Digital Commons Network^™

Deep Learning-Based Cardiac Chamber Segmentation In Magnetic Resonance-Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy, Xinru Chen, Yao Ding, Julius Weng, Carol C Wu, Yao Zhao, Angela Sobremonte, Mustefa Mohammedsaid, Zhan Xu, Xiaodong Zhang, Joshua S Niedzielski, Sanjay S Shete, Laurence E Court, Zhongxing Liao, Jihong Wang, Ergys Subashi, Percy P Lee, Jinzhong Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Accurate cardiac chamber segmentation is crucial for improving cardiac sparing in magnetic resonance (MR)-guided adaptive radiation therapy, especially in patients at risk for radiation-induced cardiotoxicity. Here, we developed and evaluated automatic segmentation models for cardiac chambers that use daily MR images acquired on a 1.5-T MR-Linac system.

Methods and materials: Twenty healthy volunteers underwent daily MR scanning on a 1.5-T MR-Linac, with 2 radial sequences: T2/T1 3DVaneXD balanced fast field echo with spectral attenuated inversion recovery (bFFE-SPAIR) and T1 3DVaneXD mDixon. Three flip angles were tested for each sequence to determine optimal image quality for chamber segmentation. Full-resolution 3D …

Risk Of Second Primary Lung Cancer Among Cancer Survivors Stratified By The Site Of First Primary Cancer And The Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Status, Sara Nofal, Edwin J Ostrin, Jianjun Zhang, Jia Wu, Paul Scheet, Mara B Antonoff, John V Heymach, Iakovos Toumazis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Personal history of cancer is an independent risk factor for developing lung cancer. However, it is not considered in the current US lung cancer screening (LCS) guidelines. In this study, we assessed the risk of developing lung cancer among cancer survivors across 24 different sites of first primary cancer stratified by their LCS eligibility status. Using data from the Patient History Database at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, we calculated and compared the cumulative incidence of second primary lung cancer, the overall and the LCS eligibility status-specific, stratified by the site of first primary cancer among cancer …

Comparisons Between Different Methods Of Calculating Dynamic Strength Index: Effect On Training Recommendations, Nicholas Joel Ripley, Jack Fahey, Stuart Guppy, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An impulse-based dynamic strength index (iDSI) that constitutes time-dependent force expression in contrast to the common peak force-based DSI (fDSI) may be more insightful when considering training recommendations. However, a limitation of the iDSI is that any change in countermovement jump (CMJ) propulsion phase duration could affect longitudinal comparisons. A fixed duration (e.g., 250ms) iDSI however could overcome this limitation. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of different methods of calculating DSI (fDSI, iDSI matched, iDSI fixed) on the DSI value and resultant training prioritization. Thirty-seven team sport athletes (female=13, male=25, age=22.2±2.8 years, height=174.4±6.0cm, mass=74.9±11.9kg) performed …

Optical Coherence Tomography Enables The Depth-Resolved Measurement Of Cilia Beat Frequency In Ex Vivo Human Fallopian Tubes, Dilara J Long, Tian Xia, Photini F Rice, Deirdre M Scully, Makayla Johnson, Ryan Mistifer, Andrea Aguirre, John M Heusinkveld, Irina V Larina, Jennifer K Barton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: The movement of cilia in the fallopian tubes (FTs) facilitates important processes involved in fertility, and abnormalities in cilia function are linked with diseases including endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. For the first time, we demonstrate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to create depth-resolved mapping of motile cilia locations and quantify cilia beat frequency (CBF) in human FT samples ex vivo.

Methods: Segments of the FT ampulla were acquired from five patients following salpingectomy under an IRB approved protocol. The samples were longitudinally opened to expose the luminal surface for imaging. A sequence of at least 500 …

High-Fidelity Finite Element Modeling Technique To Improve Sensitivity To Bone Tissue Changes Of Older Adults With Obesity Undergoing Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Michael A K Liebschner, Daeseung Kim, Nina Klonis, Giulia Gregori, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Obesity presents a significant health risk for the aging population. Research shows that weight loss and regular exercise can greatly improve the functional status of older adults who are obese. However, weight loss may also result in a decrease in bone mass. To properly assess changes in fracture risk due to lifestyle interventions, a direct biomechanical evaluation of bone strength and fracture risk at metabolically active sites is essential.

