Digital Commons Network^™

Proteome-Wide Association Study Of Prostate Cancer Risk Across Populations, Hua Zhong, Jingjing Zhu, Shuai Liu, Chong Wu, Liang Wang, Seamus P. Whelton, Catherine H. Marshall, Michael J. Blaha, Peter Durda, Xiuqing Guo, Craig W. Johnson, Henry J. Lin, Kent D. Taylor, Russell P. Tracy, Ronit I. Yarden, Ani W. Manichaikul, Stephen S. Rich, Jerome I. Rotter, Rajat Deo, Ruth F. Dubin, Peter Ganz, Lang Wu

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

There is insufficient understanding of the molecular basis of prostate cancer (PCa) across different populations. We perform a large-scale proteome-wide association study (PWAS) to identify proteins with genetically regulated expression in plasma to be associated with PCa risk across populations. We develop genetic prediction models for expression of 1578, 1993, 1218, and 1390 proteins for African (n = 450), European (n = 758), Asian (n = 289), and Hispanic/Latino (n = 474) males, respectively, and evaluate associations of genetically regulated protein expression with PCa risk in 19,391 PCa cases and 61,608 controls of African population, 122,188 cases and 604,640 controls …

Elm: The Case Of Experiential Programming, Matthew Miller, Lynette Campogiani

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

Experiential Programs (EPs) provide immersive, destination-focused experiences within luxury resort settings. However, research has yet to apply the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) to examine how guests evaluate their experiences with EPs, particularly within luxury tourism or resort contexts. Using the ELM framework, this study examined how the experience of luxury resort EPs influences guests’ revisit intentions. Guests’ experiences were categorized into central and peripheral processing cues and qualitative interview responses were analyzed. The findings indicate that elements such as ambient music and scenic views associated with peripheral processing had a significantly stronger positive impact on guests’ intentions to return than …

An Updated Annotated Checklist Of The Mammals Of The Crane Trust, Hall County, Nebraska, Bethany L. Ostrom, Amanda H. Medaries, Andrew J. Caven, Jenna M. Malzahn, Alexa Rojas, Matthew R. Schaaf, David M. Baasch, Thomas E. Labedz, Greg D. Wright

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Crane Trust is a regional nonprofit conservation organization that has protected land in the biologically important Central Platte River Valley for over four decades. A mammal inventory was conducted on the Crane Trust’s main habitat complex in 1980. Since, a variety of environmental conditions have shifted locally, regionally, and globally. An analysis of the mammal community was conducted using past and recent data to determine how species composition and relative abundance have shifted categorically from 1980 to 2021. We used all available data to categorize relative abundance during two distinct time periods per a modified “DAFOR” scale including 7 …

Effect Of Low Intensity Aerobic Exercise On Vo2peak Of Women With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy, Etta Novayanti, Indrayuni Lukitra Wardhani, Inggar Narasinta, Desak Gede Agung Suprabawati, Niken Pratiwi, Ratna Daryanti Soebadi

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Breast cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, have been associated with significant declines in cardiopulmonary fitness, a key determinant of functional independence and survival. VO₂peak, a marker of cardiopulmonary function, is often reduced in patients undergoing chemotherapy, increasing morbidity risks. Researchers have proposed exercise interventions to mitigate these effects. However, most studies focused on moderate-to-high-intensity regimens, with limited data on the efficacy of low-intensity aerobic exercise. This study aimed to explore the impact of low-intensity cycle ergometer aerobic exercise on VO₂peak in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. A randomized controlled trial with twenty participants randomly assigned to …

Factors Associated With Medication Adherence And Systolic And Diastolic Blood Pressure Of Hypertensive Patients, Hamka Ziddan, Meity Ardiana, Linda Dewanti, Anudya Kartika Ratri

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Uncontrolled hypertension can cause complications such as heart disease, brain disease, kidney disease, and other diseases. Medication adherence is a primary factor in controlling blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. This study aims to provide an overview of the factors associated with medication adherence of hypertensive patients treated at Taman Public Health Center in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. This study used a cross-sectional approach involving hypertensive patients. This study employed consecutive sampling, with the number of samples comprised of patients undergoing outpatient care from January 2, 2023, to February 25, 2023, totaling 103 respondents. The study employed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale …

The Formation And Dynamics Of Colonial “Lived Spaces” : Urban Space And Society In Colonial Hanoi, 1883–1916, Nam Khanh Hoang '25

