Digital Commons Network^™

Khsrp-Mediated Decay Of Axonally Localized Prenyl-Cdc42 Mrna Slows Nerve Regeneration, Matthew D. Zdradzinski, Lauren S. Vaughn, Samaneh Matoo, Kayleigh Trumbull, Terika P. Smith, Davis Noblitt, Courtney N. Buchanan, Ashley Loomis, Elizabeth Thames, Seung Joon Lee, Nora Perrone-Bizzozero, Qun Lu, Jessica M. Larsen, Jeffery L. Twiss

Faculty Publications

The small GTPase CDC42 promotes axon growth through actin filament polymerization and this growth is driven by axonal localization of the mRNA encoding the prenylated CDC42 isoform (Prenyl-Cdc42). Here, we show that axonal Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA levels and the mRNA's translation are decreased by growth-inhibiting stimulation and increased by growth-promoting stimulation. In contrast, axonal RhoA mRNA transport and translation are increased by growth-inhibiting but unaffected by growth-promoting stimuli. Localized increase in KHSRP in response to growth inhibitory stimulation, through elevation of intracellular Ca2+, promotes decrease in axonal levels of Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA. Distinct 3'UTR motifs regulate transport and axonal levels of Prenyl-Cdc42 …

The Meaning Of Independence In Local Institutions From Neutrosophic Perspective, Alaa A. Mohammed, Sabah S. Abdulrahman, Huda E. Khalid, Florentin Smarandache, A. A. Salama

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

t is well known that the term vagueness is spread in all aspects of our lives, this manuscript will clarify the meaning of independence (strict meaning of independence, the illusory meaning of independence, Oscillating between the true meaning of independence, and the fallacy of claiming independence and not applying it), this triplet actually refers to the three components that the Neutrosophic theory standing on which is (truthiness, falsity, indeterminacy), the strategy of applying the notion of independency in the local institutions, enlighten on the allegation of applying the independency notion in some governments’ institutions without a real impact of this …

Ministry Through Agriculture : An Evaluation Of Community Farming Among Displaced People, Emmanuel Jatau

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Proton Beam Therapy Indications In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia: A Saro Clinical Practice Guideline, Saif A. Aljabab, Mohammed A. Aldehaim, Hussain A. Alhussain, Yasir A. Bahadur, Ibraheem S. Alomary, Majed A. Alghamdi, Abdulaziz S. Alghamdi, Yasir M. Alayed, Ali A. Balbaid

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To update the national guidelines for proton therapy to reflect the evolving literature. The Saudi Particle Therapy Centre is making efforts to establish proton therapy services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The Saudi Particle Therapy Center collaborated with the Saudi Association of Radiation Oncology to formulate a panel of radiation oncologists with proton therapy experience to refine and update our previous publication. The recommendation level was based on the overall evidence using a 4-grade scale following the World Health Organization quality of evidence recommendations. These updates focus on summarizing the literature and the level of recommendation …

Advances In Genetic And Molecular Insights Into Thyroid Disorders: Implications For Diagnosis, Prognosis, And Personalized Treatment, Faez F. Alshehri

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Thyroid disorders encompass a variety of autoimmune conditions such as Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, as well as several types of thyroid cancer. Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing methodologies have elucidated significant genetic mutations, which include RET , BRAF , TPO , and more, which are associated with thyroid cancers and autoimmune disorders. BRAF V600E mutation as an indicator of prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma or the identification of genetic markers clarifies treatment strategies. Similarly, polymorphisms in immune regulatory genes such as CTLA-4 , particularly when combined with HLA-DR , are linked to higher risk to autoimmune thyroid diseases. Molecular …

Video Call Program For Intensive Care Patients And Their Families During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study, Haifa Alhumedi, Hasan M. Al-Dorzi, Abdulaziz Aldawood, Amal Almatroud, Mona Aldawsari, Haseena Banu Khan, Victoria Burrows, Samiyah Alrawy Alanazi, Brintha Naidv, Salha Al Zayer, Zandile Yeni, Saja Marhoun, Hoda Khoutani, Saeed Maghrabi, Sarah Alzighaibi, Fawaz Rabeeah, Sattam Alanazi, Huda Alghamdi, Abdul Aleem Atassi, Ali Alkathaami, Yaseen M. Arabi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To describe the utilization of the My Visit application for video calls between patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and their families during the .COVID-19 pandemic as an alternative to hospital visits. Methods: The My Visit (Zeyareti) application was launched in 2 National Guard Health Affairs hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and extended to all ICUs in August 2020. It allowed patients to communicate with their families using dedicated screens. This retrospective study was conducted using an automated satisfaction survey between September 2020 and September 2023. Results: Over 37 …