Methods: Computed tomography scans taken at two different time points of ten human volunteers provided the foundation for this study. A high-fidelity segmentation and modeling approach was taken to generate …

Postoperative Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome In A Patient Following Right Knee Fracture Repair: A Case Report, Nicole Nyamongo, James Garritano, Daniel Rosen, Theodore Rosen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening multisystem disorder most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It is characterized by the acute onset of high fever, hypotension, a diffuse macular rash, and multiorgan involvement. We report the case of a male in his late 30s who sustained a patellar fracture with associated retinacular injury following trauma and subsequently underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Several days after discharge, he developed fever, chills, hypotension, and a pruritic, erythematous rash. He was readmitted and initially evaluated by the orthopedic service, which did not recommend additional imaging or surgical intervention, as …

Intracranial Rhizomucor Pusillus Mucormycosis In An Adolescent Triggering A Stroke Alert: A Case Report And A Systematic Review Of Pediatric Cases, Rima El Atrache, Melissa Mizerik, Joaquin Francisco Ruiz Lopez, Eric Engstrom, Karla Patricia Salazar, Mikael C Guzman-Karlsson, Daniel Davila-Williams, Sonali Sen, Kristen S Fisher, Jennifer C Erklauer

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mucormycosis is a rare, life-threatening opportunistic infection primarily affecting immunocompromised patients. The available literature on Rhizomucor pusillus (R pusillus) infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in children is very limited. We present the case of an immunocompromised adolescent with intracranial mucormycosis due to R pusillus manifesting with stroke-like symptoms. This case highlights this rare condition's diagnostic complexity and management challenges. We include a review of the available literature on pediatric R pusillus CNS infections to increase awareness among health care providers.

Quantitative Imaging Of Individual Bacterial Cells: E. Coli And B. Subtilis Via Terahertz Scattering-Type Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy, Haneol Lee, Youngil Moon, Donghyun Lee, Jinwoo Kim, Gyuseok Lee, Haewook Han

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Significance: Terahertz (THz) waves have gained significant attention as an imaging technology due to their ability to provide physical and chemical information in a label-free, noninvasive, and nonionizing manner. Notably, their low energy enables nondestructive inspection of internal structures without damaging samples, making them well-suited for biomedical applications. However, the use of THz imaging has been constrained by limited spatial resolution due to the diffraction limit. Aim: This study introduces an approach using THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy, an advanced technique capable of overcoming these limitations and enabling single-cell scale measurements to image and distinguish individual bacterial cells, specifically …

Lipid And Cholesterol Peroxidation Leads To Α-Crystallin Membrane Aggregation And Cataract Formation, Nawal K. Khadka, Preston Hazen, Oluwaseyi Akinola, Xinzhu Pu, Laxman Mainali

Boise State University Publications and Presentations

Purpose: The significant lens chaperone protein α-crystallin (αABc), comprised of αA-crystallin (αAc) and αB-crystallin (αBc) subunits, is found to form membrane-bound aggregates with age and cataract formation. However, the molecular basis for such aggregate formation is still unclear. Our research primarily aims to elucidate the effect of lipids (phospholipids and sphingolipids) and cholesterol (Chol) peroxidation on the aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc to bovine lens nuclear membrane (NM).

Methods: Lipid and Chol peroxidation was induced by a photosensitized peroxidation reaction, and topographical images of NM and oxidized-NM (Ox-NM) with and without αAc, αBc, or αABc were obtained using atomic …

Physics-Based Machine Learning Framework For Predicting Structure-Property Relationships In Ded-Fabricated Low-Alloy Steels †, Atiqur Rahman, Md Hazrat Ali, Asad Waqar Malik, Muhammad Arif Mahmood, Frank Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process has demonstrated high efficiency in manufacturing steel parts with complex geometries and superior capabilities. Understanding the complex interplays of alloy compositions, cooling rates, grain sizes, thermal histories, and mechanical properties remains a significant challenge during DED processing. Interpretable and data-driven modeling has proven effective in tackling this challenge, as machine learning (ML) algorithms continue to advance in capturing complex property structural relationships. However, accurately predicting the prime mechanical properties, including ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and hardness value (HV), remains a challenging task due to the complex and non-linear relationships among process …

Categorial Declinations & Democracy, Brenner M. Fissell

Faculty Publications

The most contentious action taken by reform prosecutors has been the issuance of categorical declination policies. Opponents decry this as bureaucratic nullification of democratically enacted offenses, while the prosecutors themselves counter that they are responding to the will of their local electorate. Democracy claims, it appears, have taken center stage in this debate, and they are deployed by both sides. How should we think about democracy and categorical declinations? The most comprehensive scholarly work on this subject is a 2021 article by Professor Kerrel Murray. In this essay, I hope to continue the work begun by Murray, offering additional insights …

