Digital Commons Network^™

Reducing Loneliness And Improving Social Support Among Older Adults Through Different Modalities Of Personal Voice Assistants, Valerie Jones, Changmin Yan, Marcia Shade, Julie Blaskewicz Boron, Zhengxu Yan, Hyeon Jung Heselton, Kate Johnson, Victoria Dube

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

This study examines the potential of AI-powered personal voice assistants (PVAs) in reducing loneliness and increasing social support among older adults. With the aging population rapidly expanding, innovative solutions are essential. Prior research has indicated the effectiveness of various interactive communication technologies (ICTs) in mitigating loneliness, but studies focusing on PVAs, particularly considering their modality (audio vs. video), are limited. This research aims to fill this gap by evaluating how voice assistants, in both audio and video formats, influence perceived loneliness and social support. This study examined the impact of voice assistant technology (VAT) interventions, both audio-based (A-VAT) and video-based …

Wearable Mxene-Graphene Sensing Of Influenza And Sars-Cov-2 Virus In Air And Breath: From Lab To Clinic, Yanxiao Li, Zhekun Peng, Jiaoli Li, Congjie Wei, Shangbin Liu, Weixing Hao, Huanyu Cheng, Casey Burton, Yang Wang, Yue-Wern Huang, Chang Soo Kim, Fang Yao Stephen Hou, Donghyun (Bill) Kim, Chenglin Wu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The rapidly expanding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants demand a continuous monitoring method through portable and wearable devices. Utilizing the rich surface chemistry and high chemical-to-electrical signal conversion of 2D MXene-graphene heterostructure thin films, a field-effect-transistor (FET) sensor, which has a flexible substrate to be assembled onto the mask and combines with a Bluetooth system for wireless transmission is developed, to detect the influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses in air and breath. At first, the developed sensors are examined in the laboratory through direct contact with sensing targets in solution form. The results show a low …

Rethinking Female Genital Cutting Through Postcolonial Lens, Erika Carvalho

Theses and Dissertations

Due to global instabilities, the resulting international displacement and rising inter- cultural tensions within Western societies have relocated gendered cultural practicesat the center of contemporary debates on multiculturalism, social cohesion and migration. In this context, female genital cutting (FGC) has re-emerged as a symbol of savagery, portrayed as a symbol of “otherness”, a true global violation of women’s rights. While the increasing attention given to these practices is a testament to reinvigorated feminist activism, FGC has also been harnessed for the purposes of reproducing colonial discourses about the “Third World”, which have been integral to the revival of many policies …

Make A Unique Valentine For That Special Someone At Uab Libraries, Katherine Kirk

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No abstract provided.

On Crashworthiness And Energy-Absorbing Mechanisms Of Hygrothermal-Aged Cfrp Structures Subjected To Quasi-Static Loads, Dongdong Chen, Yining Wang, Maozhou Meng, Tao Zhu, Zikun He, Shoune Xiao

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Understanding the gradual performance degradation of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) is critical for the design of engineering structures that are expected to be affected by hygrothermal environments. This study aims to investigate the effects of hygrothermal aging on the degradation mechanisms of the mechanical properties and energy absorption of CFRP structures. An experimental database comprising tensile, compressive, and shear tests for CFRP composite laminates (in this study) and axial crushing tests for energy-absorbing structures (from the literature) was constructed, in which all CFRP samples were immersed in deionized water to achieve a saturated water-absorption state. A material constitutive model …

A Proposed Method For Quality Evaluation Of Covid-19 Reusable Face Mask, Mehrbakhsh Nilashi, Rabab Ali Abumalloh, Hossein Ahmadi, Mesfer Alrizq, Abdullah Alghamdi, Omar A. Alghamdi, Sultan Alyami