Student Research

This study examines the nuanced experiences and perceptions of urban space among different social groups in colonial Hanoi in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by analyzing the French colonial agendas, as reflected through modern urban planning and practices, and its reception among the colonial urban inhabitants, as suggested through their responses to the Statue of Liberty—a colonial urban monument. While existing scholarship has often framed colonial cities as stages for consolidating imperial power, introducing Western ideals of modernity, and forming systems of oppression and exploitation against colonial subjects, it has often overlooked the perceptions and experiences of colonial …

Innovative Offshore Transition-To-Practice Model For International Nurses Using Tele-Simulation, Lisa Mceathron, Christian Striggow, Jose Arnold Tariga

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Empirical evidence underscores the importance of optimal nurse staffing in delivering high-quality patient care, improving outcomes, and enhancing nurse well-being. Internationally educated nurses (IENs) play a crucial role in addressing staffing shortages in the United States, yet they face challenges in bridging gaps between varying international nursing standards and US healthcare practices. Innovative approaches are essential to ensure their readiness to integrate effectively prior to arrival.

The International Transition to Practice Program leverages tele-simulation as a pioneering strategy to address these challenges, providing an offshore, immersive learning experience for IENs. This program was implemented from July 2023 to September 2024, …

Proteome-Wide Association Study Of Prostate Cancer Risk Across Populations, Hua Zhong, Jingjing Zhu, Shuai Liu, Chong Wu, Liang Wang, Seamus P Whelton, Catherine H Marshall, Michael J Blaha, Peter Durda, Xiuqing Guo, Craig W Johnson, Henry J Lin, Kent D Taylor, Russell P Tracy, Ronit I Yarden, Ani W Manichaikul, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Rajat Deo, Ruth F Dubin, Peter Ganz, Lang Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

There is insufficient understanding of the molecular basis of prostate cancer (PCa) across different populations. We perform a large-scale proteome-wide association study (PWAS) to identify proteins with genetically regulated expression in plasma to be associated with PCa risk across populations. We develop genetic prediction models for expression of 1578, 1993, 1218, and 1390 proteins for African (n = 450), European (n = 758), Asian (n = 289), and Hispanic/Latino (n = 474) males, respectively, and evaluate associations of genetically regulated protein expression with PCa risk in 19,391 PCa cases and 61,608 controls of African population, 122,188 cases and 604,640 controls …

Actin Dysregulation Induces Neuroendocrine Plasticity And Immune Evasion: A Vulnerability Of Small Cell Lung Cancer, Yoojeong Seo, Shengzhe Zhang, Jinho Jang, Kyung-Pil Ko, Kee-Beom Kim, Yuanjian Huang, Dong-Wook Kim, Bongjun Kim, Gengyi Zou, Jie Zhang, Sohee Jun, Wonhong Chu, Nicole A Kirk, Ye Eun Hwang, Young Ho Ban, Shilpa S Dhar, Joseph M Chan, Min Gyu Lee, Charles M Rudin, Kwon-Sik Park, Jae-Il Park

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Capping protein inhibiting regulator of actin dynamics (CRACD) that promotes actin polymerization, is frequently inactivated in SCLC. However, the role of CRACD loss in SCLC is unknown. Here we show that CRACD depletion drives neuroendocrine (NE) cell plasticity and immune evasion in SCLC. Mechanistically, CRACD inactivation disrupts actin organization, leading to suppression of Yap1-NOTCH signaling and subsequent NE gene upregulation. Simultaneously, CRACD loss drives EZH2-mediated histone methylation via nuclear actin disruption, leading to repression of MHC-I genes and depletion of CD8⁺ T cells. Consequently, CRACD-downregulated tumors exhibit …

Islamic Prophetic Counseling: An Intervention Strategy In Developing Students' Noble Character, Hardi Santosa, Ahmad Zaki Annafiri, Iin Inawati, Akhmad Fajar Prasetya, Muhammad Sabri Bin Sahrir

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to test the effectiveness of Islamic prophetic counseling in developing students' noble morals. The research method uses a true experiment involving a control group. The selection of the control group uses the waiting-list control group model, with consideration of the ethical aspects of the study. The research sample involved 244 students captured the profile of noble morals and their spiritual activism. While the hypothesis test involved 50 students who were divided into control and experimental groups. The sample selection was carried out randomly with the random assignment technique. The research data were collected using a noble moral …

Opportunities, Challenges, And Realities Of Graduate Student Submissions In Institutional Repositories: One Librarian’S Reflection, Sierra Pandy

Journal of Graduate Librarianship

The role of an institutional repository (IR) is to provide open access publishing and archival services for the institution’s faculty, staff, and students. However, despite the wide range of benefits this creates for university researchers, it can be difficult to communicate that value to graduate students. This article will discuss and reflect upon the various challenges, successes, and opportunities we experienced while promoting and utilizing the IR for graduate students at the University of Wyoming during and after a major platform migration, and touch upon goals for the future.

