Digital Commons Network^™

Loss Of Ptdss1 In Tumor Cells Improves Immunogenicity And Response To Anti-Pd-1 Therapy, Jielin Liu, Shelley Herbrich, Sreyashi Basu, Yulong Chen, Ashwat Nagarajan, Swetha Anandhan, Sangeeta Goswami, Liangwen Xiong, Baoxiang Guan, Padmanee Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PTDSS1 (phosphatidylserine synthase 1) encodes an enzyme that facilitates production of phosphatidylserine (PS), which mediates a global immunosuppressive signal. Here, based on in vivo CRISPR screen, we identified PTDSS1 as a target to improve anti-PD-1 therapy. Depletion of Ptdss1 in tumor cells increased expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-regulated genes, including B2m, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, and Stat1, even in the absence of IFN-γ stimulation in vitro. Loss of Ptdss1 in tumor cells also led to increased expression of MHC-I, enhanced cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, and increased frequency of an iNOS+ myeloid subset. A gene signature derived from the …

The Diamond, September 12, 2025, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Staffing and Service Challenges in the New Atrium; Summer Storm Recap: Historic 'Derecho' Wind Hits Sioux Center; In God's Hands, On Our Helmets: Honoring Liam Sorensen's Life
• News: The Cottages: A Place to Call Home; Sioux Center Welcomes New Pickleball Courts
• Feature: Construction Updates and Ripples Seen on Campus; Dr. Justin Bailey and the 2025-2026 Chapel Vision; Dordt Welcomes Kristin Brouwer as New Director of Campus Ministries
• Politics: 'Pursuing Peace': Trump's Meeting with Putin; Funding Cuts Hinder the "Second Space Race"
• Opinion: Jersey on the Wall: Recent Reflection on Grief; Kraft Korner: …

Efficient Parallel Processing Of Second-Generation Tdi Data For Galactic Binaries In Space-Based Gravitational Wave Missions, Xue-Hao Zhang, Soumya D. Mohanty, S. R. Valluri, Shao-Dong Zhao, Qun-Ying Xie, Yu-Xiao Liu

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Space-based gravitational wave missions such as LISA, Taiji, and Tianqin rely on the time-delay interferometry (TDI) technique to observe low-frequency signals such as Galactic binaries (GBs), massive black-hole binaries, and extreme-mass-ratio inspirals. Among these sources, resolving the large population of GBs poses a central challenge for data analysis. In this work, we present GBSIEVER-C, a pipeline implemented in C and parallelized using OpenMP (Open Multi-Processing), along with a range of additional algorithmic optimizations, including a fast implementation of second-generation TDI response modeling. It builds upon the previous MATLAB-based pipeline that demonstrated competitive performance on LISA Data Challenge (LDC) data. To …

The Hidden Link Between Hiv And Cardiomyopathy: Unraveling Hiv's Impact On The Heart, Toluwalase Awoyemi, Oluwaremilekun Zeth Tolu-Akinnawo, Andrew Greek, Oluwakemi Adenuga, Chukwuebuka Asogwa, Isaac Ekundayo, Olamide Odusola, Oyinlola Fasehun, Mercy Ajayi, Onyinye Ugoala, Luther-King Fasehun, Adeleke Oluwaseun Dorcas, Michael Angarone

Student Publications

This comprehensive review examines the complex relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cardiomyopathy, focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies. It highlights the significant global health burden posed by HIV and its potential to cause long-term cardiovascular complications. The review investigates the pathogenesis of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy. It elucidates the intricate cellular and molecular pathways involved, including the actions of neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes in cardiac inflammation. Key signaling pathways such as TNF-NF-κB and the caspase-1 inflammasome are detailed, as they contribute to cardiac infection and injury. The clinical manifestations of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy …

Carbonation For Enhancement Of Fine Recycled Aggregate Applied To Mortar, Henrique Comba Gomes, Augusto Cesar Da Silva Bezerra, Conrado De Souza Rodrigues, Flavia Spitale Jacques Poggiali, Boksun Kim

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Some of the challenges faced by the construction industry related to sustainability are the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW), environmental impacts caused by the demand for natural aggregates, and associated carbon (CO₂) emissions. One potential solution is recycling CDW as recycled aggregates (RA). Though, RA generally performs poorly compared to natural aggregates (NA) in concretes. Researchers suggest that CO₂ curing via accelerated carbonation may improve the properties of RA. However, further investigation is needed to understand the impact of CO₂ curing on mortar made with fine recycled aggregates (FRA). This study explores the effects …

