Digital Commons Network^™

Moving At Warp Speed Toward Developing The Cyborg Soldier, James Giordano, Diane Dieuliis

Strategic Insights

This commentary examines how rapidly advancing technologies are reshaping the future of the military warfighter. The convergence of artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, biotechnology, and human-machine interfaces is moving defense innovation toward enhanced or “cyborg” soldiers capable of improved performance, endurance, and decision-making. While these developments promise operational advantages, they also raise serious ethical, legal, and strategic concerns. Questions about autonomy, vulnerability to cyber manipulation, long-term health effects, and international norms must be addressed before such capabilities become widely deployed. The article argues that technological momentum should not outpace governance and doctrine. To ensure responsible innovation, policymakers must develop clear oversight mechanisms …

30-Day And 1-Year Outcomes From The Optimize Pro Tavr Evolut Fx Addendum Study., Hemal Gada, Ramzi F Khalil, Stanley J Chetcuti, G Michael Deeb, Kendra J Grubb, Adam B Greenbaum, David Lorenz, Robert D Jumper, Ibrahim Sultan, Dustin Kliner, Paul Mahoney, Deepak R Talreja, Mustafa I Ahmed, Joshua D Rovin, Lang Lin, Paul Sorajja, Douglas G W Fraser, Suneet Mittal, Tamim Nazif, Josep Rodes-Cabau, Amit N Vora, Kathleen Ertelt, Amanda C Tenhoff, Yu Jung Yeh, Steven J Yakubov

Heart and Vascular Articles

BACKGROUND: Primary results from the Optimize PRO study demonstrated that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the cusp overlap technique (COT) resulted in low 30-day permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) rates and no moderate or greater aortic regurgitation (AR).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes after Evolut FX implantation using the COT and postprocedural computed tomography (CT).

METHODS: The Optimize PRO FX Addendum study is a postmarket, prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized study. Patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent TAVR with the Evolut FX using the COT protocol. Postprocedurally, COT adherence was evaluated to identify key steps, and CT-assessed …

Single-Neuron Datasets For Linguistic And Semantic Processing In The Human Amygdala And Hippocampus, Yue Wang, Runnan Cao, Jon T Willie, Peter Brunner, Shuo Wang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Understanding linguistic and semantic processing in the human brain involves exploring intricate neural networks. However, it remains unclear whether and how the amygdala and hippocampus are involved in these processes. Here, we recorded single-neuron activity from the human amygdala and hippocampus while neurosurgical patients with intractable epilepsy performed various language tasks. Specifically, we recorded from 68 neurons in 7 patients for the visual language localizer task, 115 neurons in 12 patients for the auditory language localizer task, 88 neurons in 9 patients for the TIMIT task, and 51 neurons in 4 patients for the natural story task. Together, our comprehensive …

Probing The Effect Of Peg-Dna Interactions And Buffer Viscosity On Tethered Dna In Shear Flow, Fatema Tuz Zohra, Huda Al-Zuhairi, Jefferson Reinoza, Hyeongjun Kim, Andreas Hanke

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

DNA flow-stretching is a widely employed, powerful technique for investigating the mechanisms of DNA-binding proteins involved in compacting and organizing chromosomal DNA. We combine single-molecule DNA flow-stretching experiments with Brownian dynamics simulations to study the effect of the crowding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG) in these experiments. PEG interacts with DNA by an excluded volume effect, resulting in compaction of single, free DNA molecules in PEG solutions. In addition, PEG increases the viscosity of the buffer solution. By stretching surface-tethered bacteriophage lambda DNA in a flow cell and tracking the positions of a quantum dot labeled at the free DNA end …

Feasibility Of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment For Low Back Pain In Rural Chimaltenango, Guatemala: A Pilot Study, Monica Aspra Rubi, Ambrose Loc T. Ngo, Grace Cooper, Jared Nichols

Student Publications

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a global health issue that primarily affects underserved communities with limited access to healthcare. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) offers non-pharmacological, hands-on interventions that align with its core principle of holistic care. However, little is known about the feasibility and perception of OMT in rural Chimaltenango, Guatemala. This pilot study assesses the feasibility, effectiveness, and participant perception of osteopathic principles in managing LBP complaints.

