Digital Commons Network^™

Discret: Synthesizing Faithful Explanations For Treatment Effect Estimation, Yinjun Wu, Mayank Keoliya, Kan Chen, Neelay Velingker, Ziyang Li, Emily J Getzen, Qi Long, Mayur Naik, Ravi B Parikh, Eric Wong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Designing faithful yet accurate AI models is challenging, particularly in the field of individual treatment effect estimation (ITE). ITE prediction models deployed in critical settings such as healthcare should ideally be (i) accurate, and (ii) provide faithful explanations. However, current solutions are inadequate: state-of-the-art black-box models do not supply explanations, post-hoc explainers for black-box models lack faithfulness guarantees, and self-interpretable models greatly compromise accuracy. To address these issues, we propose DISCRET, a self-interpretable ITE framework that synthesizes faithful, rule-based explanations for each sample. A key insight behind DISCRET is that explanations can serve dually as database queries to identify similar …

Identification Of Immune-Associated Biomarkers Of Diabetes Nephropathy Tubulointerstitial Injury Based On Machine Learning: A Bioinformatics Multi-Chip Integrated Analysis, Lin Wang, Jiaming Su, Zhongjie Liu, Shaowei Ding, Yaotan Li, Baoluo Hou, Yuxin Hu, Zhaoxi Dong, Jingyi Tang, Hongfang Liu, Weijing Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes and has become the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. A considerable number of DN patients have experienced irreversible end-stage renal disease progression due to the inability to diagnose the disease early. Therefore, reliable biomarkers that are helpful for early diagnosis and treatment are identified. The migration of immune cells to the kidney is considered to be a key step in the progression of DN-related vascular injury. Therefore, finding markers in this process may be more helpful for the early diagnosis and progression prediction of DN.

METHODS: The …

Reliable Detection Of Generalized Convulsive Seizures Using An Off-The-Shelf Digital Watch: A Multisite Phase 2 Study, Yash Shashank Vakilna, Xiaojin Li, Jaison S Hampson, Yan Huang, John C Mosher, Yuri Dabaghian, Xi Luo, Blanca Talavera, Sandipan Pati, Masel Todd, Ryan Hays, Charles Akos Szabo, Guo-Qiang Zhang, Samden D Lhatoo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a machine learning algorithm using an off-the-shelf digital watch, the Samsung watch (SM-R800), and evaluate its effectiveness for the detection of generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) in persons with epilepsy.

Methods: This multisite epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) phase 2 study included 36 adult patients. Each patient wore a Samsung watch that contained accelerometer, gyroscope, and photoplethysmographic sensors. Sixty-eight time and frequency domain features were extracted from the sensor data and were used to train a random forest algorithm. A testing framework was developed that would better reflect the EMU setting, consisting of …

Do We Know What The "Russian World" Is? Some Remarks On A Disputed Term, Thomas Bremer

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This draft law has many aspects. It proposes different ways of banning a religious organization which is either “affiliated” with a religious community in Russia, or which meets other conditions. Some of its phrasing and formulations have been criticized for being so unclear that applying their criteria would be tricky. Among them is the “Russian World ideology.“ In the latest draft of the law, a religious community can be banned if it is used for the “promotion of the propaganda of the ideology of ‘Russian World’.” Given that there has been a debate on the “Russian World” idea in the …

Proceedings Of The International Conference Called Neutrosophy And Plithogeny: Fundamentals And Applications, 8-9 July 2024, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Lima, Peru, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Maikel Y. Leyva-Vázquez, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

We are pleased to present this special issue dedicated to the Neutrosophic approaches in research, on the occasion of the international and multidisciplinary conference Neutrosophy and Plithogeny: Fundamentals and Applications (Spanish) held at the Universidad César Vallejo in Lima, Peru, on July 8 and 9. This event marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that the Andean region and Latin America host scholars and researchers dedicated to studying various theoretical and applicative issues in the expansive and diverse field of Neutrosophic approaches. Since its conception, Neutrosophic theory has proven to be an interdisciplinary and innovative field, notably …

Neutrosophic Statistical Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Biostimulants In Amaranth Varieties, Carlos Torres Miño, Christina Lozano, Emerson Jácome, David Carrera Molina, Murat Gins

