Digital Commons Network^™

Klf1 Coordinates Specialized Transcriptional Networks Required To Maintain The Integrity Of Terminal Erythropoiesis, Merlin N. Gnanapragasam, Peng Jiiang, Anita R. Dhara, Parina N. Patel, Mahesh Ramamoorthy, Roberta B. Nowak, Velia M. Fowler, James J. Bieker

Biological, Geological, and Environmental Faculty Publications

Kru ppel-like factor 1 [KLF1; also known as erythroid Kru ppel-like factor (EKLF)] is a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor that plays a crucial role in all aspects of erythropoiesis. Mutations in KLF1 lead to diverse phenotypes ranging from mild to severe anemias. Individuals with a (CDA) type IV] exhibit impaired erythroid terminal differentiation and increased presence of binucleate erythroblasts. We have previously shown that KLF1 is necessary for cell cycle exit and enucleation in mouse primary cells. In the present study, we discovered that genes involved in cell motility, cell division and mitotic pathways are all directly regulated by …

Liquid Biopsies Of Lung Cancer And Next Generation Sequencing At Sub-Saharan Africa Sites (Lungs@Africa), Nadia Ghazali, Catherine Brown, Trevor Pugh, Rayjean Hung, Kelechi Okonta, Mansoor Saleh, Shahin Sayed, Richard Khanyile, Zodwa Dlamini

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: There is a lack of genomic and epidemiologic data regarding lung cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive and scalable approach for molecular profiling. This pilot study aims to determine the prevalence of actionable genetic alterations (AGAs) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using liquid biopsy while establishing a liquid biopsy testing pipeline in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: This is a prospective, cohort study at three sites: Aga Khan University Cancer Centre in Nairobi, Kenya; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South …

The Neighborhoods Study, Grace C. George, Sarah A. Keller, Erin Abner, Sara Adar, Michael L. Alosco, Liana G. Apostolova, Kelly Bakulski, Lisa L. Barnes, James R. Bateman, Stuart Batterman, Thomas G. Beach, Barbara B. Bendlin, David A. Bennett, Tobey J. Betthauser, James Brewer, William Buckingham, Carmen I. Carrión, Joshua Chodosh, Suzanne Craft, Raina Croff, Anthony Fabio, Sarah Tomaszewski Farias, Eva L. Feldman, Felicia Goldstein, Stephen A. Goutman, Gina Green-Harris, Victor Henderson, Thomas K. Karikari

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The Neighborhoods Study (TNS) is a novel investigation of adverse social exposome and brain health leveraging 22 Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs). TNS aims to understand if the adverse social exposures increase Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) risk. METHODS: TNS uses innovative methods to determine lifetime addresses of living (n = ≈ 3116) and brain bank cohorts (n = ≈ 8637). Addresses are linked to time-concordant adverse social exposome using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and summarized over time. Brain health measures are provided by the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. RESULTS: We highlight a general overview and methodology …

The Reporting And Methodological Recommendations For Observational Studies Estimating The Effects Of Deprescribing Medications (Remrose-D) Ispe-Endorsed Guidance, Kaleen N. Hayes, Joshua D. Niznik, Danijela Gnjidic, Frank Moriarty, Dimitri Bennett, Marie Laure Laroche, Denis Talbot, Matthew Alcusky, Maurizio Sessa, Antoinette B. Coe, Caroline Sirois, Andrew R. Zullo, Xiaojuan Li, Sri Harsha Chalasani, Jehath Syed, Mouna Sawan, Daniela C. Moga

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose: Pharmacoepidemiologic studies on deprescribing are challenging to implement, yet little guidance exists on methods to avoid bias and minimum reporting for replicability and appraisal. We developed consensus recommendations for the methods and reporting of observational studies that aim to examine the effects of deprescribing. Methods: We formed candidate recommendations based on our prior systematic review that methodologically appraised observational studies on deprescribing. We then conducted a two-round modified Delphi process with researchers working in deprescribing pharmacoepidemiology to refine, select, and reach consensus on recommendations for a checklist based on > 70% agreement of their importance. We termed this list the …

Electromigration In Eutectic Gold-Tin (80au20sn-Wt%) Solder Joints, Whit Vinson, David Huitink

