Digital Commons Network^™

Spatial And Multiomics Analysis Of Human And Mouse Lung Adenocarcinoma Precursors Reveals Tim-3 As A Putative Target For Precancer Interception, Bo Zhu, Pingjun Chen, Muhammad Aminu, Jian-Rong Li, Junya Fujimoto, Yanhua Tian, Lingzhi Hong, Hong Chen, Xin Hu, Chenyang Li, Natalie Vokes, Andre L Moreira, Don L Gibbons, Luisa M Solis Soto, Edwin Roger Parra Cuentas, Ou Shi, Songhui Diao, Jie Ye, Frank R Rojas, Eduardo Vilar, Anirban Maitra, Ken Chen, Nicolas Navin, Monique Nilsson, Beibei Huang, Simon Heeke, Jianhua Zhang, Cara L Haymaker, Vamsidhar Velcheti, Daniel H Sterman, Veena Kochat, William I Padron, Ludmil B Alexandrov, Zhubo Wei, Xiuning Le, Linghua Wang, Junya Fukuoka, J Jack Lee, Ignacio I Wistuba, Harvey I Pass, Mark Davis, Samir Hanash, Chao Cheng, Steven Dubinett, Avrum Spira, Kunal Rai, Scott M Lippman, P Andrew Futreal, John V Heymach, Alexandre Reuben, Jia Wu, Jianjun Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

How tumor microenvironment shapes lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) precancer evolution remains poorly understood. Spatial immune profiling of 114 human LUAD and LUAD precursors reveals a progressive increase of adaptive response and a relative decrease of innate immune response as LUAD precursors progress. The immune evasion features align the immune response patterns at various stages. TIM-3-high features are enriched in LUAD precancers, which decrease in later stages. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial immune and transcriptomics profiling of LUAD and LUAD precursor specimens from 5 mouse models validate high TIM-3 features in LUAD precancers. In vivo TIM-3 blockade at precancer stage, …

Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens, Larvae Meal Improves Intestinal Health And Growth Performance Of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus, Juveniles, Sahya Maulu, Ben Eynon, Sherilyn Abarra, Mark Rawling, Daniel Merrifield

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

This study investigated the effects of dietary black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens, meal on growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal health, and immune response in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles. The fish (initial weight: 7.28 ± 0.09 g) were reared in a recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) and fed diets containing different levels of defatted BSF larvae meal: 0% (control diet), 20% (BSF20), and 40% (BSF40). At the end of the feeding trial, the final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (p < 0.05) improved with increasing BSF meal inclusion levels in the diet. Histological analysis of the intestine revealed that mucosal fold length (MFL), muscularis thickness (MT), and goblet cell density (GCD) were significantly elevated by the BSF meal compared with the control. In addition, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and the enterocyte microvilli length were significantly elevated in BSF40-fed fish compared with the control. Gene expression analysis showed that intestinal chitin digestion-related (endochitinase A) and amino acid transporter (Slc6a18) genes were not significantly affected by the BSF meal. However, the expression of peptide transporter Slc15a1a was upregulated in the fish fed BSF40 compared to the control. Moreover, posterior intestine and head kidney cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) gene expression levels were not significantly affected by the inclusion of the BSF meal. Therefore, these results suggest that the BSF meal up to a 40% inclusion level can be used as an alternative protein source in the diets of Nile tilapia juveniles to promote growth and intestinal health.

Designing For Dissemination Through Community Advisory Board Engagement In An Implementation Mapping Process: A Case Study, Gabriella M Mcloughlin, Yerusalem Yohannes, Molly Kerstetter, Omar Martinez, Alex Dopp, Jennifer O Fisher, Maura Kepper, Rachel G Tabak, Ross C Brownson

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to document the development of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to enhance equitable dissemination of research findings within an implementation mapping study to enhance equitable impact of Universal School Meals (USM) through the Designing for Dissemination and Sustainability (D4DS) process.