Methods

Adult participants experiencing LBP were recruited by the research team during Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (KCUCOM) global health mission trip, following their one-day primary care visit. Pre- …

Using A Realist Informed Qualitative Approach To Elaborate Programme Theory: Experiences From The Feasibility Phase Of The D-Pact Project., Sarah Griffiths, Hannah Wheat, Sarah Morgan-Trimmer, Lauren Weston, Alex Gude, Tomasina Oh, Rod Sheaff, Richard Byng

Peninsula Medical School

Realist approaches to complex health care evaluations are increasingly used and recommended in national evaluationguidelines. However, there remains a paucity of researcher guidance on methods for elaborating and refining programmetheories throughout the stages of a realist evaluation project—from prospective theory development to feasibility work,to full evaluation. We present a step by step worked example of a realist approach to elaborating a programme theory for ahealth care intervention during the feasibility phase of the Dementia PersonAlised care Team. We explain how multiplequalitative methods can be applied to elaborate initial theory, supporting a shift away from a hypothetical explanation, towards a theory …

How Familism And Hostile And Benevolent Sexism Shape Attitudes Toward Legal Abortion Among Latinx And Non-Latinx Adults In The United States, Xiana Bueno, Beyza E. Büyüker, Brandon L. Crawford, Ronna C. Turner, Wen-Juo Lo, Kristen N. Jozkowski

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

People who strongly value family ties may see family support and interconnection as a reason to discourage women from seeking abortion. At the same time, sexist beliefs are often linked to negative views on abortion. Hostile and benevolent sexism are typically associated with anti-abortion sentiment; hostile sexism conceptualizes abortion as a challenge to traditional gender roles and benevolent sexism conceptualizes abortion as a rejection of women's "natural" role as mothers. We examine how these two belief systems-familism and sexism-are linked to attitudes toward legal abortion among Latinx and non-Latinx U.S. adults. We used a national survey of 3,046 adults (1,183 …

Advancing Institutional Sustainability Through Green Roofs: Performance-Based Policy For Rit, Theoren Heilman

Theses

Utilization of green roof systems continues growth as a sustainable architectural strategy, offering enhancements to key building performance metrics while contributing to overall community resilience. The ability of green roofs to deliver a wide range of performance benefits, even in environments with harsh climatic conditions, positions them as an asset for advancing sustainable development. Within this context, university campuses represent an underutilized, yet important, setting for green roof adoption. Functioning much like small cities, campuses contain diverse building types and extensive infrastructure networks, which draw significant energy demands, positioning them to lead in sustainable building practices. Yet, most lack rigorous, …

The Abc's Of Memoir, Sharon K. Ferrett

Trade & Scholarly Monographs

Writing is a way to make sense and find meaning in your journey. Your story explores how you got to where you are and what it all means. It is a way to heal trauma and conflict and honor your inner life. You write to know yourself. Writing will transform you and inspire others in ways you cannot imagine.

Bridging Diagnostic Safety And Mental Health: A Systematic Review Highlighting Inequities In Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis, Abirami Srivarathan, Andrea Bradford, Sara Shearkhani, Layla Heimlich, Sheryl Jefferson, Kristen E Miller, Kelly Smith, Helen Haskell, Traber D Giardina

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: There is increased recognition that diagnostic errors disproportionately affect marginalised and underserved patient populations in the USA. However, evidence on diagnostic inequities in mental disorders is sparse and not well integrated into the overall diagnostic safety literature.

Objective: We systematically reviewed and narratively synthesised evidence on inequities in diagnosis of mental disorders, guided by the Diagnostic Process Framework developed by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a narrative synthesis. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Studies were eligible if they reported on …

Mri-Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy For Neuropathic Pain In An Adolescent With Cranial Metastases: Illustrative Case, Sarah G Van Winkle, Danika L Paulo, Ashwin Viswanathan, Daniel Curry, Nisha Gadgil

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Neuropathic cancer pain (NCP) is a debilitating condition that is often refractory to conventional medical management. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) central lateral thalamotomy (CLT) is an incisionless neurosurgical option for neuropathic pain palliation, but its use in pediatric patients and those with cranial metastases, a relative contraindication to MRgFUS, remains largely unexamined.