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Eutectic gold-tin solder joints (80Au20Snwt%) with a diameter of 300 mu m diameter were subjected to electromigration (EM) conditions of 10,000-20,000 A/cm2 in the ambient temperature range of 125-215 degrees C. The present work examines a set of 36 experimental test runs using two different test coupons (18 runs with each coupon type and a total of 90 joints tested). Seven of the 36 coupons survived the maximum test duration period of 500 h. One coupon type created a linear electric current pathway through two lengths of 254-mu m-diameter copper wire connected by a single gold-tin joint. The other coupon …

Removal: A Response To Professor Nelson, Philip A. Hamburger

Faculty Scholarship

In an essay published earlier this fall, Professor Caleb Nelson argues that, as a matter of originalism, the President does not have a constitutional power to remove executive officers. Professor Nelson is a renowned scholar, whose arguments could well influence the Supreme Court in two upcoming removal cases: Trump v. Slaughter and Trump v. Cook. It’s therefore important to evaluate whether his historical claim about removal is correct.

A Novel Method For Examining Autistic Children’S Comprehension Of Individual Words Produced Within Delayed Echolalia: A Proof-Of-Concept Pilot Study, Janine Mathee-Scott, Grace Corrigan, Emily Lorang, Zachary Hesse, Jennifer Johnson, Courtney E. Venker

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Delayed echolalia, or the repetition of previously heard speech, is often observed in the expressive language of autistic children. Relatively little is known about how the production of delayed echolalia fits within the overall picture of autistic children’s language ability, including receptive language. To date, no empirical studies have tested autistic children’s comprehension of individual words within their delayed echoes. The present study aimed to establish proof-of-concept for a novel method of examining children’s comprehension of individual words that they produce in their own delayed echoes. Using natural language sampling combined with parent report, we identified instances of delayed echolalia …

Sensory-Selective Peripheral And Neuraxial Nerve Blockade With 2',6'-Pipecoloxylidide, Claire A Ostertag-Hill, Shuanglong Chen, Tianrui Xue, Rachelle Shao, Matthew Torre, Bin Feng, Zahra Vahedi, Longtu Chen, Steven J Staffa, Yueqin Zheng, Daniel S Kohane

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Background: Safe sensory-selective local anesthetics would be a major advance in the management of acute and chronic pain. This articles describes the sensory-selective local anesthetic properties and the toxicity profile of a known metabolite of amino-amide local anesthetics, 2',6'-pipecoloxylidide (PPX).

Methods: PPX was synthesized and made into its hydrochloride salt. PPX or ropivacaine (ROP) were injected at the sciatic nerve or intrathecally in rats, who then underwent modified hotplate (sensory) testing and weight-bearing (motor) testing. Rats injected with PPX or ROP were assessed for clinical toxicity endpoints. Conduction blockade was studied with single-unit recordings in mice. Biocompatibility was assessed histologically. …

Book Review: William Faulkner In Holly Springs, Austina Jordan

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Don't Let An Empire Create An Emperor: The Conundrum Of Presidential War Powers, Samuel Pritchard

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

For over eighty years, a constitutional battle has been waged over the President’s power to use military force without congressional approval. The Constitution separated the power to declare war and execute the conflict between Congress and the President. But presidents continue to assert inherent authority to initiate limited armed conflicts. This debate over presidential war powers represents a pervasive tension in the United States. On the one hand, the United States is a constitutional republic seeking to preserve democratic governance through separation of powers and electoral accountability. On the other hand, the United States is a global hegemon that needs …

The American Law Institute's Impending Credibility Crisis: A Review Of Modern Restatements Of The Law, Christopher E. Appel

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

For more than a century, the American Law Institute (ALI) has developed Restatements of the Law to educate judges and the broader legal community on the most carefully reasoned common law rules articulated by courts. The judiciary’s frequent reliance on restatements has made the ALI one of the most influential private organizations in the development of American law. This Article explains that such reliance appears increasingly misplaced because the ALI has made a conscious decision in modern restatements to adopt provisions that plainly do not “restate” the law of any jurisdiction. Instead, the ALI has used modern restatements to advance …

Frames, Receivers, Bump-Stocks & More: Representative Battles Of Statutory Interpretation Over Federal Firearms Law, Paul "Sanders" Linker Jr.

