Digital Commons Network^™

Reexploring The Stress Trial: Subgroup Postoperative Outcomes Following Methylprednisolone For Infant Heart Surgery, Sudeep D Sunthankar, Kevin D Hill, Jeffrey P Jacobs, H Scott Baldwin, Marshall L Jacobs, Jennifer S Li, Eric M Graham, Ashraf M Resheidat, Venugopal Amula, Mark S Bleiweis, Eric L Wald, Pirooz Eghtesady, John P Scott, Brett R Anderson, Michael F Swartz, Alexis Benscoter, William Ravekes, Prince J Kannankeril

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective Assess the association between intraoperative methylprednisolone and specific postoperative outcomes among subgroups undergoing infant heart surgery.

Design: Subpopulation analyses of The Steroids to Reduce Systemic Inflammation after Infant Heart Surgery trial, a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: 24 congenital heart centers.

Patients: Infants (< 1 year old) undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients stratified by Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery (STAT) Mortality Category, age, gestational age, and presence of chromosomal or syndromic diagnosis (CSD).

Interventions: Methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) versus placebo administered into cardiopulmonary bypass pump-priming fluid.

Measurements and main results: Outcomes included death, heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, reinterventions, and hospital length of stay. Ranked composite outcome (death, transplant, or one of 13 major complications) was compared between placebo and methylprednisolone for each subgroup using the win ratio. Methylprednisolone …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Virtual Staining Platform For Identifying Tumor-Associated Macrophages From Hematoxylin And Eosin-Stained Images, Arpit Aggarwal, Mayukhmala Jana, Amritpal Singh, Tanmoy Dam, Himanshu Maurya, Tilak Pathak, Sandra Orsulic, Kailin Yang, Deborah Chute, Justin A Bishop, Farhoud Faraji, Wade M Thorstad, Shlomo Koyfman, Scott Steward, Qiuying Shi, Vlad Sandulache, Nabil F Saba, James S Lewis, Germán Corredor, Anant Madabhushi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Virtual staining is an artificial intelligence-based approach that transforms pathology images between stain types, such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to immunohistochemistry (IHC), providing a tissue-preserving and efficient alternative to traditional IHC staining. However, existing methods for translating H&E to virtual IHC often fail to generate images of sufficient quality for accurately delineating cell nuclei and IHC+ regions. To address these limitations, we introduce VISTA, an artificial intelligence-based virtual staining platform designed to translate H&E into virtual IHC.

Methods: We applied VISTA to identify M2-subtype tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) in H&E images from 968 patients with HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell …

Bridging The Divide: Examining Support Systems And Barriers Affecting Undocumented Students' Post-Secondary Success, Maria Del Carmen Elizarraras Santos, Melissa Garcia, Miguel Morales, Michael Raymundo, Fatima Suarez Chocoteco

Graduate Library Research Awards

No abstract provided.

Cultural Appropriation And The Commodification Of Heritage: The Nimiipuu Legacy In Joseph, Oregon, Juston W. Rogers

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

This paper explores the cultural appropriation and commodification of Nimiipuu heritage in Joseph, Oregon, by examining the history of the annual Chief Joseph Days (CJD) festival held by the residents of Wallowa Valley every year since 1946. While CJD purports to celebrate the legacy of both the Nimiipuu in Wallowa Valley and the traditional American West, instead it perpetuates a simplified and exploitive narrative that benefits the white residents of Wallowa Valley. Through historical analysis, this paper traces the dramatic erasure and forced removal of the Nimiipuu from their ancestral lands within Wallowa Valley in 1877, followed by their subsequent …

“True Disciple”: Minister Louis Farrakhan's Eulogy Of Pastor Clay Evans And The Emergence Of The Son Of Abraham Rhetoric, Eugene L. Gibson Jr.

