Digital Commons Network^™

Unbound Bilirubin And Risk Of Severe Neurodevelopmental Impairment In Extremely Low Birthweight Newborns, Cody C Arnold, Ivana Maric, Ronald J Wong, Jon E Tyson, David K Stevenson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Unbound bilirubin (UB) was measured on day 5 ± 1 in 1101 ELBW newborns in the Aggressive vs Conservative Phototherapy randomized controlled trial. We accessed this dataset to quantify the UB-mediated risk of severe neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI) in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) newborns.

Methods: UB levels were standardized within laboratories as z-score percentiles. A dichotomous UB exposure variable was based on sharply increased risk of sNDI at the 85th percentile (UBz>85th). Targeted maximum likelihood estimation with ensemble machine learning (TMLE + ML) and logistic regression (LR) were used to estimate sNDI risk attributable to UBz>85th.

Results: UB …

Utility Of Whole-Slide Imaging For Rapid Evaluation Of Thyroid Fna: A Multireader Prospective Study, Mohammed S Ahmed, Dianna Klippel-Almaraz, Sara E Amin, Gloria H Sura, Uma Rani Kundu, Wendong Yu, Jogn M Stewart, Qiong Gan, Savitri Krishnamurthy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) improves diagnostic adequacy and facilitates ancillary molecular testing. In this prospective, multireader study, the authors evaluated the feasibility of using whole-slide images (WSIs) for ROSE to determine specimen adequacy and preliminary categorization (according to The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology [Bethesda]) of image-guided thyroid FNABs compared with conventional light-microscopic (LM) examination of the same specimens in a referral cancer center.

Methods: The authors evaluated 98 ultrasound-guided thyroid FNAB cases. Smears were stained with Papanicolaou and Diff-Quik and were scanned at ×20 magnification using a Leica Aperio CS2 scanner. …

Examining The Impact Of Area Deprivation On Endovascular Stroke Therapy Access, Joseph N Samaha, Ngoc Mai Le, Emmanuel C Ebirim, Rania Abdelkhaleq, Sergio A Salazar Marioni, Muhammad Bilal Tariq, Ananya Iyyangar, Anjan Nagesh, Hussain Azeem, Arash Niktabe, Sunil A Sheth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Equitable access to health care is heavily affected by socioeconomic factors. However, the effects of such disparities in accessing life-saving treatments remain incompletely characterized. Here we explore the impact of disparities on access to endovascular treatments for large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: From our prospectively maintained multihospital registry, we identified patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke from January 2019-June 2020. Patient addresses and zip codes were matched to census-tract level area deprivation index (ADI) scores that were obtained from Neighborhood Atlas. ADI is a validated neighborhood-level measure that uses variables such as income, education, and …

"I Probably Wouldn't Be As Happy": Childhood Parental Separation And Posttraumatic Growth Narratives From Eight College Students, Meagan C. Arrastia-Chisholm, Hoa Nguyen, Africa Pippin, Heather M. Kelley Ph.D.

Journal of Higher Education & Student Affairs

Parental separation during childhood leads to long-lasting psychological and socioemotional impact on the lives of emerging adults as they transition into higher education. The long-term effects of childhood parental separation on college students' academic performance, physical health, and overall mental wellbeing are well-documented. However, students can develop resilience to cope with challenging family and life experiences and even demonstrate post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth refers to the positive changes and experiences college students discover after enduring life disruptions, such as being separated from their parents at an early age. To better understand the connection between parental separation and posttraumatic growth, a …

Associations Of Ambient Exposure To Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, And Xylene With Daily Mortality: A Multicountry Time-Series Study In 757 Global Locations, Lu Zhou, Ying Xiong, Francesco Sera, Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, Rosana Abrutzky, Yuming Guo, Shilu Tong, Micheline De Sousa Zanotti Stagliorio Coelho, Paulo Hilario Nascimento Saldiva, Eric Lavigne, Patricia Matus Correa, Nicolás Valdés Ortega, Samuel Osorio, Dominic Roye, Jan Kyselý, Hans Orru, Marek Maasikmets, Jouni J.K. Jaakkola, Niilo Ryti, Mathilde Pascal, Veronika Huber, Susanne Breitner-Busch, Alexandra Schneider, Klea Katsouyanni, Evangelia Samoli, Alireza Entezari, Fatemeh Mayvaneh, Patrick Goodman, Ariana Zeka, Raanan Raz, Matteo Scortichini

