Digital Commons Network^™

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy Enhances Bidirectional Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability In Glioblastoma, Ryan T Cleary, Yiwei Fu, David Giles, Jinyun Yuan, Diogo P Moniz Garcia, Danny Palmer, Rowland H Han, Timothy Woodiwiss, Alicia B Yang, Dimitrios Mathios, Hong Chen, Albert H Kim

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive treatment for glioblastoma that increases blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. However, the mechanisms and spatiotemporal features of this effect remain unclear. It is also unknown whether LITT promotes release of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).

METHODS: Using our previously developed LITT mouse model, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate gene expression changes in endothelial cells following LITT in the naive mouse brain. Brains were also harvested at multiple time points to assess LITT effects on tight junction (TJ) integrity and transcytosis via immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Human glioblastoma tissues were …

Sputtered Transport Layers Enabling Ambient-Air Processed Cspbi3 Perovskite Solar Cells, Shamik Datta, Md Abdul Kuddus Sheikh, Md Shazarul Islam, Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Hasina Huq

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Perovskite solar cells offer promising efficiency compared to traditional technologies. In this study, NiOx and ZnO were employed as charge transport layers using a magnetron sputtering process within a p-i-n architecture (ITO/NiOx/CsPbI3/ZnO/Au). This approach produced uniform, low-defect interfaces and supports low-temperature, scalable fabrication suitable for flexible substrates. Our investigation, using techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), revealed the formation of uniform layers deposited by the magnetron sputtering process. The photoactive CsPbI3 layer was deposited via a spin coating solution process. UV-Visible spectroscopy revealed strong absorbance in the wavelength range …

Urb-Poiesis: A New Terminology Between Theorisation And Practice In Sustainable Urban Development, Lubna Raheem Al-Azzawi

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Urb-poiesis is a new term formed from the two words `urban' and `poiesis', which refer to the autopoietic and allopoietic phenomena of urban systems, as defined in relation to SUD. The research developed a new theory to investigate the typology of city system behaviour. Thus, a new model of theoretical relationships based on the Urb-poiesis definition is proposed to create a dual association with identity as the driving force behind the city. The methodology followed a logical, stepwise approach to transforming qualitative data into quantitative data, using a semantic differential scale (SDS) of Urb-poiesis represented by identity from the flow …

The Impact Of Perceived Sustainable Design Characteristics On Enhancing Well-Being In Residential Environments: An Empirical Study, Zainab Ibrahim Abass

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Creating a sustainable living environment is crucial to improving well-being and reducing stress among urban populations, particularly through architecture, urban planning, and public health research. The growing importance of environmental sustainability for human health is limited by current empirical research on the impact of sustainable housing on well-being, due to insufficient conceptualisation and assessment of the perceived attributes of the residential environment. This study aims to examine the potential impact of perceived sustainable design characteristics on well-being using both quantitative and qualitative indicators to establish criteria for examining residents' views on sustainability attributes. Data were collected from high-density housing areas …

Multi-Parameter Assessment Of Land Degradation Vulnerability In Ranya And Pshdar Regions Using Geospatial Techniques, Kaifi Chomani

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Land degradation poses a significant threat to the stability of the ecological and socio-environmental characteristics of the Ranya and Pshdar (RP) region in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The fragile environmental and physical dynamics of the RP regions make it considerably vulnerable to land degradation. This study integrates remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to address this issue, as these techniques provide a robust framework for mapping land degradation vulnerability in the RP regions of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Ten critical environmental and physical parameters were analyzed and considered to model …

The Impacts Of Urbanisation On Housing And Infrastructure In Nigeria: Implications For Environmental Sustainability, Nathan Udoinyang, Reuben Daniel, Johnson Aborivwighre Iteku, Edna Abibetu Abidde, Salami Hope E, Violet Abieyuwa Imariagbontua, Okose Faith Nneka

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyse data on urbanisation and its impact on housing and infrastructure in Nigeria. A survey of 400 households in urban areas of Nigeria was conducted, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, urban planners, and community leaders, were held. Secondary data were also obtained from existing sources, such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The study found that urbanisation has led to a housing shortage, increased housing costs, and inadequate infrastructure development in Nigeria. It also …