School of Nursing and Midwifery

During the time of COVID-19, the use of face masks has become an essential control and prevention measure. The wide usage of disposable face masks has presented a great challenge to governments to face the impact of plastic waste on humans health and the environment. The quality of reusable face masks was assessed in previous research based on general measures such as the fabric, size fit, arrival time, price, and convenience, and based on more-specific measures related to the number of layers and the included filters. However, as the quality of reusable face masks includes several other dimensions, the general …

Regulatory Issues In Electronic Health Records For Adolescent Hiv Research: Strategies And Lessons Learned, Sara Ali Shaw Green, Sung-Jae Lee, Samantha Chahin, Meardith Pooler-Burgess, Monique Green-Jones, Sitaji Gurung, Angulique Y. Outlaw, Sylvie Naar

Publications and Research

Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) are a cost-effective approach to provide the necessary foundations for clinical trial research. The ability to use EHRs in real-world clinical settings allows for pragmatic approaches to intervention studies with the emerging adult HIV population within these settings; however, the regulatory components related to the use of EHR data in multisite clinical trials poses unique challenges that researchers may find themselves unprepared to address, which may result in delays in study implementation and adversely impact study timelines, and risk noncompliance with established guidance.

Objective: As part of the larger Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) for HIV/AIDS …

The Novel Phosphatase Nudt5 Is A Critical Regulator Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth, Jing Qian, Yanxia Ma, William M Tahaney, Cassandra L Moyer, Amanda Lanier, Jamal Hill, Darian Coleman, Negar Koupaei, Susan G Hilsenbeck, Michelle I Savage, Brent D G Page, Abhijit Mazumdar, Powel H Brown

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The most aggressive form of breast cancer is triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), and does not have overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Treatment options for women with TNBC tumors are limited, unlike those with ER-positive tumors that can be treated with hormone therapy, or those with HER2-positive tumors that can be treated with anti-HER2 therapy. Therefore, we have sought to identify novel targeted therapies for TNBC. In this study, we investigated the potential of a novel phosphatase, NUDT5, as a potential therapeutic target …

Real-World Trends, Rural-Urban Differences, And Socioeconomic Disparities In Utilization Of Narrow Versus Broad Next-Generation Sequencing Panels, Yiqing Zhao, Anastasios Dimou, Zachary C Fogarty, Jun Jiang, Hongfang Liu, William B Wong, Chen Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

UNLABELLED: Advances in genetic technology have led to the increasing use of genomic panels in precision oncology practice, with panels ranging from a couple to hundreds of genes. However, the clinical utilization and utility of oncology genomic panels, especially among vulnerable populations, is unclear. We examined the association of panel size with socioeconomic status and clinical trial matching. We retrospectively identified 9,886 eligible adult subjects in the Mayo Clinic Health System who underwent genomic testing between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2020. Patient data were retrieved from structured and unstructured data sources of institutional collections, including cancer registries, clinical …

Ectoine, From A Natural Bacteria Protectant To A New Treatment Of Dry Eye Disease, Xin Chen, Na Lin, Jin-Miao Li, Haixia Liu, Anmar Abu-Romman, Ebru Yaman, Fang Bian, Cintia S De Paiva, Stephen C Pflugfelder, De-Quan Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Ectoine, a novel natural osmoprotectant, protects bacteria living in extreme environments. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of ectoine for dry eye disease. An experimental dry eye model was created in C57BL/6 mice exposed to desiccating stress (DS) with untreated mice as controls (UT). DS mice were dosed topically with 0.5-2.0% of ectoine or a vehicle control. Corneal epithelial defects were detected via corneal smoothness and Oregon Green dextran (OGD) fluorescent staining. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were evaluated using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescent staining. Compared with UT mice, corneal epithelial defects were observed as corneal smoothness irregularities and strong …

Streamlined Adeno-Associated Virus Production Using Suspension Hek293t Cells, Aditi A Kulkarni, Austin G Seal, Corinne Sonnet, Kazuhiro Oka

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are valuable viral vectors for in vivo gene transfer, also having significant ex vivo therapeutic potential. Continued efforts have focused on various gene therapy applications, capsid engineering, and scalable manufacturing processes. Adherent cells are commonly used for virus production in most basic science laboratories because of their efficiency and cost. Although suspension cells are easier to handle and scale up compared to adherent cells, their use in virus production is hampered by poor transfection efficiency. In this protocol, we developed a simple scalable AAV production protocol using serum-free-media-adapted HEK293T suspension cells and VirusGEN transfection reagent. The …

Quilters Of Gee's Bend In Residence With Uab Arts In Medicine From Feb. 26-29, Shannon Thomason

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No abstract provided.