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

BACKGROUND: The presence of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) in the environment is of increasing concern due to their toxicity and ubiquity. Although the adverse health effects of BTEX exposure have been documented, robust epidemiological evidence from large-scale, multicountry studies using advanced exposure assessment methodologies remains scarce. We aimed to assess the association of short-term ambient exposure to individual BTEX components and their mixture with daily total, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality on a global scale. METHODS: Daily data on mortality, meteorological factors, and air pollution were collected from 757 locations across 46 countries or regions. Data on individual …

Ev Battery Next Lives, Asma Aziz, Bassam Al-Hanahi, Daryoush Habibi, Iftekhar Ahmad

Other Reports

As the demand for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries grows, ensuring the availability of raw materials and addressing the environmental and social impacts of battery production and disposal have become vital concerns. Business models that give batteries a second life – through reuse, repurposing and recycling – can substantially reduce material needs and environmental effects. Over time, these practices may also unlock new domestic value streams, create job opportunities and reduce battery costs. This project is a comprehensive analysis of the end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicle (EV) battery landscape, focusing on circular economy principles and market valuation. It also examines the supply chain …

Harry Potter And The Queering Agenda*, Krisha K. Vania

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

The Marauders Era, a newfound sub-fandom of Harry Potter, focuses on a group of characters set years before the original series. This community has allowed for alternative ‘safe’ spaces for fans to ‘queer’ the source material and find personal and social leverage. A survey was conducted to research how queer-identifying fans build and maintain virtual communities using the Wizarding World and Harry Potter mythology. The data and subsequent analysis reinforced the creation and maintenance of a participatory community through the use of multiple entry points, fans acting as textual poachers, and a community offering its users a form of leverage. …

September 2025, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

• SEPTEMBER is National Yoga Month
• YOGA classes September 16th and October 14th for SWOSU employees
• September is National Honey Month
• 10 Reasons to Dip into your Honey Jar
• Self Care Ideas for Stress Relief
• 3 Adjustable Desktop PC Stands to Loan

Algorithmic Governance And The Boardroom: Empirical And Strategic Perspectives On Ai Integration In Corporate And Educational Oversight, James Hutson, Guarango Banerjee

Faculty Scholarship

The accelerating digitization of executive decision-making has prompted critical re-examination of the function and value of traditional boards of directors within corporate and educational institutions. Empirical research consistently reveals that human boards, while ostensibly tasked with strategic insight and fiduciary oversight, are frequently constrained by structural inefficiencies—such as director overcommitment, inflated compensation, and persistent conflicts of interest—that undermine organizational performance. Against this backdrop, the integration of Artificial Intelligence agents, either as analytic adjuncts or autonomous decision-makers, emerges as a plausible avenue for enhancing board effectiveness. This article synthesizes global case studies, peer-reviewed findings, and real-time technological developments to critically evaluate …

Emerald Ash Borer Detection Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Detections Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Red Pine Scale Infestation Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

A Review Of The United States' Long Term War Support Capabilities In The Indo-Pacific Command Region, Brian J. Mullin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines U.S. maritime transportation readiness in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting fleet age, mariner shortages, shipyard decline, and port vulnerabilities. It also considers contested logistics and technological threats. Recommendations include fleet recapitalization, mariner pipeline growth, port diversification, and defensive upgrades. The study concludes that secure sea line assumptions are outdated and calls for greater resilience, with follow-on efficiency analysis proposed for ports and ships.