Bringing Mutuality And Reciprocity Into Focus: A Case Study On Sustaining University-Community Partnerships For Local Systems Change And Student Learning, Jessica L. Lucero, Lucas Martin, Jayme Walters

Transforming Communities

This case study explores a long-term university-community partnership focused on addressing homelessness, highlighting the principles of mutuality and reciprocity in achieving systemic change. Over nearly a decade, the partnership has evolved to engage university resources, faculty, and social work students through research, courses, and outreach activities, such as community surveys, the Point-in-Time Count, strategic planning, advocacy, and service system expansion. These collaborative efforts have contributed to enhanced public awareness, increased state funding, and the establishment of vital services, including a warming center. The case study also underscores the challenges inherent in community-engaged scholarship, including capacity constraints like funding and staffing …

Evaluating Mid-Air Fog-Screen Robot System, Hong Wang, Ngoc Bao Dinh, Waylon Erlandson, Jacob Rauscher, Mario Sinclair, Nicolas Echeverria, Abrar Zahin, Zhao Han

Bellini College REU Symposium (BCREUS)

This project investigates how communication interfaces can bridge the gap between humans and robots in hazardous reconnaissance environments. The study explores a communication framework designed to overcome the limitations of headset-based solutions such as poor scalability, and projector-based spatial AR that rely on vertical surfaces often absent in open or unstructured environments. Through the development of a signaling system, the project aims to provide clear transmission of mission-critical safety information without reliance on headsets, network connectivity, or close-proximity displays. Previous results suggest that this approach improves information clarity for the operator compared to standard screen-based methods. The project advances this …

A Universal Evaluation Framework For Visual Noise In Contained Systems, Temirzhan Mukhambet, Duong Mai, Jacqueline Hausman, Yu Sun

Bellini College REU Symposium (BCREUS)

In many robotics or computer vision contained systems, regulating the quality of captured input data (e.g., point clouds or videos) is critical for preserving the integrity and accuracy of downstream tasks. In practice, this process requires mitigating various forms of noise specific to the domain (2D vs. 3D) and the intended application, such as object detection and scene understanding.

However, a unified framework addressing noise across a holistic system remains underexplored, as current surveys typically isolate specific modalities i.e., examine either 2D or 3D methods exclusively. The 2D domain covers two main areas: static image denoising, which prioritizes sensor noise …

Analyzing Human–Robot Collaboration Failures In State-Of-Art Generative Visuomotor Models, Grant Henderson, Miguel Mateo Osorio Vela, Vidhi Mudaliar, Amanuel Ergogo, Zhao Han

Bellini College REU Symposium (BCREUS)

As generative visuomotor models become increasingly capable of representing large-scale robotic skills, they are beginning to transition from controlled laboratory environments into shared human-robot workspaces. While these models enable competent manipulation, their opaque, black-box decision-making processes introduce coordination challenges that can negatively impact safety, efficiency, and trust during collaboration. In safety-critical tasks such as medication dispensing, successful teamwork depends not only on physical capability but also on timing, predictability, and mutual awareness.

This project investigates how two state-of-the-art generative visuomotor policies, an Action-Chunking Transformer (ACT) and a Vision-Action Diffusion policy, perform in a real-world collaborative medication-dispensing task. We compare these …

On-Device Measurement Of Impact Of Artificial Intelligence Tools On Productivity, Navid Kagalwalla, Tom Piacentini, Jacques Mouton

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes techniques to measure the net productivity impact of AI-assisted workflows on user productivity. Metadata regarding user activity on a user device is obtained with user permission, using a private, on-device architecture. The data is analyzed on-device to determine whether an AI-assisted workflow is in process and the impact of the use of AI on productivity. In an example implementation, an Activity Sensing and Filtration Layer (ASFL) and a Cognitive Workflow Engine (CWE) are implemented and used to calculate the true net time saved using AI assistance. This metric takes into account the hidden cost of the user …

