatgpt Versus Uptodate In Preclinical Medical Education: Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency Cosine Similarity, Shankar S. Thiru, Nicholas E. Aksu, Matthew Chiang, Daniel O. Gallagher, Mary Furlong, Elizabeth R. Prevou, Akhil Jay Khanna

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used by medical students for self-directed learning. Although these models demonstrate linguistic fluency, their reliability as supplementary resources for preclinical education remains uncertain. In particular, comparisons with evidence-based references such as UpToDate are lacking.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the similarity between responses generated by ChatGPT (with GPT-4o mini) and those from UpToDate to preclinical medical education questions to assess ChatGPT's potential as an adjunctive learning tool.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional comparison study using 150 first-order questions derived from a preclinical question bank at a single allopathic institution under the …