Digital Commons Network^™

Genetically Driven Lipid Dysfunction And Neuroinflammation: An Agent-Based Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Anthony Wolfe, Mack Kona, Sela Raisl, Enrique Lopez, Kamila Larripa

IdeaFest 2026

Microglia are immune cells in the brain that switch phenotypes to maintain neural health, but disruptions in this regulation may contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). We developed an agent-based model to link cell mechanisms to tissue-level patterns, incorporating both individual cell responses to localized signaling and the effects of APOE and TREM2 variants on microglial metabolism and clearance. Through computational experiments, we simulate how impaired lipid clearance and sensing lead to a pro-inflammatory microglial population and chronic inflammation. Our framework offers insight into how local dysfunction progresses to persistent neuroinflammation and promotes conditions like AD.

Impact Of Environmental Stressors On Pinniped Tags: Progress Toward Standardized Testing Protocol, Brodie Lyons, Deeksha Garige, Nathan Vasquez, Sean Shermer, Dr. Frank E. Cappuccio, Dr. Lonny Grafman, Dr. Dawn Goley

IdeaFest 2026

No abstract provided.

Bio 252/254: Genetics Fall 2026, Brian White

OER Textbooks

Bio 252/254 Genetics Fall 2026

This work was created by UMass Boston Professor Brian White using the support and funding from the OER Faculty Incentive Grant Program. This book is also available on LibreTexts, and can be viewed at this link: https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_Massachusetts_Boston/Bio_252_254%3A_Genetics

Table of Contents:

• Front Matter (opens in new tab)
• 1: SPOC I - DNA and Chromosome Structure (opens in new tab)
• 2: SPOC II- Genomes (opens in new tab)
• 3: SPOC III - Mitosis and Meiosis (opens in new tab)
• 4: SPOC IV - DNA Replication (opens in new tab)
• 5: SPOC V - Transcription and mRNA Processing …

A Rare Recurring Gain-Of-Function Variant In Bmpr2 Causes Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes In Humans And Flies, Zhi Tan, Ariel Brautbar, Maria Descartes, Erica T Gray, Alejandro Iglesias, Scott D Mclean, Morgan Nutter, Olivia Daugherty, Amber Begtrup, Ingrid M Wentzensen, Yufeng Shen, Damian W Young, Martin M Matzuk, Oguz Kanca, Michael F Wangler, Hugo J Bellen, Wendy K Chung, Shinya Yamamoto

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) encodes an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates type-1 BMP receptors to mediate intercellular communication upon ligand binding. Loss-of-function variants in BMPR2 are known to cause pulmonary arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. Here, we report a rare recurrent missense variant in BMPR2 (c.1126G>A [GenBank: NM_001204] [p.Glu376Lys]) identified in six individuals, who all present with neurodevelopmental phenotypes including autism spectrum disorder and global developmental delay. Trio analysis demonstrates de novo occurrence of this variant in at least five of the individuals. Using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, we show that this variant …

Genomic Vulnerability Of A Threatened Possum In A Biodiversity And Climate Change Hotspot, Grace I. Marsh, Sean James Buckley, Daniel J. White, Adrian F. Wayne, Bryony J. Palmer, Nicola J. Mitchell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Spatial variation in the magnitude and pace of climate change impacts means some species will be more affected than others. This includes those occurring within global biodiversity hotspots, regions with exceptional concentrations of endemic species that have often been shaped by long-term climatic stability. Disproportionate levels of human-induced pressure in these areas are threatening much of the biodiversity values that make these biodiversity hotspots exceptional. Southwest Western Australia is a highly fragmented temperate biodiversity hotspot experiencing rapid climate change and supporting many species of threatened mammals. One Critically Endangered arboreal folivore, the western ringtail possum (ngwayir; Pseudocheirus occidentalis), has contracted …

Risks Of Mercury Release From Disturbance Of Blue Carbon Ecosystems, Fan Zhang, Jingrou Hu, Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández, Christian J. Sanders, Xinxin Li, Ruotong Chen, Kunshan Bao, Bigyan Neupane, Aidah Baloch, Yanhui Zheng, Oscar Serrano

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) function as dual repositories of organic carbon and legacy contaminants. While BCEs are recognized carbon sinks, their role as mercury (Hg) sinks and the risk of their conversion into sources due to human and climatic disturbances remain unexplored. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the drivers and risks of contaminant remobilization from threatened BCEs, with a primary focus on mercury. We explore how natural and human disturbances influence Hg storage, release, and bioavailability, while evaluating the risks posed to ecosystems and human health. Through a three-level meta-analysis, we show that physical disturbance remobilizes approximately 54% (95% …