Observations: A 16-year-old male with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with numerous cranial metastases experienced severe, diffuse, refractory NCP. The patient underwent bilateral CLT with MRgFUS. After the procedure, the patient experienced complete and durable resolution of his neuropathic pain. He only reported occasional somatic pain at sites of …

Progressive Respiratory Failure In A Term Neonate With Abca3 Surfactant Deficiency: Beyond The Common Causes Of Respiratory Distress, Andrew M Beverstock, Hillary C Lee, David S Moreno Mcneill, Morcos Hanna

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Case

"The Cake Is A Lie:" Locating Loot Boxes In Indian Gaming Framework, Aman Gupta, Samriddh Sharma

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

Lootboxes have become endemic in modern video games. These microtransactions allow users to purchase virtual containers without knowing their content, which is determined by chance. There have been increasing concerns about the negative impact of loot-box purchases on mental health and whether these amount to gambling under various laws. In response, several countries have started applying existing gambling laws or legislating new measures to regulate lootboxes. This raises questions about the present state of regulations in the Indian context and whether they are adequate in meeting the risks posed by lootboxes. In the present article, the authors explain the concept …

Steering Indian Financial Services Towards Digital Operational Resilience: A Cross-Sectoral Approach, Vaibhav Vijay Nishad, Smruti Kulkarni

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

In India, among the three financial regulators, RBI’s recent focus on creating a robust ICT risk management framework has been at the forefront of the country’s digital operational resilience strategy. The continuous cyber threats and recent digital operational failures have highlighted the need for further enhancements to strategies that establish strong ICT risk management. Addressing these cybersecurity vulnerabilities requires more than prescriptive rules; it demands holistic, flexible, adaptive, and coordinated regulatory approaches to strengthen digital operational resilience. This paper analyses the key issues that need resolution to advance these efforts. We identify the misalignment of economic incentives for compliance as …

Centring Marginalisation In The Development Of Digital Courts: Reflections From Argentina, India, Kenya, And Malaysia, Siddharth Peter De Souza, Varsha Aithala, Francisco Mignaquy, Mercy Muendo, Anisha Nadkarni

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

This paper presents a multi-jurisdictional analysis of digitalisation of justice and the perceived role of courts as public institutions upholding the rule of law and ensuring access to justice to all. Using selected examples from Argentina, India, Kenya and Malaysia, it examines the impact of digitalisation efforts of these countries on their citizens, marginalised populations, the State and private sector. We propose to design an approach to digital justice that centres people on the margins of digital transformation of courts. This includes three elements – first, engagement with people centered perspectives; second, focus on disadvantage and addressing socio-technical factors; and …

From ‘Gig Work’ To Algorithmically Mediated Work: Shifting The Focus To Technological Control In Work Regulation, Jasoon Chelat

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

Platform-based work is finding a place in legislative instruments in India in recent years, under the Code on Social Security, 2020, as well as state-level legislations. In this paper, I argue that these efforts to extend protections to gig or platform work are limited in their understanding of the way work is shaped by digital technologies both within and outside of platforms. Platform-based work regulation seems to have skipped a step: the regulatory discourse has moved on to a welfare-focused model present in informal work, without examining existing jurisprudence on worker rights relevant to digitally mediated work. These legislative instruments …

Trans* Student Experiences In Higher Education, Megan Chaffee, Deborah King

New York Journal of Student Affairs

This paper reviews literature on trans* students' experiences in higher education, examining their obstacles and institutional approaches to inclusion. The study investigates challenges regarding chosen names and pronouns, access to facilities, extracurricular involvement, and the impact of increasing anti-trans* legislation. Despite growing visibility, trans* students continue to report harassment, discrimination, and a decreased sense of belonging. The paper explores current Title IX interpretations and recommends that higher education administrators develop inclusive policies, enhance professional development, and create supportive campus environments that foster trans* students' academic success and overall well-being.

