Digital Commons Network^™

From Farm To Fork, And Beyond: The International Politics Of Food Standards, Julia E. Srnec

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Food safety standards are incredibly politically charged due to how much they can differ between countries and how implementing new standards in a country can impact the economy of those depending on the exports of food products. The political division regarding food safety standards can begin to be understood once the impacts on national and international economics, as well as the consequences of regulations beyond the economy, are considered. Nongovernmental organizations such as the World Health Organization help to mitigate conflict over trade policy disagreements, however some divisions persist.The use of non-tariff barriers on the imports of food-related goods can …

Cbdcs Vs Decentralized Currencies: Considerations For 21st Century Global Financial Challenges, Andrew Michael Sobhy, Shuai Wang

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

As digital currencies gain prominence in everyday life, policymakers in the United States at the federal, state, and local levels debate the potential for innovation, surveillance, global relations, and a plethora of areas that concern citizens. While existing literature highlights the opportunities and pitfalls within this new digital age, including inclusivity and challenges to traditional banking, this study aims to contribute a quantitative approach to the discussion utilizing Federal Reserve data, studies from financial institutions, and various credible resources that hold a stake. Specifically, comparing novel Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) and Decentralized Financial Currencies (DeFi) will provide a foundation …

Heat And Socioeconomic Deprivation Compound To Drive Coronary Heart Disease In Los Angeles, Shutong Huo, Tessa R. Pulido, Reginald S. Archer, Joshua B. Fisher, Jason A. Douglas

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Background:

Socioeconomic deprivation and environmental heat exposure each increase cardiovascular risk, yet evidence is limited on how these stressors co-occur and jointly shape disease burden within cities. Mapping their overlap can inform equity-oriented planning and needs-based allocation of health and social protection resources.

Methods:

We conducted an ecological geospatial analysis of 2,513 census tracts in Los Angeles County. Adult coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence was obtained from CDC Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates (2021). Socioeconomic deprivation was measured using the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), and heatwave surface heat hazard was measured using land surface temperature (LST) retrieved from the …

Ddx173.1 Ux-Report Example 12, Sae University College

Exemplars

In this project, the student conducted a UX evaluation of an existing website. Employing a design thinking framework, the student identified areas for usability improvement. The goal was to enhance the user experience through a systematic and human-centred design approach. The results of this approach are summarised in this UX report.

Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers: Resistance Is Futile: Candor, Supervision, And Fees, Cliff Mckinney

Arkansas Law Notes

In Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Borg deliver their iconic warning to every species they encounter: “Resistance is futile.” The line resonates because it conveys the inevitability that once the Borg arrive, escape is no longer an option.

For lawyers, the duties of candor, supervision, and fairness in fees are just as inescapable. ABA Formal Opinion 512 (“ABA Opinion”) makes clear that, regardless of how powerful artificial intelligence becomes, it cannot relieve attorneys of their obligation. Attorneys must verify what they file, oversee how their colleagues use the technology, and ensure that clients are charged fairly. This installment examines …

Microrna-625-3p Increases Chemosensitivity In Ovarian Cancer Cells Through Decreasing Ssx2ip-Mediated Cisplatin Export In Extracellular Vesicles, Chi-Lam Au-Yeung, Tetsushi Tsuruga, Marina A Talor, Yadira J Pacheco, Guangan He, Zahid H Siddik, Byeong J Cha, Suet-Ying Kwan, Kwong-Kwok Wong, Kay-Pong Yip, Samuel C Mok

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is a disease that is difficult to manage due to its heterogeneous clinical behavior. No reliable prediction of response to chemotherapy is currently available and the overall survival rate remains poor. Herein, we sought to determine the molecular mechanisms by which microRNAs (miRNAs) confer chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and demonstrate the efficacy of targeting miRNAs to sensitize HGSC to cisplatin treatment.

Methods: Next-generation miRNA sequencing was performed using microdissected HGSC specimens to identify an miRNA signature for intrinsic chemoresistance, and miR-625-3p was selected for further study. The effects of miR-625-3p on cisplatin sensitivity …

Mechanism-Aware Ml Identifies A Protease-Chemokine-Galectin (Pcg) Axis That Links Plasma Proteomics To Single-Cell Signaling And Enables Compact Severity Classification In Covid-19, Félix E. Rivera-Mariani, Albersy Armina-Rodriguez, Tashoy Campbell, Emily Solomon

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Association Between Bmi Z-Score And Postoperative Complications In Pediatric Neuromuscular Scoliosis Surgery, Alexander K Mihas, Dion Birhiray, Chun Wai Hung, Lorenzo R Deveza, Dallas Vanorny, Frank Gerow, Darrell Hanson, Benny Dahl

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Study Design

Single-center retrospective review.