Can Inflammatory Indices Predict Myringosclerosis?, Neslihan Sari, Hasan Basri Savaş, Seda Uğraş, Cengiz Durucu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To examine the relationships between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in myringosclerosis after ventilation tube insertion (VTI). Methods: We conducted this descriptive case-control study between March 2022 and September 2024. A total of 75 children aged 6 to 12 years with a history of VTI were enrolled. Myringosclerosis+ (n=43) included children with myringosclerosis, while Myringosclerosis- (n=32) included children without myringosclerosis. Preoperative values for NLR, PLR, and SII were collected by hematological testing and calculations. Demographic factors, prognostic risk factors and discrimination power of parameters were determined by statistical methods. Results: …

Findings On Dwelling In A Touristic Transit Space In Maligcong, Bontoc, Karl Eli Reyno Alconis

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

Structure, Agency, and Culture: Examining the Influence of Organizational Culture in Succession Planning in Higher Education Institutions Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2025) Title: Structure, Agency, and Culture: Examining the Influence of Organizational Culture in Succession Planning in Higher Education Institutions Submission Number: 96492 Date Submitted: May 22, 2025 Stream: Educational Policy, Leadership, Management & Administration Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Current Status: Accepted Authors: Ferdinand Rellorosa, Ateneo De Manila University, Philippines Abstract: Succession planning (SP) is vital for leadership continuity and institutional sustainability (Ahmad et al., 2020; Rothwell, 2005). While largely studied in corporate settings, its application in higher …

A House Divided: A Mixed Method Investigation Of Primary Care Interprofessional Teams Using The Core Principles And Values Of Teamwork Framework, Erin L. Kelly, Catherine Guariglia, Jeanne Felter, Dhruvi Shah, Brooke Mauriello, Amy Cunningham, Chris Arenson, Randa Sifri

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Context

Primary care teams are facing increased demands, turnover, and escalating rates of burnout. A primary care team aligned in its core values and organized according to common teamwork principles is essential for delivering patient-centered, coordinated, and effective healthcare.

Methods

As part of a series of studies on workplace factors and burnout among primary care practice team members, we selected an urban practice with high rates of burnout to assess their teamwork via a practice-wide survey and six focus groups divided by role. The interview guide focused on identifying areas for potential intervention around teamwork. Transcripts were open-coded using a …

A Novel Method For Examining Autistic Children’S Comprehension Of Individual Words Produced Within Delayed Echolalia: A Proof-Of-Concept Pilot Study, Janine Mathee-Scott, Grace Corrigan, Emily Lorang, Zachary Hesse, Jennifer Johnson, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Delayed echolalia, or the repetition of previously heard speech, is often observed in the expressive language of autistic children. Relatively little is known about how the production of delayed echolalia fits within the overall picture of autistic children’s language ability, including receptive language. To date, no empirical studies have tested autistic children’s comprehension of individual words within their delayed echoes. The present study aimed to establish proof-of-concept for a novel method of examining children’s comprehension of individual words that they produce in their own delayed echoes. Using natural language sampling combined with parent report, we identified instances of delayed echolalia …

We Are Here Because Of Them: Co-Creating A Native Cemetery Memorial At Mission Santa Clara, Lee M. Panich, Amy J. Lueck, Lauren Baines, Isabella ‘Amne Gomez

Faculty Publications

Tens of thousands of Native individuals perished in California’s twenty-one Franciscan missions that operated from the 1760s into the 1840s, but most public interpretive programs gloss over their lives and the cemeteries where they are interred. This has historically been the case at Mission Santa Clara, on the campus of Santa Clara University. In this article, we reflect on the process of co-creating an interactive memorial designed to honor the Native people buried in two colonial-era cemeteries related to the mission and link their lives to the descendant community today. Importantly, the co-creation process helped strengthen relationships in numerous directions, …

Language, Law, And Wealth Destruction In Puerto Rico, Scott M. Brown, Daniel J. Hall

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

The Silent Price Of Artificial Intelligence: Labor And Personal Jurisdiction In The Global South, Theophilus Edwin Coleman

