Digital Commons Network^™

Updates To The Caniform Fauna (Carnivora, Caniformia) Of The John Day Formation, Oregon, Usa, John D. Orcutt, Kevin C. Talbott, Michael J. Monroe, Nicholas A. Famoso

Biology Faculty Scholarship

The John Day Formation of central Oregon preserves a diversity of Oligo-Miocene caniform carnivorans, many of which were first described from the formation. However, many historically important specimens lack detailed locality or stratigraphic information, complicating any analysis of faunal change through time. Here, we describe 16 new specimens of caniforms from the John Day Formation, most with precise stratigraphic information. We report multiple specimens of the amphicyonids Daphoenus Leidy, 1853, Paradaphoenus cuspigerus (Cope, 1878), and Temnocyon altigenis (Cope, 1878), all previously known from the formation. We also report the first definitive occurrence of the hesperocyonine canid Osbornodon Wang, 1994 from …

Leveraging Ict Adoption And Electricity Access For Sustainable Agricultural Productivity Among Nigerian Households, Menghan Huang, Qin Chen, Oluwayemisi Kadijat Adeleke, Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh Al-Faryan

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study investigated ICT adoption (mobile phone and internet usage), access to electricity, and their impact on household agricultural productivity in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. Utilizing Wave 4 (2018 to 2019) Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Survey on Agriculture (LSMS–ISA) data covering 4,980 household heads, this study applied logit regression and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) for estimation, alongside a Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze input contributions to agricultural output. The findings revealed that the age, residential location, educational level, and access to electricity of household heads significantly determine technology adoption among farming households. Furthermore, ICT adoption exhibits a significant, positive relationship …

Effect Of Leaf Harvesting Frequency On Cassava Leaf Production And Tuber Yield Of Binulak, Lakan 1 (Upl Cv-2), And Sultan 6 (Nsic 2003 Cv-25), Fides Marciana Z. Tambalo, Rosa Buena A. Capuno, Hiyasmin Rose L. Benzon, Jayson F. Garcia, Lizette Sahar N. Arcillas, Rona Joy C. Tud

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital staple crop in many developing countries, valued for its adaptability and dual-purpose use of roots and leaves. This study investigated the effects of leaf harvesting frequency on the leaf and tuber yields of 3 locally grown cassava varieties: Binulak, Lakan 1, and Sultan 6. The experiment followed a split plot in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 treatments varying in leaf harvesting frequency and initiation. Cassava leaves were harvested at 4, 6, 8, or 10 mo after planting (MAP), and tubers were harvested at 10 MAP. Results indicated that leaf yield …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Reproductive Biology Of Sweet Potato Weevil, Cylas Formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Among Commonly Grown Sweet Potato Cultivars, Jerah Mystica Novenario, Flor A. Ceballo-Alcantara

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius), is a devastating pest of sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., with a specific point of damage at the tuber where eggs are oviposited, and voracious larvae feed. Farmers in Tarlac province in the Philippines claim that a specific cultivar is highly infested by the pest, suggesting that other cultivars may not be susceptible to the pest damage. This study aimed to determine the reproductive biology of the weevil across 3 sweet potato cultivars (Inubi, Super Bureau, and Bureau) frequently grown in Central Luzon. Since the weevils are nocturnal, behavioral observations were conducted …

Marker-Assisted Identification Of Hybrids In Polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Breeding In The Philippines, John Edward L. Felipe, Kyla Andrea G. Mendoza, Benjamin Christian J. Esguerra, Carolyn E. Alcasid, Gino R. Hernandez, Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Varietal improvement of the Philippine ‘Carabao’ mango (Mangifera indica L.) through conventional breeding is constrained by polyembryony, which makes it difficult to distinguish zygotic hybrids from nucellar seedlings at early developmental stages. This study evaluated the utility of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for early and accurate identification of hybrids in polyembryonic ‘Carabao’ mango crosses. Genomic DNA was isolated from 24 parental accessions and 61 putative hybrid seedlings using a modified CTAB protocol that yielded DNA suitable for PCR-based marker analysis. Eighty-one SSR markers were screened across 29 parental combinations, of which 64 markers (79.0%) were polymorphic in at …

