Digital Commons Network^™

Predictive Capacity Of Immune-Related Adverse Events And Cytokine Profiling In Neoadjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Trials For Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma\, Angela E Alnemri, Sruti Tekumalla, Annie E Moroco, Ioannis Vathiotis, Madalina Tuluc, Stacey Gargano, Tingting Zhan, David M Cognetti, Joseph M Curry, Athanassios Argiris, Alban Linnenbach, Andrew P South, Larry A Harshyne, Jennifer M Johnson, Adam J Luginbuhl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Certain low-level immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been associated with survival benefits in patients with various solid tumors on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We aimed to investigate the association between irAEs and response to neoadjuvant ICIs in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to identify differences in circulating cytokine levels based on irAE status.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including three neoadjuvant clinical trials from July 2017 to January 2022: NCT03238365 (nivolumab ± tadalafil), NCT03854032 (nivolumab ± BMS986205), NCT03618654 (durvalumab ± metformin). The presence and type of irAEs, pathologic treatment response, and survival …

Impact Of Knockout Of Dual-Specificity Protein Phosphatase 5 On Structural And Mechanical Properties Of Rat Middle Cerebral Arteries: Implications For Vascular Aging, Chengyun Tang, Huawei Zhang, Jane J Border, Yedan Liu, Xing Fang, Joshua R Jefferson, Andrew Gregory, Claire Johnson, Tae Jin Lee, Shan Bai, Ashok Sharma, Seung Min Shin, Hongwei Yu, Richard J Roman, Fan Fan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Vascular aging influences hemodynamics, elevating risks for vascular diseases and dementia. We recently demonstrated that knockout (KO) of Dusp5 enhances cerebral and renal hemodynamics and cognitive function. This improvement correlates with elevated pPKC and pERK1/2 levels in the brain and kidneys. Additionally, we observed that Dusp5 KO modulates the passive mechanical properties of cerebral and renal arterioles, associated with increased myogenic tone at low pressure, enhanced distensibility, greater compliance, and reduced stiffness. The present study evaluates the structural and mechanical properties of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in Dusp5 KO rats. We found that vascular smooth muscle cell layers and …

Production Of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Metarhizium Anisopliae Fungus For The Treatment Of Petroleum Pollutants In Water, Marwah Th. Alnuaimi, Zahraa Zahraw Aljanabi, Sarah Ibrahim Mahmood, Ula Farooq Ramzy

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, a silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) was created using a biological technique from an extract of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. The characteristics of the prepared AgNPs were identified by utilizing the optical, ultraviolet, and infrared absorbance spectroscopy. The shape, size, and charge distribution on the particles were determined by using scanning electron microscopy and zeta voltage analysis. The analysis of biological activity of the silver nanoparticles showed its effectiveness in treating pollutants, as confirmed by the reduction of higher than 93% weight of crude oil in contaminated water samples. The crude oil mass was effectively transformed into the gelatinous …

Forced Pooling: The Unconstitutional Taking Of Private Property, Kevin J. Lynch

UC Law Journal

Our society’s continued addiction to fossil fuels poses an existential threat to our future. The scientific consensus clearly tells us that we must stop burning fossil fuels as fast as possible. This poses a huge political challenge, as many people make a lot of money from the fossil fuel industry, and they resist change. But an overlooked legal doctrine shows that we are not even going after the lowest hanging fruit. Oil and gas rights are often privately held in the United States. Some owners of those rights would be happy to leave their oil and gas safely in the …

Monopolization By Exploiting People’S Inertia? On The Doj’S 2020 Complaint Against Google And Revenue Sharing Agreements As Non-Compete Arrangements, Omar Vasquez Duque

UC Law Journal

In October 2020, the Department of Justice sued Google for paying Apple and several other search engine distributors to set Google as its users’ default. The complaint alleges that Google’s agreements constitute de facto exclusive dealing arrangements because people only rarely change defaults. Although the complaint correctly asserts that this arrangement violates antitrust law, it misapprehends the mechanism of the anticompetitive harm.

The Google–Apple agreement is more accurately modeled as an arrangement that deters actual competitors from reaching a significant distribution channel and discourages a key potential competitor from entering search. If a potential competitor is paid for a preferred …

Effects Of A Taekwondo-Inspired Intervention Program On Children With Adhd, Zubaida Fares Shraim

Dissertations

Exercise and physical activity are beneficial for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a Taekwondo-inspired intervention program on children with ADHD in the UAE context. The research utilized a mixed methods/quasi-experimental design approach, consisting of two phases. Within the first phase, a promising intensive intervention for children with ADHD has been implemented for five weeks, four sessions weekly. The sample of the first phase consisted of four children aged 8-10 years diagnosed with ADHD. Three assessment instruments were used to collect data in phase one and explore …

Why Do We Care About Safety With Tbi Patients?, Delaney Loring Rn Bsn, Haley Greenleaf Rn, Olivia Kaczmarek Rn Bsn, Michaela Ryerson-Wing Rn

Nurse Residency

Do nurses working with acute and chronic TBI patients need additional education and training to provide safe, patient and family centered care during an inpatient hospital stay?