A Distance Based Embedding Method Using Nlp Methods To Identify Proximity To A Network, Shuhan Zhang, Anurag Tangri, Chinmay Narendra Sonar, Lin Meng, Can Liu, Chiranjeet Chetia

Defensive Publications Series

The present disclosure relates to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in particular to AI methods and systems for analyzing transactional data using Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to identify latent relationships and proximity within networks. The disclosed system utilizes text fields within datasets to categorize input data into appropriate classifications. The input comprises a dataset containing text data that provides contextual information related to transactions. Feature embeddings are generated using a sentence-based Language Learning Model (LLM), which captures semantic meaning of sentences. The LLM converts input data of varying lengths into fixed-dimension embeddings. The sentence-based LLM is fine-tuned based …

Llm-Augmented Dynamic Selective Blocking Of Service Calls For Application Control, Johannes Start, John Lunney

Defensive Publications Series

Software applications face critical challenges in rapidly and precisely mitigating emergent threats such as safety incidents or query-of-death attacks originating from or affecting backend calls. This disclosure describes techniques for dynamic, real-time, intelligent blocking or modification of harmful or problematic backend service call responses. The techniques combine traditional filtering with semantic analysis using a large language model (LLM). A control plane enables operators such as site reliability engineers (SREs) to define and deploy mitigation rules on-the-fly, without code changes or lengthy propagation delays. This enables rapid and precise response to emergent threats, such as safety incidents involving AI-generated content or …

Enhancing Hardware Scan Coverage By Selecting A Data Streaming Interface Unconnected To The Failure, Kaushal Purohit, Victor Wong

Defensive Publications Series

Hardware scanning helps debug problems related to internal components within a device by capturing hardware states as a stream of bits, known as a scan chain. However, employing on-chip or off-chip memory for storage of scan data requires that the path to/from the memory be excluded from the hardware scan, creating a critical gap in debugging. Moreover, wired debugging interfaces are typically unavailable or inaccessible on remote production devices, which makes it challenging to retrieve the scan data quickly. This disclosure describes techniques to optimize the streaming of hardware scan data from on-chip crash manager applications employed to detect hardware …

Optimizing Data Transfer From Smart Glasses To Paired Device Based On Eye Tracking, Willy Horng Jean Cheung, Shenil Navin Dodhia, Gordon Wan

Defensive Publications Series

Smart glasses and other wearable devices that include cameras can capture the user’s environment as memories and can also answer questions or surface assistance proactively. However, smart glasses have limited compute and storage capabilities, and enabling continuous perception is therefore infeasible. A paired device such as a smartphone can enable smart glasses to operate in continuous perception mode and also provide compute power for artificial intelligence models. However, a key bottleneck is the data transfer between the smart glasses and the paired device, which is constrained by wireless data transfer rates. Even with aggressive data-compression schemes, the payload over the …

Dynamic Management Of Virtual Lanes And Buffer Zones For Autonomous Traffic, Sumukh Shevde, Kamran Mustafa, Abhijit Adsule

Defensive Publications Series

Static assignment of roadway lanes can result in inefficient traffic flow, where congestion may develop in one direction while opposing lanes remain underutilized. To address this, systems and methods for dynamic traffic management are described. A computational system, such as a central server or an in-vehicle computer, can treat a roadway as a single, partitionable surface, creating and modifying virtual lanes in near real-time. The number, width, and direction of these lanes can be adjusted based on current and predicted traffic demand. Autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles can be assigned to these virtual lanes, and a dynamic virtual buffer zone may …

A Real-Time Computer Vision System For Procedural Verification In Manual Assembly, Frank Mao, Sun Nee Chan, George Liu

Defensive Publications Series

Manual assembly processes can be susceptible to error, potentially leading to incorrect component handling or procedural deviations. A system for real-time procedural verification can use computer vision to address this. An inspection node, which may comprise an imaging device (e.g., a camera) and a processing unit, can capture and analyze an operator's physical actions at a workstation. These actions may be compared against a predefined digital blueprint, such as a standard assembly model (SAM), that codifies a specified sequence of events. Upon detection of a deviation between the operator's actions and the SAM, the system can provide feedback to the …

City Of Knoxville V. Netflix, Inc: The Doctrine Of Comity In Certified Questions, Shannon M. Crow