Postharvest Response Of Jute Mallow (Corchorus Olitorius L.) Tops To Different Storage Temperatures, Wella L. Absulio-Morales, James L. Tababa, Daphne Cassandra H. Gonzales, Genesis M. Banawa, Angelo C. Castro, Arlan James D. Rodeo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.), locally known as saluyot, is a nutrient-rich leafy vegetable, but its potential remains underutilized due to its high perishability. This study determined the postharvest behavior of jute tops stored at 4 different temperatures (5, 13, 20, and 28 °C). Key quality parameters were measured at specific time intervals. The marketable shelf life of jute tops was 7 d at 5 and 13 °C, but only 2 and 3 d at 28 and 20 °C, respectively. This shorter shelf life was mainly due to wilting caused by high weight loss, especially at higher temperatures. …

Increasing Lead (Pb) Screening Participation Rates In The Pediatric Patient Population At The Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine Lancaster Avenue Community Healthcare Center, Jacob Varrato

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) are an ongoing public health crisis predominantly affecting children under six in low-income communities located in major cities across the United States (Zartarian et al. 2024). Chronic lead exposure due to outdated housing, polluted water, and contaminated soil is especially harmful in early childhood. Frequent hand to mouth contact at this age increases the risk of ingesting particulate matter containing lead (CDC). EBLLs can predispose children to neurocognitive deficits, cardiovascular disease, and epigenetic modifications to gene expression patterns (Collin et al. 2022). While precautionary measures and timely screening protocols greatly reduce the risk of developing …

Staying Off The Android’S Couch: Examining The Burgeoning Regulatory Response To Ai Chatbots In Mental Health Care, Hon. John G. Browning

Georgia State University Law Review

In 2023, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) was forced to remove its AI chatbot “Tessa” from its help hotline after observations of the chatbot providing harmful advice to callers about eating disorders. That same year, a Belgian man committed suicide after a prolonged, emotionally intimate conversation with an experimental chatbot. Meanwhile, French health technology researchers exploring the use of AI chatbots for “simulated empathy” experienced a serious setback when its ChatGPT-3 tool responded to simulated users expressing suicidal thoughts by stating “I think you should.” Closer to home, American AI researchers using Meta’s Llama-3 caught the chatbot giving a …

Foreword, Allison M. Whelan

Georgia State University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Addressing Homelessness And Hunger Through A Human Rights Approach Focused On Collective Responses, R. Denisse Córdova Montes, Tamar Ezer

Georgia State University Law Review

The United States is experiencing unprecedented levels of homelessness and food insecurity. In 2024, the number of unhoused persons on a single night reached the highest ever recorded, and in 2023, 13.5% of the population lived in food insecure households, including 7.2 million children. Both homelessness and food insecurity disproportionately impact individuals based on race and gender.

In this context, community-led tools, such as community kitchen events and public feedings, have played an important role in providing those experiencing extreme hardship with access to adequate food and safe community spaces.

However, rather than supporting these efforts or addressing the root …

Bodies In The Beds: How Reits, Private Equity Firms, And County Hospitals Monetize Nursing Home Residents As Real Estate Acquisitions, Daniel L. Hatcher

Georgia State University Law Review

Nursing home residents have become monetized targets of real estate acquisitions. Established in 1960, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) were envisioned as allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate without owning properties. That seemingly innocuous investment idea has led to the growth of a behind-the-scenes empire of little-understood conglomerates of REITs buying up nursing homes and other healthcare facilities across the country. Capitalizing on tax-exempt income incentives, exploiting “triple-net” leasebacks, funneling profits through subsidiaries, and shielding ownership and assets from the liability of operations, the corporatized owners extract cash from facilities and leave harm in their wake. And to …

Law, Narrative, And Health, Elizabeth Tobin-Tyler

Georgia State University Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Privacy On Sexual And Reproductive Health Using Reports On The 2010 Earthquake In Haiti, Jillian E. Myers

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In 2010, a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, causing great destruction of infrastructure and the devastating loss of about 316,000 lives and over a million homes. The earthquake destroyed agricultural production and clean water sources, causing severe resource scarcity along with the overcrowding in the relief camps. Following the earthquake, international aid organizations flooded into Haiti in an effort to help provide immediate relief. The relief efforts were unprepared and lacked coordination among each other to efficiently implement the needed aid services. Without strategic planning to ensure all people’s needs are met, women and …

Identifying Textual Predictors Of Early Termination In Clinical Trials In Medicine: An Explainable Machine-Learning Study, Rohan Ramnarain

