Digital Commons Network^™

Hiv Disparities In The United States, Robert Parra

Stimulus: A Medical Humanities Journal

No abstract provided.

Creator Biographies, The Stimulus Team

Stimulus: A Medical Humanities Journal

No abstract provided.

Examining The Influence Of Students’ Mental Health Problems On Their Social And Emotional Health: Perspectives Of Counselors And Mental Health Therapists In A Post-Pandemic World, Brandi Leigh Newsom

Student Theses and Dissertations

Examining the Influence of Students’ Mental Health Problems on Their Social and Emotional Health: Perspectives of Counselors and Mental Health Therapists in a Post-Pandemic World This qualitative phenomenological study explored the influence mental health issues have on social emotional learning in the public-school setting. The problem addressed in this study was the increased need for mental health resources and awareness in the school setting. By assessing the perspectives of school counselors and mental health therapists, awareness and resources can help students who are struggling with social-emotional needs. The guiding theoretical framework that served as the basis for this study was …

Expanding The Crispr Base Editing Toolbox In Drosophila Melanogaster, Michael Clark, Christina Nguyen, Hung Nguyen, Aidan Tay, Samuel J Beach, Maciej Maselko, Víctor López Del Amo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

CRISPR base editors can introduce point mutations into DNA precisely, and cytosine base editors (CBEs) catalyze C to T transitions. While CBEs have been thoroughly explored in cell culture and organisms such as mice, little is known about DNA base editing in insects. In this study, we evaluated germline editing rates of three different CBEs expressed under actin (ubiquitous) or nanos (germline) promoters utilizing Drosophila melanogaster. The original Rattus norvegicus-derived cytosine deaminase APOBEC1 (rAPO-1) displayed high base editing rates (~99%) with undetectable indel formation. Additionally, we show that base editors can be used for generating male sterility and female lethality. …

Persistent Tailoring Of Msc Activation Through Genetic Priming, Michael A Beauregard, Guy C Bedford, Daniel A Brenner, Leonardo D Sanchez Solis, Tomoki Nishiguchi, Abhimanyu, Santiago Carrero Longlax, Barun Mahata, Omid Veiseh, Pamela L Wenzel, Andrew R Dinardo, Isaac B Hilton, Michael R Diehl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive platform for cell therapy due to their safety profile and unique ability to secrete broad arrays of immunomodulatory and regenerative molecules. Yet, MSCs are well known to require preconditioning or priming to boost their therapeutic efficacy. Current priming methods offer limited control over MSC activation, yield transient effects, and often induce the expression of pro-inflammatory effectors that can potentiate immunogenicity. Here, we describe a genetic priming method that can both selectively and sustainably boost MSC potency via the controlled expression of the inflammatory-stimulus-responsive transcription factor interferon response factor 1 (IRF1). MSCs engineered to …

Synthesis And Optimization Of Small Molecule Inhibitors Of Prostate Specific Antigen, Jeffery A Erickson, Ravikumar Jimmidi, Prashanth Anamthathmakula, Xuan Qin, Jian Wang, Leyi Gong, Jaehyeon Park, Gary Koolpe, Caitlin Tan, Martin M Matzuk, Feng Li, Srinivas Chamakuri, Wipawee Winuthayanon

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Semen liquefaction is a postejaculation process that transforms semen from a gel-like (coagulated) form to a water-like consistency (liquefied). This process is primarily regulated by serine proteases from the prostate gland, most prominently, prostate-specific antigen (PSA; KLK3). Inhibiting PSA activity has the potential to impede liquefaction of human semen, presenting a promising target for nonhormonal contraception in the female reproductive tract. This study employed triazole B1 as a starting compound. Through systematic design, synthesis, and optimization, we identified compound 20 (CDD-3290) as a 216 nM inhibitor of PSA with better stability in media than triazole B1. Further, we also evaluated …

Role Of Poly(A)-Binding Protein Cytoplasmic 1, A Trna-Derived Rna Fragment-Bound Protein, In Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection, Devin V Davis, Eun-Jin Choi, Deena Ismail, Miranda L Hernandez, Jong Min Choi, Ke Zhang, Kashish Khatkar, Sung Yun Jung, Wenzhe Wu, Xiaoyong Bao

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a significant cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) across all demographics, with increasing mortality and morbidity among high-risk groups such as infants under two years old, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Although newly approved vaccines and treatments have substantially reduced RSV hospitalizations, accessibility remains limited, and response to treatment varies. This underscores the importance of comprehensive studies on host-RSV interactions. tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs) are recently discovered non-coding RNAs, notable for their regulatory roles in diseases, including viral infections. Our prior work demonstrated that RSV infection induces tRFs, primarily derived from the 5'-end of …