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

This Article explores recent statutory interpretation disputes concerning federal firearms law, focusing on executive agency overreach and the textual limits imposed by the Gun Control Act (GCA) and the National Firearms Act (NFA). Specifically, it scrutinizes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ (ATF) regulatory authority, particularly in defining “frames or receivers” and “machineguns.” This Article details how federal courts relied on canons of statutory interpretation, such as plain meaning and whole act/whole code analysis, to conclude that ATF’s recent interpretations exceeded statutory language and lacked congressional authorization. The first Part analyzes the VanDerStok case, where lower courts initially …

Work Requirements And A New Tax Policy Inequity Under The Fiscal Responsibility Act Of 2023 And The One Big Beautiful Bill Of 2025, Nancy E. Shurtz

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

On June 3, 2023, Congress enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2023. In addition to green-lighting the U.S. Treasury to finance ongoing federal government debt through the 2024 calendar year, the legislation adopted a four-prong approach to “fiscal responsibility.” First, it rescinded unspent COVID funds. Second, it imposed spending freezes on defense spending and social safety net programs. Third, it reduced by $21.4 billion the $80 billion allocated by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to the IRS for tax enforcement. And fourth, it required all “able-bodied persons” in the 51 to 55 age bloc to meet mandatory work requirements …

The Social Psychology Of Group Dynamics In Cults: Exploring The Influence Of Leadership And Organizational Structure In The Heaven’S Gate Cult, Mellanie L N Douglas

Honors Theses

Social Psychology of Group Dynamics in Cults: Exploring the Influence of Leadership and Organizational Structure in the Heaven’s Gate Cult Mellanie Douglas Dr. Kristen Campbell, Department of Psychology

Cults are extreme religious or political groups that rely on social and psychological influence to attract followers and maintain loyalty to a charismatic leader. Heaven's Gate is recognized as a historic new age religious and science fiction cult. It was founded in the 1970s by Marshall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie Lou Nettles during the counterculture movement and ended in 1997 with a mass suicide of 39 members. Accounts from within and regarding …

What Can Penguins Teach Us About Buy-In And Change Management?, Merydeth Charlton Rn, Msn, Cnl

Faculty Development Tips

No abstract provided.

Foreign Director Exit In The Midst Of Deteriorating Bilateral Political Relations, Xiaocong Tian, Yuehua Xu, Daphne W. Yiu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Amid global geopolitical realism pushing for a race of hegemonic rivalry nowadays, an outflow of global human talents is a pressing organizational concern. Our study draws attention to the underexamined phenomenon of the exit of foreign directors from their host countries during geopolitical tensions. Theorizing from a sensemaking logic, we posit that the deterioration of bilateral political relations serves as an unexpected event that activates foreign directors’ schemas for dual identity conflict, propelling them to react behaviorally to such identity threats by exiting the board in the host country. In addition, we further posit that the sensemaking process is contingent …

Internet Of Things In Intralogistics: Applications And Emerging Research, Rene De Koster, Debjit Roy, Yun Fong Lim, Subodha Kumar

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Managing the performance of intralogistics operations, that is logistics operations within facilities such as manufacturing plants, order fulfillment warehouses, ports and terminals, and retail stores, is critical in fulfilling customer expectations. Traditional decision-making for intralogistics operations is based on historical data, typically collected over long-range intervals with significant processing delays. However, nowadays, Internet of Things (IoT) applications are used to gather detailed real-time data to make dynamic decisions. These new data sources provide challenges and opportunities for operations management. We provide an overview of prominent IoT technologies in four domains: manufacturing, warehousing, ports and terminals, retail, and other emerging areas. …

Determining The Accumulation Potential Of Nanoplastics In Crops: An Investigation Of 14C-Labelled Polystyrene Nanoplastic Into Radishes, Nathaniel J. Clark, Astrid C. Fischer, Demelza Carne, George R. Littlejohn, Lee J. Durndell, Anne Plessis, Richard C. Thompson

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The capacity of crops to accumulate nanoplastics has remained relatively unexplored largely due to analytical constraints. To address this challenge, the present study employed a radiolabelling approach to demonstrate, for the first time, that polystyrene nanoplastics (¹⁴C-PS NPs) accumulate and move into the edible tissues of radishes (Raphanus sativus). Radishes were exposed hydroponically for five days, with only their non-fleshy roots in contact with the ¹⁴C-PS NPs, while accumulation in the fleshy (edible) roots and shoots was subsequently measured. The radish roots retained nearly 5 % of the ¹⁴C-PS NPs from the exposure, either through accumulation …