A Genetic Risk Variant Associated With The Risk Of Primary Biliary Cholangitis Is Inherited From Neanderthals, Heather J Cordell, George F Mells, Richard N Sandford, David E Jones, Gideon Hirschfield, Katherine A Siminovitch, M Eric Gershwin, Brian D Juran, Elizabeth J Atkinson, Angela Cheung, Mariza De Andrade, Aris Baras, Konstantinos N Lazaridis, Rosanna Asselta, Pietro Invernizzi, Manuela Sironi, Sriram Sankararaman, Canadian‐Us Pbc Consortium, Uk‐Pbc Consortium, Italian Pbc Genetics Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune cholangiopathy with polygenic architecture and unknown aetiology. Evidence links Neanderthal-derived genetic variants to autoimmune conditions; however, their contribution to PBC susceptibility remains unexplored.

Objective: We investigate whether archaic alleles influence PBC risk.

Design: Genotype data from four PBC cohorts were analysed: CANUK (4615 cases, 9233 controls), OLD IT (444 cases, 901 controls), NEW IT (255 cases, 579 controls) and MAYO (891 cases, 621 controls). Association testing with 235 592 Neanderthal Informative Markers (NIMs) was performed, adjusting for population stratification. Heritability was estimated using RHE-mc and temporal haplotype dynamics were assessed using ancient …

Rebuilding Emotional Literacy: Educator Strategies For Supporting Young Children’S Social- Emotional Needs After Covid-19, Sandy Marie Holdsclaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted young children’s opportunities for social interaction and emotional development, creating new challenges for early childhood educators as students returned to in-person learning. Little was known about how early childhood educators adjusted their instructional practices to support children’s emotional literacy following the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how early childhood educators adjusted their instructional practices to support children’s emotional literacy and socioemotional development following the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher collected data through semistructured interviews with seven early childhood educators employed in one large public school district in South Texas. Interview …

Growing South Dakota (Fall 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food And, Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Support from donors helping set SDSU dairy graduates above the rest
[Page] 4 A decade of impact: Celebrating 10 years of cow-calf, swine education and research facilitates
[Page] 8 98-year-old donor keeps decades-long scholarship going in honor of late husband
[Page] 11 Looking back at Michele Dudash's tenure in academia
[Page] 12Giving students opportunities, experience to build their futures
[Page] 16 A Jackrabbit's journey in growing agricultural leadership
[Page] 18 Building South Dakota's next generation of rural veterinarians
[Page] 19 Conservation: A family affair
[Page] 20 South Dakota Water Resources Institute finds solutions to South Dakota's water challenges …

Faculty Authors & Achievers Bibliography 2026, Luke Vilelle

WRL: Faculty Authors & Achievers Bibliographies

The office of Academic Affairs and the Wyndham Robertson Library congratulate all Hollins faculty who published or presented creative or scholarly works from Fall 2024 - Fall 2026. These pages comprise a list of that work.

Expanding Photosynthesis Through Biosolar Oxic N2 Fixation: Toward A Sustainable Bionitrogen Economy, Taufiq Nawaz, Liping Gu, James Young, Shah Fahad, Nick Klein, Rajesh Sani, Ruanbao Zhou

Biology and Microbiology Faculty Publications and Datasets

Atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) is far more abundant than carbon dioxide (CO2), yet photosynthesis has been studied and harnessed predominantly for photosynthetic carbon fixation (PCF), underpinning the global biocarbon economy. In contrast, biological N2 fixation—the natural gateway for atmospheric nitrogen into the biosphere—remains comparatively underexploited. Modern agriculture and industry consequently depend heavily on the fossil-fuel-intensive Haber–Bosch process, with substantial energy and environmental costs. Diazotrophic cyanobacteria offer a fundamentally different paradigm by coupling oxygenic photosynthesis to nitrogenase-mediated N2 fixation. We term this process photosynthetic nitrogen fixation (PNF), which uses solar energy to convert water and atmospheric N2 into bioavailable nitrogen. Beyond its …

Axillary Surgery In Sentinel Node-Positive Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Youssef Zeidan