Student Engagement In The Asynchronous Learning Model: A Qualitative Study Of K-5 Arkansas Public School Caregiver Perspectives, Angela Maize

Student Theses and Dissertations

In 2019, a coronavirus strand, SARS-CoV-2, caused a global pandemic of respiratory illness, also referred to as the coronavirus (Covid-19). The U.S. government implemented massive school closures as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to mitigate the spread of the virus. The abrupt pivot to the asynchronous learning model resulted in low levels of engagement for many students. As a result of the pivot, students were expected to return to onsite instruction with a fraction of the learning gains, compared to a pre-pandemic school year. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore caregiver perspectives of the level of engagement exhibited …

Infections Following Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasty: A Single-Center Experience, Radhika Sheth, Apoorva Bhaskara, Haley Brown, Cara D. Varley, Amber Streifel, Marissa Maier, Monica K. Sikka, Christopher Evans

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

We describe the epidemiology and incidence of infections following gender-affirming vaginoplasty. Urinary tract and surgical site infections were the most common infections with incidences of 17.5% and 5.5%, respectively. We also identified a significant gap in human immunodeficiency virus screening and prescription of preexposure prophylaxis.

Birth Defect Trends Within Texas Public Health Region 11, 2000-2019: An Analysis Of Texas Department Of State Health Services Public Data, Jonathan M. Hebert, Miguel A. Lopez, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

Research Colloquium

Background: South Texas is a medically underserved area with pockets of low socioeconomic status and poor access to healthcare, including prenatal care. This paper aims to monitor the changes in prevalence for cardiac, circulatory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neural tube birth defects in this region in the last two decades to monitor the effectiveness of current public health efforts.

Methods: Public data on 20 birth defects from the Texas Department of State Health Services were obtained for decades 2000-2010 and 2010-2019 in Texas Public Health Region 11 and the remaining regions of Texas. Prevalences and odds ratios for all birth defects …

Atypical Clinical Presentation Of Murine Typhus Infection In Relative Immunosuppressed Patient In South Texas, Johanna Mora, Kirhyn Stein, Hernan Guanajuato, Sobia Memon, Laura Garcia, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Colloquium

Background: Murine typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, is a zoonotic infection transmitted to humans via fleas. It typically begins with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, headache, and nausea. Most cases resolve without complications after a 7–14-day incubation period. The primary reservoirs are rats, opossums, cats, and dogs. This case highlights an atypical presentation of murine typhus in an immunosuppressed patient in South Texas.

Case Presentation: 34-year-old female with ankylosing spondylitis treated recently with secukinumab presented to her Primary Care Physician (PCP) due to fevers. PCP ordered laboratory workup which was unrevealing. Four days later, the patient went to the …

The Roles Of Cd4+ T Cell Help, Sex, And Dose In The Induction Of Protective Cd8+ T Cells Against A Lethal Poxvirus By Mrna-Lnp Vaccines, Samita Kafle, Brian Montoya, Lingjuan Tang, Ying Tam, Hiromi Muramatsu, Norbert Pardi, Luis Sigal

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The role of CD4⁺ T cells in the induction of protective CD8⁺ T cells by mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines is unknown. We used B6 or Tlr9^−/− mice depleted or not of CD4⁺ T cells and LNP vaccines loaded with mRNAs encoding the ectromelia virus (ECTV) MHC class I H-2 K^b-restricted immunodominant CD8⁺ T cell epitope TSYKFESV (TSYKFESV mRNA-LNPs) or the ECTV EVM158 protein, which contains TSYKFESV (EVM-158 mRNA-LNPs). Following prime and boost with 10 μg of either vaccine, K^b-TSYKFESV-specific CD8⁺ T cells fully protected male and female mice from …

Final Outcomes From A Phase 2 Trial Of Posoleucel In Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients., Sanjeet S. Dadwal, Rajat Bansal, Michael W. Schuster, Jean A. Yared, Douglas Myers, Michelle Matzko, Sama Adnan, David Mcneel, Julie Ma, Sarah A. Gilmore, Spyridoula Vasileiou, Ann M. Leen, Joshua A. Hill, Jo-Anne H. Young