Using Large Language Models To Investigate The Origin Of Chronic Wasting Disease, G. Kent Webb

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This use case reports on the impressive output, hallucinations, instability, and limitations of three Large Language Models (LLMs): ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. The LLMs were prompted in an investigative sequence and responses checked. The collected information supports the common theory that chronic wasting disease (CWD) in North America originated in 1967 at a research facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, where deer were reported to have been exposed to sheep with a similar disease - scrapie. Findings include that: no sheep with scrapie were detected in the area around Fort Collins prior to 1967; domestic sheep reportedly exposed to scrapie were …

Does Stem Design Affect Primary Stability Of Splined Tapered Fluted Stems? A Biomechanical Cadaver Study, Shuyang Han, Daniel C Mascarenhas, Camryn A Pletka, Jonathan E Gold, Sabir K Ismaily, Matthew Cao, Matthew W Brewer, Robert Frangie, Philip C Noble, David Rodriguez-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Tapered fluted stems are an excellent solution for revision hip arthroplasty following periprosthetic fractures. However, existing implant designs differ in terms of the number of splines, taper angle, and cross-sectional design, and there is a lack of knowledge on the biomechanical effect of these design variations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the primary stability of two representative stem designs and the extent and distribution of stem-bone contact in a periprosthetic fracture model. It was hypothesized that a greater number of splines would lead to greater stability.

Methods: There were six pairs of cadaver femora included …

Role Of Exchange Proteins Directly Activated By Camp Signaling In Vascular Remodeling, Xiaodong Cheng, Hua Liu, Wenbo Zhang, Wenli Yang, Fang Mei

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Vascular remodeling is a complex process involving the coordinated actions of multiple cellular signaling pathways in various cell types, leading to structural and functional changes in blood vessels. These changes can be adaptive, as in wound healing, or maladaptive, as seen in chronic vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and retinopathy. Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPACs) are key players in cAMP-mediated cell signaling, distinct from the more traditionally studied protein kinase A pathway. EPAC proteins are guanine nucleotide exchange factors for the small G proteins Rap1 and Rap2. Recent studies have also revealed noncanonical functions of EPAC1 involving …

Intraoperative Pain Management Shared Decision Making With A Patient With A Complex Pain And Mental Health History: A Case Report, Aubrey Samost-Williams, Jerry Wang, Casey Horani, Eric J Thomas, Robert J Volk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Shared decision making is where the patient and clinician come together to decide on the appropriate course of action in a patient's medical care based on their goals, preferences, and values. Typically, decision making in anesthesia remains more paternalistic, with clinicians making decisions for patients. However, there is a move towards embracing a shared decision making model. We present here a case report of using shared decision making principles to develop a pain and anxiety management plan in a patient with chronic pain and a complex mental health history. A 40-year-old female with a history of chronic pain, bipolar disorder, …

Ixekizumab Improves Signs, Symptoms, And Quality Of Life In Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis Irrespective Of Symptom Duration, Victoria Navarro-Compán, John D Reveille, Proton Rahman, José A Maldonado-Cocco, Marina Magrey, Rebecca Bolce, Tommaso Panni, Andris Kronbergs, Martin Rudwaleit

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess treatment response to ixekizumab, an interleukin-17A antagonist, by shorter versus longer symptom duration (< 5 years vs. ≥ 5 years) in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) up to 52 weeks.

Methods: This post hoc analysis used data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials including patients with r-axSpA from COAST-V [biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD)-naïve] and COAST-W (tumor necrosis factor inhibitor-experienced) and patients with nr-axSpA from COAST-X (bDMARD-naïve). Patients received ixekizumab (80 mg every 2 or 4 weeks) or placebo through Week 16 and ixekizumab to Week 52. Assessments included the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis international Society 40% improvement (ASAS40) and Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) low disease activity …

Code Telestroke: On The Necessity Of Formalizing Training In Telestroke For Future Vascular Neurologists, Amanda L Jagolino-Cole, Christina Mijalski, Amy Katherine Guzik

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Biopsychosocial Profiles Following Acl Reconstruction: A Latent Class Analysis Of Barriers To Return-To-Activity, Erich Petushek, Matthew S. Harkey, Kim Santiago, Alexander Stamm, Shelby Baez, Jed A. Diekfuss, Gregory D. Myer, Christopher Kuenze