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

About one in five clinical trials in medicine ends early, wasting valuable resources and reducing the evidence available for developing life-saving medical treatments. This project uses a method called Trial2Vec, which is a self-supervised machine-learning method that converts clinical trial documents into dense numerical representations that capture their key design and clinical characteristics, to turn each proposed clinical trial’s written protocol into a compact numerical profile (a process referred to as embedding). These profiles are then paired with a predictive machine learning models to identify the words and phrases in the trial documents that can signal a higher risk of …

School Just Wasn't For Me: Investigating The Intersections Of Education, Incarceration, And Improvisation, Kelly L. Brady

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

New York City is the largest city in the United States and home to the nation's largest school system.  NYC public schools are also the country's most segregated, according to a 2021 report from the UCLA Civil Rights Project.  This qualitative, Arts-Based Research study follows the development and performance of an applied theater piece created by formerly incarcerated and court-involved youth exploring their early educational experiences before encountering the juvenile justice system. Using Disability/Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) and Critical Performance Ethnography this project investigates how structural systems of education and incarceration intersect to construct youth as "others," including special education, …

Gc-Ms-Based Comparative Analysis Of Compounds In Host Plants And Insect Gut Extracts, Rita Dill, Kimberly Smith, Shelia Okoth, Xavier Cheseto, Anne Osano

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background/Objectives: Herbivorous insects feed on plant tissues to obtain nutrients necessary for growth and development while simultaneously ingesting diverse plant secondary metabolites. Understanding the fate of these compounds during digestion is important for advancing knowledge of insect nutritional physiology and diet-associated biochemical processes. This study aimed to comparatively profile metabolites in host plants and corresponding insect gut extracts to generate insights into compound transfer and compositional changes within these systems. Methods: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics was combined with Ultraviolet-Visible (UV–Vis) quantification of total phenols and flavonoids to compare host plant tissues and insect gut extracts in three systems: fall …

Ai, Medicine, And Social Determinants Of Health Data, Ryan Doyloo, Nicholson Price

Articles

This article examines how medical AI systems are incorporating SDoH data and the governance challenges that follow. The authors show that while SDoH integration can enhance clinical workflows and predictive accuracy — potentially improving outcomes for underserved populations — it also introduces acute risks of proxy discrimination, where facially neutral variables replicate protected characteristics. Surveying U.S., EU, and international frameworks, the authors argue that existing regimes lack clear ex ante guidance to distinguish beneficial from harmful uses of SDoH data. In response, they advance post-market monitoring as a pragmatic and scalable pathway: generating real-world, SDoH-stratified evidence that can support enforcement, …

Community Programs That Build Connection, Jihye Baek, Cal J. Halvorsen

Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

Social connection is a fundamental human need and a critical driver of individual health and well-being. When older adults maintain stable, supportive relationships, they experience significantly better physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes. In response to growing evidence of its public health impact, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated social connection as a global public health priority, and the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory calling for action to address the loneliness epidemic.

Metabolic Mechanisms Underlying Obesity In Children Exposed In Utero To Maternal Obesity Or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Alysha B. Everett

ETDs from 2020-2029

Background: Childhood obesity increases risk for diseases including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The in utero environment plays an important role in the metabolic programming of offspring, with children exposed to maternal obesity or gestational diabetes (GDM) having high risk for obesity. In adults, metabolic mechanisms such as leptin resistance, energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation are associated with prospective weight and adiposity gain, but less is known in children. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify metabolic mechanisms associated with risk for obesity following in utero exposure to maternal obesity, with or without exposure to GDM. Methods: …

Phosphogypsum-Based Road Materials: A Review Of Practicality, Longevity, And Safety In The United States, Catesby Elisabeth Mallard

ETDs from 2020-2029

The development of the phosphate fertilizer industry, while integral to the success of modern-day agriculture, continues to produce staggering amounts of phosphogypsum (PG), an acidic and hazardous waste byproduct concentrated with heavy metals, technologically enhanced naturally occurring materials (TENORM), and other toxic elements. Due to the potentially harmful emission of radon from PG, the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has regulated the disposal of PG in engineered stacks under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for nearly four decades. However, with roughly five tons of PG produced per single ton of phosphoric acid, and a …