Sermon Studies

In this essay, I examine Louis Farrakhan's eulogy for Pastor Clay Evans on December 7, 2019. Drawing from the work of Andre E. Johnson, the eulogy is an example of prophetic rhetoric that showcases the powerful emotional and spiritual connection that aligns with the tradition of prophetic speech. I argue, however, that Farrakhan, in producing this rhetoric, adopted a prophetic persona I call “Son of Abraham”– an African American prophetic rhetoric that is firmly grounded in the sacred teachings, beliefs, and subscriptions of one of the Abrahamic religions, that contains a bold truth of love and healing, that when intentionally …

Rhetoric Of Freedom: The Black Church And Jamal Bryant’S Sermon “Am I Ever Going To Get Out Of This?”, Konysha Wade

Sermon Studies

Homiletics is a branch of rhetoric and religion that is defined as the art of preaching. All too common in fields of academia, including Homiletics, is a lack of inclusivity of African Americans. This paper will extend research that integrates and further centralizes African American homiletics, focusing on the notion of freedom in Dr. Jamal Bryant’s sermon “Am I Ever Going to Get Out of This?”

Introduction: Black Preaching And The Black Sermon As A Rhetorical Artifact, Andre E. Johnson

Sermon Studies

In this introductory essay for this special issue, I encourage scholars in the fields of homiletics and rhetoric to expand our understanding of homiletical and rhetorical theory by specifically concentrating on the unique rhetoric present in Black sermons. By examining the sermon as a rich rhetorical artifact, we can explore the nuanced elements of persuasion embedded within these messages. This analysis would highlight speakers' persuasive techniques and enhance the broader discourse on preaching and communication across various religious contexts. Engaging deeply with the rhetoric of Black sermons provides valuable insights that can improve our understanding of the dynamic interaction between …

Cultivate Community With Bilingual Programs And Services, Aliza Peryea, Cassie Welch

South Carolina Libraries

Patrons of all backgrounds feel welcome in the library when bilingual programs and services are prioritized. By providing programs and services in multiple languages, libraries bridge the language barrier and create more opportunities for the community. The Charleston County Public Library centers equity, diversity, and inclusion in its practices by prioritizing bilingual programs and services; creating and maintaining local partnerships; and sustainably enhancing library services for all.

Successful Subject Headings For Moving Image Resources, Jen M. Jones, Charlotte G. Grubbs, Scott M. Dutkiewicz

South Carolina Libraries

Based on an SCLA conference presentation, this article explores principles for assigning subject headings to moving images. Using a digital metadata-inspired graphic organizer, authors discuss case studies illustrating the Library of Congress’ Subject Headings (LCSH) Manual, instruction sheet H 2230, noting commonly omitted facets and misinterpretations of subject and subdivision usage. Emphasis is on LCSH and instructions in LCSH authority records.

Patient-Clinician Communication In The Appalachian Region: A Scoping Review, Kawther Al Ksir, Hadii M. Mamudu, Chidiebube J. Ugwu, Emily K. Flores, Tracy Fasolino, Holly Wei, Rick L. Wallace, Florence M. Weierbach

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Effective communication between patients and clinicians is a critical component of quality health care, influencing disease prevention, management, and outcomes. In regions with unique socioeconomic and geographic challenges, communication barriers can further exacerbate health disparities. Understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder patient-clinician communication is essential for developing targeted interventions that improve health care delivery.

Purpose: This review explores the existing literature on patient-clinician communication concerning cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Appalachian Region with the aim to understand existing gaps and interventions.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were utilized to conduct a systematic search. The Population, Concept, …

Time And Location: Physical Activity Trends In Parents And Children In A Rural Region During Covid-19, Brooke C. Towner, Robert Broce, Rebecca A. Battista

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: COVID-19 restrictions altered the structure of the school and workday for families with children and led to changes in active transportation. Continued restrictions impacted access to many community locations and led to changes in physical activity (PA) behavior.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to describe the changes in the 1) amount of PA time per day, 2) frequency of PA, and 3) sitting time. Information about how PA changed for parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic will have potential implications for education, public health, and recreation management.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enlisted participants via an online …

State Capacity And Integrity At The Local Level: A Case Study Of Business And Trade Associations In Kano, Nigeria, John Lucas

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

The Campaigner, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• Cover page for National Caucus of Labor Committees. (1975, Winter). The Campaigner. New York, NY

• Article: National Caucus of Labor Committees. (1975, Winter). Anti-Kritik: The accumulation of capital or what the epigones have done to Marxian theory [First English translation]. The Campaigner. New York, NY: Rosa Luxemburg

• Contact list for Labor Committee members

• Table of contents page from The Campaigner, 5(1) (January–February 1972)

• Editorial: The Campaigner. (1972, January–February). Nixon, McGovern... then Von Papen? [Editorial]. The Campaigner, 5(1), 6–7 (duplicate)

• Article titled Local control vs. socialism: Exchanges with …

Media Education, John. J. Pungente S.J., William E. Biernatzki S.J.