Integrating Identity-Based Identification Against Adaptive Adversaries In Federated Learning, Jakub Kacper SzeląG, Ji-Jian Chin, Lauren Ansell, Sook-Chin Yip

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Federated Learning (FL) has recently emerged as a promising paradigm for privacy-preserving, distributed machine learning. However, FL systems face significant security threats, particularly from adaptive adversaries capable of modifying their attack strategies to evade detection. One such threat is the presence of Reconnecting Malicious Clients (RMCs), which exploit FL’s open connectivity by reconnecting to the system with modified attack strategies. To address this vulnerability, we propose the integration of Identity-Based Identification (IBI) as a security measure within FL environments. By leveraging IBI, we enable FL systems to authenticate clients based on cryptographic identity schemes, effectively preventing previously disconnected malicious clients …

A Federated Approach To Scalable And Trustworthy Financial Fraud Detection, Yaser Alhasawi, Aljwhrh Abdalaziz Almtrf, Muhammad Asad

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Financial fraud remains a critical challenge for digital banking, requiring detection solutions that ensure both scalability and data privacy. Traditional centralized approaches face limitations due to security risks and system bottlenecks. This paper proposes FedFraud, a novel federated learning (FL) framework that detects fraudulent transactions without sharing raw data. FedFraud introduces two key innovations: (i) a trust-aware client aggregation mechanism that assigns weights based on update reliability and (ii) an asynchronous communication protocol enabling clients to contribute updates independently. Evaluated on the Credit Card Fraud Detection dataset under a nonidentically distributed (non-IID) data setting where client data distributions differ significantly, …

Still With Us: Formative Imperatives In The History Of Material Irish Whiskey, C. 1324-1980, Fionnán O'Connor

Theses, Doctoral

Whiskey is regularly discussed as a drink entwined with Irish history and society. That history, however, has usually been read as the immaterial social history of a single material commodity. It does not consider the varied, often dissimilar beverages that have been consumed as ‘whiskey’ or as ‘uisce beatha’. Even within the more recent history of the Irish whiskey industry, most of the grain recipes of Ireland’s closed distilleries have largely passed out of trade memory. This thesis examines the evolution from c.1324 to 1980 of amorphous whiskeys, indebted to their historical moments and materially responsive to their agricultural, …

Bioelectrochemical Systems: Prioritizing Energy Density, Long-Term Stability, And Validation, Luana C.I. Faria, Steffane Q. Nascimento, Filipe C.D.A. Lima, Graziela C. Sedenho, Thiago Bertaglia, Rodrigo M. Iost, João C.P. De Souza, Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez, Shelley D. Minteer, Serge Cosnier, Ariel L. Furst, Frank N. Crespilho

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pioneering work in bioelectrochemistry, particularly the employing of yeast cells to generate electrical current, had substantially favored the comprehension of bio electrochemical reactions. This foundational research has boosted the development of bio electrochemical systems (BES), which are significant for sustainable energy solutions. BES technologies, such as biobatteries, bio supercapacitors, and enzymatic and microbial biofuel cells, harness organic and biological systems to provide environmentally friendly alternatives for energy storage and conversion. Despite their potential, these technologies face challenges in achieving competitive energy densities and long-term stability compared to traditional accumulators and converters. Here, we introduce a new Ragone plot for BES, …

Clientelism And The Erosion Of Legislative Oversight: Examining The House Of Representative (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, Dpr) Role Under President Joko Widodo (2014–2024), Muhammad Tri Andika Kurniawan, Suseela Chandra Devi

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This article investigates the weakening of legislative oversight by The House of (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) during President Joko Widodo’s tenure from 2014 to 2024. Despite the expanded constitutional authority granted to the DPR following the 1998 political reforms, the quality of oversight function has diminished markedly in the Jokowi era. Drawing on theoretical and empirical literature, the article argues that this erosion is not solely the result of institutional shortcomings or inadequate reform, but is primarily driven by pervasive clientelistic relationships between the president and party elites. Such clientelism entrenches political patronage, enabling the executive to exert significant influence …

Report Of The National Expert For The United States In Mapping Third Party Litigation Funding In The European Union, Maya Steinitz

Faculty Scholarship

Commercial third-party litigation funding (“TPLF”) is not centrally regulated in the United States.  It is subject to the overlapping jurisdiction of state and federal courts, state and federal legislatures, regulatory agencies, and bar associations. Legislation, regulation, and oversight of TPLF is being undertaken at each of those levels – much of it centered around the questions of when and whether TPLF should be disclosed; how to mitigate conflicts of interest created by TPLF (including the potential for claimants to lose control over their case to funders); and the identification of any foreign individuals, entities, or countries that may be providing …