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients are susceptible to viral infections. We conducted a phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and rate of clinically significant infections (CSIs; viremia requiring treatment or end-organ disease) after infusion of posoleucel, a partially HLA-matched, allogeneic, off-the-shelf, multivirus-specific T-cell investigational product for preventing CSIs with adenovirus, BK virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus-6, or JC virus. This open-label trial enrolled allo-HCT recipients at high risk based on receiving grafts from umbilical cord blood, haploidentical, mismatched, or matched unrelated donors; post-HCT lymphocytes of <180/mm3; or use of T-cell depletion. Posoleucel dosing was initiated within 15 to 49 days of allo-HCT and subsequently every 14 days for up to 7 doses. The primary end point was the number of CSIs due to the 6 target viruses by week 14. Of the 26 patients enrolled, only 3 (12%) had a CSI by week 14, each with a single target virus. In vivo expansion of functional virus-specific T cells detected via interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay was associated with viral control. Persistence of posoleucel-derived T-cell clones for up to 14 weeks after the last infusion was confirmed by T-cell-receptor deep sequencing. Five patients (19%) had acute graft-versus-host disease grade 2 to 4. No patient experienced cytokine release syndrome. All 6 deaths were due to relapse or disease progression. allo-HCT recipients at high risk who received posoleucel had low rates of CSIs from 6 targeted viruses. Repeat posoleucel dosing was generally safe and well tolerated and associated with functional immune reconstitution. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04693637.

Novel Thermoplastic Microvalves Based On An Elastomeric Cyclic Olefin Copolymer., Katie Childers, Ian M. Freed, Mateusz L. Hupert, Benjamin Shaw, Noah Larsen, Paul Herring, Jeanne H. Norton, Farhad Shiri, Judy Vun, Keith August, Małgorzata A. Witek, Steven A. Soper

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Microfluidic systems combine multiple processing steps and components to perform complex assays in an autonomous fashion. To enable the integration of several bio-analytical processing steps into a single system, valving is used as a component that directs fluids and controls introduction of sample and reagents. While elastomer polydimethylsiloxane has been the material of choice for valving, it does not scale well to accommodate disposable integrated systems where inexpensive and fast production is needed. As an alternative to polydimethylsiloxane, we introduce a membrane made of thermoplastic elastomeric cyclic olefin copolymer (eCOC), that displays unique attributes for the fabrication of reliable valving. …

Pleural Effusions In Patients Diagnosed With Pneumonia In Urgent Care Clinics, Nathan C. Dean, Jacqueline R. Eve, Allison M. Butler, James H. Hart, Theadora Sakata, Karen E. Connor, Edward A. Stenehjem, Y.C.G. Lee

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Pleural effusions in patients with community-acquired pneumonia have been associated with worse outcomes in emergency department and hospital inpatient populations, but the incidence of effusions and their outcomes in outpatient urgent care clinics is unknown. This observational cohort study describes patients diagnosed with pneumonia and pleural effusions on upright 2-view chest X-rays performed in urgent care clinics.

Methods: We extracted electronic health record data from January 2019 through December 2020 on all patients over 12 years old with an International Statistical Classification of Diseases 10^th revision diagnosis of pneumonia entered by the treating clinician, plus “possible” or “likely” …

Bacterial Profiles And Antibiotic Resistance In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With Exacerbation And Type 2 Respiratory Failure At Adam Malik General Hospital, Lia Mutia Annisa, Fajrinur Syarani, Andika Pradana, Erna Mutiara

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Highlights:
1. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of various factors such as age, sex, education, occupation, BMI, and comorbidities, and their relationship with bacterial infections in COPD patients experiencing exacerbation and type 2 respiratory failure.
2. While the COPD patients experiencing exacerbation did not exhibit resistance to linezolid and vancomycin, they demonstrated specific antibiotic resistance patterns characterized by high resistance rates to commonly used antibiotics such as meropenem and amikacin.
3. The findings enhance the understanding of the complex interplay of factors influencing infection patterns in this patient population.

Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent condition …

Antibacterial Potential Of Endemic Medicinal Plants Of The Maluku Islands, Indonesia, Against Urinary Tract Infection Pathogens, Eka Astuty, Vinsa Delia Luhulima, Stefanus Cahyo Ariwicaksono

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Highlights:
1. Clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus have found to be able to providing antibacterial agents for urinary tract infection (UTI).
2. Ethanol extracts derived from clove leaves, cinnamon bark, and eucalyptus leaves can inhibit pathogenic bacteria responsible for UTI, indicating their potential as sources of bioactive compounds for UTI medication development.