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Growth Hormone Effects In Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mahmoud N. Almutadares, Nour M. Gazzaz, Naseem Y. Alyahyawi, Nuha M. Alrayes, Eman A. Mazi, Fahad F. Mansouri, Kholoud A. Hothan, Hanaa A. Hamadallah, Esraa M. Bukhari, Ahlam A. Mazi

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the long-term effects and mortality rates associated with GH therapy in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare genetic disease characterized by growth hormone (GH) deficiency among other endocrine disorders. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out on 4 databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The search was based on two keywords: “Growth hormone” AND “Prader-Willi Syndrome”. Outcome data included height-standard deviation score (SDS), weight SDS, body mass index (BMI)-SDS, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1), mortality, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and blood glucose. Results: A total of …

Pediatric Morgagni Hernia: A 10 Year Single Center Experience, Yasser Alfraih, Mohammad Aldaffaa, Tariq Alsuhaibany, Abdullah Alshehri, Tariq Altokhais

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To present our institutional experience with pediatric morgagni hernia (MH) emphasizing the presentation, diagnostic workup, surgical techniques, and follow-up. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with MH who underwent surgical repair from May 2014 to May 2024. Data points collected included demographic, clinical, and follow up information. We analyzed the data using basic thematic analysis. For categorical variables, we employed counts and percentages. Statistical analysis performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Nine patients underwent MH repair. Respiratory symptoms were the most common, affecting 66% of patients. All patients received chest radiography, while 5 required computed …

Comparative Analysis Of Autophagy And Apoptosis Pathways In Viral And Alcoholic Cirrhosis: An Immunohistochemical Study, Gunnur Demircan, Selimcan Berk, Doga Karayilan, Berkay T. Ozgur, Sema Ketenci, Ipek Elbegi, Vildan Karpuz, Melike Yavuz, Ahmet Midi, Demet Akin

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To study the different cellular death mechanisms between viral cirrhosis and alcoholic cirrhosis. The research investigated autophagy and apoptosis mechanisms in hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. Methods: The research team analyzed biopsy samples from the liver which were obtained at Florence Nightingale Hospitals, Istanbul, Turkey. The experimental protocols were performed between February 2021 and February 2023. The study included 19 HBV, 15 HCV, 13 alcohol-related cirrhosis patients and 6 normal liver tissues. Beclin-1, Caspase-3, Bcl-2 and LC3 expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Staining intensity as well as extent underwent evaluation through H-score …

The Relationship Of St6gal1 With Clinicopathological And Prognostic Factors In Breast Carcinomas, Ethem Ömeroğlu, Abdülhalim Serden Ay, Tuğba Günler, İlknur Küçükosmanoğlu, Sümeyye Kozacıoğlu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the association of β-galactoside α2-6 sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1) expression with hormone receptor (HR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and other clinicopathological parameters, including histological grade, stage, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and survival in breast carcinomas (BCs). Methods: This study included 85 patients who had undergone surgery for breast cancer (BC). The associations of HR, HER2 status, and histopathologic tumor characteristics with immunohistochemical expression of ST6GAL1 were analyzed. Results: The majority (48 [56.5%]) of patients were in the T2 stage, and no association was seen between staging and ST6GAL1 ( p <0.05). Further, 44 (54.2%) patients were HR positive, and most of them exhibited high ST6GAL1 levels ( p =0.001), whereas 44 (51.8%) were HER2 negative, and most of them demonstrated low ST6GAL1 levels ( p =0.007). Ki-67 of ≥20% was observed in 55 (64.7%) and <20% in 30 (35.3%) patients. Most of those with high Ki-67 demonstrated low-grade STLGAL1 expression; however, no correlation was detected between the two values ( p =0.378). High and low ST6GAL1 expressions were observed in 39 (45.9%) and 46 (54.1%) cases, respectively. Conclusion: This research is one of the first studies to use ST6GAL1 in preoperative biopsies of patients not scheduled for neoadjuvant treatment. This study revealed highly significant associations of ST6GAL1 expression with HR, HER2, and molecular subtyping. Future studies are recommended to clarify the possible role of ST6GAL1 in resistance to HR and HER2-targeted and other chemotherapeutic agents in BCs.