Dock7 Is A Novel Modifier Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Pathology, Katherine English

ETDs from 2020-2029

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, x-linked neuromuscular disorder affecting 1/5000 male births every year. DMD results from mutations in DMD, a critical structural protein within the muscle. In the absence of Dystrophin, the muscle degrades, increasing inflammation, destabilizing the cell membrane and going through constant cycles of regeneration which depletes the stem cell population. Over time, muscle tissue is replaced by fibrosis and adipose tissue, leading to loss of ambulation, respiratory and cardiac failure leading to death by early 20s. The standard of care for DMD patients is corticosteroid treatment. However, gene therapies have recently emerged which present …

Practice With Purpose: The Pediatric Ng/Og Tube Safety Hierarchy, Caitlin Roush, Christine Hajovsky, Delaney Dewolf, Elizabeth Hernandez, Giselle Daclan, Jay Barber, Kris Noel, Kristen Dickey, Lynde Craig, Madeline Herrera, Margaret Willenburg, Mckenzie Pedigo, Melynda Olguin, Myesha Vines, Rhianna Brard, Teresa Wynee

Practice With Purpose

No abstract provided.

Aged 539 Internship Report: Cal Poly Rodeo Media And Marketing, Anna Grace Durham

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship report examines the role of media and marketing within the Cal Poly Rodeo Program and highlights the integration of leadership, athlete development, and strategic communications in a collegiate athletics setting. Serving as the Media Manager for Cal Poly Rodeo, the internship focused on strengthening the program's digital presence, enhancing brand identity, and increasing community engagement, particularly surrounding the 2026 Poly Royal Rodeo. Through collaboration with University Administrators, the Officer Team, sponsors, and external media partners, comprehensive marketing campaigns were developed and implemented, resulting in significant increases in social media reach, audience engagement, and ticket sales. The project included …

Prevalence And Aetiology Of Cerebral Palsy Among Nigerian Children: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis., Udochukwu Michael Diala, Aderonke O. Uhunmwangho-Courage, Fatima Abdullahi, Paul Ikhurionan, Caitlin Bakker, Duke Appiah, David Danjuma Shwe, Rose N. Gelineau-Morel, Kabiru Gurama, Olugbenga Akinyemi Ofakunrin, Angela Mcgillivray, Gabriel E. Ofovwe, Tina Slusher

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Nigeria is among the leading countries contributing to the burden of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the commonest physical disability in childhood, accounting for 16.2% of child neurology referrals. Many cases of CP are preventable with simple interventions such as neonatal resuscitation and effective phototherapy. Lack of reliable data on the burden of disease limits comprehensive national policy directed to the prevention, holistic care and rehabilitation of patients with cerebral palsy in Nigeria. Therefore, to effectively address this problem, this study aimed to describe the pooled prevalence of CP in Nigeria, its potential causes and types.

METHODS: This …

Birth-Size Reference Charts For Newborns Admitted To The Neonatal Intensive Care Units., Fu-Sheng Chou, Hung-Wen Yeh, Crystal Hsueh, Irene E. Olsen, Veeral N. Tolia, Reese H. Clark

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Our original birth-size reference charts (the Olsen charts), published in 2010 (weight, length, head circumference) and 2015 (body mass index), had limitations, including manually defined exclusion criteria and the use of completed gestational weeks. This project aimed to update the charts and address those limitations.

METHODS: We analyzed de-identified data from infants admitted to Pediatrix NICUs between 2010 and 2022. In contrast to prior work, newborns with mortality before discharge, multiple births, and congenital anomalies were included; only statistical outliers (defined as two times the interquartile range below the first quartile or above the third quartile) were excluded. Gestational …

Worsened Multitasking Performance With Simulated Hearing Protection Correlates With Individuals' Choice Not To "Wear" It., Matthew G. Wisniewski, Patricia Mcclain, Chelsea N. Joyner

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Workers' reasons for not wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) largely come from performance issues that occur while wearing. Research has shown that such complaints are justified in regard to auditory situational awareness (e.g., speech comprehension), but other aspects of work performance (e.g., multitasking ability) are rarely characterized. Further, the relationship between HPD-related performance worsening and the choice to wear an HPD has not been objectively characterized. We address both gaps in the literature here.