Bone Quality Response To Lifestyle Intervention In Older Adults With Obesity (Limb-Q Trial): A Randomised Controlled Trial, Giulia Gregori, Sanjay Mediwala, Michael Liebschner, Daeseung Kim, Mon S Bryant, Nina Klonis, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Lifestyle interventions for weight loss might exacerbate age-related bone loss and osteoporosis. However, there is limited knowledge about their effects on bone quality. We examined whether lifestyle intervention can preserve or enhance bone quality, despite reductions in bone mineral density.

Methods: The Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Bone Quality (LIMB-Q) study was a randomised controlled trial conducted at Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston, TX, USA) including older adults (aged 65-85 years) with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an intensive lifestyle intervention (intensive lifestyle group, consisting of …

Evaluating Dental Ai Research Papers: Key Considerations For Editors And Reviewers, Sergio E. Uribe, Manal H. Hamdan, Nicola Alberto Valente, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Fahad Umer, Antonin Tichy, Ruben Pauwels, Falk Schwendicke

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in dental research for diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease prediction. However, many dental AI studies lack methodological rigor, transparency, or reproducibility, and no dedicated peer-review guidance exists for this field.

Methods

Editors and reviewers from the ITU/WHO/WIPO AI for Health – Dentistrygroup participated in a structured survey and group discussions to identify key elements for reviewing AI dental research. A draft of the recommendations was circulated for feedback and consensus.

Results

The consensus from editors and reviewers identified four key indicators of high-quality AI dental research: (1) relevance to a real clinical …

Medication Prescribing Checklists And Their Impact On Patient Safety: A Scoping Review, Yilei Liu, Tate W. Miner, Kawtar Zouaidi, Anika N. Roy, Muhammad F. Walji, Kristin N. Ray, Donald B. Rindal, Elsbeth Kalenderian, Katie J. Suda

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Treatment Of Cutaneous Collagenous Vasculopathy With Pulsed Dye Laser, Hannah L Hanania, Isabella Camacho-Hubbard, Zeena Y Nawas

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy (CCV) is a rare, idiopathic microangiopathy marked by widespread telangiectasias and histologic vessel wall thickening. Due to its rarity and clinical overlap with other vascular conditions, CCV poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This report highlights the successful use of pulsed dye laser (PDL) therapy in treating a case of extensive CCV.

Methods: A 40-year-old woman with a decade-long history of progressive telangiectasias involving the extremities, trunk, and forearms underwent treatment with a 595-nm PDL. Six treatment sessions were conducted over 14 months.

Results: The patient experienced significant improvement in erythema, telangiectasias, and associated discomfort, with sustained …

Acute Loss Of Tactile Input Leads To General Compensatory Changes In Eye-Hand Coordination During Object Manipulation, Kevin Ung, John F Magnotti, Brandon Kim, Jeffrey M Yau, Per F Nordmark

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Current models of motor control emphasize the critical role of sensory feedback, as demonstrated by movement coordination deficits following sensory impairment. When both vision and touch are available for object-oriented manual behaviors, they serve distinct roles; vision guides the execution of planned movements, while touch provides more direct feedback on hand-object interactions. The impact of losing somatosensory feedback on eye-hand coordination during dexterous object manipulation tasks has not been thoroughly studied. Conceivably, vision is recruited to compensate for the feedback lost when touch is abolished based on the dexterity demands of the behavior. To investigate this, we tested healthy participants …

Black And Latino Male Alumni Perceptions Of Educational Opportunity Program Impact On Campus Engagement, Social Capital, And Persistence At A Public University, Kashonda Watson

Education Doctoral

Black and Latino male students continue to graduate at lower rates than their White and female peers, particularly at PWIs in the Northeastern United States. To address these disparities, many institutions have adopted educational opportunity programs (EOPs) to provide academic, financial, and social support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Although EOPs have demonstrated effectiveness in supporting underrepresented students broadly, limited research has focused on the impact of EOP from the perspectives of Black and Latino male recent graduates. Using the theory of student involvement (Astin, 1984) and social capital theory (Bourdieu & Passeron, 1986; Coleman, 1988), this qualitative case study …