Communication Research Trends

Part 1 and 2 combined:

Part1:

Media Education by John. J. Pungente S.J., William E. Biernatzki S.J.

Part 2:

An Annotated Media Literacy Bibliography by John. J. Pungente S.J.

Cultivating A Sense Of Belonging: Pathways Of Support In Higher Education, Tanya M. Tarbutton, Lori B. Doyle

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Institutions should proactively consider the need for cultivating a sense of belonging among online adult students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Hispanic and first-generation learners face unique challenges to overcoming potential barriers associated with obtaining an advanced degree. The impact of higher education institutions (HEI) on the overall development and betterment of society cannot be overstated which adds a level of importance regarding the experience of all learners from any context. A conceptual framework, based on research specific to supporting diverse learners, will be explored. In addition to drawing on the tenets of the sense of belonging framework, facets of …

Are Large Language Models Conscious?, Judah Hays

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This work evaluates the possibility of a conscious large language model (LLM) under the parameters of Integrated Information Theory (IIT). First, we examine the methodology behind IIT as a scientific theory of consciousness. Second, we detail the system requirements for consciousness under IIT. Third, we examine the basic architecture of modern LLMs. Finally, we subject the network architecture of current LLMs to the system requirements of IIT, evaluating each “physical postulate” IIT espouses individually. We conclude that LLMs meet none of IIT’s requirements for a physical system to be conscious, and briefly discuss the implications for future research.

Interventions To Improve Figurative Language Understanding For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anna C. Tedeschi, Leslie Bross, Cindy Gilson, Jordan Rierson

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically experience a variety of difficulties throughout their years in education. One difficulty that tends to be observed in students with ASD is understanding figurative language. This difficulty is applicable to both social and academic scenarios because figurative language is often used in social situations among peers, as well as in narrative texts. The goal of the following systematic review was to identify effective intervention practices for improving the figurative language comprehension for students with ASD. This study was undertaken through a four-phase review process using the Covidence program and the Preferred Reporting Items …

Cutlasses And Crucifixes: The Christian Denominational Conflict’S Influence On Seventeenth-Century Buccaneers, Donavon P. Millington

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This article examines how the political and religious context of seventeenth-century Europe influenced the actions of state officials and sea raiders who worked with the state. It argues that the tensions between Catholic and Protestant Christians between and within states influenced the mostly Protestant buccaneers to be more violent against the clergy and symbols of Catholic worship. Additionally, the religious affiliation of state officials influenced the perception of the buccaneers and the subsequent policies pursued concerning piracy. It tracks how religious conflict affected the buccaneers from the arrival of French Huguenots to Tortuga, to Cromwell’s Western Design and the restoration …

The Main Portal Of St. Mark’S Basilica: An Amalgam Of Venetian Pride And Success And Foreign Influence, Danielle J. Sung

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice stands as a testament to the city’s complex historical and cultural narrative, intertwining elements of conquest, religion, and artistry. This essay delves into the western façade of the basilica, focusing particularly on the main portal—richly adorned with Byzantine bronze doors, marble columns, and mosaics of the Last Judgement. These elements not only serve as relics of Venetian pride and power but also signify the city’s historical relations with the Byzantine Empire, especially following the Fourth Crusade. The façade’s elaborate decoration showcases Venice’s capability to integrate spoils of conquest with local architectural traditions, reflecting both a …

Table Of Contents And Front Matter, Bjur Staff

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Stephen I. Vladeck’S The Shadow Docket: How The Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings To Amass Power And Undermine The Republic, Lucas Gottlieb