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study evaluated the effects of biostimulants on two varieties of amaranth, Valentina (Amaranthus tricolor) and Ne-zhenka (Amaranthus hybridus), in terms of germination, growth, and biomass production. Using neutrosophic statistics allowed for the measurement of indeterminacies and the analysis of variables such as days to germination, stem length, number of leaves, and biomass production. The results showed that seaweed extract was the most effective biostimulant, accelerating germination, increasing stem length and the number of leaves, and maximizing biomass production. Mean-while, Nezhenka stood out for its superior biomass production, especially with seaweed extract, while Valentina was no-table for its rapid germination. …

Application Of Neutrosophic Statistics In The Integrated Management Of Ceratitis Capitata In Ecuador, Emerson J. Jácome-Mogro, Álvaro Alarcón Chuque, Cristian Jiménez Jácome, Pablo Carhuapoma, Heidi Gamarra, Jan Kreuze

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study has addressed the management of Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fly) in Ecuador, focused on mitigating the impact on fruit crops under the influence of climate change and variations in agricultural practices. By using neutrosophic statistics, the study has modeled uncertainty in climatic and agricultural variables to improve the prediction and adaptabil-ity of management strategies. Integrated strategies have been proposed, which have included biological control, cultural management, and the use of insecticides, highlighting the effectiveness of adapting management practices based on neu-trosophic analysis. The results indicated that the adaptations of strategies, provided by neutrosophic statistics, allowed an effective response to …

Optimizing Pest Management In Sugarcane Cultivation: An Integrative Approach Using Neutrosophic Statistics And Plithogenic Analysis, Dania D. Valencia-Yaguana, Sergio F. Moreno-Faconda, Marco A. Rivera-Moreno

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Pest management in modern agriculture, particularly in sugarcane cultivation, faces the challenge of balancing efficacy, costs, and environmental sustainability. Among the notable pests, the spittlebug (Mahanarva andigena) emerged as a significant threat that reduced yields of sugar and other derivatives. Traditionally, it was controlled with chemical pesticides, which posed environmental and human health risks. Consequently, the study conducted analyzed alternatives by using neutrosophic statistics and plithogenic analysis. The results included evaluating factors such as product concentration, application frequency, environmental conditions, and pest resistance to determine the efficacy of treatments with entomopathogenic microorganisms. Eficax stood out as the best treatment, showing …

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems {Proceedings Of The International Conference Called Neutrogeometry, Neutroalgebra, And Their Applications, Universidad De Habana, Cuban Academy Of Sciences Et Al., Havana, Cuba, 12-14 August 2024}, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Maikel Y. Leyva-Vázquez, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

It is an honor to present this special issue of our journal, dedicated to the Conference on NeutroGeometry, NeutroAlgebra, and Their Applications, organized by the Latin American Association of Neutrosophic Sciences. This event, which took place on August 12-14, 2024, in Havana, Cuba, was made possible by the valuable collaboration of the University of Havana, the University of Physical Culture and Sports Sciences "Manuel Fajardo," the José Antonio Echeverría University of Technology, University of Informatics Sciences and the Cuban Academy of Sciences among other institutions. In 2019 Smarandache generalized the classical Algebraic Structures to NeutroAlgebraic Structures (or NeutroAlgebras) {whose operations …

Evaluative Analysis Of The Incorporation Of Ict In The Solving Of Mathematical Problems In Primary Education Students With The Help Of Neutrosophic Statistics On Fuzzy Data, Gladys Martha Flores-Choque, Beker Maraza-Vilcanqui, Nain Maraza-Vilcanqui, Queke Maraza-Vilcanqui, Jesús Ttito-Quispe, Elizabeth Norma Calixto-Arias, Liliana Huaranga-Rivera, Aniceto Elías Aguilar-Polo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper aims to determine the influence of incorporating Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in solving mathematical problems in students of the Primary Educational Institution N° 70656 Ricardo Palma Puno, Peru. To collect the information, a pre-test and a post-test were applied in the variable "resolution of mathematical problems" to an experimental group that received classes with the help of the use of ICT. The test was applied to a control group of the same age that followed the traditional method of learning mathematics. Teachers were asked to evaluate children using a linguistic scale because it is simpler and more …

Cloud Computation & Beyond, Yassine Chahid, Patrick Slattery

Publications and Research

This research aims to explore the advancements in cloud computing and their potential influences on other technologies, and which advancements in computer networking facilitate them. These technologies are rapidly progressing in power and complexity, thereby altering how institutions and the public access information. Cloud computing provides a service that enables hardware with limited capabilities to overcome the limitations of on-device components. Due to its reliance on device connections, networking technology serves as the backbone of its operation. The research method encompasses reviewing various publications to understand how networking infrastructure facilitates cloud solutions, and how improvements in relevant hardware can expand …