METHODS: The D4DS process comprises 7 key elements to facilitate meaningful dissemination. To accomplish Step 1: Identify Partners, the research team conducted snowball recruitment methods within the local Philadelphia community and with existing connections. To Empathize and Outline the Problem (Step 2) and Understand the Context (Step 3), an interest meeting was held …

Longitudinal Plasma Amino Acids During Pregnancy And Neonatal Anthropometry: Findings From The Nichd Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort, Claire Guivarch, Jing Wu, Ruijin Lu, Jagteshwar Grewal, Guoqi Yu, Ling-Jun Li, Jiaxi Yang, Wei Wei Pang, Dong D Wang, Natalie L Weir, Zhen Chen, Michael Y Tsai, Cuilin Zhang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Amino acids (AAs) during pregnancy are crucial for fetal growth. Prior studies measured AA concentrations at single time points in pregnancy, despite their fluctuations throughout pregnancy. We measured plasma AA profiles in blood samples longitudinally collected from early through late pregnancy and evaluated their associations with neonatal anthropometry.

METHODS: Concentrations of plasma aromatic AAs, branched-chain AAs, and AAs involved in one-carbon metabolism were assessed at 10-14, 15-26, 23-31, and 33-39 gestational weeks (GW) among 321 women from a case-control study from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort. Associations …

Current Rates And Trends Of Venous Thromboembolism After Total Hip And Knee Arthroplasty: An Updated Analysis Utilizing The Nsqip Database, Alexander Van Der Ven

All Publications

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedure volumes are increasing. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant complication, with incidence rates between 0.45% and 5.30%. Enhanced rapid-recovery pathways and chemoprophylaxis evolution may correlate with decreased VTE events over time. This study analyzes recent trends of VTE after THA and TKA.

Methods: Adults undergoing THA or TKA between 2009 and 2022 were identified from the National Quality Surgical Improvement Program database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. VTE was defined as the occurrence of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) event in the same patient. The …

Regulation Of Myogenesis By Mechanomir-200c/Foxo3 Axis, Junaith S Mohamed, Aladin M Boriek

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cyclic mechanical stretch has been shown to inhibit myoblast differentiation while promoting proliferation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we report that mechanical stretch inhibits the differentiation of mouse primary myoblasts by promoting the cell cycle program and by inhibiting the expression of the myogenic regulator MyoD. Stretch alters the miRNA expression profile as evidenced by miRNA microarray analysis. We identified miR-200c as one of the highly downregulated mechanosensitive miRNAs (mechanomiRs) whose expression level was increased during differentiation. This suggests that mechanomiRs-200c is a myogenic miRNA. Overexpression of mechanomiR-200c revoked the effect of stretch on myoblast …

Lrrc8 Channel Complexes Counterbalance Katp Channels To Mediate Swell-Secretion Coupling In Mouse Pancreatic Β Cells, Tarek Mohamed Abd El-Aziz, Chen Kang, Litao Xie, John D. Tranter, Sumit Patel, Rahul Chadda, Maria S. Remedi, Rajan Sah

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells is initiated by membrane potential depolarization, followed by activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to trigger Ca2+-mediated insulin vesicle fusion with the β cell plasma membrane. Here, we show that β cell swelling associated with glucose metabolism was sensed by LRRC8 channel complexes and contributed to insulin secretion. Hypertonic perfusate (360-380 mOsm) dose dependently impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by counteracting β cell swelling. Hypotonic perfusate alone, independent of glucose stimulation or KATP channel closure, was sufficient to increase β cell intracellular Ca2+ and trigger insulin secretion. Inhibition of sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter-1 with bumetanide, which diminished the …

Assessing The Efficacy Of Eutectic Mixture Of Local Anesthesia Cream And Vapocoolant Spray In Mitigating The Pain Associated With Ear-Tagging In Pre-Weaned Calves, Yu-Jhe Lo, Thomas Chia-Tang Ho, Jacky Peng-Wen Chan

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study evaluated the efficacy of a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream and vapocoolant spray (VS) in preventing pain in calves following ear-tagging. Thirty-four calves were randomly assigned to three groups: no anesthesia control (CON, n=11), EMLA applied 60 minutes prior (EMLA, n=11), and five-second VS application immediately prior (VS, n=12). Pain pressure threshold (PPT) was measured at 18±1 days of age, with the left ear of the CON group serving as the sham group (Sham, n=11), followed by ear-tagging at 21±1 days. Post-tagging assessments included pain-related behaviors, serum cortisol levels, heart rate, and wound scores. The PPT …