The Legal Implications Of The Altman Z-Score As A Tool For Bankruptcy Prevention Through The Case Study Of Pt. Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk (Sritex), Samuel Baringin Doloksaribu

Technology and Economics Law Journal

Indonesia’s bankruptcy law, as regulated by Law No. 37 of 2004, allows debtors to be declared bankrupt based solely on the existence of two creditors and one unpaid debt, without requiring a substantive assessment of their financial health, raising concerns about fairness, legal certainty, and economic impact. This thesis investigates whether predictive financial models such as the Altman Z-Score can be integrated into Indonesia’s legal framework to improve early detection and prevention of corporate insolvency. The central question is how these models can be legally recognized and implemented, and what challenges or reforms are necessary to facilitate their use. Employing …

The Potential Of Protection System Of Curator And Administrator Profession In Indonesia (Comparative Analysis Of Curator And Notary Profession In Indonesia), Banat Aghniya Ghassani Yudistira

Technology and Economics Law Journal

This thesis explores the potential need for a protection system for curators and administrators in Indonesia’s bankruptcy proceedings, highlighting their vulnerability to criminalization despite fulfilling roles mandated by law. The study begins by outlining the duties and responsibilities of curators and administrator under Law No. 37 of 2004 on Bankruptcy and Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (UU KPKPU), emphasizing their legal obligation to manage and settle bankrupt assets independently and without conflict of interest. However in practice, curators and administrators often face legal threats and being criminalized, including police reports and criminal charges, merely for executing duties outlined in the …

Comparative Analysis Between The United States And Indonesia Regarding Product Liability Of Food And Beverage Tenants Within The Tourism Industry, Shadrina R. T. Utomo, Henny Marlyna, Ayu Galuh Anggraini

Technology and Economics Law Journal

This research analyzes on how the laws in Indonesia and Florida, United States (U.S.) regulate the product liability of tourism entrepreneurs, whether as the food and beverage tenant within the tourism area or as the tourism operator, who have caused tourists to suffer from food poisoning. The Law Number 10 Year 2009 concerning Tourism the obligation for tourism entrepreneurs in providing insurance is only for high-risk tourism businesses. Tourism entrepreneurs in Indonesia have made various safety measures by fulfilling the sanitation and hygiene requirements, and preparing medical protocols. Meanwhile in Florida, tourism entrepreneurs have added accessibility efforts for tourists with …

Exploring Leadership, Culture, And The Dynamics Of Collective Empathy: A Nonprofit Case Study, David L. Harkins, Deborah A. O'Neil

Management Faculty Publications

This case study explores the formation, embedding, and sustainability of collective empathy at [Healing Arts for Children; HAC], a pseudonym for small arts-focused nonprofit serving pediatric patients. The 20-year-old organization utilizes art and music to alleviate anxiety and enhance positive health care experiences for critically and chronically ill children and their families. While the existing literature primarily focuses on individual-level empathy in the workplace, this study focuses on the underexplored aspects of systemlevel empathy applications, which may be essential to determining how empathy forms, embeds, and sustains within an organization. Collective empathy, the shared capacity of organization members to recognize, …

State Of New York Cannabis Testing, University Of Mississippi – National Center For Cannabis Research And Education, Yasha Kahn, Mcr Labs

New York

No abstract provided.

Heterogeneity Of Molecular Subtypes In Multifocal And Multicentric Breast Cancer, Anna M. Schmitz

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Multifocal and multicentric breast cancers (MMBC), commonly referred to as multiple synchronous ipsilateral breast cancers, are heterogeneous diseases. There is a high degree of diversity between and within the tumors of a MMBC-bearing patient. Tumor heterogeneity can describe multiple features, such as morphological and molecular profiles. Knowledge about a patient's tumor heterogeneity can be used to determine a prognosis and treatment plan. However, transferring our growing knowledge of heterogeneity in MMBC into a clinical setting remains a challenge due to the large degree of diversity between tumor microenvironments and the cancer cells that tumors are composed of. This review article …

Crossroads Of Covid-19 And Alzheimer’S: Investigating Sars-Cov-2 Nsp6 And Orf7a In Amyloid-Β42 Toxicity, Jeffrey William Huettemann, Amit Singh

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in several hundred million contracted cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a global pandemic. In some of these cases, previous neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), seemed to progress much more rapidly after the COVID-19 infection. Thus, we became interested in studying the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on prior neurological disease progressions.