24 Conference Program - Advancing Manufacture Of Cell And Gene Therapies Viii, Fernanda Masri, Carolyn Yeago, Gargi Maheshwari, John Moscariello, Bryan Wang

Advancing Manufacture of Cell and Gene Therapies VIII

No abstract provided.

How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Banking For Financial Institutions And Consumers?, Nicholas Weber

Honors Projects in Finance

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative technologies globally. Much of the consumer and unremitting media sentiment surrounding AI often overreacts, either overestimating or fearing its looming impacts. Herein, we examine how in the financial sector, AI builds upon a long history of computer-assisted automation to increasingly become, or soon to become, integrated to enhance various operational processes such as: data security, risk management, fraud detection, loan adjudication, insurance underwriting and customer interactions. This paper examines not only what impacts AI in the finance sector are anticipated by students, professors and professionals, but also whether …

Identification Of New Egfr Inhibitors By Structure-Based Virtual Screening And Biological Evaluation, Shuyi Wang, Xiaotian Xu, Chuxin Pan, Qian Guo, Qinlan Li, Shanhe Wan, Zhonghuang Li, Jiajie Zhang, Xiaoyun Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors have been used in clinical for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer for years. However, the emergence of drug resistance continues to be a major problem. To identify potential inhibitors, molecular docking-based virtual screening was conducted on ChemDiv and Enamine commercial databases using the Glide program. After multi-step VS and visual inspection, a total of 23 compounds with novel and varied structures were selected, and the predicted ADMET properties were within the satisfactory range. Further molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the reprehensive compound ZINC49691377 formed a stable complex with the allosteric pocket of EGFR …

Unraveling The Complex Web Of Fibromyalgia: A Narrative Review., Sarah Al Sharie, Scott J Varga, Lou'i Al-Husinat, Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini, Mohammad Araydah, Batool Riyad Bal'awi, Giustino Varrassi

Women’s Health Articles

Fibromyalgia is a complex and often misunderstood chronic pain disorder. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity, and has evolved in diagnostic criteria and understanding over the years. Initially met with skepticism, fibromyalgia is now recognized as a global health concern affecting millions of people, with a prevalence transcending demographic boundaries. The clinical features and diagnosis of fibromyalgia encompass a range of symptoms beyond pain, including sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties. This study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive evaluation for accurate diagnosis, considering the shift from tender point reliance to a more holistic approach. Etiology …

Prenatal Diagnosis Of A Ductal-Dependent Branch Pulmonary Artery: Extra Vessels In The 3-Vessel And Trachea View., Anmol Goyal, Maria Kiaffas, Tara Swanson, Melanie Kathol, Sanket Shah, Nitin Madan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Obtaining a three-vessel (3V) and three-vessel and trachea (3VT) view from the fetal upper mediastinum is now considered to be part of standard imaging protocol for routine obstetric cardiac screening examinations. We report two fetal cases of an anomalous pulmonary artery origin, utilizing the standard 3V and 3VT views. Further imaging led to a rare diagnosis of bilateral ductus arteriosus with discontinuous branch pulmonary arteries in the absence of any other congenital heart defect. We briefly discuss the imaging features, differential diagnoses, and management of this rare entity.

Theodore Kingsley Oral History, Theodore Kingsley

Raymond College

No abstract provided.