Digital Twin Model In Planning Holy Cities: A Case Study Of The Shrine Area In Karbala, Husam Sachit Senah

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This study examines the expansion around Karbala's two shrines during the implementation of the 2014 Dewan Master Plan and the resulting decline in the symbolic orientation linking the historic fabric to the processional route. The methodology combines formal and typomorphological reading, comparative cases, digital twin analytics, and expert consultations. Three design scenarios were evaluated against: visual contact with the shrines; continuity of the processional route; preservation of historic plots; infrastructure capacity; and conformity with sacred morphology. Scenario A maintains symbolic alignment but provides only moderate capacity during peak periods. Scenario B increases capacity through ring roads and vertical housing, fragmenting …

Integrating Business Process Reengineering (Bpr) With Interior Design: An Innovative Approach For Bisb Bank Design, Maroa Salim Khalfan Al Abri, Mohamed Faisal Al-Kazee

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The demand for Business Process Reengineering (BPR) has grown, prompting efforts to integrate BPR with interior design to address key needs such as spatial layout, organizational processes, user collaboration, and workflow. The research examines BPR from an academic perspective, emphasizing its integration with interior design and illustrating the project's design stages in an advanced interior design studio. It highlights a designer's role in offering practical solutions for BPR in bank interiors. The study describes the BisB Bank design as an innovative project in the Interior Design II Studio and identifies 13 principles for the integration approach. These principles encompass spatial …

Advanced Glass Between Technology & Ideology, Enas Salim Abdulahaad, Oday Abaas Abood

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Advances in glass technology have radically transformed contemporary architecture, highlighting the research problem of ``The Ambiguity of Advanced Glass' Position in Twenty-First-Century Architecture.'' The research aims to uncover the transformation of advanced glass from a technological to an ideological dimension. The research hypothesizes that ``contemporary architecture has reshaped its relationship with humans, society, and nature through its use of advanced glass.'' The research adopts a descriptive and analytical methodology based on specialized literature and global and regional architectural practices, revealing the technical characteristics and symbolic meanings inherent in glass applications. The research concludes that contemporary architecture has redefined its relationship …

The Impact Of The Design Characteristics Of Media Architecture On The Activation Of Urban Space, Hanan Dhiyaa Hussein, Inaam A. Al-Bazzaz, Ammar Salim Dawood

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The research explores the relationship between the design characteristics of media architecture and their impact on activating urban space, focusing on the role of interactive technologies and the extent to which they enhance visual comfort and stimulate social interaction. The research problem was represented by (the lack of a clear conception of the impact of the design characteristics of media architecture on activating urban space). The research objective was to develop an integrated theoretical model to identify indicators of how media architecture's design characteristics influence the activation of urban space. The research relied on a descriptive-analytical-comparative approach to compare selected …

Posthuman Architecture And The Machine: A Theoretical Approach To The Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence On Architecture, Waleed Joudah Nassar Alsaadi, Ibrahim Jawad Kadhim Al-Yousif

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Posthumanist philosophy shifts the focus away from independent, human-centred thinking toward diverse, pluralistic modes of knowledge. It adopts the idea that human agency is interconnected with a broad network of other actors, such as contemporary intelligent machines, most prominently embodied in artificial intelligence. This research discusses the relationship and interconnection between architecture in its posthuman form and technology, selecting artificial intelligence as a model of this technology, as it represents the most significant technical and intellectual revolution at present. The study examines posthumanism as a radical theoretical model that seeks to transcend the limitations of human thought and anthropocentrism. The …

Innovations In Child-Friendly Walkway Design: A Comparative Study Of Urban Parks In Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, And Duhok, Ashna Abdulqader Hussein, Ameer Sulaiman Mohammed

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The Urban Park walkways design significantly influences children's access, engagement, and safety in public parks, where design practices usually prioritize physical form over user experience. This study addresses the absence of a contextually informed framework for evaluating child-friendly walkway innovations in three urban parks: Sami Abdulrahman Park (Erbil), Azadi Park (Sulaymaniyah), and Azadi Park (Duhok). Using field observations, feature mapping, and interviews, the research evaluates walkways based on accessibility, engagement, and spatial design efficiency. Findings indicate that Erbil presents a multifunctional design, though it lacks tactile cues; Sulaymaniyah offers a natural aesthetic but limited engagement opportunities, and Duhok features smaller-scale …