Scalable Targeting Of Social Protection: When Do Algorithms Out-Perform Surveys And Community Knowledge?, Emily Aiken, Anik Ashraf, Joshua E. Blumenstock, Raymond P. Guiteras, Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak

Discussion Papers

Innovations in big data and algorithms are enabling new approaches to target interventions at scale. We compare the accuracy of three different systems for identifying the poor to receive benefit transfers — proxy means-testing, nominations from community members, and an algorithmic approach using machine learning to predict poverty using mobile phone usage behavior — and study how their cost-effectiveness varies with the scale and scope of the program. We collect mobile phone records from all major telecom operators in Bangladesh and conduct community-based wealth rankings and detailed consumption surveys of 5,000 households, to select the 22,000 poorest households for $300 …

Netgen: Network Traffic Generator, Arya Pefourque, Cole Fettkether, Johnathon Maschler

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

This project will investigate the development of a transformer-based machine learning model (NetGen), with the purpose of generating realistic and usable synthetic network traffic from natural language inputs. Network research and testing in the cybersecurity field depend on publicly available packet data (PCAP). Many of these datasets are either outdated or fail to represent more modern traffic patterns. We attempt to address this issue by preprocessing available network data into structured and tokenized sequences, suitable for training a transformer model. The transformer architecture allows us to translate user-provided descriptions—“simulate a TCP handshake from IP A to IP B”—into structurally accurate …

Medpez Dispenser, Hannah Hoeptner, Brian Lee, Liam Reese

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

MedPez is a compact, portable device designed to improve medication adherence for individuals who struggle with remembering to take their pills. The device features a modular design, including a universal housing that is paired to a compatible cartridge. The housing is the top half of the device where users insert and store their medication. The main hardware components, such as the microcontroller are housed here. The cartridge is the bottom half of the device that contains the internal mechanisms to dispense the user’s pills and stores the main pilltracking components. A built-in alert system notifies users when it’s time to …

Hybrid Neutrosophic Multi-Criteria Decision Model For Guest Selection In Collaborative Tourism Platforms, Vladimir Vega Falcón, Yoarnelys Vasallo Villalonga, Lorenzo Cevallos-Torres

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study presents a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model applied to the guest selection process in Airbnb-style vacation rentals. The model integrates the PAPRIKA method, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Neutrosophic TOPSIS to evaluate and rank potential guests based on multiple criteria prioritized by experienced property owners. Through the 1000minds software, pairwise comparisons were conducted to elicit preferences and derive normalized weights for six key criteria, with “review history” emerging as the most influential. These weights were then incorporated into classical and neutrosophic TOPSIS evaluations to account for uncertainty, indeterminacy, and subjectivity in guest profiles. Results highlight consistent rankings across …

Configurational Analysis Of Comprehensive Healthcare Quality: A Neutrosophic Set And Fsqca Approach, Jasson Humberto Ruiz Silva, Sandra Dayanara Correa Solis, Manuel Richard Naranjo Rodríguez, Fatima Lissett Zambrano Coello

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study employs a nonlinear, neutrosophic approach to examine gaps in comprehensive healthcare by analyzing the interplay of Health Resource Availability (HRA), Professional Competence of Health Personnel (CPPS), and Accessibility and Response Time (ATR). Traditional statistical methods often fail to capture the uncertainty inherent in healthcare evaluations; this research addresses this by applying neutrosophic set theory to data from a survey of 15 professionals. fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) indicates that CPPS is a highly consistent (≈0.98) necessary condition for quality care, with HRA also being a strong necessary condition (≈0.89). As sufficient pathways, HRA individually (consistency ≈0.98, coverage …

Effects Of Consuming Short-Form Videos On Young Adults’ Fine Motor Skills, Dragon Tanaghon Chew, Jerome Gabriel Gay, Hien Than, Zhi Qin Ko

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

The composition of short-form video (SFV) consumption can affect cognitive abilities, including motor skills. This study addresses a potential concern due to the lack of data. By presenting two experimental designs, the study explores the impact of SFV consumption on the motor skills of young adults. The first experiment employs a between-subjects design, where 60 participants are randomly assigned to two groups, with one group exposed to 30 minutes of SFV content. The second experiment adopts a cross-sectional design based on self-reported historical SFV consumption, where motor skill is compared between groups with low (< 3 hours/day) and high (≥3 hours/day) SFV consumption. Typing performance is used as an indicator of motor skill for the first experiment and finger tapping test is used in the second. The results will compare pre- and post-intervention performance. The findings would enhance practical understanding and illustrate the relationship between social media and motor skills.