Video Game Concerts: Unending Consumption On Video Game Platforms, David Arditi

SAGE Open Access Agreement Publications-Archive

Over the past several decades, video games have gone from single-purpose games to multifaceted platforms. This article is a case study that develops ‘unending consumption’ to understand the political economy of video game concerts. Unending consumption is the expansion of the means of consumption under a subscription model. By applying unending consumption to the political economy of video games, I show how video game concerts are embedded in the current moment of capitalism. The new political economy of video games blurs the line between video games and music as distinct media—an element of convergence. While video games and music converge …

Fair Fault-Tolerant Approach For Access Point Failures In Networked Control System Greenhouses, Mohammed Ali Yaslam Ba Humaish

Theses and Dissertations

Greenhouse Networked Control Systems (NCS) are popular applications in modern agriculture due to their ability to monitor and control various environmental factors that can affect crop growth and quality. However, designing and operating a greenhouse in the context of NCS could be challenging due to the need for highly available and cost-efficient systems. This thesis presents a design methodology for greenhouse NCS that addresses these challenges, offering a framework to optimize crop productivity, minimize costs, and improve system availability and reliability. It contributes several innovations to the field of greenhouse NCS design. For example, it recommends using the 2.4GHz frequency …

How I Obtained My Phd Admission Letter: A Reflective Interaction-Based Autoethnography, Qing Xu, Kei Wei Chia

The Qualitative Report

This account utilises autoethnography to explore how the “one-child generation’s” cultural context influences behaviours and character traits, focusing on the first author’s experiences during a 5-month doctoral program application. It examines interactions with the employer, unacquainted individuals, intermediaries, and family, encapsulated in three Episodes, to analyse the personality traits of this generation. The findings reveal that, though deeply rooted in traditional culture, character traits such as risk aversion, caution, and family dependency are not immutable. It highlights the potential for personal transformation through inward growth, proactive external engagement, and the support of families who challenge traditional norms. In terms of …

Neuromodulation Techniques In Chronic Refractory Coccydynia: A Narrative Review, Richard Morgan

All Publications

Refractory coccydynia is a condition characterized by severe coccygeal pain and poses a challenging management dilemma for clinicians. Advancements in neuromodulation (NM) technology have provided benefits to people experiencing chronic pain that is resistant to standard treatments. This review aims to summarize the spectrum of current NM techniques employed in the treatment of refractory coccydynia along with their effectiveness. A review of studies in the scientific literature from 2012 to 2023 was conducted, revealing a limited number of case reports. Although the available evidence at this time suggests significant pain relief with the utilization of NM techniques, the limited scope …

High-Yield And Rapid Isolation Of Extracellular Vesicles By Flocculation Via Orbital Acoustic Trapping: Float, Joseph Rufo, Peiran Zhang, Zeyu Wang, Yuyang Gu, Kaichun Yang, Joseph Rich, Chuyi Chen, Ruoyu Zhong, Ke Jin, Je He, Jianping Xia, Ke Li, Jiarong Wu, Yingshi Ouyang, Yoel Sadovsky, Luke P. Lee, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as promising biomarkers for the noninvasive diagnosis of various diseases. However, challenges in separating EVs from soluble proteins have resulted in variable EV recovery rates and low purities. Here, we report a high-yield ( > 90%) and rapid ( <  10 min) EV isolation method called FLocculation via Orbital Acoustic Trapping (FLOAT). The FLOAT approach utilizes an acoustofluidic droplet centrifuge to rotate and controllably heat liquid droplets. By adding a thermoresponsive polymer flocculant, nanoparticles as small as 20 nm can be rapidly and selectively concentrated at the center of the droplet. We demonstrate the ability of FLOAT to separate urinary EVs from the highly abundant Tamm-Horsfall protein, addressing a significant obstacle in the development of EV-based liquid biopsies. Due to its high-yield nature, FLOAT reduces biofluid starting volume requirements by a factor of 100 (from 20 mL to 200 µL), demonstrating its promising potential in point-of-care diagnostics.