Neo-Moorish Style In Constantine Through Cirta Hôtel: Architectonic Details, Heritage, And Contemporary Perspectives, Imene Bensid, Islam Boukhelkhal, Souad Belhannachi, Halima Gherraz

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

The neo-Moorish architectural style, appearing in early 20th-century Algeria, marks a defining moment in the country's colonial and post-colonial architectural path. Blending North African traditions with European design, it reflects the layered dialogue between cultural heritage and colonial influence. This study examines Constantine—focusing on the Hôtel Cirta—to trace how neo-Moorish architecture took shape within the urban fabric. By analyzing arches, ornamental motifs, and material choices, the research illustrates how the building negotiates historical identity with modern function. Drawing on architectural and historical sources, the study situates the Hôtel Cirta within broader urban and symbolic contexts, arguing that neo-Moorish architecture was …

Geospatial Assessment Of Urban Expansion And Green Area Decline In Karbala Using Machine Learning: Supporting The Achievement Of Sdgs, Doaa Taha Yaseen, Oday Zakariya Jasim

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Urban sprawl is a major challenge to sustainable development. This research examines geospatial patterns of urban growth and vegetation cover reduction in the Karbala District between 2017 and 2024. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery classification using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was evaluated, and accuracy was assessed using confusion matrices and a comparative evaluation against the Esri Sentinel Land Cover dataset. The SVM approach provided better classification precision. The change-detection analysis shows that the conversion of green and cultivated lands into built-up areas is significant. Although there has been an expansion of pivot-irrigated areas in other districts of the Karbala Governorate, …

The Impact Of Thermal Insulation On Carbon Emissions Assessment: A Comparison Between Vernacular And 3d-Printed Buildings In Hot And Arid Climates, Yahya Khalid Jubear, Yahya Ibraheem

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This study explores the environmental performance of 3D-printed concrete (3DPC) walls integrated with thermal insulation materials, compared with conventional walls constructed from local clay bricks, in the hot-dry climate of Baghdad, Iraq. Despite global advancements in additive manufacturing technologies, local research remains limited—particularly regarding the impact of thermal insulation on the operational carbon emissions of printed buildings. The study aims to evaluate the differences in emissions between traditional and 3D-printed walls using various insulation types, based on the hypothesis that insulated printed walls offer superior environmental performance. Six wall configurations were analysed using energy modelling tools (DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus), including …

Conceptual And Formal Levels In The Digital Computational Architectural Design Process, Maysaa Izyara Mohammed, Amjad Mahmoud Albadry

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This research examines the evolution of digital-computational design in architecture, from early Computer-Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) to contemporary practices. It distinguishes between digital design (DD), which treats digital tools as drawing instruments, and computational design (CD), which employs algorithms for deduction, induction, and abstraction. Three levels of design are identified: the Formation Level (pre-conceived forms), the Generation Level (emergent forms without preconception), and the Evolutionary Level (nature-inspired, performance-optimised forms). A critical threshold is explored where design transcends representation, embracing dynamic, algorithmic, and data-driven processes. Using analytical frameworks, literature reviews, and case studies of firms such as Gehry Partners and Zaha …

Understanding Bim Users' Perspectives On Ar-Bim In 3d Visualization And Modeling Reviews In Jordanian Aec Firms, Sadeer Hel Ajmi Al-Dhaimesh, Nooriati Taib, Syafizal Shahruddin, Zarik Jahan Boghossian

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

This study examines the perspectives of BIM users in Jordanian AEC firms on integrating Augmented Reality (AR) with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve 3D visualization and model review. A quantitative approach was employed through a structured questionnaire distributed to 37 BIM firms, which included 394 practitioners in Amman. The survey explored perceptions of AR-BIM benefits, focusing on spatial understanding, collaboration, and error reduction. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between user categories and their views, suggesting that experience influences perceived value. Results highlight that AR-BIM integration enhances project efficiency and streamlines review workflows. The findings provide empirical evidence for …

Urban Stigmergy: A Traceability Approach Towards The Development Of Baghdad, Nada Abdulmueen Hasan, Shireen K. Zedan

Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning

Interdisciplinary urban research has pointed to finite attempts to the fact apply and develop stigmergic approaches the concept has not gained widespread acceptance in the field of urban design despite paving the way for significant opportunities and possibilities for city development, thus the research framework represent the concept of stigmergy within a specific approach to traceability impact which stimulates stigmergic behavior in the urban environment, and results in the generation of a set of urban development mechanisms the research objective focuses on exploring the mechanisms of the traceability approach within urban stigmergy scenarios and their role in the development of …

Nuclear Factor Of Activated T Cells As A Driver Of Tumor Progression And A Target For Precision Therapy, Hira Khan, Khushbakhat Alia, Yusra Al Dhaheri, Muhammad Naseem, Rabah Iratni, Edgar Serfling, Khalid Muhammad

All Works

The Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells (NFAT) family comprises closely related transcription factors. Numerous biological processes including angiogenesis, invasion, migration, proliferation, and cell survival are regulated by the NFAT family. NFATs are overexpressed and have increased transcriptional activity in a variety of human solid tumors and hematological cancers. Beyond tumor cell-intrinsic roles, NFAT has also emerged as an important regulator of the tumor microenvironment (TME), where it can influence immune cell behavior and contribute to mechanisms of immune evasion. The discovery of the multifaceted functions of NFATs has driven the need to further unveil their role in cancer and …

Evanescent - Issue 7

Evanescent

Evanescent: A Journal of Literary Medicine is the journal of the Eakins Writing Project, which also sponsors the Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize. The Eakins Writing Project is supported by the Jefferson Center for Injury Research and Prevention, located in the Department of Surgery of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

Contents:

10 - Editorial Statement

12 - Lap after Lap by Daniel Dashko

14 - The Clinical Chart of Joy by Edoardo Manca (Honorable Mention)

21 - Untitled by Trinh Ta

22 - The Joy (and Sadness) of the Magnolia Tree by Laura DeLoretta (Third Place Winner)

25 - …

Cosmic Chirps: Studies In The Evolution And Detection Of Gravitational Waves From Compact Binary Systems, Calla Irene Bassett Bigg

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation will go over three projects that have to do with gravitational wave mechanics and history. The first project is about investigating computationally cheaper approximation methods for modeling EMRI (extreme mass ratio inspiral) orbits using interpolation. Two codes are interpolated together for full coverage of the parameter space. This interpolation has yet to be tested for accuracy but the preliminary outlook is positive. This may well be a useful tool for studying EMRIs. The second project is investigating the origins of the term “chirp mass”, where chirp mass is a combination of the two masses in a binary that …

Soil Moisture Regime Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions In A Native Tallgrass Prairie In The Ozark Highlands, Thomas William Dockery

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Ozark Highlands is an ecoregion in the mid-southern portion of the United States that is characterized by a mosaic of tallgrass prairies, oak (Quercus spp.) savannas, and oak-hickory (Carya spp.) forests, which represents a unique biophysical transition zone between the relatively dry grasslands of the west and the humid forests of the southeast. Quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), from natural, undisturbed ecosystems is critical to understanding atmospheric warming and climate-change implications. The objective of this study was to simultaneously evaluate CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions in an aquic and …

Essays In Whistleblowing, Crime, And Experimental Economics, Danielle Nickeisha Purcell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises three essays on how institutional strength, enforcement practices, and cognitive load affect behavior. The first essay presents a laboratory experiment that varies the extent to which an individual in a position of authority can interfere with the outcome of whistleblowing, holding all other monetary incentives fixed. Strengthening institutions raises whistleblowing rates, lowers theft, and reduces the rate of bribe offers, while leaving authorities’ acceptance of bribes unchanged when they face no punishment for accepting them. The second essay studies the end of stop and frisk in Chicago following the 2015 ACLU-CPD settlement agreement, which cut annual investigatory …

Iterative Generation Of Feature-Based Cad Models Using An Llm With Domain Specific Constraints, Ammon I. Hepworth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents a method to generate feature-based parametric mechanical CAD models from text input. The method uses domain-specific constraints (DSCs) to guide a large language model (LLM) in the generation of scripts to build models from the CAD API. It also presents a framework for an iterative text-based system that produces parametric CAD models. The method was implemented by developing DSCs for FreeCAD and Open AI GPT-5.2 and incorporated into a web-based software application which generates models that can be visualized with an interactive viewer after each iteration. Tests were run comparing various models with and without this method. …