Michigan Tech Publications

Objective: Understanding of how biopsychosocial factors interrelate to affect recovery from ACL injuries is essential for improving patient outcomes. This research aimed to use Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to classify individuals post-ACL reconstruction into subgroups reflecting their particular biopsychosocial challenges to recovery. Design: Cross-Sectional. Methods: This multisite investigation included 134 ACLR patients approximately 6 months (5.6 months ± 1.8 SD) following surgery. The ACL Reasons scale, various Patient Reported Outcome (PRO), and performance-based measures were assessed. LCA was used to categorize patients into subgroups based on the ACL Reasons scale. Subgroups were then compared across demographic, PRO, and performance-based measures …

Beyond Frequency Of Use: Exploring Additional Metrics For Quantifying Cocaine Use And Their Relation To Life Functioning And Treatment Outcome, Samantha Ellis, Rachel Sun, Angela Heads, Jin Ho Yoon, Heather Webber, Joy Schmitz, Margaret Wardle

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Frequency of use - the number of days of use - is the most common metric for quantifying cocaine use and the most common target of treatment. However, frequency may not capture all important aspects of cocaine use. This study examined how other aspects of cocaine use (typical amount spent, variability etc.) relate to life functioning and cocaine use disorder (CUD) treatment outcomes.

Method: This is a secondary analysis of 3 clinical trials for CUD, N = 207 for the life functioning analysis and N = 173 for the outcomes analysis. Eight metrics of use were calculated from baseline …

Is Our Assessment Of Bias In Academics … Biased?, Sunil A Sheth, Ashutosh P Jadhav, Tudor G Jovin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Endovascular Thrombectomy Technique Optimization: A Svin Registry Analysis, Joseph N Samaha, Ritesh Bajaj, Ngoc Mai Le, Hussain Azeem, Ananya S Iyyangar, Diogo C Haussen, Jay Dolia, Jonathan A Grossberg, Mahmoud Mohammaden, Ameer E Hassan, Wondwossen G Tekle, Samantha E Miller, Hamzah M Saei, Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez, Milagros Galecio-Castillo, Jorge Cespedes, Nashwa Abdelhakim, Preethi Reddi, Johanna T Fifi, Shahram Majidi, Manisha Koneru, Linda Zhang, Jane Khalife, Mohamad Abdalkader, Thanh N Nguyen, Guilherme Dabus, Italo Linfante, Brijesh P Mehta, Joy Sessa, Mohammad A Jumaa, Rebecca M Sugg, Guillermo Linares, Alhamza R Al-Bayati, David S Liebeskind, Raul G Nogueira, Sunil A Sheth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Achieving excellent recanalization (Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2c/3) in fewer attempts improves clinical outcomes. Previous studies suggest that switching techniques after a failed first pass may enhance reperfusion rates. This study evaluates whether technique switching improves subsequent reperfusion in a large multicenter registry.

Methods: We analyzed retrospective and prospective SVIN (Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology) registry data from 12 US centers (October 2014-December 2021) involving endovascular therapy for M1 or internal carotid artery-terminus (ICA-T) occlusions. Patients with at least 2 recanalization attempts using stent retriever (SR), contact aspiration (CA), or combined technique (CT) were included. Primary outcome …

Immune Impacts Of Fire Smoke Exposure, Mary M Johnson, Abhinav Kaushik, Olivia A Kline, Eric M Smith, Xiaoying Zhou, Yagiz Pat, Laura Buergi, Juan Aguilera, Shifaa Alkotob, Elisabeth M Simonin, Alberto Favaro, Miguel Couto, Oscar Bennett, R Sharon Chinthrajah, Ella Parsons, Mohamed Shamji, Marshall Burke, Melissa Bondy, Mubeccel Akdis, Cezmi A Akdis, Kari C Nadeau