50-Nm Gas-Filled Protein Nanostructures To Enable The Access Of Lymphatic Cells By Ultrasound Technologies, Qionghua Shen, Zongru Li, Yixian Wang, Matthew D Meyer, Marc T De Guzman, Janie C Lim, Han Xiao, Richard R Bouchard, George J Lu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-mediated gene and drug delivery are rapidly advancing diagnostic and therapeutic methods; however, their use is often limited by the need for microbubbles, which cannot transverse many biological barriers due to their large size. Here, the authors introduce 50-nm gas-filled protein nanostructures derived from genetically engineered gas vesicles(GVs) that are referred to as

Ccr2+ Monocytes Promote White Matter Injury And Cognitive Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction, Edward B Thorp, Mallory Filipp, Maria Dima, Chunfeng Tan, Matthew Feinstein, Brian Popko, Matthew Deberge

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Survivors of myocardial infarction are at increased risk for vascular dementia. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia, yet little is known about the cellular and molecular mediators of neuroinflammation after myocardial infarction. Using a mouse model of myocardial infarction coupled with flow cytometric analyses and immunohistochemistry, we discovered increased monocyte abundance in the brain after myocardial infarction, which was associated with increases in brain-resident perivascular macrophages and microglia. Myeloid cell recruitment and activation was also observed in post-mortem brains of humans that died after myocardial infarction. Spatial and single cell transcriptomic profiling of brain-resident myeloid cells …

Emerging Cell And Molecular Targets For Treating Mucus Hypersecretion In Asthma, Ana M Jaramillo, Eszter K Vladar, Fernando Holguin, Burton F Dickey, Christopher M Evans

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mucus provides a protective barrier that is crucial for host defense in the lungs. However, excessive or abnormal mucus can have pathophysiological consequences in many pulmonary diseases, including asthma. Patients with asthma are treated with agents that relax airway smooth muscle and reduce airway inflammation, but responses are often inadequate. In part, this is due to the inability of existing therapeutic agents to directly target mucus. Accordingly, there is a critical need to better understand how mucus hypersecretion and airway plugging are affected by the epithelial cells that synthesize, secrete, and transport mucus components. This review highlights recent advances in …

The Mccusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory (Mcsci): A Novel Measure Of Perceived Cognitive Decline, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Brandon E. Gavett, Michael Weinborn, Craig P. Speelman, Romola S. Bucks, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), i.e. self/other-reported concerns on one’s cognitive functioning without objective evidence of significant decline, is an indicator of dementia risk. There is little consensus on reliability and validity of the available SCD measures. Therefore, introducing a novel and psychometrically sound measure of SCD is timely.

Objective: The psychometric properties of a new SCD measure, the McCusker Subjective Cognitive Impairment Inventory–Self-Report (McSCI-S), are reported.

Methods: Through review of previously published measures as well as our clinical and research data on people with SCD, we developed a 46-item self-report questionnaire to assess concerns on six cognitive domains, namely, …

A Multimodal Deep Learning Tool For Detection Of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia In Children With Congenital Heart Disease, Yilong Ju, Jamie L S Waugh, Satpreet Singh, Craig G Rusin, Ankit B Patel, Parag N Jain

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a prevalent life-threatening arrhythmia in children with congenital heart disease. It has a marked resemblance to normal sinus rhythm, often leading to delay in diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: The study sought to develop a novel multimodal automated arrhythmia detection tool that outperforms existing JET detection tools.

METHODS: This is a cohort study performed on 40 patients with congenital heart disease at Texas Children's Hospital. Electrocardiogram and central venous pressure waveform data produced by bedside monitors are captured by the Sickbay platform. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were trained to classify each heartbeat as either normal …

Management Of Malignant Pleural Effusion And Trapped Lung: A Survey Of Respiratory Physicians And Thoracic Surgeons In Australasia, Calvin Sidhu, Gavin Wright, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Ai Ling Tan, Yun Chor Gary Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are common, and a third of them have underlying trapped lung (TL). Management of MPE and TL is suspected to be heterogeneous. Understanding current practices in Australasia is important in guiding policies and future research.

Aims:

Electronic survey of Australia-New Zealand respiratory physicians, thoracic surgeons and their respective trainees to determine practice of MPE and TL management.