Objective

To investigate the association between BMI Z-scores and postoperative complications in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing spinal instrumentation.

Methods

Pediatric patients who underwent spinal instrumentation for neuromuscular scoliosis from July 2012 to June 2016 with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. BMI and BMI Z-scores were calculated, and patients were stratified into CDC-defined BMI-for-age percentiles: underweight (< 5th percentile), normal (5th to < 85th percentile), overweight (85th to < 95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile). Logistic regression assessed associations of BMI, BMI Z-score, and BMI groups with postoperative complications.

Results

In total, 147 patients were included. Average follow-up was 3.2 ± 1.4 years. The most common diagnosis was cerebral palsy (39.5%). Complications occurred in 65 (44.2%) patients: 32 (21.8%) had a surgical site infection (SSI), …

Hospice Ownership & Quality Metrics (Analytics & Policy Link), Craig Rijkaard

Doctoral Student Association Conference

The landscape of hospice ownership has undergone a dramatic shift over the past two decades (2005-2014 and 2015-2025). Historically, hospice has been chiefly profitable as an industry comprising not-for-profit agencies. From 2015-2016, private equity entities have increasingly impacted for-profit ownership, which now owns approximately 12% of hospice agencies. This trend has raised concerns that private equity entities' emphasis on short-term profitability may reduce the quality of hospice care and services, potentially affecting end-of-life care.  The aim of the research is to examine how hospice ownership status, patients’ primary hospice diagnosis, and the setting of hospice care predict three measures of …

Poster: Hrrp & Hospital Readmissions, Afrah Mohamed

Doctoral Student Association Conference

While the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) was designed to improve the quality of care and promote value-based care, a growing body of evidence challenges the assumption that the 30-day readmission rate reflects hospital performance. Instead, several factors beyond health systems' control, such as social determinants of health (SDoH), market constraints, and post-acute care capacity, influence readmissions. Heart failure (HF) is a complex medical condition and is one of the conditions targeted by the HRRP; however, there is controversial evidence about the deterioration of patient outcomes after the implementation of the HRRP. Furthermore, evidence indicates that the HRRP imposes unequal …

Ai And Qualitative Data Analysis, Cecily Jackson

Doctoral Student Association Conference

While completing my dissertation, I had the opportunity to use AI to support my qualitative data analysis. During my presentation, I plan to share insights from the literature regarding the use of AI in analysis, as well as my own experiences, including both the benefits and the limitations. The purpose of this discussion is not to promote the use of AI, but rather to foster an open and honest dialogue about its role in research.

Poster: Reserve & National Guard Student Transitions, James Crotty

Doctoral Student Association Conference

A qualitative study of a subgroup of veteran students facing unique socialization challenges when transitioning from the military to academic environments. This qualitative, exploratory study will use narrative inquiry to examine the socialization challenges of RANG (Reserve and National Guard) military students in the higher education community college environment. By analyzing these challenges, the researcher hopes to contribute to a greater understanding of non-traditional students and how college administrators and instructors can more effectively support their academic and career goals.

This presentation would be of particular interest to students and candidates in the Instructional Design Leadership doctoral program.

Code-Switching Among Black Businesswomen, Latrice R. Small

Doctoral Student Association Conference

Code-switching, the practice of adjusting language, behavior, and self-presentation to align with dominant workplace norms, has been widely examined in sociolinguistics and critical race scholarship. However, much of the existing literature remains theoretical or descriptive, with limited attention to how these insights can be operationalized within organizational contexts. My dissertation study, completed in Fall of 2024, with Franklin University, examined the lived experiences of Black businesswomen in Arkansas to explore how code-switching functions as both a survival strategy and an organizational signal within professional environments.

Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, my research centers the voices of Black businesswomen across industries …

First-Generation Doctoral Student Book, Stacey Horn

Doctoral Student Association Conference

Thriving as a First-Generation Doctoral Student: How to Navigate Academia Without a Map is a useful, encouraging, and strategic guide for students who are the first in their families to go to college and want to get a PhD. This book talks about the problems that first-generation doctoral students often face but don't always see, like imposter syndrome, the hidden curriculum of academia, financial stress, mental health issues, and not having enough access to mentors and professional networks. It does so from the point of view of someone who has lived through them and as a scholar-practitioner.