Key words: Short-form video, motor …

Wheeling Out The Old, And Rolling In The New: Current Challenges In Wheelchair Accessibility And Management In Hospital Settings, Mohammed Ahmed, Michael Friedman, Saif Hossain, Shakthi Ramasamy, Niranjan Behera

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Surgeon General's Advisory On Social Media Use And Youth Mental Health: A Public Health Crisis, Meagan Mitchell, Jenifern Luk

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Inside An Emergency Room In Vietnam, Emily Nguyen, Leslie Gailloud

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Reimagining Pressure Injury Prevention: A Smart Sensor Solution, Sam Smith

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Virtual And Augmented Reality In Neurological Surgery Training, Muhammad U. Ali, Ishan S. Abdullah, Kenneth Sack

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Eat Freely, Live Fully--Breaking Barriers For Dietary Restrictions, Dylan Gao, Kason Kreis, Anna So Youn Lee, Kevin Rao, Vincent Sinfuego

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Reducing Emergency Department Utilization In Diabetes Care: The Case Of Expanded Access To Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Garrett Houlihan, Aditya Loganathan, Nicholas Melucci, Dominick Debritz, Eileen Phillips, Neal Sikka

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Beyond Perception: Institutional Approaches To Assistive Technology In Irish Higher-Level Institutions, Andrew D. Ryan

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

According to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) since 2018 there has been a yearly increase in the number of registered disabled students attending higher-level education in Ireland, with over seventeen percent of students registered with a disability (HEA, 2023). Despite the vast research done by the LIS community regarding the benefits and uses of Assistive Technology hereinafter AT, within library services there has been little research examining and evaluating the available AT supports for Visually Impaired Students hereinafter VIS within Irish higher level education. Little is known about what technological supports are available for VIS within their third-level institution academic …

Ergonomic Human Robot Handovers Using Surface Electromyography (Semg) Sensors, Maya Murphy, Michael Mishkanian

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

For decades, robots have been kept in cages in industry. With the advances of collaborative robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a shift towards humans and robots working together. In this research, we propose an ergonomically friendly collaborative robotic cell that enables a human and a collaborative robot to work synergistically to assemble a mobile robot. The collaborative robot provides the parts while explaining the process through a computer, and the human co-worker follows the instructions to complete the assembly. The proposed collaborative robotic cell is evaluated in a user study to ensure that the handovers of the parts …

Using State Policy To Neutralize Green Infrastructure Project-Ending Litigation And Strategically Advance Community Engagement, Sara Cody

Pace Environmental Law Review

In May 2023, Governor Gavin Newsome publicly announced a California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) reform bill (SB 149), which he signed into law on July 10, 2023. From the moment this was announced, the proposal was barraged by pushback, not from climate negative industry, but from major environmental groups, including the National Resource Defense Council and the Sierra Club, among others. Why is this? One reason is that permit reform has historically been championed by the fossil fuel industry as a method for cutting red tape to make resource exploration faster, easier, and less costly. Even so, the ratio of …

Strange Bedfellows: Guardians For Fetuses And Future Generations, Celia Parry

Pace Environmental Law Review

In the 1970s, savvy anti-abortion lawyers began employing “fetal guardians” as a procedural mechanism to restrict abortion access. In Juliana v. United States, arguably the most important climate lawsuit from the past ten years, a “guardian for future generations” acted as a plaintiff. These forms of legal guardianship resemble each other because they both rely on property law precedent, invoke creative interpretations of guardianship, and represent future interests. This connection also presents a predicament for climate litigators and anti-abortion litigators, who don’t typically share the same agenda. To date, this intersection between fetal and future generation guardianship has not received …