All Publications

The oncologic value of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for residual node-positive (ypN+) breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy is uncertain when regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is routinely used. We systematically reviewed comparative evidence on locoregional control and survival outcomes with omission versus completion of ALND. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched from 2000 to 2025 for English-language studies comparing completion ALND with omission of ALND (sentinel lymph node biopsy and/or targeted axillary dissection) among patients with biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy who had residual nodal disease at surgery. Two reviewers screened studies and extracted outcomes. We …

Admissions Magazine Fall 2026, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Admissions Magazine

Altitude: Built for Mars

• Securing a Safer Tomorrow
• Education at a Higher Altitude 
• Inside the Hacker Lab
• The Future of Health in Space
• Turning up the Heat
• Turning in to the Cosmos
• Built for Mars
• Transforming Aviation Safety Through Writing 
• Eagles Expand Impact in Hawaii
• Putting Discovery to Work 
• UAS Meets Marine Science
• Where Wonder Takes Flight
• Scoring Goals and Grades
• Finding a Frequency 
• Finding Her Space
• First Worldwide Research Scholar
• Mentorship Fuels Growth 

Sex-Based Disparities In Artificial Intelligence For Cardiovascular Disease: A Scoping Review, Maurgan Lee, Tarek Atasi, Michael Mclellan, Yodit Beru, Jason Booza

Population, Patient, Physician and Professionalism Projects

No abstract provided.

Glycemia Regulation In Type 1 Diabetes Using Artificial Pancreas Systems: One Decade Review Of Positive Control Approaches, Luay Thamir Rasheed, Ahmed Sabah Al-Araji, Taghreed Mohammadridha

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

An artificial pancreas (AP) is a biomedical device that mimics the natural glucose-regulation process carried out by a healthy pancreas. This device consists of three parts: a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a control algorithm, and an insulin pump. These three parts work together by continuously monitoring blood glucose concentration (BGC) and adjusting insulin delivery to maintain normoglycemia while minimizing the occurrence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. While several review studies have addressed control strategies for AP systems, limited attention has been given to the fundamental positivity constraint of insulin delivery and its systematic impact on controller design and performance. This paper …

The Parthenon, October 01, 2026, Trista Honaker, Davina Snyder, Soleil Woolard, Alana Romero-Lozano, Claire Johnson, Hannah Anderson, Tally Mamula

The Parthenon

No abstract provided.

Infant And Maternal Psychological Factors As Predictors Of Maternal Stress In Early Motherhood, Anna Muma

Honors College Theses

No abstract provided.

From Colonies To Copies: Integrating Pcr, Culture, And Ast In Bacterial Diagnostics, Rob E. Carpenter, Andrew Krouse, Alaina Vincent

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has reshaped bacterial infectious disease diagnostics, yet important interpretive gaps remain regarding the relationship among molecular detection, cycle threshold (Ct) values, microbial viability, culture findings, and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility. In particular, Ct values are frequently overinterpreted as direct surrogates for viable bacterial burden, and PCR–culture discordance may be interpreted without sufficient consideration of the distinct biological information provided by each method. This review therefore aims to clarify the complementary biological and analytical roles of PCR and bacterial culture, critically examine the determinants and limitations of Ct interpretation and PCR–culture discordance, and provide a practical framework …

Learning Opportunities 2026/2027, Illinois Math And Science Academy

Course Catalogs

The graduation requirements of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy are established by the IMSA Board of Trustees. Each semester, students must take a minimum of five academic courses (2.5 credits) for a letter grade (not Pass/Fail), not including Fine Arts or Wellness courses. Students may enroll in a maximum of eight academic opportunities each semester, including academic courses, Fine Arts and Wellness courses, and Experiential programs. The College and Academic Counselor approves enrollment for students in all courses and experiences.

In The Shadow Of The Ballot: Children As Victims Of Zimbabwe's 2008 Election Violence, Baldwin Hove, Chitja Twala, Bekithemba Dube

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The year 2008 witnessed one of the most violent electoral processes in Zimbabwean history. While extensive research has examined the 2008 election violence, limited scholarly attention has been paid to its effects on children. Using the structural violence framework, this study examines how the 2008 electoral violence affected children in Zimbabwe. The study analysed media reports and secondary texts, complemented by retrospective observations, to explore children's experiences during the electoral crisis. It seeks to expose the less examined consequences of political violence on children. The findings reveal that children witnessed assaults, murder, rape, forced displacement, the destruction of homes and …

Shareholder Rights As The Last Frontier For Alaska Native Corporations, Francesca Ferraro

