Digital Commons Network^™

New Species Of Kronosvirus Bacteriophages That Infect Caulobacter Strain Cbr1, Tannaz Mohammadi, Austin Millwood, Maherah Shaik, Bert Ely

Faculty Publications

Caulobacter segnis strain CBR1 enhances the germination rate and total biomass of Arabidopsis plants. Since bacteriophages are usually present in the rhizosphere, we isolated three additional bacteriophages, designated TMCBR2, TMCBR3, and W2, that can replicate using CBR1 as the host strain. The genome sizes and morphologies of the new phages were similar to those of the previously isolated Kronos phage, and when we compared the nucleotide sequence of these new phage genomes, we found only minor differences among the four phage genomes. Pairwise sequence comparisons indicated that the phage genomes should be grouped into three separate species within Kronosvirus genus. …

Study Of The Changes In Vestibular Bone Plate Absorption Values After Implant Placement Under Immediate Loading For A Period Of 5 Months Using Cbct: An In Vivo Study, Hassen Merzouk, Samir Habibi, Ben Ali Boutabout

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: The study focuses on the success and durability of dental implants, which depends heavily on the bone surrounding them. Changes in this bone affect how the implant looks and functions. The researchers aimed to use CBCT, a modern three-dimensional imaging tool, to accurately measure changes in the thickness of the bone plate on the cheek side (vestibular bone plate) around implants placed in the lower jaw (mandible). Specifically, they looked at bone changes five months after placing implants that were immediately loaded (meaning they were used for chewing right away) in 15 patients who had missing molars or premolars. …

Oral Rehabilitation Of A Pediatric Patient With A Dental Anomaly: A Case Report, Enas Almasri, Mohamed Altinawi, Shadi Azzawi, Imad Katbeh, Anas Abdo

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objective: Tooth fusion is an uncommon dental abnormality, occurring in 0.1% of permanent dentition. Fusion of a normal permanent tooth and a supernumerary tooth is unusual. This case report delineates a multidisciplinary strategy for the management of a child with a fused tooth and a concomitant supernumerary tooth. The objective is to progressively illustrate the aesthetic and functional restoration of a smile impacted by a dental fusion abnormality.

Case Report: A 9-year-old boy was referred to the pediatric dental clinic with the chief complaint of a large upper anterior tooth. Intraoral and radiographic investigations showed fusion of the permanent maxillary …

Non-Diabetic Kidney Disease In A Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Diagnostic Challenge, Nikhil R, Mahabaleshwar Mamadapur , Assistant Professor, Harshwardhan S Patil

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. However, non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) can coexist or mimic DKD, leading to misdiagnosis. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old female with type 2 diabetes presented with vomiting and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed non-blanching erythematous papules on both lower limbs. Investigations showed uncontrolled diabetes, metabolic acidosis, and active urinary sediment. Absence of diabetic retinopathy prompted renal biopsy, which revealed immune-complex–mediated glomerulonephritis with small-vessel vasculitis. Diagnosis: Immune-complex–mediated glomerulonephritis with small-vessel vasculitis, not consistent with diabetic nephropathy. Management: Supportive care and immunosuppressive therapy were initiated with improvement in renal function. …

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Vulnerable Young People Participating In A Stand-Up Paddle-Boarding Therapy Course; A Phenomenological Study, Claire Hornsby, Alison Warren, Rosi Raine, Alun Morgan

School of Health Professions

Nature-based interventions have been advocated as an approach to support mental health and well-being in young people. The Wave Project, a United Kingdom–based charity, has an established surf therapy intervention for vulnerable children and adolescents which has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. However, this intervention provides challenges in terms of accessibility for young people located away from the coast. Stand-up paddle-boarding is an aquatic activity which can be conducted on inland waters, which therefore has the potential to address this barrier. Semistructured interviews (n = 6) utilizing video and photo elicitation were conducted …

Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique In Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses: A Systematic Review, Ghida Lawand, Roudy Khayat, Yara Ismail, Maryse Nassif, Mahmood Dashti, Jimmy Londono, Rami Al Bahri, Hani Tohme

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

This systematic review was conducted to assess the clinical and esthetic outcomes associated with convergent collar implants and compare them to divergent collar implant. The review was registered on the PROSPERO register (registration number: CRD42022326338). The systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify studies on implant-supported prostheses related to the Biologically Oriented Preparation Technique (BOPT) until June 2023. Inclusion criteria involved experimental and clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals, excluding expert opinions. Data extraction was performed, adhering to predefined parameters for BOPT, specifications of convergent collar implants, and the assessment of outcomes. The systematic review …

The Role Of Ai Chatbots In Dentistry: A Systematic Review Of Applications, Benefits, Challenges, And Future Directions, Arushi Kumari, Upasana Reddy, Mamatha Shekar Shetty

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to develop systems capable of performing tasks that require human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, and decision-making. In dentistry, AI is increasingly applied across multiple specialties, such as operative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics, particularly in diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis.