Abstract
Medicinal plants possess antimicrobial properties that have been believed to be efficacious for treating various diseases. However, antimicrobial-based medicinal plants remain an untapped source of potential pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of ethanolic extracts derived from several medicinal plants endemic to Maluku, Indonesia, specifically …

Early Experience And Perioperative Risk Of Gammatile For Upfront Brain Metastases: Report From A Prospective Multicenter Study, Rupesh Kotecha, Manmeet Ahluwalia

All Publications

Background: GammaTile (GT), a form of brachytherapy utilizing cesium-131 seeds in a bioresorbable collagen tile, has gained popularity for the treatment of recurrent intracranial tumors and more recently for newly diagnosed metastases. This study reports early experience utilizing GT in upfront brain metastases with a focus on clinical applications and perioperative safety.

Methods: The STaRT Registry (NCT04427384) was queried for all patients receiving GT for upfront metastases from August 2021 to August 2023. Data regarding patient demographics, procedure details, and adverse events (AEs) were extracted and analyzed.

Results: Twenty-eight patients, median age 65 years (range 28-81), with 30 …

Larvicidal Effect Of Breadfruit (Artocarpus Altilis) Flower Extract Against Aedes Aegypti, Ni Wayan Winianti, Putu Indah Budi Apsari, Ni Kadek Meta Jayanti

Folia Medica Indonesiana

Highlights:
1. This study attempted an experiment on the novel invention of a naturally sourced larvacide, specifically breadfruit (Artocarpus atilis) flower extract, against Aedes aegepti.
2. The findings of this study suggest that breadfruit flower extract can serve as an effective larvacide, as evident by an increased mortality rate of Aedes aegepti larvae.


Abstract
Dengue hemorrhagic fever remains a major problem in Indonesia. The mosquito that spreads this disease is the Aedes aegypti species. The use of larvicides is a viable method to inhibit the growth of larvae into adult mosquitoes. The flowers of breadfruits (Artocarpus atilis) have long been …

Sensory Dysfunction, Microbial Infections, And Host Responses In Alzheimer's Disease, Praveen Bathini, Emanuele Brai, Brian J Balin, Lynn Bimler, David B Corry, Davangere P Devanand, Richard L Doty, Garth D Ehrlich, William A Eimer, Tamas Fulop, David L Hahn, Christine J Hammond, Joseph Infanti, Ruth Itzhaki, Richard Lathe, Christopher Scott Little, Rima Mcleod, Shima T Moein, Amy R Nelson, George Perry, Or A Shemesh, Rudolph E Tanzi, Wilmore C Webley, Nikki M Schultek, Lavinia Alberi Auber

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Sensory functions of organs of the head and neck allow humans to interact with the environment and establish social bonds. With aging, smell, taste, vision, and hearing decline. Evidence suggests that accelerated impairment in sensory abilities can reflect a shift from healthy to pathological aging, including the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological disorders. While the drivers of early sensory alteration in AD are not elucidated, insults such as trauma and infections can affect sensory function. Herein, we review the involvement of the major head and neck sensory systems in AD, with emphasis on microbes exploiting sensory pathways …

Antibodies Gone Rogue: Autoimmunity Pairs With Antibiotic Allergy, Shubhank Goyal, Jose Jonathan Loayza Pintado, Cesar Uribe

Research Colloquium

Background: Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG) is a rare and complex disorder marked by severe dysautonomia, profoundly affecting a patient's quality of life. Treatment typically involves immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, which play a critical role in managing symptoms and improving patient outcomes. Managing AAG alongside acute infections such as cystitis, especially in patients with complicated drug allergies and sensitivities, presents unique clinical challenges. This case is noteworthy due to the patient’s rare combination of autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, chronic orthostatic hypotension, and a history of severe allergic reactions to antibiotics, complicating both infection management and treatment planning. The use of immunoglobulins in the …

The Role Of Mobile Phones In The Transmission Of Bacteria And Fungi Associated With Hospital-Acquired Infections In Erbil City, Sheylan S. Abdullah

Polytechnic Journal

Background and objectives: The widespread use of cellular devices, particularly by hospital staff, contributes to the spread of pathogenic organisms. The study was conducted to determine the microbial contamination of cellular mobile devices in health care workers (HCW) and to compare it with mobile phones of non-HCW’s. Materials and Methods: Mobile phones of 90 HCW’s were screened for microbial contamination and it is compared with mobile phones of 90 non-HCW’s. A sterile moistened swab sample was taken and rotated over the surfaces [both sides] of the cell phones and inoculated in nutrient broth at 37°C for 24 hours, followed by …

Bioinformatics Analysis And Comparison Of The S Protein Of Canine Coronavirus And Feline Coronavirus, Bo Dong, Xiaowei Zhong, Jiaqi Zhuo, Renyi Hu, Xiaodong Zhang, Xiaolian Xu, Haiyan Deng, Xiaofang Yan, Weiming Lin