Psychometric Properties Of The Positive Thinking Skills Scale Among Undergraduate Nursing Students, Ruth A. Engbers, Abir K. Bekhet, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Norah L. Johnson, Maharaj Singh

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Increasing the resilience of undergraduate nursing students is essential for the individual student's well-being and the healthcare system dealing with a looming nursing shortage. Undergraduate nursing students have reported that positive thinking and positive reframing are ways of coping with exposure to suffering, but measurement of these skills remains limited in this population. This is the first study to examine the psychometric properties of the Positive Thinking Skills Scale specifically in undergraduate nursing students and in a sample that includes students from both public and private universities. Internal consistency was demonstrated with a Chronbach's alpha of 0.824, convergent validity was …

Black Students Matter: A Phenomenological Approach To Exploring Sense Of Belonging Among Black Students Attending A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alison K. Chandler

Dissertations

As the number of Black college students who have enrolled in federally designated Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) has risen, it has become necessary to examine how their sense of belonging has been fostered, particularly given the educational disparities and equity gaps in retention, persistence, and graduation rates. Furthermore, the focus on initiatives geared towards Latinx students may contribute to feelings of inadequacy among Black students, which is compounded by racialized experiences that have occurred in educational settings both prior to and during college. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of nine Black undergraduate students at a private four-year HSI in the …

Principals As Instructional Leaders: Supporting New Middle School Principals To Implement Systems Allowing For Instructional Leadership, Jason Kaiz

Dissertations

This study is a collection, interpretation, and, eventually, recommendations based on data collected through interviews with current middle school principals. The research questions examine how middle school principals can increase their effectiveness as an instructional leader within the building. The research begins by examining the factors contributing to the principal being an instructional leader and what systems can be implemented to support this goal. These systems should include the ability for principals to facilitate learning for staff, just as staff facilitate learning within their classroom. Policy implications and recommendations highlight the need to look at resources available for principals as …

Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional And Decolonial Approach To Exploring The Sexualization Of Female Recording Artists And The Empowerment Of Women In The United States, H.B. Rebeka

Dissertations

This dissertation, titled Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional and Decolonial Approach to Exploring the Sexualization of Female Recording Artists and the Empowerment of Women in the United States, critically examines the phenomenon of sexualization of women in the music industry and its impact on female empowerment. Through an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens, the study delves into the historical and socio-cultural contexts that shape the portrayal and perception of female recording artists in the United States.

The research traces the roots of feminism and the commodification of racial stereotypes through music, exploring how female empowerment has been …

The Challenges Of Building A Mass Timber Single-Family Home: A Case Study, Avery Emma Onan

Construction Management

This case study explores the various challenges faced by those involved in the pre-construction and construction of a mass timber, single-family home in Central Texas. Using semi-structured interviews, a subcontractor, an owner, a manufacturer, and two construction managers were questioned about their specific challenges with the build. These challenges were solely related to the use of mass timber on the project. In recent years in the United States, mass timber has become an increasingly desired building material to use in a commercial and multi-family residential context. Due to limited information and builder inexperience using mass timber in a single-family homebuilding …

Designing, Estimating, And Building A Deck And Overhang For The Paso Robles Police Department Shooting Range, Nicklaus Amil Zenner, Benjamin Henry Gallagher

Construction Management

This paper covers the design, estimating, and construction process by a team of students from Cal Poly to provide a deck and overhang for the Paso Robles Police Department Shooting Range. The project, initiated in the winter of 2024, aimed to provide a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing deck and overhang suitable for a barbecue and lounge area. The paper focuses on the design and estimation phases, as well as material procurement and construction. Through meetings with the client, the team developed a design that met the police department's criteria for functionality, durability, and cost. The design process involved collaboration …

San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm Chicken Coop Construction, Sofia A. Amalfitano

Construction Management

This paper details the preconstruction and construction process accomplished by a team of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Construction Management students during the construction of a new chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School’s FFA program. The project, initiated in the fall of 2023, aimed to replace the existing temporary coop to a larger, more functional structure capable of comfortably housing approximately a dozen chickens while ensuring their safety and well-being. While the primary focus of this paper revolves around the preconstruction and construction phases, it also touches upon the design phases, as these stages involved …