Objectives: This review focuses on the application of AI chatbots in dentistry, exploring their potential benefits and limitations. The objective of this review is to addresses the questions: 1. Which dental domains employ AI chatbots? 2. What evidence exists for their performance in diagnostics, patient engagement, and education? 3. What ethical, …

Esophageal Perforation Following Small-Bore Nasogastric Tube Placement: A Case Report, Kate Sanner Dixon, Alexis Ortega, Sofie Hass, Erich Wessel

Student Publications

Esophageal perforations are associated with high morbidity and mortality and can have iatrogenic or spontaneous causes. Nasogastric tube intubation, while generally considered a safe procedure, can be a very rare iatrogenic cause. A 61-year-old male underwent direct laryngoscopy, total laryngectomy, and esophageal dilation with complex closure for laryngeal obstruction and tracheocutaneous fistula secondary to laryngeal cancer. He experienced an esophageal perforation secondary to nasogastric tube advancement and required emergent surgical exploration via thoracotomy and laparotomy with washout and gastrostomy tube placement. Notably, the tube penetrated the cervical esophageal mucosa, tracked distally within a submucosal plane, and ultimately perforated the stomach …

Preliminary Sonification Of Enso Using Traditional Javanese Gamelan Scales, Sandy Hs Herho, Rusmawan Suwarman, Nurjanna J. Trilaksono, Iwan P. Anwar, Faiz R. Fajary

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Sonification—the mapping of data to non-speech audio—offers an underexplored channel for representing complex dynamical systems. We treat El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a canonical example of low-dimensional climate chaos, as a test case for culturally-situated sonification evaluated through complex systems diagnostics. Using parameter-mapping sonification of the Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly index (1870–2024), we encode ENSO variability into two traditional Javanese gamelan pentatonic systems (pelog and slendro) across four composition strategies, then analyze the resulting audio as trajectories in a two- dimensional acoustic phase space. Recurrence-based diagnostics, convex hull ge- ometry, and coupling analysis reveal that the sonification …

Reducing Systemic Bias In Behavioral Targeting Using Explainable Ai: The Harmonia Complex Systems Approach, Ruchira Deokar, Preethi Nanjundan, Jossy P. George, Carlos Gershenson

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Behavioral targeting is a key part of the modern advertising web's algorithmic engine. However, it is unclear whether optimization processes worsen bias, promote unchecked spread in filter bubbles or lower overall users' trust levels. This paper introduces HARMONIA (Holistic Adaptive Regulatory Model for Optimizing Non-transparent Intelligent Advertising), a comprehensive, data-driven Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) framework aimed at transforming behavioral targeting via transparency, interpretability, and adaptive ethical regulation. This paper conducted a comprehensive Explorative Data Analysis (EDA) on the public Criteo Display Advertising Dataset, which contains over 45 million records, to identify patterns in high-dimensional user-ad interaction space. This analysis uncovered …

Entiscum Yrfe Ealdniflunga: Meter And Poetic Style In Tolkien’S Old English Attila, Galen Miller-Atkins

Journal of Tolkien Research

Tolkien famously wrote several poems in Old English and Gothic; however, these remain understudied for their philological and poetic qualities relative to his modern English poetic corpus. In the Old English Poem of Attila Tolkien adapts the Old Norse poem Atlakviða into Old English. This essay analyzes the meter and poetic techniques in Old English Poem of Attila, especially in relation to the closely related, Eddic poem Atlakviða. The Old English Poem of Attila exhibits verse patterns and vocabulary from the Old Norse original, but it is firmly rooted in the Old English poetic tradition. Tolkien deliberately blends …

Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage Versus Wrist Splinting For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Phiyaphon Poonsuk, Sunyarn Niempoog, Jurairat Boonruab, Watchara Damjuti

Journal of Health Research

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy at the wrist that affects palmar function. Court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) is a deep-pressure method that may alleviate nerve compression. However, its efficacy remains inadequately established. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of CTTM and wrist splinting (WS) in CTS patients.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned into two groups and underwent a 4-week. In the first group, patients received CTTM twice a week, while the second group received WS every day at night only. Pain intensity (VAS), symptom severity scale (Thai BCTQ-S), functional status scale …