A Functional Perspective On Astrocyte Heterogeneity, Wookbong Kwon, Michael R Williamson, Benjamin Deneen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Astrocytes are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform an array of diverse functions that are essential for brain activity. Studies on the functional diversity of astrocytes suggest that such diversity may be derived from specialized populations. We provide an overview of the current state of research on astrocyte diversity and outline current challenges and knowledge gaps while also examining the developmental origins of these populations and how their interactions with neurons contribute to their functional heterogeneity. We highlight recent studies that provide evidence for functionally diverse astrocyte populations under homeostatic conditions and as an adaptive response …

Time-Frequency Fingerprint Analysis In Seeg Source-Space To Identify The Epileptogenic Zone, Yash Shashank Vakilna, Deniz Atilgan, Johnson Hampson, Chinmay Chinara, Takfarinas Medani, Richard M Leahy, Nuria Lacuey, Samden D Lhatoo, Sandipan Pati, John C Mosher, Jay R Gavvala

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This case study highlights the application of seizure fingerprint analysis in the source-space of stereo-EEG (SEEG) data to accurately localize the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in patients with complex cortical malformations. A 25-year-old female with extensive bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (PMG) presented with intractable focal seizures. The source-level analysis performed in Brainstorm using the sLORETA imaging algorithm subsequently showed EZ fingerprint analysis. The patient underwent MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), targeting the identified EZ, resulting in postoperative seizure freedom with minimal complications. Extending the analysis from the sensor-space to the source-space could further enhance surgical planning and improve outcomes in complex …

Heightened Risk: Childhood Trauma And Anticipatory Grief Exacerbate The Impact Of Loneliness On Depressive Symptoms And Lps-Stimulated Cytokines In Dementia Caregivers, Kelly N Brice, Jensine Paoletti-Hatcher, E Lydia Wu-Chung, Vincent D Lai, Daniel L Argueta, Michelle A Chen, Itee Mahant, Bryan T Denny, Charles Green, Luis D Medina, Paul Schulz, Jennifer Stinson, Samantha K Henry, Cobi Heijnen, Christopher P Fagundes

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dementia spousal caregivers are at a disproportionate risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Loneliness is associated with depressive symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine production among caregivers. Additionally, childhood trauma, anticipatory grief, and poor sleep quality are all associated with enhanced stress reactivity. This study used a cross-sectional design to investigate whether loneliness is associated with proinflammatory cytokine production and depressive symptoms in caregivers, and whether these relationships are strongest among caregivers who report high levels of childhood trauma, high amounts of anticipatory grief, or poor sleep quality. A sample of 111 dementia spousal caregivers provided blood samples and completed …

Uncovering Environmental Justice Disparities: Tree Canopy Inequality In Low-Income Marginalized Communities, Emmanuel Wallace

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Tree canopy inequality in low-income marginalized communities is a direct result of decades of environmental injustice within urban communities in the United States, specifically the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation. This phenomenon underscores the disproportionate distribution of tree cover, green spaces, and their myriad benefits in neighborhoods marked by poverty and social vulnerability. Rooted in a history of discriminatory urban planning practices and systemic disparities, tree canopy inequality has profound consequences on residents' health and well-being. It leads to urban heat island effects, reduced air quality, and additional socio-economic disparities. On average, urban communities of color have 33% less tree canopy …

Mindfulness And Student Achievement In Urban Middle After-School Programs, La Shell Bonds

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the influence of mindfulness-based interventions on academic achievement, disciplinary outcomes, and social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies among urban middle school students participating in after-school programs. Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, self-regulatory frameworks, and Dweck’s growth mindset, the study employs a quasi-experimental design with 36 participants randomly assigned to either a mindfulness intervention group or a control group that receives the standard SEL curriculum. Over two weeks, the experimental group engaged in structured mindfulness activities—including breath awareness, body scans, and peer-led circles,—while quantitative data were collected on standardized test scores (Math and English Language Arts), suspension rates, and SEL …

I Am Scared Too: A Qualitative Study On The Influential Factors On The Fear Of Childbirth In Black Women, Imani Rivers

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Pregnancy and childbirth can evoke a range of emotions, including happiness, frustration, and fear. While some worry during pregnancy is expected, heightened and persistent fear can negatively impact a woman’s mental and physical health. Despite this, fear of childbirth remains underexplored, particularly in the context of Black women’s experiences. Existing literature lacks focus on the contextual and systemic factors contributing to this fear, creating a significant research gap (Reissig et al., 2021). Black women in the United States are disproportionately affected by medical mistreatment, often experiencing dismissal and silencing in clinical settings—an issue frequently rooted in implicit bias and racial …