Results:

Of the 132 respondents, 56% were respiratory physicians, 23% were surgeons and 20% were trainees. Many respondents defined TL as >25% or any level of incomplete lung expansion; 75% would use large-volume thoracentesis to determine whether TL …

The Relationship Between Diet, Depression, And Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review, Hilal Salim Said Al Shamsi, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Samantha L. Gardener, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Rodrigo Canovas, Ralph N. Martins, Warnakulasuriya Mary Ann Dipika Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose of Review: This narrative review evaluates the role of diet in the relationship between depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent Findings: AD and depression are often comorbid, and depression appears to independently increase the future risk of AD. Evidence suggests diet influences the risk of both conditions directly and indirectly. Diet impacts neurochemical and biological processes that may affect the development and progression of depression and cognitive dysfunction. The dietary components offering the greatest protection against depression and AD are yet to be determined. Current evidence highlights the importance of polyphenolic compounds, folate, B vitamins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, …

A "Ful Vicious" Author: Examining J. K. Rowling's Transphobia Through Her Framing Of Chaucer's "Pardoner's Tale", Jackie Hendricks

English

When J. K. Rowling uses Chaucer's "Pardoner's Tale" as her source text for "The Tale of the Three Brothers," she also incorporates Chaucer's frame, which questions whether a "vicious" storyteller can tell a moral tale. Rowling's use of this frame both signals that her characters may not be trustworthy and gives readers a lens for analyzing her transphobic messaging. Moreover, since the Pardoner is a queer (and possibly trans) character, embedding him within her text ultimately undermines her public transphobic statements. Additionally, we should look to the trans and nonbinary communities to guide us as we critically engage with Rowling's …

Is It Time To Retire The Term ‘Bloodstream Infection’? (Submitted As Letter To The Editor), Daniel M Musher, Francisco X Elisarraras

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Response To: “Quantifying The Effect Of Vaccination On Transmission In Modelling Studies”, Sarah M Bartsch, Kelly J O'Shea, Ulrich Strych, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Bruce Y Lee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Consensus Guidelines For The Monitoring And Management Of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy In The United States, Laura A Adang, Joshua L Bonkowsky, Jaap Jan Boelens, Eric Mallack, Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, John A Bernat, Annette Bley, Barbara Burton, Alejandra Darling, Florian Eichler, Erik Eklund, Lisa Emrick, Maria Escolar, Ali Fatemi, Jamie L Fraser, Amy Gaviglio, Stephanie Keller, Marc C Patterson, Paul Orchard, Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy, Jonathan D Santoro, Ludger Schöls, Caroline Sevin, Isha N Srivastava, Deepa Rajan, Jennifer P Rubin, Keith Van Haren, Melissa Wasserstein, Ayelet Zerem, Francesca Fumagalli, Lucia Laugwitz, Adeline Vanderver

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic mutations in the ARSA (Arylsulfatase A) gene. With the advent of presymptomatic diagnosis and the availability of therapies with a narrow window for intervention, it is critical to define a standardized approach to diagnosis, presymptomatic monitoring, and clinical care. To meet the needs of the MLD community, a panel of MLD experts was established to develop disease-specific guidelines based on healthcare resources in the United States. This group developed a consensus opinion for best-practice recommendations, as follows: (i) Diagnosis should include both genetic and biochemical testing; (ii) …

Mechanisms Of Gelofusine Protection In An In Vitro Model Of Polymyxin B-Associated Renal Injury, Cole S Hudson, Anirban Roy, Qingtian Li, Aniket S Joshi, Taijun Yin, Ashok Kumar, David Sheikh-Hamad, Vincent H Tam

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Polymyxins are a last-resort treatment option for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections, but they are associated with nephrotoxicity. Gelofusine was previously shown to reduce polymyxin-associated kidney injury in an animal model. However, the mechanism(s) of renal protection has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report the use of a cell culture model to provide insights into the mechanisms of renal protection. Murine epithelial proximal tubular cells were exposed to polymyxin B. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, polymyxin B uptake, mitochondrial superoxide production, nuclear morphology, and apoptosis activation were evaluated with or without concomitant gelofusine. A megalin knockout cell line was …

Distant Multilevel Spinal Metastasis Secondary To Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, R Parker Kirby, Sarah Kim, Lama M Abdurrahman, Alexander Kietzman, James Doan, David Hernandez