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Fire smoke exposure has become a global health concern and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of understanding of the specific immune mechanisms involved in smoke exposure with preventative and targeted interventions needed. After exposure to fire smoke, which includes PM2.5, toxic metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), epidemiology-based studies demonstrate increases in respiratory (e.g. asthma exacerbations), cardiac (e.g. myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias), neurologic (e.g. stroke) and pregnancy-related (e.g. low birthweight, premature births) outcomes. However, mechanistic studies exploring how smoke exposure disrupts cellular homeostasis are lacking. Therefore, we collected blood from smoke-exposed individuals (n …

Outcomes In Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Based On Serological Profiles With A Focus On Anticentromere And Anti-Rna Polymerase Iii Antibodies, Elizabeth R Volkmann, Shervin Assassi, Christopher P Denton, Rozeta Simonovska, Steven Sambevski, Margarida Alves, Elana J Bernstein

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: We aimed to compare the progression of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) based on serological status.

Methods: In a posthoc analysis of the SENSCIS trial (nintedanib vs placebo in SSc-ILD; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02597933), we analyzed the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks in 3 subsets: (1) positive for anticentromere antibody (ACA), (2) positive for anti-RNA polymerase III antibody (ARA), and (3) negative for ACA, ARA, and antitopoisomerase I antibody (ATA).

Results: Among study participants who underwent baseline serological evaluation, 32/549 (5.8%) were ACA positive, 98/528 (18.6%) were ARA positive, and 127/526 (24.1%) were …

Variability Between Full-Length Lateral Radiographs And Standard Short Knee Radiographs When Evaluating Posterior Tibial Slope In Revision Acl Patients: Response, Alfred A Mansour

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Diminished Long-Term Vaccine Antibody Persistence In Perinatally Youth Living With Hiv On Cart, German A Contreras, Morouge M Alramadhan, Gloria P Heresi, Abel Castro, James R Murphy

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Systematic Review Using A Multi-Layered Criteria Framework For Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Velocity Monitoring Devices In Resistance Training, Youssef J. Wannouch, Samuel R. Leahey, Rodrigo Ramírez-Campillo, Harry G. Banyard, Harry S. Dorrell, Steven Stern, Gordon J. Ross, Jason C. Laffer, Kelvin Y.H. Chua, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Velocity-Based Training (VBT) is an emerging method in resistance training for objectively prescribing and monitoring training intensity and neuromuscular function. Given its growing popularity, assessing the validity and reliability of VBT devices is critical for strength and conditioning coaches. Objective The primary purpose of this review was twofold: (1) to identify and address methodological gaps in current assessments of VBT device validity and reliability, and (2) to propose and apply a novel, multi-layered, criterion-based framework—developed in collaboration with statisticians and domain experts—for evaluating these devices. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus following PRISMA guidelines, …

Shaping Youth Ministry: Exploring Influences On Youth Pastors’ Approaches To Programme Design, Timothy A. Mullen, Trudi Cooper

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The literature on youth ministry practices is mostly anecdotal, and empirical research into the practices, goals, and meanings of youth ministry to youth pastors is rare, especially in Australia. In this study, 20 youth pastors in Perth, Western Australia, were interviewed about their goals, priorities, practices, training, and what influenced them. This study forms part of a larger doctoral research project. The interview data were analysed utilising a phenomenological approach, drawing upon Goffman’s framing analysis to examine the link between ‘meaning making’ and explicit and tacit motivations for youth ministry practice. The research found that youth pastors were most often …

Curing The Peasant's Disease : Frank Oldt’S Work And Research On Hookworm Disease In South China, 1905-1926, Jiaying Fu

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

While current scholarship on “hygienic modernity” in China focuses on the construction of urban health systems and institutional infrastructures, this study proposes an alternative analytical lens by foregrounding the domain of agricultural health. It aims to investigate how early twentieth-century medical researchers uncovered public health models grounded in China’s agrarian conditions. Taking the case of Frank Oldt (1879–1976), a medical missionary living in Guangdong between 1905 and 1926, this research examines how he identified, interpreted, and sought to mitigate the problem of hookworm disease—a parasitic condition intricately linked to China’s farming practices and rural environmental conditions.

Specifically, this thesis aims …