METHODS: Participants were presented with moving objects on a computer screen and tasked to track a "target" object by hovering a cursor over it. Target …

Infection Prevention And Control Of Candida Auris In Pediatric Settings, Thomas S. Murray, Hana Hakim, Christelle Ilboudo, Lynn Ramírez-Ávila, Jana Shaw, Terri Stillwell, Patricia Budo, Bernard Ebruke, Noa Fleiss, Amanda Green, Matthew Linam, Roshni Mathew, April Mcdougal, Natalie Neu, Zoi Dorothea Pana, Karen Ravin, Ayelet Rosenthal, Jane D. Siegel, Katlyn Steimel, Amy Valencia, Carol Vance, Lars F. Westblade, Lisa Saiman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Candida auris (also referred to as Candidozyma auris) is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen associated with high morbidity and mortality. Existing infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance has largely focused on adult populations, with limited recommendations for pediatric healthcare and non-healthcare settings.

METHODS: The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) convened a multidisciplinary expert panel to develop IPC recommendations for C. auris. The panel developed recommendations using a structured, iterative Delphi consensus process with rounds of discussion, refinement, and anonymous electronic voting with predefined consensus thresholds. Panelists reviewed relevant peer-reviewed and gray literature integrated with expert …

Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Children With Congenital Heart Disease., Mike Seed, Dawn Ilardi, Valerie Rofeberg, Cynthia Ortinau, Caren Goldberg, Garrett Reichle, Lauren Bush, Justin Elhoff, Amy Jo Lisanti, Jennifer Butcher, Caitlin Rollins, Andrew Van Bergen, Shabnam Peyvandi, Emily Bucholz, Stephanie Cox, Lyla Hampton, Jacqueline Sanz, Sonia Monteiro, Shruti Tewar, Kiona Allen, Caroline Lee, Kristi Glotzbach, Nneka Alexander, Laurel Bear, Corinne Anton, Renee Sananes, Linh Ly, Gina Boucher, Kelly Wolfe, Lindsay Edwards, Elizabeth J. Willen, Alexander Tan, Christina Ortega, Erica Sood, Anjali Sadhwani, Kari Crawford Plant, Lauren Quigley, Jessica Pliego, Elizabeth Valles, Abbey Hines, David Wypij, Thomas Miller

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Neurodevelopmental impairments are common in children with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes by cardiac diagnosis and identify associations between medical and social factors and early neurodevelopmental outcomes among children with congenital heart disease.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional analysis used neurodevelopmental follow-up data obtained between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 2022, and entered into the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) registry, with linkage to the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium registry. Children younger than 30 months from 25 CNOC sites were studied. Data analysis was performed between January 2023 and December 2024.

EXPOSURES: Patients …

Retrospective Chart Review Of Immobilized Lipase Cartridge Use In Children With Short Bowel Syndrome., Elizaveta Khenner, Jennifer Morton, Laura Green, Ashlee Yoder, Kayla Paul, Ann E. Remmers, William San Pablo

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This retrospective, single-center chart review studied the use of an in-line, immobilized lipase cartridge (ILC) in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) at Children's Mercy Hospital. For parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent patients, the primary endpoint was enteral feeding progression, evaluated by comparing monthly change from baseline in PN and enteral nutrition (EN) after the start of ILC use. For patients with enteral autonomy, changes from baseline in growth measure z-scores were evaluated. In 9 PN-dependent patients (with Type II or III SBS), mean PN use decreased 10.6 kcal/kg/day (15.5%) and mean EN use increased by 6.0 kcal/kg/day (39.9%) after 3.8 to …

Incidental Colorectal Adenomas In Adolescents: Clinical Management, Genetic Evaluation, And Surveillance., Brett J. Hoskins, Shlomi Cohen, Colleen B. Flahive, Isabel Rojas, Aparajita Singh, Thomas M. Attard

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer has renewed attention to colorectal adenomas in adolescents and young adults (AYA), although these lesions remain rare and poorly characterized in adolescents. Lack of age-specific guidance creates uncertainty regarding genetic evaluation, surveillance intervals, and long-term management when these lesions are identified in adolescents. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and expert perspective on epidemiology, evaluation, endoscopic management, surveillance, genetic considerations, and psychosocial implications of incidentally identified colorectal adenomas across the AYA spectrum, with emphasis on adolescents as a distinct clinical population. Available data largely derive from adults aged 20-49 years but suggest that …