Skip The Grid: Navajo Nation Solar Power Project, Nathan Kealy Haub

Construction Management

Skip the Grid, an initiative aimed at empowering communities in need was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, industry partners like SOLV Energy, and the educational non-profit organization Heart of America (HOA). This project was a true testament to the power of teamwork and innovation. Our mission was to assist families of school-aged children in the Navajo Nation by providing them with solar energy systems, including batteries and lighting. We aimed to create a lasting impact by equipping these families with essential resources. In addition, we integrated educational …

Gateway Decathlon: Cost Estimation Of An Offsite Residential Construction Unit, Bradley Craig Blakemore Jr

Construction Management

This senior project focused on the cost of the materials used for the shell and structure of the Gateway Decathlon modular residential unit. Collectively, the group on the Gateway Decathlon project decided to design and build the structure using mass timber. A material takeoff of the building was performed, allowing for an accurate measurement of structural materials. After material selection, a final cost estimate was by multiplying the selected materials unit price by the total quantity of the material. The material cost estimate calculations were performed on the current Revit Model allowing for a full-scale analysis of the offsite building. …

Skip The Grid: Bringing Power To Navajo Nation Students, Colette Burd

Construction Management

Skip the Grid is an annual joint initiative facilitated by the non-profit Heart of America involving California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students and faculty, and SOLV Energy. The Skip the Grid project brings power and lighting to Navajo Nation families with school-age children by installing a self-contained solar battery system. Completed from March 24th through March 28th of 2024, this year the Skip the Grid project brought photovoltaic energy systems with solar panels, a battery, lights, and outlets to 24 homes, benefiting over 100 students in the Consolidated School District within the Navajo Nation. For the …

Son Care Foundation – Lean To Shade Structure Design And Construction, Ryan Joseph Mccann

Construction Management

This paper discusses the design and construction of a lean-to-shade structure built for the Son Care Foundation in San Luis Obispo. The Son Care Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises guide dogs for veterans and first responders with PTSD. This shade structure is 16 feet long and 6 feet wide, its height slopes from 9 feet in the front down to 8 feet in the back creating a roof pitch of 2:12. The sheet metal roof also has an overhang of approximately 1 foot. As requested by the client, the shade structure was designed to fit the aesthetic of …

Thinking Styles In The Built Environment, Jaden A. Green

Construction Management

Effective communication in the built environment is crucial for project success, information relay, goal alignment, error prevention, and safety. Diverse parties, including general contractors, architects, engineers, and subcontractors, bring varying Thinking Styles to the table, as defined by Harrison and Bramson. These styles—Synthesist, Idealist, Pragmatist, Analyst, and Realist—impact collaboration and conflict within projects. This study aims to explore where thinking differs among these parties and the congruity of Thinking Styles within each group. Results of this study indicate a predominant Realist Thinking Style among general contractors and subcontractors with subcontractors equally leaning towards Analyst. Engineers, although expected to be Analysts, …

Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo- Phase 1: Preconstruction, Layout, Material Procurement, Hunter Froud, Aleena Panchal

Construction Management

This essay outlines the thorough preconstruction procedure that went into building a pavilion in the university's Leaning Pine Arboretum. Every step that our team took, from the preliminary surveying phase to the foundation laying prior to frame, is painstakingly planned and carried out. The main objective is to create a dynamic area that effortlessly combines education and recreation; it should be both a lively meeting place and a haven for students to study under cover. The team took a calculated risk to make sure our pre-construction phase was successful. This included carrying out thorough quantity takeoffs, keeping lines of communication …

Drone Applications In Residential Construction, Leo Geiger

Construction Management

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have revolutionized various industries since their creation, particularly in construction. Originally used for military and recreational purposes, drones began to find their place in construction in the early 2010s, primarily for surveying and mapping. While tons of research has been conducted on drones' capabilities in surveying, there is a gap in studies focusing on their applications for general contractors, particularly in large-scale developments. Five interviews were conducted, three with general contractors who have integrated drone technology into their teams and two drone companies that provide subcontracted drone services. Through these interviews, the primary applications …

Slo Water Treatment Facility Grill Retrofit, Liam Dolan

Construction Management

The San Luis Obispo Water Treatment Facility is a vital facility that provides water to all of San Luis Obispo. The facility runs twenty-four hours a day and constantly has long shifts for those who work there. The water treatment facility has a small, rusted Santa Maria grill that is rarely used because of its condition, and they were in need of a new grill that employees could use to make lunches. The water treatment facility has plans to build an outdoor dining space for employees, and my goal for this retrofitted grill project is to help enhance that space …

Exploring The Impact Of Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe) Quality On Construction Individuals, Daniel Seo