Balneotherapy For Sleep Improvement And Reducing Depression In Knee Osteoarthritis Patients, Anca Paula Ciurba, Alexandru Bogdan Ilieș, Ionel Haidu, Doriana Ioana Ciobanu, Theodora Ursu, Florin Mihai Marcu, Dorina Ianc

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition and a leading cause of global disability, often associated with pain, depression, and sleep disturbances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of warm mineral water combined with physical therapy on sleep quality, depression and pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: The study involved 101 subjects (68.78±6.92 years) who were assigned to  a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG). All subjects benefited from physical therapy and electrotherapy for 10 days. The experimental group additionally benefited from therapy with hot mineral water. …

Away Rotation Participation And Ophthalmology Match Outcomes, Jeremy N. Shapiro, William J. Benjamin, Nicholas R. Lenze, Angela P. Mihalic, Anjali R. Shah, Ariane D. Kaplan

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Recent surveys suggest that a majority of students applying to the ophthalmology residency match participate in rotations that are not at their home institution (away rotations). There is limited information on the relationship between completion of away rotations, residency interview offers and match success rates.

Purpose: To evaluate relationships between away rotation participation and ophthalmology residency interview offers and match success rates.

Methods: The Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (Texas STAR) database compiles responses to the Texas STAR survey, an opt-in, anonymous survey offered to all graduating US MD/DO students to collect data on …

The Effect Of Covid-19 On Research Productivity Among Matched Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Applicants, Andre Galenchik-Chan, Thomas Ren, Kelli Jablon, Aleksandra Krajewski

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery (OPRS) is one of the most competitive ophthalmology subspecialities, and scholarly productivity has been regarded as an important criterion for fellowship matching.

Purpose: To calculate changes in research productivity among matched OPRS fellowship candidates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We identified U.S. OPRS fellows who started training from 2020 through 2022 via publicly available fellowship rosters. For each, we extracted gender, training institution, and publication records from PubMed and ResearchGate. We considered peer-reviewed publications before fellowship status. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine correlations between productivity and post-fellowship publication output. …

Development Of The U.S. Academic Ophthalmology Faculty Database (Us-Aofd): A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis, Brenton T. Bicknell, Josephine M. Rudd Zhong Manis, Haley Chishom, Yejin Heo, Lance Dzubinski, Alvina Liang, Taylor L. Aaserud, Shayan Massoumi, Thanushri Srikantha, John Stoffer, Emily Mccourt, Sruthi Arepalli, Beeran Meghpara, Ayan Chatterjee, Basil K. Williams, Janice Law, Steven E. Brooks, Robert Tauscher

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Academic ophthalmology plays a critical role in advancing eye care and training the next generation of ophthalmologists. However, comprehensive data on the U.S. academic ophthalmology workforce remains limited. Existing databases focus on individual subspecialties or specific demographics, without capturing a national, integrated perspective.

Purpose: To develop and analyze the U.S. Academic Ophthalmology Faculty Database (US-AOFD), a comprehensive, national resource that characterizes the demographic composition, academic ranks, leadership roles, and research productivity of ophthalmology faculty at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)–accredited programs in the United States.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study compiled data for 4,028 …

Screening For Food Insecurity In An Outpatient Ophthalmology Clinic: A Health Equity- Quality Improvement Fellowship Project, Christine Coward, Tricia Jacobson, Mahadevan Subramanian, Sharon Ojo, Theresa Green, Neil Seligman, Jan Schriefer

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Various social determinants of health have been implicated in ophthalmic diseases, with food insecurity being particular important, given the link between food and conditions such as diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Although quality improvement initiatives that address food insecurity screening exist, data extending to the ophthalmic clinical setting is limited.

Purpose: We implemented a health equity quality improvement fellowship project to improve screening for food insecurity in an urban ophthalmology outpatient clinic that sees adults and children.

Methods: Several initiatives were implemented in an attempt to reach a goal of 80% of patients screened for food insecurity. …

Editorial Affiliation And Subconscious Bias In High-Impact Ophthalmology Journals, Iden Amiri, Gitanjali M. Fleischman, David Fleischman

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Editorial leadership plays a critical role in shaping the scientific literature. Transitions in editors-in-chief (EICs) may introduce subconscious biases, particularly favoring their home institutions, potentially influencing publication patterns.

Purpose: To evaluate whether editorial transitions are associated with increased institutional publication representation in major ophthalmology journals and to assess the potential for subconscious or reciprocal editorial bias.