Exploring The Cooling Effects Of Urban Forests In Summer, Xiaoyue Li

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

As a nature-based solution to combat urban heat islands, urban forests can provide cooling and other co-benefits. However, little is known about the cooling benefits of urban forests in parking lots and under different land covers, especially with field observations. To address this gap, we measured air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) and calculated heat index (HI) in three urban settings in Nashville, TN, in summer 2024. The research sites included: 1) Two different parking lots: parking lots with and without trees; 2) Three different distances from trees within the parking lot with trees: under trees, near trees, and …

Dynamics And Controls Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Bioenergy Croplands, Lovish Kasrija

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture contributes considerably to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, requiring sustainable methods for tackling climate change. This thesis includes two mega-analyses and one field experiment to investigate the impact of conservation tillage and soil amendments on crop productivity and greenhouse gas emissions. The first mega-analysis combined data from 30 meta-analyses to assess the impact of no-tillage (NT), reduced-tillage (RT), and combination NT+RT on crop yields and soil GHG emissions. NT decreased yields by 3.3% and increased N₂O emissions by 8.7%, but RT and NT+RT had no effect. The second mega-analysis found that both NT and RT considerably increased soil organic …

Regioselective C-Allylation Of Indole With Potassium Allyltrifluoroborate In The Presence Of Pd-Catalyst, Milton Kumar Kundu

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Indole is a versatile heterocyclic scaffold renowned for its wide range of pharmacological activities and strong potential as a successful drug candidate. These attributes continue to inspire researchers to explore indole derivatives as promising leads in drug development. In this project, we report the development of a cross-coupling reaction of indoles and potassium allyltrifluoroborate to the corresponding 3-allylindoles in the presence of PdCl2(dtbpf) and PdCl2(dppf)CH2Cl2 catalyst under microwave heating, offering a rapid, regioselective, and high-yielding synthetic route. This methodology provides a valuable platform for generating structurally diverse indole-based compounds, which could serve as promising leads for further pharmacological evaluation and …

Effects Of Tillage On Wheat Canopy, Stephanie Adanna Anyanwu

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Wheat canopy cover and greenness are useful crop performance indicators that provide significant insight into the performance of wheat crops. Understanding the effects of no-till and conventional tillage practices on winter wheat canopy cover and greenness will help inform agronomic decision making in wheat production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of no-till and conventional tillage practices on wheat canopy cover and greenness using drones. Wheat canopy cover mapping was carried out using deep learning supervised classification. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) and optimized soil adjusted vegetation …

Pd-Catalyzed Microwave Irradiated Cross-Coupling Of Carboxylic Acids And Amino Alcohols., Md Shahin Reza

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Amino esters are valuable pharmaceutical intermediates with anesthetic properties and applications as prodrugs. In this study, we have developed a new microwave-assisted method for the cross-coupling of aromatic carboxylic acids with amino alcohol using a palladium catalyst. This approach has enabled an efficient synthesis of amino esters, overcoming challenges such as side reactions and product separation.

Effects Of Straw Return On Crop Yield, Soil Organic Carbon And Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Maazeera Fatima

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Global crop residue production was substantial, at approximately 3758 × 106 mg annually. The practice of straw return, was found to enhance soil organic matter content, increase crop yield, and mitigate soil greenhouse gas emissions. However, individual studies showed inconsistent results. While meta-analyses synthesized multiple individual studies and provided overall effects of straw return, but their conclusions were varied. We evaluated meta-analyses on the effects of straw return on crop yield, soil organic carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions and proposed a grand mean response ratio to estimate an overall effect and the impacts of different properties. The result showed that …

Identification And Characterization Of Peptide Responsive Histone Modification Genes During Root Nodule Symbiosis In Medicago Truncatula, Shivani Dharam

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) is an essential but limiting macronutrient for crop growth in agroecosystems. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) is a critical biological process where atmospheric Nitrogen is converted into ammonia by Nitrogen fixing the bacteria called rhizobia, forming mutualistic relationships with legume plants. These interactions are mediated by several signaling pathways and may involve epigenetic modifications like DNA methylations, histone modifications, where gene expression is altered without any change in DNA sequence. Histones are proteins provide structural support to DNA. However, genes encoding enzymes for these post translational modifications are poorly investigated in the Leguminosae family. This project aims to answer …