Beyond Turnout: What Gen Z’S Social Media Reactions Reveal About The 2025 Elections In The New Jersey’S Gubernatorial And Nyc’S Mayoral Elections, Yi Lou, Jin-A Choi, Bond Benton

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

The recent 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial and NYC mayoral races captured national attention as this race could potentially project the mood for the upcoming 2026 midterm election to flip the conservative leaning during the 2024 Presidential election. Particularly, Democrats lost a significant number of votes from the younger demographic groups such as Gen Z, a 10-point decline compared to the 2020 Presidential election (Hartig et al., 2025). Gen Z constitutes about one-fifth of the American voting population (CIRCLE, 2025) and voted at record-high rates in the last two presidential elections. Engaging and mobilizing Gen Z seems pivotal for election candidates. …

Assessing Health Behaviors As Predictors Of Psychological Resilience And Bmi In A National And Small Military College Sample, Kylie Blodgett, Rachele Pojednic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Highlights: What are the main findings? First-year students at a military college engage in more vigorous physical activity and strength training compared to a representative national sample. In the national sample, higher levels of physical activity, strength training, and better sleep are associated with greater psychological resilience and healthier BMI values and these associations were not observed in the military college students. What are the implication of the main findings? Promoting physical activity and adequate sleep may enhance resilience and support healthy body weight in civilian college populations. Military training may overshadow the influence of individual health behaviors on resilience …

Cardiac Arrest Events On Australian Beaches, David Reid, Kye Bostwick, Jasmin C. Lawes, Ogilvie Thom, Ned Douglas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) members respond to cardiac arrests near their patrolling location and have successfully resuscitated many community members over the years. In addition, members often act as first responders to cardiac arrest events in community settings, workplaces or through applications such as GoodSAM®. The outcomes achieved are not known after an update to resuscitation guidelines. Objective: We aimed to analyse Surf Life Saving Australia data on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and describe the epidemiology and outcomes of cardiac arrest on Australian beaches and factors associated with survival after CPR. Methods: Using SLSA's national Incident Reporting Database held …

Harnessing The Power Of Amphoterically Modified Chitosan Coagulants For Enhanced Polyester Microplastic Fibre Removal From Water, Nimesha Thathsarani, Mohadeseh Najafi, Mehdi Khiadani, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastic fibre (MPF) is the dominant type of microplastic present in water treatment plants’ influent. Coagulation–flocculation followed by sedimentation effectively removes microplastics during pre-treatment; however, conventional inorganic coagulants produce high sludge volume, causing secondary pollution. Chitosan offers a greener alternative but is limited by poor solubility and low molecular weight. In this study, two amphoteric modifications were successfully incorporated into Chitosan, including CMC-CTA, synthesised by modifying carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMC) with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTA); and CMC-g-PDMC, synthesised by grafting poly[(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride] (PDMC) onto CMC. Their coagulation performance for MPF removal was assessed by turbidity measurement. The effects …

Educate, Elevate, Empower: Shaping Future-Ready Teachers For Superdiverse Classrooms, Abdelhamid Helmy Safa

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper critically examines the transformative potential of integrating Community Engagement (CE) and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP) within Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs globally. It highlights the significance of community-based learning and the Funds of Knowledge (FoK) framework in preparing educators to address the complexities of superdiverse classrooms. Through a systematic review, the study identifies effective practices and systemic barriers in ITE, advocating for a paradigm shift that aligns teacher preparation with the cultural realities of students. The proposed model synthesizes CRP, CE, and FoK to cultivate critical consciousness and adaptive expertise, essential for fostering inclusive learning environments. By providing …

Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Screening Among Reproductive Age Women In Lesotho: Analysis Of The 2023-24 Demographic And Health Survey Using The Andersen Behavioral Model, Mesfin Abebe, Yordanos Sisay Asgedom, Amanuel Yosef Gebrekidan, Tsion Mulat Tebeje

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women globally and a significant public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for approximately 15% of all cancer-related mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, breast cancer incidences increased by 247% from 1990 to 2019. In Lesotho, breast cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women, a situation worsened by a fragile healthcare system and low screening rates. Despite its high morbidity and mortality, there is limited understanding of the factors influencing breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age. This study aims to identify these factors by utilizing the …

Harmonic Mitigation In Unbalanced Grids Using Hybrid Pso-Ga Tuned Pr Controller For Two-Level Spwm Inverter, Pema Dorji, Taimoor Muzaffar Gondal, Stefan Lachowicz, Octavian Bass