Hemispheric Asymmetry Of Phase Partition In Mixed-Phase Clouds Based On Near Global-Scale Airborne Observations, Ching An Yang, Minghui Diao, Yang Shi, Xiaohong Liu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Mixed-phase clouds contribute to substantial uncertainties in global climate models due to their complex microphysical properties. Former model evaluations almost exclusively rely on satellite observations to assess cloud phase distributions globally. This study investigated mixed-phase cloud properties using near global-scale in situ observation data sets from 14 flight campaigns in combination with collocated output from a global climate model. The Southern Hemisphere (SH) shows significantly higher occurrence frequencies and higher mass fractions of supercooled liquid water than Northern Hemisphere (NH) based on observations at 0.2 and 100 km horizontal scales. Such hemispheric asymmetry is not captured by the model. The …

Reining In Plasticulture From Land To Sea: Pacific Northwest (Usa) Perspectives On Agriculture And Aquaculture, Susanne M. Brander, Gail A. Langellotto, Minal T. Mistry, Sebastian L. Singleton, Mackenna A. Hainey, Lauren M. Kashiwabara, Kelsey Arthur, Elise F. Granek, Kervelle Baird, Ricardo Palazuelos, Multiple Additional Authors

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Plastic use in food production—known as plasticulture—has transformed agriculture and aquaculture globally. Plasticulture gained momentum in the mid-20th century with the development of novel plastic materials, and by 2009, U.S. farmers used over 200 million pounds of plastic films annually. Though plastics have increased yields and efficiency, they now pose environmental hazards through the release of microplastics (MPs) and chemicals. Despite extensive documentation of MPs in the environment, their role in U.S. food production and impacts on crop, livestock, and aquaculture health remain underexplored. In regions like the Pacific Northwest (PNW), with robust agricultural and aquaculture sectors, plastics from films, …

Identification And Characterization Of A Metal Binding-Independent Rift Valley Fever Virus Endonuclease Inhibitor, Cara D Kirby, Gai Liu, Farheen Fatma, Maris R Pedlow, Narendran G-Dayanandan, Nitin Sharma, Zachary D Frey, Rachael E Rush, Steven C Cardinale, Andrzej M Krezel, Amy L Hartman, Terry L Bowlin, Daisy W Leung, Gaya K Amarasinghe

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The viral cap-snatching mechanism, facilitated by the endonuclease (EndoN) domain of viral polymerases, is critical for viral gene transcription and translation and is therefore an attractive target for antiviral development. The successful development of EndoN inhibitor XOFLUZA (Baloxavir marboxil) has opened the possibility that the EndoN domain of negative-sense RNA viruses (NSVs) can be targeted in a similar fashion. Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) belongs to the

Rural Providers' Attitudes Toward Integrating Harm Reduction Strategies And Prep Prescribing Into Rural Primary Care Settings In The Us. Southeast And Midwest, Phillip L Marotta, Miryam Biaid, Virginia Mckay, Hilary Reno, Lindsey Filiatreau, Kaileigh Backes, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: People with opioid use disorders (OUD) living in the South and Midwest are under-prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) despite an increasing number of providers writing PrEP prescriptions in other regions of the United States. Greater research is needed into attitudes toward integrating harm reduction strategies into primary care and PrEP prescribing among prescribers working in rural primary care settings. The objective of this paper was to examine relationships between providers' attitudes toward buprenorphine and methadone, comprehensive harm reduction (e.g., fentanyl test strips) and self-reported PrEP prescribing in the past year.

METHODS: Relationships were examined between attitudes toward buprenorphine and harm …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Child, Caregiver, And Clinician Perspectives On Mental Health In Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Justin H Qian, Andrew D Wiese, Clarissa Gonzalez, Whitney S Shepherd, Hannah Cho, Gianna M Colombo, Julia M Morales, Selena Guo, Kristin M Kostick-Quenet, Dianne Nguyen, Sophie C Schneider, Kara Ayers, Members Of The Bbdc, Marie-Eve Robinson, Chaya N Murali, Brendan Lee, V Reid Sutton, Eric A Storch

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective disorder with clinical manifestations including bone fragility and short stature. Previous research identified psychosocial themes related to mental health among children with OI and their caregivers, such as independence, social isolation, depression, and anxiety. Several studies have also examined clinicians of individuals with OI for their perspectives on mental health among their patients. However, no known studies have compared psychosocial themes among all three participant groups concurrently. This qualitative study examined mood and anxiety, along with risk and protective factors, from perspectives of youths, parents, and clinicians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were …