Methods: A retrospective bibliometric analysis of four high-impact ophthalmology journals, JAMA Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO), and British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), was conducted over a 15-year period (2010-2024). Institutional affiliation data were extracted …

Impact Of Letter Writers On Ophthalmology Residency Match Success, Simran Ohri, Iden Amiri, Daniel E Rubinstein, Alice Yang Zhang

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Ophthalmology residency applications have surged in recent years, and with USMLE Step 1 now evaluated on a pass/fail basis, program directors increasingly rely on subjective metrics. Letters of recommendation (LOR) offer valuable insight into applicants’ interpersonal skills and are among the most important selection factors. This study investigates how characteristics of LOR writers influence residency match outcomes.

Purpose: To examine how the characteristics of LOR writers affect success in the ophthalmology residency match.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of San Francisco (SF) Match application data for United States allopathic seniors from 2023 and 2024. Reapplicants, international medical graduates, …

School Principals Attitudes Toward Using Generative Artificial Intelligence In Public Education And Being Ready To Implement It, Saad Theeb Ali Alaklabi

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

This study aimed to investigate school directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and to measure their level of readiness for its application. The study employed a descriptive survey methodology and was applied to a comprehensive sample comprising all study population members of school directors in Bisha Governorate, with 110 directors responding. The study relied on a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. Results revealed that directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative AI were at a moderate level, while their application readiness also scored moderately. In contrast, results showed very high agreement regarding the advantages of using generative AI, …

Mondo: Integrating Disease Terminology Across Communities., Nicole A Vasilevsky, Sabrina Toro, Nicolas Matentzoglu, Joseph E Flack, Kathleen R Mullen, Harshad Hegde, Sarah Gehrke, Patricia L Whetzel, Yousif Shwetar, Nomi L Harris, Mee S Ngu, Gioconda L Alyea, Megan S Kane, Paola Roncaglia, Eric Sid, Courtney L Thaxton, Valerie Wood, Roshini S Abraham, Maria Isabel Achatz, Pamela Ajuyah, Joanna S Amberger, Lawrence Babb, Jasmine Baker, James P Balhoff, Jonathan S Berg, Amol Bhalla, Xavier Bofill-De Ros, Ian R Braun, Eleanor C Broeren, Blake K Byer, Alicia B Byrne, Tiffany J Callahan, Leigh Carmody, Lauren E Chan, Amanda R Clause, Julie S Cohen, Marcello Deluca, Natalie T Deuitch, May Flowers, Jamie Fraser, Toyofumi Fujiwara, Vanessa Gitau, Jennifer L Goldstein, Dylan Gration, Tudor Groza, Benjamin M Gyori, William Hankey, Jason A Hilton, Daniel S Himmelstein, Stephanie S Hong, Charles T Hoyt, Robert Huether, Eric Hurwitz, Julius O B Jacobsen, Atsuo Kikuchi, Sebastian Köhler, Daniel R Korn, David Lagorce, Bryan J Laraway, Jane Y Li, Adriana J Malheiro, James Mclaughlin, Birgit H M Meldal, Shruthi Mohan, Sierra A T Moxon, Monica C Munoz-Torres, Tristan H Nelson, Frank W Nicholas, David Ochoa, Daniel Olson, Tudor I Oprea, Tomiko T Oskotsky, David Osumi-Sutherland, Kelley Paris, Helen E Parkinson, Zoë M Pendlington, Xiao P Peng, Amy Pizzino, Sharon E Plon, Bradford C Powell, Julie C Ratliff, Heidi L Rehm, Lyubov Remennik, Erin R Riggs, Sean Roberts, Peter N Robinson, Justyne E Ross, Kevin Schaper, Brian M Schilder, Johanna L Schmidt, Elliott W Sharp, Morgan N Similuk, Damian Smedley, Tam P Sneddon, Rachel Sparks, Ray Stefancsik, Gregory S Stupp, Shilpa Sundar, Terue Takatsuki, Imke Tammen, Kezang C Tshering, Deepak R Unni, Eloise Valasek, Adeline Vanderver, Alex H Wagner, Ryan F Webb, Danielle Welter, Doron Yaya-Stupp, Andreas Zankl, Xingmin Aaron Zhang, Julie A Mcmurry, Christopher G Chute, Ada Hamosh, Christopher J Mungall, Melissa A Haendel