Revisiting Late Globalization: A Commentary On Theorizing And Theoretical Deepening, Romeo V. Turcan, Michael Fast

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Phaeochromocytoma-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Presented With Cardiogenic Shock, Wong Lai Sze Alice, Yu Cheuk-Man, Hong Kam Fai Jeffrey, Tsang Man Wo, Wat Yiu Kin Jason, Tong Mei Wa Gensy

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background: Phaeochromocytoma, on its own, is a rare endocrine condition. Patient that presents with cardiogenic shock as a result of phaeochromocytoma-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is even rarer, as phaeochromocytoma classically presents with hypertension. Clinical awareness and understanding of this disease entity is important for early identification and appropriate management of this endocrine emergency. Case presentation: A 39-year-old woman presented with one day history of repeated vomiting associated with epigastric pain. Her condition deteriorated rapidly with acute cardiac and renal failure with cardiogenic shock after intravenous fluid infusion, requiring high flow oxygen and high dose inotropic support in intensive care unit. Subsequent …

Maternal Mortality: What Is The Situation And The Determinants?, Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Maternal mortality is a term used to describe a woman's death due to a pregnancy-related issues during pregnancy or a year from its termination or due to an existing condition exacerbated by pregnancy. Every year, an estimated 303,000 women lose their lives during childbirth, mostly in underdeveloped nations. This study aimed to assess the current situation and causes of maternal mortality around the world. It was conducted by searching for the related keywords in Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Google Books. The search was limited to articles published between the years 2015 and 2023. This article found that maternal deaths can …

Use Of The Ftir Technique As A Diagnostic And Monitoring Tool For Cancer Patients: A Review Of A Decade (2010–2022), Hiba Ghmeedh Adhab, Shaymaa Awad Kadhim, Mohammed Abduljaleel Hussein

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

The use of spectroscopy in the analysis of carcinoid tumors depends on this method's capacity to reveal details about the biochemical composition and the structure of the tissue. Numerous clinical investigations have shown potential benefits of employing spectroscopic techniques. These techniques have a number of advantages, including minimal implementation costs, convenience of use, and the ability to be conducted using small, portable instruments without the need for specialized equipment or professional interpretation. This article discusses several research that used FTIR spectroscopy to extract spectral characteristics from various biological materials in order to diagnose diseases in a concise manner. It was …

Practice, Attitude And Perception Of Self-Medication Among Iraqi Public In Basra City, Zainab Najim Abdul-Nabi, Ahmed H Al-Darraji, Sarah T. Omran

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background Self-medication is the act of obtaining and using medications without a doctor's prescription, guidance, or supervision of therapy. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and contributing factors of self-medication in Basra population. Method: People in Basra, southern Iraq, participated in this population-based cross-sectional survey from November to March 2021. A web-based structured questionnaire was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data for the study. Results: A total of 500 male and female Basra residents between the ages of 12 and 80 participated in completing out the questionnaire. There were 24.40% females among them …

Development Of Yoghurt Incorporated With Beetroot Puree And Its Effect On The Physicochemical Properties And Consumer Acceptance, Mercia Lionel Adjei, Abena Boakye, Godwin Deku, Nana Baah Pepra-Ameyaw, Antoinette Simpah Anim Jnr, Ibok Nsa Oduro, William Otoo Ellis

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Yoghurt is one of the most popularly consumed fermented products which provides several nutritional benefits. Yoghurt products often include flavour and colour additives however, growing awareness of the risks associated with synthetic food additives has necessitated the need to explore more natural colour and flavour as food additives.

Methods

This study evaluated the effect of beetroot puree as flavouring and colourant in yoghurt production and quality. To develop the yoghurt product, incubation time and proportion of beetroot puree were optimized based on the resulting pH, titratable acidity, colour, and viscosity using response surface methods.

Results

Optimum yoghurt formulations were …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: January 2024, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Veteran employment trends and statistics among various demographics during January 2024.