Enhancement Of Spin Transport Properties In Angled-Channel Graphene Spin Valves Via Hybrid Spin Drift-Diffusion, Samuel Olson, Kaleb Hood, Otto Zietz, Jun Jiao

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Graphene has promise as a channel connecting separate units of large-scale spintronic circuits owing to its outstanding theoretical spin transport properties. However, spin transport properties of experimental devices consistently fall short of theoretical estimates due to impacts from the substrate, electrodes, or defects in the graphene itself. In this study, we fabricate both traditional non-local spin valves (NLSVs) and novel hybrid drift-diffusion spin valves (HDDSVs) to explore the impact of charge current and AC spin injection efficiency on spin transport. HDDSVs feature channel branches that allow investigation of charge-based spin drift enhancement compared to diffusion-only configurations. We investigate the modulation …

Improving Communication And Collaboration: How Using A Communication App Improves The Online Student Learning Experience, Gina L. Solano, Jennifer Miller

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Due to the isolation of asynchronous learning, online university students face challenges that can impact performance, increase anxiety, and lead to dropout. This study explores the use of communication apps, such as WhatsApp, Nectir, and GroupMe, to enhance engagement, peer socialization, and learning in graduate-level online courses across New York from Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. Data from purposeful sampling reveals that these tools reduced anxiety, improved confidence in asking questions, and provided timely support for assignments. The qualitative study aimed to identify strategies to boost student success, constructive dialogue, and motivation. Results suggest that communication apps effectively mitigate isolation …

Support, Retain, And Elevate New Nurse Educators: A Model For A Faculty Development Academy, Joni Tornwall, Janine Overcash

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nursing programs often hire clinical nurse experts into faculty roles and assume they will acquire pedagogical expertise and develop as scholarly writers soon after they begin teaching.^1,2 The transition into a faculty role requires support for evidence-based teaching, scholarship, and formation of supportive peer and mentor relationships.³ However, budget, time, and professional development staff are limited. Lack of professional development and insufficient mentorship in the faculty role are key reasons nurse faculty leave academia.³ Faculty retention is critical to addressing the nurse-faculty shortage and preparing the future nursing workforce.⁴

A faculty development academy was established in …

Exploring Interprofessional Collaboration In A Rural Community’S Pandemic Response Efforts, Susan E. Young, Stephanie R. Duea

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: Community resilience refers to the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme events¹. While community leaders, health departments, faith-based organizations, and other agencies can greatly influence an area’s socioeconomic, physical, and mental well-being², building capacity through community competence involves interprofessional collaboration, community action, and empowerment³.

Methods: This qualitative study investigated the collaborative response by healthcare and community leaders to the recent pandemic in a rural North Carolina county. A community competence framework guided the inquiry by exploring the extent to which participants collaborated to identify problems, establish a working consensus, …

Alcohol Consumption Among Older Adults With Chronic Health Conditions: A National Study, Hon Lon Tam, Leona Yuen Ling Leung

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Older adults are common to have chronic health conditions, and alcohol consumption increases risk of illness and mortality. Reducing and stop consuming alcohol is recommended, especially those who have chronic health conditions. This study used an American national dataset, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2023, to investigate the alcohol consumption among older adults with chronic health conditions. Data were collected from 48 states by random-digit-dialing telephone calls. After removal of missing data, 119,193 non-institutionalized adults aged 65 years and above were included in the analysis. Most of them was female (53.2%) and 91.5% reported to have a health check within …

Ai Use In The Management Of Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Primary Care: A Narrative Review, Adelina Ailarov, Vicky Chen, Sergine Delma

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition marked by insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML), into primary healthcare is enhancing predictive and diagnostic accuracy in T2DM management. This narrative review aims to summarize current AI applications in the prediction and management of T2DM among adults in primary care and to provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for nurse practitioners (NPs) on integrating AI tools into their practice. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria limited studies to English …

Factors Influencing Health-Promoting Behaivors Of Adults In Cambodia, Youngran Yang

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Cambodia is with NCDs responsible for 64% of deaths in 2018. Health-promoting behaviors play a vital role in reducing the risk of NCDs. The aims of the study is to identify the determinants of health-promoting behaviors among adults living in Cambodia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and through stratified sampling, 268 adults aged 19 years or older residing in Phnom Penh participated. A structured questionnaire was used. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire was used to assess health-promoting behaviors across six subscales. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 23.0.