Instead of seeing …

Critical Friends Groups (Organizational Intervention Angle), Valerie A. Storey, Amiee Wagner

Doctoral Student Association Conference

Online doctoral programs face a persistent crisis with completion rates of only 40-60%, and alarming attrition rates 10-30% higher than traditional programs. While research identifies social and academic isolation as primary factors, few studies examine actionable interventions that higher education institutions can implement to reverse the trend. This sequential mixed-methods study bridges the gap between knowing the problem and implementing a solution.

Our study investigates how a Doctoral Student Association (DSA) employs Critical Friends (CF) protocols to address the challenges faced by online doctoral students. Drawing on Tinto’s model of institutional departure and Astin’s student involvement theory, we examine both …

Mainehealth Investigator Vignettes

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

Waste-To-Energy Innovations And Advances In Hydrothermal Carbonization, Microwave, And Pyrolysis Processes: A Review, Ali Mohammed Saleh, Noah Mohammed Saleh, Mahmod A. Abdulqader, Hadi Hamdi Mahdi, Jafar Keighobadi, Omar K. Ahmed, Khalil Farhan Yassin, Azil Bahari Bin Alias, Omar Abed Habeeb, Ibrahim Awad Mohammed

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

The accelerating global generation of municipal solid waste, coupled with escalating energy demands, presents one of the most pressing sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Conventional waste disposal pathways, such as landfilling and incineration, exacerbate environmental degradation and resource loss. In response, thermochemical technologies—specifically hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), microwave-assisted processing, and pyrolysis—have emerged as promising strategies for waste valorization and renewable energy recovery. This review critically examines recent advancements in these technologies, emphasizing their roles in converting diverse waste streams into high-value energy carriers and carbon-rich materials. Comparative analysis reveals that HTC operates efficiently under subcritical water conditions, producing hydrochar with …

Role Of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure In The Prevention Of Cardiovascular Events In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Clinical Trials, Saif Almuzainy, Mohamed Lemine, Rayan Aljubeh, Ahmad Alilo, Maryam Altaher, Mohamed Almuzainy, Sami Alsalem, Mohamed Dawdi

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent among patients with cardiovascular disease and is associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for OSA, but its impact on cardiovascular outcomes remains uncertain, particularly in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of CPAP therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with OSA, and to explore the influence of adherence on treatment efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing CPAP with placebo or usual care in adults with OSA. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, …

Modeling The Impact Of Shade Pavilions On Wet Bulb Globe Temperature And Activity Modification In Outdoor Sports Across Diverse U.S. Climates, Andrew Grundstein, Susan W. Yeargin Ph.D., Atc, Lat, Earl Cooper, Lilly Cargile

Faculty Publications

Extreme heat is an ongoing hazard for outdoor sports. In response, schools, recreation departments, and fitness clubs are increasingly installing shade pavilions over venues like football fields and tennis courts. While shading is known to improve thermal comfort and reduce heat stress, its effects on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and related activity modification guidelines in sports remain underexplored. This study uses a modeling approach to quantify the impact of shade pavilions on WBGT and activity modification across a range of U.S. climates.

WBGT values were calculated using a model based on historical data from 221 weather stations, each with …

Three-Dimensional Printing Of The Epineurium For Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Comprehensive Review Of Novel Scaffolds For Nerve Conduits, Alynah J. Adams, Iulianna C. Taritsa, Kaavian Shariati, Aaron Dadzie, Jose A. Foppiani, Maria Jose Escobar-Domingo, Daniela Lee, Angelica Hernandez-Alvarez, Kirsten Schuster, Helen Xun

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Nerve conduits are used to bridge peripheral nerve defects caused by trauma, iatrogenic injury, or oncologic disruption. Three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration have advanced significantly in recent years, driven by improvements in printing technology and neuronal seeding techniques. We report on published designer conduits that can recreate the epineurium, a critical yet challenging-to-manufacture feature of nerve tissue.

Methods: A medical librarian conducted a literature search for our systematic review on EMBASE, Web of Science, and PUBMED, following PRISMA guidelines, for articles from January 2010 to January 2026 for the systematic review. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed …

Investigating Barriers Toward Implementation Of Harm Reduction, Mati Abrahami, Ali Cunningham Abbott, Melissa Lehman

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Academic Pressure On College Student: Mental Health And Resilience, Pelo Zinyana, Cindy Khan-Jordan, Patrick J. Cooper

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Post-Traumatic Pituitary Stalk Transection Syndrome, Raya Albusaidi, Asma Alhatmi, Azza Al Shidhani, Eiman Al-Ajmi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Determining The Optimal Management Of Geriatric Type Ii Odontoid Fractures: A Comparative Network Meta-Analysis, Shaan Patel, Shiva A. Nischal, Kush M. Kale, Stavros Matsoukas, Joshua Heller, Jack Jallo, James S. Harrop, Srinivas K. Prasad