Soilless Substrates As A Critical Control Point For Mitigating Food Safety Risks Within Hydroponic Leaf Lettuce Production, Eric Nuertey Tetteh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The effect of hydroponic soilless substrates and microbial biocontrol agents on the persistence of foodborne pathogens in indoor lettuce production is variable depending on substrate type, pathogen species, and biocontrol formulation. This study addressed key gaps by first characterizing the ability of different substrates to support Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes survival and then evaluating the ability of pine biochar and Bacillus subtilis to suppress pathogen persistence in selected substrates under controlled conditions. In the first experiment, the persistence of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes was evaluated in four soilless substrates: rockwool (RW), low density foam (LDF), peat moss (PM) and coco …

Precise-Dyad: A Prospective Cohort Study Linking Maternal And Infant Health Trajectories In Sub-Saharan Africa, Marie-Laure Volvert, Robin Owino, Angela Koech, Onesmus Wanje, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Emily Mwadime, Geoffrey Omuse, Moses Mukhanya, Marvin Ochieng, Grace Mwashigadi, Agnes Mutua, Marleen Temmerman, Melissa Gladstone, Amina Abubakar, Helen Nabwera

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Purpose The PREgnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (PRECISE)-DYAD Study is a prospective observational cohort designed to investigate health outcomes among mother-child pairs (dyads) over the first 3 years of life in two contexts from sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective of the study was to explore the effects of selected placenta-related complications, such as pregnancy hypertension, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth, on (1) Child health and development, and (2) Women’s health and well-being, including outcomes after stillbirth.

Participants The PRECISE-DYAD Study enrolled women (and their children) originally recruited into the PRECISE pregnancy cohort study in The Gambia and Kenya …

Why Pronatalism Fails The Planetary Health Test, Celine Delacroix, Marleen Temmerman, Nandita Bajaj, Ann Moore, Phoebe Barnard, William Ripple, William Rees, Michael Gerrard, Diana Coole, Robert Engelman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Mindfulness And Its Relationship To Cognitive Flexibility Among University Students, Nafez Ahmad Abed Bukaiei, Adnan Mahmoud Hassan Odeh

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This study aims to examine the relation between mindfulness and cognitive flexibility among university students. It also aimed to identify the level of mindfulness and the level of cognitive flexibility based the variables of gender, grade point average, and school year level. To achieve the aims of this study, the descriptive correlational approach was adopted through the use of the mindfulness scale of Bear & Others (2006) which was translated into Arabic by Al-Buhairi et al. (2014) and the cognitive flexibility scale of Dennis & Vander Wal (2010) which was translated by the researchers. The sample group consisted of 185 …

Breaking Point: Exploring Side Bets, Support, And Pension Investment As Predictors Of Turnover Intention In Urban Policing, Kenneth M. Quick, Kevin T. Wolff

Publications and Research

Guided by Becker’s side-bet theory, this study examines turnover intentions among officers in the New York City Police Department by assessing pension investment and affective commitment as accumulated organizational “side bets,” alongside job satisfaction, perceived organizational support, and workplace conditions. Data was drawn from an online survey of 1,454 officers. Population weights based on gender, race/ethnicity, and rank were applied to improve representativeness. Weighted multinomial logistic regression models examined predictors of turnover intention, while second-difference tests of average marginal effects (AMEs) assessed whether workplace factors operated differently across tenure groups. Results indicate that perceived organizational attitudes and workplace conditions significantly …

Information-Aware Autonomy Through State Estimation, Control, And Observability, Andres Enriquez Fernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

State estimation is fundamental to autonomous systems operating in uncertain environments, where navigation, coordination, and decision-making depend on accurately inferring internal system states from incomplete and noisy observations. While classical estimation theory primarily focuses on reconstructing hidden states from available measurements, practical autonomous systems must also contend with sensing interruptions, communication constraints, limited computational resources, and nonlinear system dynamics that reduce the availability and usability of estimation-relevant information. This dissertation adopts an information-centric perspective on state estimation by introducing the concept of an Information Lifecycle, in which information is generated through system behavior, utilized by estimation algorithms under operational constraints, …