To modulate this condition, we used Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model system. We had previously developed the Alzheimer’s Disease Fly Model with expression of human amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) peptide, which is responsible for extracellular Aβ-42 …

A Mini Review On Rodent Models Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Rachel Zeller

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically diagnosed at a young age. ASD symptoms include deficits in social behavior, repetitive and restrictive behaviors, anxiety, as well as alterations in sensory gating and sensitivity, learning, memory, and attention performance. Since ASD emerges from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, clinical treatment of these conditions presents with challenges. Being able to model behavioral and neurobiological aspects of this disorder at the preclinical level using rodents allows for further investigation of the pathophysiological basis of this disorder. This mini review will focus on selected genetic and pharmacological rodent models of …

Evaluating The Environmental Determinants Of Tadpole Mouthpart Deformities, Nicholas J. Canfield

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Amphibians are among the most threatened group of animals on the planet, with over 40% of living species facing an extinction risk. These organisms are highly sensitive to environmental change due to their highly permeable skin and complex life cycle that exposes them to stressors in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Amphibian populations that are closely monitored can serve as valuable bioindicators of environmental health because they typically respond rapidly to habitat degradation, decreased water quality, and changes in climate. Tadpoles in particular may act as a “canary in a coal mine” for aquatic ecosystems because they easily develop anatomical …

Urinary Metabolome Study For Monitoring Prostate Cancer Recurrence Following Radical Prostatectomy., Sabur Badmos, Elizabeth Noriega Landa, Kiana L. Holbrook, George E. Quaye, Xiaogang Su, Wen-Yee Lee

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among males. Approximately 20-40% of patients with clinically localized PCa will present with a biochemical recurrence after a radical prostatectomy (RP), while some will present with recurrent metastasis. Monitoring the disease post-treatment is crucial for detecting a potential cancer recurrence early. Urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have shown potential to detect PCa. However, their application in disease monitoring remains unexplored.

METHODS: A total of 165 urine samples were collected from male adults with biopsy-designated PCa-positive results before (n = 55) and after a RP (n = 55), and with …

An Investigation Of Hydro-Morphological Changes At The Estuarine Outlet Of Kitchener Drain, Northern Coast Of Egypt, Nada Mansour, Karim Nassar, Mahmoud El-Gamal, Tharwat Sarhan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In recent years, sedimentation and coastline erosion have occurred in the Kitchener Drain, where its outflow meets the Mediterranean Sea. Several measures have been taken to mitigate the impact of these problems. Excavation continues toward the drain's outlet, and there have been multiple stages of hard protection work, such as groins along the drain's eastern and western banks. What would happen if the working near the drain was kept, where accretion and erosion are most severe. The Coastal Modelling System (CMS) was used to find it out. The two-dimensional hydrodynamic circulation model known as the CMS is outfitted with modules …

Family Healthy Weight Program: Smart Movestm Pilot Project Evaluation Report, Camille Velarde, Theresa H. Cruz Dr., Elena Martinez

Reports & Documents

The Smart Moves™ Family Healthy Weight Program is an evidence-based, family-centered intervention designed to address childhood overweight and obesity through nutrition education, physical activity, social-emotional learning, and caregiver engagement. In spring 2025, Presbyterian Community Health piloted Smart Moves™ in a South Valley community health clinic as part of the Healthy Here initiative, with evaluation conducted by the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center.

The pilot, adapted from a 12-lesson curriculum to 8 core lessons plus orientation and celebration, included bilingual instruction, cooking in a teaching kitchen, and family-based incentives. Evaluation methods combined quantitative and qualitative data, including pre/post BMI …

Can Correction Messages Reduce The Spread Of Fake News On Social Media? The Impact Of Information Updates On The Effectiveness Of Corrections, Kelvin K. King, Diego Escobari

School of Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

Although government agencies and fact-checking organizations issue correction messages to mitigate misinformation dissemination on social media, their efforts have been largely ineffective. Drawing on Information Manipulation Theory (IMT) and information extracted from over 84 million tweets, we examine the impact of correction messages and explore how different information updates affect their effectiveness. Our empirical approach differentiates between subpopulations of correction messages. The results support the existence of two distinct types: correction messages that significantly mitigate the spread of fake news—a 1 percent increase in “effective” messages decreases the spread of fake news by 0.89 percent; and those that amplify the …