Unusual Histopathologic Findings Of Appendectomy Specimens: A Retrospective Study Of Cases At Jordan University Hospital Over The Last Decade (2015-2024), Fatima N. Obeidat, Dina M. Nafi’, Anas N. Suleiman, Heb’A A. Al-Hyasat, Leen A. Alhadidi, Nada H. Budair, Omar J. Abushawer, Raya G. Al Kloub

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the incidence and nature of unusual histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens and assess their impact on post-appendectomy management. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent appendectomies at Jordan University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2024. It included patients with presumed diagnoses of acute appendicitis or those who underwent incidental appendectomies during other surgical procedures. Pathology reports with complete data and slides showing unusual findings were retrieved from the archives of the histopathology laboratory of the hospital. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 2,275 patients, unusual …

Empowering Saudi Pharmacy Students: A Nudge-Based Intervention For Improved Health Behaviors, Fahad M. Alzahrani, Bsmah S. Bojan, Haifa A. Fadil

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To promote healthy habits among pharmacy students through curriculum-embedded challenges. Student well-being is a growing concern in Saudi pharmacy education, with high rates of stress and poor health behaviors reported among students. Traditional interventions often fall short in bridging the gap between awareness and action. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted from September to December 2024 at Taibah University. Four month-long challenges targeting smartphone use, physical activity, sleep, and gratitude were integrated into a required hospital pharmacy course. The intervention was grounded in behavioral economics principles (salience and inertia) and delivered via Blackboard LMS with minimal extrinsic incentives. A …

Prognostic Significance Of The Borrmann Classification In Stage 2–3 Gastric Cancer, Selcan Cesur, Yonca Yılmaz Ürün

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the prognostic significance of Borrmann classification subtypes in patients with stage 2–3 gastric cancer who underwent surgical treatment. Methods: A retrospective review of 96 gastric cancer patients treated at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Hospital from 2008 to 2024 was conducted. Patients were included if they were aged >18 year (yr), had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant therapy, had no distant metastases, and had a postoperative pathological stage of 2-3. Demographic and clinicopathological data were documented, and median overall survival (OS) was analyzed according to the Borrmann classification. Results: The median age of the 96 patients was …

Cytopathological Evaluation Of Serous Effusions Using The Isrsfc System: Risk Of Malignancy And Demographic Associations In A Saudi Cohort, Magdi M. Salih, Shatha Abdullah Alotaibi, Manal Ali Hassan, Khwaimsa Mohammad Bhaket, Nesreen Ahmad Bakhsh

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To classify serous effusions using the ISRSFC and assess malignancy risk across diagnostic categories, considering patient demographics and clinical features. Serous fluid cytopathology is a minimally invasive, cost-effective method for diagnosing benign and malignant conditions. The International System for Reporting Serous Fluid Cytopathology (ISRSFC) standardizes reporting, yet data from Saudi Arabia are limited. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024. Serous fluid samples (peritoneal, pleural, pericardial) were stained with the Papanicolaou method and evaluated microscopically. Results: Among 153 effusions, peritoneal (60.7%) was most common. Patients aged 41–66 comprised the largest group (41.2%). …

The Incidence Of Unplanned Reoperation And The Related Risk Factors In Pediatric Surgery At A Tertiary Care Center In Saudi Arabia, Noura M. Almutairi, Mohammed K. Alnamshan, Suliman Mohammed Alaqeel

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate unplanned reoperation (URO) as a quality indicator and identify its rate and associated risk factors at our institution. Parental satisfaction and patient safety are crucial, necessitating an investigation into the factors influencing unplanned return to the operating room rates. Understanding the reasons behind UROs and how to prevent them is vital for improving surgical services. Methods: This study employs a retrospective cohort design to analyze existing patient data from King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It aims to evaluate clinical endpoints and factors associated with unplanned reoperations, which are defined as any secondary …

Autism Spectrum Disorder In Saudi Arabia: Clinical Dynamics From A Multi-Center Study, Sulhi A. Alfakeh, Ghaida H. Aljahdali, Sarah T. Benfeef

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in communication, social interaction, and behavior. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the clinical presentation of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic, medical, and environmental determinants. Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia, enrolling 104 children diagnosed with ASD. Data were collected via structured parent interviews and analyzed to examine the relationships between demographic characteristics, therapy participation, self-care abilities, and clinical symptoms. Results: Male children were more likely to exhibit hyperactivity compared to females ( p =0.037). Age was significantly …

Research On Building Sustainable Competitive Advantage Of Mutual Fund Management Companies In The Era Of Pan-Asset Management, Li Ren