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

The Shadow Docket by Stephen Vladeck is an overview of the Supreme Court’s emergency docket and how “non-merit” cases move through the Court’s docket. Vladeck’s discussion of the history, practice, and powers of the emergency docket is in-depth and well researched. However, it fails to objectively discuss the growing practice of non-merits decisions from a neutral view. Rather, Vladeck focuses on the actions of what he calls the Court’s “conservative” wing. While Vladeck’s failure to objectively review the non-merits decisions of the Court makes for an incomplete analysis, it does not take away from the importance of his research regarding …

Parenting The State: A Constitutional Case For Parental Notification Policies In California School Districts, Sofia K. Van Arsdale

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

In July 2024, the State of California passed the Support Academic Futures & Educators for Today's Youth Act (SAFETY Act). This law prevents school districts from implementing policies that would require school personnel to disclose information related to a student's gender identity to their parents without that student’s consent. The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to consider the constitutionality of such a law and the parental notification policies it aims to invalidate. In light of U.S. Supreme Court precedent, this note will argue for the unconstitutionality of the SAFETY Act and the constitutionality of parental notification policies by primarily utilizing …

Contributor News, Jen Hirt

Journal of Creative Writing Studies

Editor Jen Hirt shares a collection of contributor updates, highlighting successes in publications and careers following articles published in the Journal of Creative Writing Studies.

Tapestry Of Culture: The Power Of Storytelling Among Native American Cultures: The Search For History, Culture, And Identity, Maurysha Cuttino

Master's Theses

Storytelling is a centerpiece within cultures to remember the past, find faith, and establish comfort within a community setting. This thesis will explore how storytelling has become a means of entertainment and much more. This paper will focus specifically on how storytelling works for the inner workings of Elders in Native American communities, as well as how multifaceted storytelling can be understood in the importance of its culture and people. Further, we will see how these stories create moral lessons for communities and act as guidance for individuals. We will look at the way storytelling has evolved and changed with …

Cartoon Kinship, Kelsey Bell Quinn

Master's Theses

Most people view cartoons as mindless entertainment exclusively for children. They dismiss the genre as if it only contains zany and overzealous characters who deal with simple, predictable challenges, easily resolved by the end of the episode. The negative attitude towards cartoons—or seemingly anything animated—undermines the importance of the lessons and the themes many shows do impart on their viewers, regardless of their age. Shows like Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender cover a plethora of complex themes, but due to its status as an animated work, it has been disregarded as a show for children rather than being appreciated as …

Tax Exempt Research Guide, University Of Washington School Of Law

Rule of Law Initiative

For over a hundred years, organizations have harnessed and relied on tax exempt status to serve the public. Tax exemption is a powerful tool for social, environmental, and community well-being. This Legal Research Guide on Tax Exemption serves as a navigational compass for the public seeking to learn about tax exemption.

Why The Rule Of Law Matters For Nonprofits, University Of Washington School Of Law

Rule of Law Initiative

The Rule of Law is what keeps tax exemption from being a political weapon and allows for nonprofit organizations to provide services the government is not providing our communities.

Rule Of Law – Public Q&A, University Of Washington School Of Law

Rule of Law Initiative

Below are common questions the public may have about the Rule of Law, tax exemption status, the revocation of tax exempt status, and key cases like Bob Jones University. To understand these in more detail, browse the Tax Exempt research guide (History, Rule of Law, Revoking Tax Exemption, Secondary Materials, and Current Awareness).

A Brief History Of Tax Exemption, University Of Washington School Of Law

Rule of Law Initiative

Below is a condensed history of tax exemption. It contains an analysis of tax exemption before statutory codification in 1894. It explains how the law evolved to provide predictability and fairness in the application of an organization’s tax-exempt status.

Improving Hospital Discharges Before Noon: Implementation Of A Vida (Very Important Discharge Appointment), Nadia Paul

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Delays in hospital discharge can negatively affect hospital throughput and bed capacity, resulting in increased length of stay and boarding of patients in off-unit locations which causes concerns for patient safety and potential harm (Rutherford et al., 2017). The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if the implementation of a very important discharge appointment (VIDA) would increase the number of hospital discharges occurring before noon (DBN) each day. This project was implemented at a 350-bed academic medical center in East Central Indiana. A 25-bed, adult medical unit served as the pilot unit. In total, 538 patients were included …