Construction Management

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential in protecting workers on construction sites. Construction sites are known to have various hazards that can lead to death or injury. While PPEs are designed to protect workers from these injuries, its usage and quality affects its capability. As PPE is distributed by construction companies, it is imperative to identify the determinants of quality PPE. These factors include psychological factors like perceived risk, comfort, and safety attitudes. Two surveys were conducted on seventeen (17) construction management industry individuals and twenty-one (21) construction management students to determine the preferences of PPE and their views regarding …

Forecasting Future Research Trends In The Construction Engineering And Management Domain Using Machine Learning And Social Network Analysis, Gasser G. Ali, Islam H. El-Adaway, Muaz O. Ahmed, Radwa Eissa, Mohamad Abdul Nabi, Tamima Elbashbishy, Ramy Khalef

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) is a broad domain with publications covering interrelated subdisciplines and considered a key source of knowledge sharing. Previous studies used scientometric methods to assess the current impact of CEM publications; however, there is a need to predict future citations of CEM publications to identify the expected high-impact trends in the future and guide new research efforts. To tackle this gap in the literature, the authors conducted a study using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and Social Network Analysis (SNA) to predict CEM-related citation metrics. Using a dataset of 93,868 publications, the authors trained and tested two …

An Editorial For The Special Issue “Processing And Application Of Weather Radar Data”, Youcun Qi, Zhe Zhang, Zhanfeng Zhao, Bong Chul Seo, Huiqi Li

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Male Song Structure Predicts Offspring Recruitment To The Breeding Population In A Migratory Bird, Rachael A. Disciullo, Anna M. Forsman, Robert R. Fitak, John Hunt, Pirmin Nietlisbach, Charles F. Thompson, Scott K. Sakaluk

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Bird song is a classic example of a sexually selected trait, but much of the work relating individual song components to fitness has not accounted for song typically being composed of multiple, often-correlated components, necessitating a multivariate approach. We explored the role of sexual selection in shaping the complex male song of house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) by simultaneously relating its multiple components to fitness using multivariate selection analysis, which is widely used in insect and anuran studies but not in birds. The analysis revealed significant variation in the form and strength of selection acting on song across different …

Best Practices For Maintenance Of Traffic On Interstate Pavement Rehabilitation Projects, Catherine Keathley, Ryan Griffith, Rachel Catchings

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Across the United States, aging roadway infrastructure has led state departments of transportation (DOTs) to increase their focus on pavement rehabilitation projects. These projects upgrade existing infrastructure to meet the needs of current levels of vehicle use. On interstate rehabilitation projects, maintenance of traffic (MOT) is an especially important consideration. Having a good MOT plan for completing construction work is critical for maintaining facility capacity while ensuring the safety of the traveling public and roadway construction staff. This study explores on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) best practices for MOT on interstate pavement rehabilitation projects. Based on a …

Using Knowledge Of Human Factors To Strengthen Highway Design, Chris Van Dyke, Jeff Jasper, Jill Asher, Steve Waddle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Transportation practitioners recognize that leveraging knowledge of human factors in road design is critical for delivering safe mobility to the full spectrum of multimodal road users (motorists, pedestrians, micromobility users, transit users). Understanding how psychology, cognition, and behavioral tendencies shape the ways in which different road users interact with one another and the road environment itself is critical for creating design solutions that promote safe and efficient movement. NCHRP Report 600 (Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems) provides guidance on integrating knowledge of human factors into design practice. While the report is a valuable resource, it appears to …

The Effects Of Technology Based Self-Monitoring On Behaviors Related To Academic Engagement Of A University Student With A Disability, Rachel Mickelson

Masters Theses

College students with disabilities often experience difficulties with meeting the demands of university level courses due to challenges with time management and impulse control (Shmulsky & Gobbo, 2013). Self-monitoring has been proven effective for various populations and behaviors, although limited research has been conducted with college students with disabilities. I-Connect, a technology-based self-monitoring tool, is a digital application that utilizes momentary time sampling where users can select a behavior and interval of time to be prompted to self-monitor that behavior (University of Kansas, 2022). The app also collects real time data and automatically creates graphs to depict the responses collected …

Prevalence Of Thyroid Disorders Among The Diabetic Population In Arar, Saudi Arabia, Haider O. Elmisbah, Riyad Y. Laham, Hafiz O. Almisbah, Hadeel T. Alanazi, Taif A. Alanazi, Raghad M. Alanzi, Wejdan A. Aldahmashi, Anshoo Agarwal, Rashad Q. Othman

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To study the prevalence of thyroid disorders (TDs) among the diabetic population in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional design study carried out in Arar, northern province of Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to January 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. From the diabetic population aged over 18 years old. Results: A total of 501 participants were enrolled. Most fall within the 20-35 age range, comprising 36.5% of the sample. Vitamin D deficiency appears to be the most prevalent comorbid condition. Following closely behind is vitamin B12 deficiency; hypertension and high blood lipids also show …