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study proposes an integrated control–optimization framework for harmonic mitigation in two-level, grid-connected inverters with battery energy storage operating under unbalanced grid conditions. A proportional–resonant controller in the stationary (Formula presented.) frame and a proportional–integral controller in the synchronous (Formula presented.) frame are compared, with controller gains optimized using PSO, GA, and a hybrid PSO–GA approach. The hybrid method achieves superior trade-offs among THD, convergence speed, and computational effort. For the PR controller, hybrid PSO–GA reduces THD to 1.07%, satisfying IEEE 1547 and IEC 61727 standards, while for the PI controller it achieves 2.70%, outperforming standalone PSO (4.12%) and GA …

Frequency Dependence Favours Social Plasticity And Facilitates Socio-Eco-Evolutionary Feedback In Fluctuating Environments, Jordan S. Martin, David F. Westneat, Alastair J. Wilson, Niels J. Dingemanse, Yimen G. Araya-Ajoy

Biology Faculty Publications

Increasing attention is being devoted to the study of phenotypic plasticity in social environments. However, much remains unknown about the selection pressures driving the evolution of social plasticity, as well as the pathways by which social plasticity may facilitate or constrain feedback between ecological and evolutionary dynamics. Here, we explore these questions using quantitative genetic models, providing general results regarding the causes of selection on social reaction norms, as well as their consequences for adaptive microevolution in fluctuating environments. We model the fitness effects of character states expressed across spatially heterogeneous microhabitats, with variation in the degree to which trait …

Stakeholders’ Perceptions Of The Roles And Regulations Of Advanced Practice Nursing And Advanced Practice Midwifery, Constance Shumba, Benard Mutwiri, Denis Munene, Rachel Kimani, Beatrice May, Isabel Kambo, Colette Henderson, Irene Mageto, Daniela Lehwaldt, Eunice Ndirangu

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background Advanced practice nursing (APN) and advanced practice midwifery (APM) in Kenya are critical in healthcare system strengthening by expanding access to quality care, particularly in underserved regions. Globally, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) defines APN as a level of nursing practice that requires a minimum of a master’s degree, along with advanced clinical training and competency. Similarly, APM involves midwives with advanced training to provide specialized maternal and neonatal care. In Kenya, the APN and APM concepts were launched in 2020 and are still nascent, and their practice is determined by the context as provided by the country …

Preservice Teachers’ Perspective On Using Gen Ai In Math Education, Janice Watson-Huggins, Sandra Trotman

FDLA Journal

Generative AI (Gen AI) has revolutionized possibilities for instructional practices in education. The use of digital technology in mathematics education includes tools such as ChatGPT, Photomath, and Gemini. These tools offer opportunities for dynamic engagement, including problem-solving and personalized learning experiences. However, integrating these technologies into the classroom presents significant opportunities and limitations. As GenAI becomes an integral component oewf educational technology, understanding its implications for teaching and learning, particularly in mathematics, is vital. This research examines preservice teachers’ perspectives on using the GenAI within an undergraduate mathematics education course. It also explores the advantages and challenges of using Gen …

Investment In Implementation: A Phenomenological Study Of Principals’ Curriculum Leadership And Emotional Competence, Melissa Van Straten

Educational Leadership & Administration Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative phenomenological study explored how elementary principals led the implementation of a newly adopted core literacy curriculum and how they perceived their emotional competence in this role. Grounded in implementation science (see D. L. Fixsen et al., 2010), the transtheoretical model (see Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982), and emotional intelligence (see Goleman et al., 2001), the study examined both the leadership approaches and emotional competencies principals relied on when leading curriculum implementation in their schools. Semi-structured interviews with 10 elementary principals revealed four key areas of leadership investment: investment in self, investment in people, investment in visibility, and investment in …

Cal Poly (Cp) Legged Robot, Sebastian Barboza, Jonathan Mchale, Isabella Sorensen, Isaac Golan

Mechanical Engineering

The Navy spends $60 billion annually on dangerous ship maintenance performed by sailors. To save lives and resources, the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) is looking for robots to replace sailors and navigate ships to perform various tasks. Robots with tracks and wheels have been most recently explored by NSWC, however they have encountered significant problems navigating the ships, especially through naval ship doorways with a significant ledge. By using a legged robot, our team hopes to solve these problems and have a robot that can navigate the ship with relative ease and stability.