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas account for most head and neck malignancies. While multi-modality treatment may be offered for locally advanced cancer, distant metastasis still occurs in a significant number of patients. This paper aims to present a rare case of a patient who developed bony metastases in the cervical spine from a primary hypopharyngeal malignancy status post-laryngopharyngectomy. We report a case of a male patient presenting with acute-on-chronic hypercapnic and hypoxic respiratory failure with two months of dysphagia and weight loss. On arrival, a barium swallow revealed mucosal irregularity of the upper thoracic esophagus as well as narrowing …

Achieving Equitable Cardiovascular Care For All: Acc Board Of Trustees Health Equity Task Force Action Plan, Paul L Douglass, Dipti Itchhaporia, Biykem Bozkurt, Robert O Roswell, Akshay Khandelwal, Quinn Capers, Kathryn Berlacher, Modele O Ogunniyi, Alison L Bailey, Phillip D Levy, Aubrey J Grant, Jack Tocco, Angela Natcheva, Akua G Asare, Ami B Bhatt, Jennifer H Mieres, Maghee F Disch, Melvin R Echols

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Advancements in cardiovascular (CV) disease management are notable, yet health inequities prevail, associated with increased morbidity and mortality noted among non-Hispanic African Americans in the United States. The 2002 Institute of Medicine Report revealed ongoing racial and ethnic health care disparities, spearheading a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and systemic racism to develop strategies for CV health equity (HE). This article outlines the strategic HE approach of the American College of Cardiology, comprising 6 strategic equity domains: workforce pathway inclusivity, health care, data, science, and tools; education and training; membership, partnership, and collaboration; advocacy and policy; and …

Independent Associations With Early Mortality After Open Repair Of Crawford Extent Iv Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Cuneyt Köksoy, Kimberly R Rebello, Susan Y Green, Hiruni S Amarasekara, Marc R Moon, Scott A Lemaire, Joseph S Coselli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: We aimed to identify outcomes and factors that independently associate with early mortality after open repair of Crawford extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, defined as aneurysms confined to the segment below the diaphragm.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 721 extent IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs performed in our institution from 1986 to 2021. Indications for repair were aneurysm without dissection in 627 cases (87.0%) and aortic dissection in 94 cases (13.0%). Overall, 466 patients (64.6%) were symptomatic preoperatively; 124 (17.2%) procedures were performed in patients with acute presentation, including 58 (8.0%) ruptured aneurysms.

Results: Operative death occurred after 49 …

An Uncommon Culprit: Trapezius Dystonia As A Cause Of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Case Report, Jamie Philp, Won Jae Jeong, Paul Paily

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) results from compression of the neurovascular bundle in the thoracic outlet. Several etiologies can contribute to the development of thoracic outlet syndrome, including both congenital and acquired causes. Historically, trapezius pathology has not been considered a cause of TOS; however, here we report a patient with neurogenic TOS plus ipsilateral trapezius hypertonicity and hypertrophy who had significant symptomatic improvement following botulinum toxin injections to trapezius.

The Multifaceted Life Of Macrophages In White Adipose Tissue: Immune Shift Couples With Metabolic Switch, Qun Wang, Sean M Hartig, Christie M Ballantyne, Huaizhu Wu

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a vital endocrine organ that regulates energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. In addition to fat cells, WAT harbors macrophages with distinct phenotypes that play crucial roles in immunity and metabolism. Nutrient demands cause macrophages to accumulate in WAT niches, where they remodel the microenvironment and produce beneficial or detrimental effects on systemic metabolism. Given the abundance of macrophages in WAT, this review summarizes the heterogeneity of WAT macrophages in physiological and pathological conditions, including their alterations in quantity, phenotypes, characteristics, and functions during WAT growth and development, as well as healthy or unhealthy expansion. We …

More Than Just Teeth: How Oral Health Can Affect The Heart, Steven Hopkins, Saivaroon Gajagowni, Yusuf Qadeer, Zhen Wang, Salim S Virani, Jukka H Meurman, Roman Leischik, Carl J Lavie, Markus Strauss, Chayakrit Krittanawong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Epidemiological evidence has revealed a potential relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Consensus regarding a link between these pathologies remains elusive, however, largely secondary to the considerable overlap between risk factors and comorbidities common to both disease processes. This review article aims to update the evidence for an association by summarizing the evidence for causality between periodontitis and comorbidities linked to CVD, including endocarditis, hypertension (HTN), atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLD). This article additionally discusses the role for periodontal therapy to improved management of the comorbidities, with the larger goal …

2024 Hippology & Horse Judging Information Packet, Unh Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.