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

In the context of China’s “big asset management” era, public mutual fund management companies face intensifying competition and an urgent need to build sustainable core competitiveness. Existing research has not clearly identified their key resources or explained how these resources interact with strategic management capabilities to generate competitive advantage. Drawing on the resource-based view and strategic management theory, this study develops a conceptual framework of core competitiveness for public mutual fund management companies. It proposes a three-dimensional resource classification system—valuable, rare, and inimitable resources—tailored to the mutual fund industry and incorporates strategic management capability as a mediating mechanism through which …

Research On The Impact Of Strategic Orientation, Employees’ Environmental Identity, And Use Of Artificial Intelligence On Corporate Green Innovation, Hao Yang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Based on social cognitive theory and integrating the perspective of technology enablement, this study constructs a moderated mediation model to systematically explore how environmental policy orientation and environmental market orientation influence corporate green innovation through environmental identity, and to examine the boundary role of AI application intensity. Through empirical analysis of 313 teams and 939 valid questionnaires, the following conclusions are drawn: First, both environmental policy orientation and environmental market orientation independently and significantly promote green innovation. Second, environmental identity plays a partial mediating role between the two orientations and green innovation, indicating that strategies need to be internalized as …

Research On The Impact Of Supply Chain Digitization On Innovation Performance: Based On Quasi-Natural Experiments And Longitudinal Case Study, Binbin Chen

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The Chinese government prioritizes supply chain digital transformation. Pilot policies for supply chain digitalization will accelerate digital development across industrial and supply chains. While existing research offers substantial empirical evidence on supply chain digitalization, its impact on corporate innovation performance requires further investigation. Based on this, the study constructs a quasi-natural experiment using data from A-share listed companies and appropriate econometric models, demonstrating that supply chain digitalization significantly enhances corporate innovation performance. This effect is statistically and economically significant, providing a foundation for future research. The study also identifies the mechanisms through which supply chain digitalization improves corporate innovation performance, …

The Lexicographic Preference And The Tops-Only Property, Xinning Geng

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This paper studies the structure of the lexicographic preference domain in the context of strategy proof Random Social Choice Functions (RSCFs). Classical sufficient conditions for the tops-only property—namely, the Interior and Exterior Properties—do not hold in lexicographic domains. Nevertheless, these domains still exhibit the tops-only property. We first provide a structural explanation of why the Interior and Exterior Properties fail in this setting. We then introduce two new structural conditions, Property 1 and Property 2, and show that any two-dimensional lexicographic preference domain satisfying these conditions is a tops-only domain. Finally, we prove that the two-dimensional lexicographic domain meets both …

Research On The Influencing Factors Of Bim Technology Adoption In Construction Enterprises, Meng Zhao

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The construction industry plays a pivotal role in national economic development, yet it faces significant challenges, including inefficiencies, limited informatization, and fragmented management. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative digital technology, offering the potential to revolutionize construction enterprises by enhancing collaboration, reducing costs, and improving project lifecycle management. Despite increasing government support and global advancements, BIM adoption in China, particularly during the construction phase, remains inconsistent and insufficiently explored. This dissertation adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative component, through interviews, identifies the primary barriers to BIM adoption during the construction phase, …

Symbolic Execution Engine For Dynamic Analysis Of System Software, Pansilu Madhura Bhashana Pitigala Arachchillage

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

System software, like any regular software, is prone to errors. It plays a specific role in a computer system by managing the underlying hardware and providing a platform to execute the application software. Defective or vulnerable system software can be exploited by attackers to compromise the entire system. Therefore, the system software must be studied and thoroughly analyzed to evaluate its security. However, due to the inherent complexity and its close interactions with the hardware, analyzing system software is a challenging task. As a result, there is a lack of tools and techniques capable of effectively analyzing system software.

This …

Graph Perturbations For Robust Knowledge Discovery And Retrieval, Hanhua Xiao

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Graph perturbation, rooted in classical perturbation theory, studies how small topology edits, i.e., adding or deleting edges, affects graph properties (e.g., density, centrality). This fundamental problem underpins applications like bioinformatics, privacy preservation and system defense. While much prior work targets perturbations that influence global graph statistics or model outputs, comparatively little addresses robustness for knowledge discovery and information retrieval. In these settings, graphs are attributed: nodes carry real-world semantics (e.g., locations, people) and edges encode interactions or relationships. This thesis proposes new formulations and algorithms that generate and leverage graph perturbations to make knowledge discovery and retrieval more robust. Specifically, …