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

UNLABELLED: Type II odontoid fractures are the most common cervical injury in geriatric populations, yet optimal management remains debated. This study compared the safety and effectiveness of non-surgical management (NSM), anterior dens screw (ADS) fixation, and posterior arthrodesis (PA) in these patients. A systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to October 2025. Comparative studies including patients ≥ 60 years with Anderson-D’Alonzo type II fractures and reporting at least one primary outcome (mortality, union, stable non-union, unstable non-union) were eligible. Random-effects network models generated pooled odds ratios …

Catalase Activity In The Presence Of Pure Flavonoids, Emily Weems, Erika L. Doctor

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Environmental-Friendly Straws As A Source Of Forever Chemicals, Sarah Allen, Sara Miller, Erika L. Doctor

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Fastpca: An R Package For Fast Singular Value Decomposition., Kimberly R. Ward, Mitchell Hayes, Lauren C. Peres, Brooke L. Fridley, Steven Eschrich, Alex C. Soupir

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The FastPCA package provides an interface to optimized matrix multiplication libraries (libtorch) for the purpose of singular value decomposition. Using FastPCA to perform randomized singular value decomposition (SVD, (Halko, Martinsson, & Tropp, 2011)) with the torch or pytorch backend drastically reduces the computational time compared to base R prcomp and other truncated singular value decomposition. Developed for biological data such as single-cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI imaging), FastPCA can efficiently and accurately identify the leading singular values in high-dimensional data.

Kinetic Human Movement Ontology: A Semantic Terminology Model To Symbolically Represent Physiological Movement, Muhammad Amith, Vivian Ha, Eloisa Nguyen, Yang Gong, Ahsiya Lin, Cui Tao, Licong Cui

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cataloging physiological and anatomical terminologies may provide a fundamental basis for bridging the involvement of muscles, skeletal, and other essential parts in human movement, in addition to understanding their role on human morbidity. We present a general formalized ontology model that focuses on anatomical and physiological entities that are active during human movement, called the Kinetic Human Movement Ontology (KHMO). We developed a model to represent human movement that links human postures using OWL2. We used the model to assemble various open-sourced controlled terminologies involved in human movement - anatomical entities, physiological terms, etc. KHMO presents 1954 classes, 42 properties, …

Integrating The Glycemia Risk Index Into Clinical Practice And Research: A Consensus Report, Guillermo E Umpierrez, Viral N Shah, Veronica Brady, Mark A Clements, Juan Espinoza, Elizabeth Healey, Michael A Kohn, David M Maahs, Ralph Oiknine, Jane J Seley, Steven P Weitzman, David Kerr, Halis K Akturk, Grazia Aleppo, Mohammed E Al-Sofiani, Eda Cengiz, Francis J Doyle, Osagie Ebekozien, Steven V Edelman, Laya Ekhlaspour, Guido Freckmann, Lutz Heinemann, Irl B Hirsch, Victoria C Hsiao, Sun H Kim, Boris Kovatchev, Rayhan A Lal, Marcus Lind, Julia K Mader, Nestoras Mathioudakis, Tracey Mclaughlin, Sultan A Meo, Deborah A Osafehinti, Moshe Phillip, Priya Prahalad, David Scheinker, Michael P Snyder, Jing Wang, Jenise C Wong, Eugene E Wright, Mandy M Shao, Agatha F Scheideman, Ashley Y Dunova, David C Klonoff

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A panel of experts in the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data in the treatment of diabetes met in Burlingame, California on October 27, 2025 to discuss the utility of the glycemia risk index (GRI) for clinical care research and population health management. The GRI composite metric is a single number (on a 0-100 percentile scale-lower is better) based on an expert-determined weighting of the seven individual components in the existing ambulatory glucose profile (AGP). The GRI describes the quality of glycemia based on glucose values collected in a 14-day CGM tracing, thus providing additional insights into CGM profiles …

Operative Confidence In Open And Endovascular Procedures Among Vascular Surgery Graduates Reflects Procedural Exposure During Training, Jin Park, Nicola Habash, Dawn Salvatore, Michael Nooromid, Paul J. Dimuzio, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: The shift toward minimally invasive techniques has transformed vascular surgery practice and training. As endovascular procedures replace many traditional open operations, concerns have emerged about whether current training adequately prepares graduates for independent practice, particularly in complex open procedures.

Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to recent graduates of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited vascular surgery training programs from 2022 and 2024. The survey assessed demographics, program characteristics, estimated case volumes, and confidence in 22 core vascular operations using a five-point Likert scale. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as multivariable logistic regression, identified factors associated with …