William & Mary Law Review

This Note argues that the principles underlying Rule 14a-19, recently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are broadly applicable to Alaska Native corporations. Put simply, the introduction of such a rule in the ANRC [Alaska Native Regional Corporation] context would make it easier for Alaska Native shareholders to elect members to their respective boards who are more closely aligned with how the shareholders want their Native values to be implemented in their Native corporation. Part I will trace the complex history that led to the passage of ANCSA [Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act] and the development of the …

Polishing The Gold Standard: Capacity-Based Reform Of The Indian Child Welfare Act, Alston Harwood

William & Mary Law Review

Part I of this Note will provide background on ICWA [Indian Child Welfare Act], from its history and purpose to its current structure and the Supreme Court’s recent interpretation in Haaland v. Brackeen. Part II will expand on ICWA’s practical implementation problems, contrasting well-resourced tribes with the struggles of smaller tribes, and illustrating how recent federal legislation has begun to acknowledge these capacity disparities without adequately addressing them. Part III will then propose a combination of federal reforms, including a tiered system for QEWs [qualified expert witnesses], as well as specialized ICWA dockets, to allow for more consistent, equitable …

Mitochondrial Nad Metabolism In T Cell Responses, Alicia Marie Bostwick-Galaviz

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Metabolism is critical to CD8 T cell differentiation and response to intracellular infections and cancer. Mitochondrial NAD is a key component of cellular metabolism; however, the biology of this metabolite in CD8 T cells is poorly understood due to limitations of existing NAD analysis techniques. In this thesis, we develop the mitochondrial NAD redox index and capacity analysis (RICA) assay, a powerful flow-cytometry based technique for assessing mitochondrial NAD content and redox state in living cells. We use this assay to profile mitochondrial NAD dynamics across the course of CD8 T cell differentiation and in multiple in vitro and ex …

Senate Bipartisan Permit Reform Bill Would Upend Many Environmental Laws, Michael B. Gerrard

Faculty Scholarship

On September 26, the Republican chairs and Democratic ranking members of two key Senate committees released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA). The full Senate is expected to take up the bill on November 9 (a week after the midterm elections). Its future in the House is uncertain.

The bill, the culmination of years of negotiations on permitting reform, is very good for the proponents of many kinds of energy projects (both clean and fossil), especially electricity transmission. It is very bad for environmental groups and other project opponents who want to challenge these projects in …

Study Of A Nonlinear Delayed Parabolic Model For Prion Disease Dynamics With The Unfolded Protein Response, Gangadhara Boregowda, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Zhaosheng Feng, Michael R. Lindstrom

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the dynamic spread of misfolded toxic proteins in the brain. In this process, the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) produced by neurons misfolds into a toxic form known as scrapie prion protein (PrPSc). These misfolded proteins propagate through the brain by converting healthy prions into their toxic form. This biological mechanism can be modeled by a system of nonlinear parabolic partial differential equations, accompanied by a nonlinear delayed integral boundary condition. Our primary objective is to establish the existence of nonnegative classical solutions to this system. Furthermore, we derive a priori estimates for …

Letter To The Editor: “Tackling Large Periapical Cysts With Precision”, Kainaz Tehemton Zarolia, Varun B. Irani

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

On reviewing the article "Surgical Symphony : Tackling large periapical cysts with precision" we came across a few points to be highlighted in otherwise an extremely descriptive and informative article.

Sharksrx Newsletter Fall 2026, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.

How Many Pieces Form A Forbidden Picture? Protecting Privacy Through The Mosaic Theory Of The Fourth Amendment, Sam Ciaccio

MC Law Review

No abstract provided.

2026 October - Mary V. Jordan Center Newsletter, Mary V. Jordan Center, East Tennessee State University

Mary V. Jordan Center Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Robert Indiana, Love, Biblical Authority, And American Art In The 1960s, David Mccarthy

Art Inquiries

Years before Robert Indiana suggested that his canonical LOVE paintings and sculptures carried erotic connotations, he was explicit in indicating that the series was to be understood as spiritual. In 1973, as the United States Postal Service issued some three hundred and thirty million stamps with his design, he specifically explained that the genesis of LOVE should be traced to his childhood training in Christian Science. Although scholars have certainly acknowledged this background, none, so far, have sufficiently addressed the actual foundational text of the faith, nor have they adequately addressed the evidence of Christian references found in the artist’s …