University of Memphis Law Review

When compared to traditional cable companies, streaming platforms and their distinctive methods of delivering entertainment make them seemingly untouchable—not only in competitive markets, but also in the courtroom. The Tennessee Supreme Court in City of Knoxville v. Netflix, Inc. (“Netflix”) ruled that Netflix and Hulu did not provide video programming through wireline facilities under the Competitive Cable and Video Services Act (“CCVSA”).1 Netflix arose out of an action brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee by the City of Knoxville against Netflix and Hulu (“Defendants”).2 The City of Knoxville argued that Defendants were required …

Artificial Minds, Alien Experiences: Navigating The Uncharted Territory Of Ai Phenomenology, Kevin H. Smith

University of Memphis Law Review

This Article advocates for a fundamental shift in the way artificial intelligence (“AI”) consciousness is evaluated, moving beyond anthropocentric models that rely on human cognitive benchmarks. Traditional tests, such as the Turing Test, assume that human-like behavior is the ultimate criterion for consciousness, overlooking the possibility of novel, non-human modes of consciousness. Instead, this Article proposes a multi-dimensional framework that assesses AI systems based on their unique architectures and cognitive processes. By combining dimensions such as information integration, autonomous goal-pursuit, metacognitive self-modeling, affective motivation, social communication, counterfactual simulation, imaginative reasoning, and causal modeling, this framework provides a comprehensive and empirically …

Clearing The Legal Fog: Navigating Conflicting Interpretations Of The Speedy Trial Act And The Insanity Defense Reform Act For Mentally Incompetent Defendants, Bridgette Mcinroe

University of Memphis Law Review

Jane, a 32-year-old individual, is facing federal criminal charges for an alleged white-collar offense that has a maximum punishment of one year in prison. On March 1, 2019, the court decides to assess Jane’s mental competency to stand trial due to concerns raised in the initial proceedings. The court, relying on the standards set forth by the United States Supreme Court,1 initiates a hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant a mental competency evaluation. After the competency hearing, the court concludes that there is a need for such a mental evaluation. Jane is then sent for an initial …

Individuals And Couples With Infertility: Quality Of Life, Relationship Satisfaction, Resilience, Depression, And Shame, Niko C. Wilson, Sejal Barden

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This study examined the relationship between fertility-related quality of life, relationship satisfaction, resilience, depression, and shame in individuals and couples with infertility (N = 556). Using structural equation modeling (SEM) and the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), the study assessed gender covariates and dyadic influences in couples (n = 52). SEM results showed fertility-related quality of life impacted resilience, depression, and shame, while its relational aspect influenced relationship satisfaction. APIM identified partner effects on relationship satisfaction and shame. Findings provide insights for counseling practices, promoting relationship well-being in couples facing infertility.

Development And Evaluation Of The Sex Positivity Inventory For Counselors, M. Ashley Burks, Jennifer Gerlach, Joshua C. Watson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The purpose of the study was to clarify the definition of sex positivity and identify sex-positive attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the development and evaluation of the Sex Positivity Inventory for Counselors (SPI-C). The exploratory factor analysis supported a six-factor, 34-item scale, accounting for 32.9% of the variance within the study. The SPI-C had an excellent internal consistency of 0.96 and consisted of the following factors: 1) Procedural Sex Positivity, 2) Comfortability with Sexuality, 3) Perceived Sex Positivity, 4) Fundamental Sex Education, 5) Sexological Worldview, and 6) Unconditional Positive Sexual Regard. Implications for practice, counselor education, and supervision are discussed.

The Counselor Educator’S Guide To Sex Positivity: Ten Strategies For Enhancing Teaching And Supervision, Lorraine J. Guth, Ashley R. Niccolai, Moirin Reynolds, Dana Kirkpatrick

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Despite positive shifts in cultural conversations surrounding sex, there is a lack of institutional focus on sexuality training in counselor education. This is surprising, given that sexuality is an inherently multicultural issue, and a sex positive framework aligns with counseling’s core values which include social justice, resilience, and wellness. We discuss the relevance of incorporating sex positivity in counselor education and provide ten strategies for counselor educators to integrate sex positivity into their teaching and supervision. These recommendations include engage in self-reflection to examine comfort with sexuality; examine curriculum to ensure sexuality objectives are infused in courses; use inclusive language; …

Letter To Bob From Joe, Joe Buser

Bob Schieffer Vietnam War Collection

Letter to Bob Schieffer from Joe Buser, assistant director of information at Texas A&M College Station.

Working With The Irs, Gordon T. Stine

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.