Faculty Research 2026

Precision medicine aims to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis by integrating multimodal data at the point of care. However, challenges arise due to the vast number of diseases, differing methods of classification, and conflicting terminological coding systems and practices used to represent molecular definitions of disease. This lack of interoperability artificially constrains the potential for diagnosis, clinical decision support, care outcome analysis, as well as data linkage across research domains to support the development or repurposing of therapeutics. There is a clear and pressing need for a unified system for managing disease entities⁠-including identifiers, synonyms, and definitions. To address these …

Implementation Of An Occupational Therapy-Led, Sensory-Based Intervention In A Secure Children’S Home: A Qualitative Study Of Staff Experiences, Kevin Steede, Alison Warren

School of Health Professions

The Just Right State program (JRSP) is an occupational therapy-based, sensory intervention designed to support self-regulation. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of five members of staff working in a secure children’s home in training in and implementing the JRSP under the guidance of occupational therapy staff. Using thematic analysis four themes emerged: Sensory regulation training enhanced staff wellbeing, Sensory regulation as a new lens in a unique environment, Embedding theory in practice, and Considerations for the experiential JRSP training. The findings provide insights into effective training and implementation of sensory modulation interventions.

Global Sounds, Department Of Music, University Of Richmond

Music Department Concert Programs

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Low And High-Carbohydrate Diets On Memory Performance In College Students, Samia Baugh, Zoe Zajko, Jamie Analuisa, Ivanna Jacome

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the brain and play an important role in processes related to memory performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet compared to a high-carbohydrate diet on memory performance in college students aged 18–22 years. For the purposes of this study, a low-carbohydrate diet is defined as a diet providing fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates per day, while a high-carbohydrate diet provides approximately 325 grams of carbohydrates. This population is particularly important to study because college students experience high academic demands that require strong memory …

Physical Space And Democratic Citizenship: Third Place Usage And Civic Engagement Among Undergraduates, Justin L. Fintel

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This thesis examines the relationship between third place usage and civic engagement levels among undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Drawing on urban planning and political science literature, I hypothesize that students who more frequently use and interact with campus third places—which are informal communal spaces that foster community, such as coffee shops, libraries, and student unions—demonstrate higher levels of civic engagement. Using survey data from thirty-eight undergraduates and ordinary least squares regression analysis, I find strong support for my hypothesis. Third place usage significantly predicts civic engagement (β = 0.609, p < 0.001) statistically, and this relationship remains robust even after controlling for family socialization and socioeconomic status. The findings suggest that physical spaces on college campuses play an independent role in promoting democratic citizenship beyond students' pre-existing characteristics. These results have important implications for university and urban planning, while highlighting the value of investing in communal campus spaces as mechanisms for promoting civic participation.

On The Spot: What Is The Best And The Worst Movie You've Ever Seen?, Tess Kujawa

Digital Edition

No abstract provided.

The Blue Flame Offers Entertainment Spot For Unh Students Despite Age Policy Change, Sarah Moran

Digital Edition

No abstract provided.

“Coffee With Carleigh” At Freedom Cafe: Congressional Candidate To Connect With Unh Students, April 12, Delaney Nickerson

Digital Edition

No abstract provided.

Untangling Impacts Of Socioeconomic Position, Chronic Disease, And Low-Level Pm2.5 Exposure On Mortality Among Native American Medicare Beneficiaries, Judy Wendt Hess, Wenyaw Chan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with increased mortality at concentrations below current regulatory standards. Studies of low-level exposure often rely on large administrative cohorts whose geographic and demographic composition may influence observed associations. In a prior analysis, we observed an association between long-term PM2.5 and all-cause mortality among Native American Medicare beneficiaries living in zip codes within the lowest decile of PM2.5 exposure. The present study, a case-control analysis of 1,713,399 low-PM2.5-exposed beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare during 2015-2016, evaluated whether this association could be explained by geographic context, socioeconomic position (SEP), or baseline health status. We used …

Performance Analysis Of A Converted Electric Underbone Motorcycle: A Combined Dynamometer And Road Test Approach, Dhimas Oki Permata Aji, Sigit Suwarto, Yunus Ari Rokhim

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

In developing countries, converting traditional underbone motorcycles to electric vehicles transforms sustainable transportation from a theoretical concept to a practical implementation. This paper describes the design and operational performance evaluation of an electric underbone motorcycle conversion system that integrates a 2.0 kW, 72 V BLDC motor and a 72 V, 20 Ah lithium-ion battery pack. Compared to previous studies, this paper combines, for the first time, both dynamometer and road tests as the basis for a comprehensive performance assessment of low-cost motorcycle conversion. The dynamometer test was conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the test system for torque, power output, …