Results: A total of 267 adults participated. …

Asthma Adherence And Self-Management In Pediatrics: A Quality Improvement Project, Harroop S. Kaur, Nancy S. Goldstein

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The purpose of this pilot project was a quality improvement initiative aimed to assess various interventions designed to enhance treatment adherence amongst pediatric patients in an understaffed, underserved, rural area. It had three goals: boost interdisciplinary understanding of asthma, promote self-management amongst pediatric patients with asthma, and reduce additional clinic and emergency department visits, as well as hospitalizations.

Asthma, a chronic condition characterized by airway inflammation, affects over four million children in the US, impacting their quality of life. The condition manifests through a series of symptoms like wheezing. Without proper management, severe asthma can cause lifelong complications in pediatric …

Health Coaching Intervention To Increase Nursing Student Resilience, Self-Compassion, And Well-Being, Yvonne Creighton, Deborah Lee

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

There is a nursing shortage in the United States, with worsening projections over the next ten years. Reasons for the shortage are multifactorial and include both individual and institutional causes. A majority of nurses express feelings of stress, fatigue, and frustration which contribute to burnout and leaving the profession, worsening an already pressing problem. Nursing students are entering a complex healthcare field that they may be unprepared for. They experience stressors in school that may even prevent them from completing school and entering the profession. Seeing the need to address this issue while students are in the throes of their …

Nurse Strong: Building Resilience Through De-Escalation, Carrie Ann Bailey, Lynn Beeler, Robin Hicks, Vikki Meloy, Staci Wheeler, Darren Gilbert

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

In 2015, the American Nurses Association called upon nursing faculty to develop and create workplace violence prevention programs. In response to the ANA, our innovative educational experiences show how the implementation of scaffolded experiences in self-defense, de-escalation, and leadership within an accelerated nursing program better prepares students for the realities of practice. In healthcare, especially in fast-paced settings, nurses often face challenging situations that require quick decision-making, conflict management, and assertive leadership to maintain safety for all. Workplace violence continues to increase in prevalence in the healthcare setting. Scaffolding—a progressive, structured approach to skill development—enables students to build foundational skills …

Asynchronous Virtual Intervention For Diabetes Foot Care: A Storytelling And Empowerment Program, Hsiao-Hui Ju, Jeffery Alford, Dina White, Daphne Hernandez

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) lead to serious health complications, including a 65% recurrence rate within 3 to 5 years, a 20% chance of amputations, and up to a 70% mortality rate over five years^1,2. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that the overall incidence of amputation has increased¹. These trends underscore the urgent need for effective DFU prevention strategies^3,4. This pilot study investigated digital storytelling videos as a tool⁵ to empower adults with type 2 diabetes to enhance foot care knowledge and practices.

Methods: Participants were recruited from a primary care group by a …

Psychiatric Observation Unit, Patient Outcomes, And Boarding, Brandi Baugh

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities occurred after the Community Mental Health Act, which aimed to transition mental health care from institutions to community centers to deliver psychiatric crisis intervention (Hung et al., 2020). Due to a lack of funding, the Acts' goals were unmet, causing patients to seek care in emergency settings and creating the revolving door phenomenon (Stien et al., 2022). Emergency departments had an increase in patients with mental health conditions of 6.6% to 10.9% over ten years (Kim et al., 2022). Boarding is defined as patients in the emergency department requiring transfer to an outside …

From Scotland To Montana: A Global Collaboration, Marcy Nell Hanson, Margaret Lawson, Hazel Sinclair

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: To build a partnership with Drug Liasion Midwife leaders of the Vulnerability in Pregnancy (VIP) program, leading to improved perinatal substance use care in Missoula County, Montana.

Background: Perinatal substance use is a global maternal health concern leading to increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. In the United States (US) the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) increased from 1.6 to 8.8/1,000 live births between 2004 and 2016 and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) increased from 1.2 to 8.8/1,000 live births between 2000 and 2016 (Kameg, 2021; Kramlich et al., 2018; Patrick et al., 2020). In 2020 in …

Lighting The Way: Cultivating The Next Generation Of Nursing Faculty Through A Mentorship Program, Salomé Maria Loera, Jill J. Dombrowski, Cari Selzer, Eileen Veronica Caulfield

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Nurses are crucial to global healthcare delivery and equity. The International Council of Nurses has recently identified the worldwide nursing shortage as a health emergency (Buchan & Catton, 2023). In the U.S., nursing schools have been forced to reject thousands of qualified applicants due to a shortage of faculty (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2024). Effective mentorship and orientation are essential for ensuring a smooth transition into academic roles, fostering faculty success, and addressing the shortage. The U.S. National League for Nursing (NLN) has recognized mentorship programs as vital for cultivating a supportive work environment, promoting professional growth, and …