Comprehensive Insights Into The Cholesterol-Mediated Modulation Of Membrane Function Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Ehsaneh Khodadadi, Ehsan Khodadadi, Parth Chaturvedi, Mahmoud Moradi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cholesterol plays an essential role in biological membranes and is crucial for maintaining their stability and functionality. In addition to biological membranes, cholesterol is also used in various synthetic lipid-based structures such as liposomes, proteoliposomes, and nanodiscs. Cholesterol regulates membrane properties by influencing the density of lipids, phase separation into liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) areas, and stability of protein-membrane interactions. For planar bilayers, cholesterol thickens the membrane, decreases permeability, and brings lipids into well-ordered domains, thereby increasing membrane rigidity by condensing lipid packing, while maintaining lateral lipid mobility in disordered regions to preserve overall membrane fluidity. It modulates membrane …

Factors Associated With Applying To Graduate/Professional Degrees For Students Engaged In Undergraduate Research Experiences At Minority Serving Institutions, Lourdes E. Echegoyen, Kala M. Mehta, Karsten Hueffer, Jacob D. Kagey, Thomas E. Keller, Kathleen M. Morgan, Stephen B. Aley, Chi-Ah Chun, Payam Sheikhattari, Amy Wagler

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction:

This study investigates the impact of undergraduate research experiences on applications to graduate and professional programs, particularly for underrepresented minority students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Methods:

The study analyzes data collected at 10 MSIs participating in the NIH BUILD program to understand the relationship between research participation (in formal programs vs. informal research), student demographics, science self-efficacy, GPA, and application to advanced degree programs.

Results:

Results indicate that undergraduate research participation, especially in formal programs for extended periods of time, positively influences applications to graduate/professional programs, with similar outcomes observed across underrepresented minority and non-minority students.Discussion

Findings indicate …

A Versatile Platform For Designing And Fabricating Multi-Material Perfusable 3d Microvasculatures, Nathaniel Harris, Charles Miller, Min Zou

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Perfusable microvasculature is critical for advancing in vitro tissue models, particularly for neural applications where limited diffusion impairs organoid growth and fails to replicate neurovascular function. This study presents a versatile fabrication platform that integrates mesh-driven design, two-photon lithography (TPL), and modular interfacing to create multi-material, perfusable 3D microvasculatures. Various 2D and 3D capillary paths were test-printed using both polygonal and lattice support strategies. A double-layered capillary scaffold based on the Hilbert curve was used for comparative materials testing. Methods for printing rigid (OrmoComp), moderately stiff hydrogel (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, PEGDA 700), and soft elastomeric (photocurable polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) materials were …

A New Method For Measuring The Effectiveness Of Teacher Evaluation Instruments In Improving Pedagogical Performance In Higher Education Based On The Neutrosophic 2-Tuple Linguistic Model And Offset Logic, Judith Ernestina Vera-León, Tatiana Daniela Ríos-López, Noemí Fernanda Caizaluisa-Barros, Andrea Fernanda Pazmiño-Arcos, Jessica Carolina Analuisa-Maiguashca

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Assessment in a teaching-learning process allows teachers to determine to what degree students are assimilat-ing the content and are meeting the objectives of the study program. That is why when there are fine-tuned as-sessment instruments, it is assumed that there is better pedagogical performance. This is a consequence of the fact that the accuracy of the tests allows better adjustment of the classroom methods carried out by the teacher. In this article, we propose a technique that allows determining the degree of effectiveness of assessment in-struments on school results and their relationship with pedagogical performance. We focus specifically on higher …

Results Of A Physical Exercise Program With Music Therapy In Ecuadorian Patients Affected By Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus To Increase Muscle Strength In Upper Limbs From A Neutrosophic Evidence Theory Perspective, María Eugenia Lucena De Ustáriz, Lisbeth Josefina Reales Chacón, Eliana Del Consuelo De La Torre Núñez, Francisco Javier Ustáriz Fajardo, Rosa Elisa Cruz Tenempaguay, Adriana Monserrath Monge Moreno, Silvia Del Pilar Vallejo Chinche, José Andrés Zaporta Ramos

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This research, conducted at the Technical University of Ambato in Ecuador, addresses the impact of an innovative therapeutic plan that combines upper limb muscle strength exercises with music therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This multidimensional approach seeks to improve the quality of life and functionality of patients through an accessible treatment tailored to their needs. The primary purpose of the study is to im-plement and evaluate a therapeutic plan designed to improve upper limb muscle strength in 28 older adults di-agnosed with T2DM. The program included specific exercises and music therapy, structured in 48 sessions for …