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The Coronavirus S protein induces neutralizing antibodies, specific receptor binding, and membrane fusion between the virus and host cells. These changes are crucial to understanding the mechanism, genetic correlates, and prophylactic treatment of viral infection. In this study, the spike (S) protein structure and phylogenetic association of CCoV and FcoV were analyzed using bioinformatics. The results showed that the S proteins of CCoV and FCoV contained transmembrane regions and signal peptides. The S proteins of these coronaviruses were soluble. The S proteins of these strains also contained two functional domains and two motifs, i.e., corona_S1 and corona_S2. Phylogenetic analysis showed …

Case Report: A Typical Lyme Disease With Uncommon Neurologic Presentation, Guo Cheng, Neeraj Parkash, Amrita Daniel, Surendra Marur

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Lyme disease is a very common infectious disease worldwide. The seventh cranial nerve palsy occurred in 9% of Lyme disease cases and the majority of them present as unilateral facial palsy. We present a rare case of bilateral facial palsy in Lyme disease due to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. A total of eleven cases of Lyme disease with bilateral facial palsy reported in literature were summarized and compared to our case. The diagnosis and management of Lyme disease with facial nerve palsy were also discussed in this article.

Keywords: Lyme disease; bilateral facial palsy; erythema migrans; Borrelia burgdorferi; doxycycline

Eustachian Valve Endocarditis: A Case Report And Literature Review, Danna Reyes, Gamal Musleh, Sherif Elkattawy, Muhammad Noori, Jesus Romero, Ana L. Romero, Omar Elkattawy, Omran Ahmed, Gabriel Zaverucha, Razan Shamoon

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-known condition, but certain manifestations, such as Eustachian valve endocarditis (EVE), remain rare. This report presents a case of EVE in a 66-year-old male with no apparent risk factors. EVE is a form of right-sided endocarditis, often associated with intravenous drug use, yet it can occur in patients without traditional risk factors. The patient presented with a constellation of symptoms, including lightheadedness, dyspnea, generalized weakness, and fever. Diagnostic workup revealed multiple complications, including liver abscesses, pulmonary nodules, and spinal osteomyelitis. EVE was confirmed through transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), highlighting multiple Eustachian valve vegetations. Blood cultures identified …

Characterization Of Markers In Blood Tests Of Patients With Pleural Effusion And Their Correlation To Different Etiologies, Raymond Farah, Keren Sidar-Orlin, Adi Sharabi-Nov

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Background: To investigate the etiology of pleural effusion, a variety of examinations are performed, including invasive ones: Thoracentesis is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural cavity for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Until now, there are no blood markers that can help us diagnose the type of pleural effusion without the need for pleural puncture or drainage.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship and the utility of the new inflammatory markers taken from complete blood count (CBC) to differentiate between the various types of pleural effusion before the invasive procedure decision. …

Game Changer Or More Of The Same? A Comparative Meta-Analysis Of Rezafungin And Caspofungin In Treating Candidemia And Invasive Candidiasis, Zouina Sarfraz, Zeeshan Nasir, Faheem Javad, Aden Khan, Bushra Shah, Musfira Khalid, Azza Sarfraz, Muzna Sarfraz, Amna Minhas, Suchal Atta Gondal

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

This meta-analysis assesses the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antifungal, rezafungin, for treating candidemia and invasive candidiasis— both are significant health concerns with limited treatment options. Two randomized controlled trials comparing rezafungin to caspofungin were meta-analyzed, revealing no significant differences in global cure rates and 30-day all-cause mortality. While rezafungin's unique attributes, like a novel mechanism and once-weekly dosing, may enhance patient adherence, concerns arise about its clinical relevance given the substantial investment. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing research, post-marketing surveillance, and real-world data to determine rezafungin's true value in managing these life-threatening fungal infections. Despite FDA …

Developments In School Counselling Practice In Vietnam, Michael Hass, Hoang-Minh Dang

Education Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This chapter will examine the development and status of school counselling in Vietnam. As part of that, we will discuss research on Vietnamese school children’s mental health and academic needs, the history of the development of school counselling and related professions in Vietnam, and the process of creating formal educational programs in school counselling. Lastly, we will discuss school counsellors’ distinct roles in Vietnam and how they relate to various stakeholders, including children, teachers, administrators, and parents. In addition, we will discuss a survey of practicing school counsellors (Hoang-Minh & Hass, 2023b) and interviews of program directors of university training …

Biology Department Publications: 2020, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2020. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2010, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2010. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.