Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Stromal Cell-Mediated Biomechanics For Angiogenesis And Reperfusion In A 3d Microfluidic Model For Ischemic Vascular Disease, Vaishali Bala

ETDs from 2020-2029

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions worldwide, causing tissue ischemia and impaired healing due to insufficient blood flow. Current therapeutic strategies to promote revascularization remain limited, largely because the mechanical regulation of angiogenesis is poorly understood. While biochemical growth factors like VEGF have been extensively studied, the role of mechanical forces generated by stromal cells in the perivascular matrix remains underexplored. This dissertation investigated how stromal cell contractility drives vascular growth through mechanotransduction pathways and modulation of endothelial cell-cell junctions. Using 3D fibrin or fibrin-collagen-I-based microtissues and compartmentalized microfluidic devices, we characterized the mechanical phenotypes of multiple fibroblast populations and …

Editorial: Advancing Musculoskeletal Health: Bridging Basic And Clinical Research On Biomechanical Properties Of Joints, Ligaments, Tendons, And Associated Structures, Xin Jin, Snehal S. Shetye, Mengcun Chen

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Expression Spectrum Of Te-Driven Transcripts In Human Adult Tissues, Benpeng Miao, Xinlong Luo, Amina Ademovic, Yushan Yang, Tao P Wu, Bo A Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are vital components of eukaryotic genomes and have played a critical role in genome evolution. Although most TEs are silenced in the mammalian genome, increasing evidence suggests that certain TEs are actively involved in gene regulation during early developmental stages. However, the extent to which human TEs drive gene transcription in adult tissues remains largely unexplored.

Results

In this study, we systematically analyze 17,329 human transcriptomes to investigate how TEs influence gene transcription across 47 adult tissues. Our findings reveal that TE-driven transcripts are broadly expressed in human tissues, contributing to both housekeeping functions and tissue-specific …

Stat-Independent Functions Of Janus Kinases 1 And 2 Are Obligatory For The Postnatal Development Of Mammary Epithelial Ducts, Rayane Dennaoui, Madison N. Wicker, Carson Moen, Michaela Schlederer, Kerry Vistisen, Aleata A. Triplett, Thomas Rülicke, Hallgeir Rui, Lukas Kenner, Emilio Casanova, Kay-Uwe Wagner

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Janus kinases 1 and 2 and STAT transcription factors are critical signaling nodes for numerous growth factors. In the mammary gland, JAK2 and STAT5a/b are essential for alveolar cell differentiation and lactation, but little is known about the cooperative roles of JAKs and STATs before pregnancy. We examined female mice conditionally deficient in JAK1/2 and discovered that both kinases jointly regulate epithelial cell proliferation and ductal morphogenesis. To assess the role of downstream STATs, we generated genetic models co-deficient in STAT3/5a/5b with or without STAT1 or JAK1. Although loss of STAT3/5a/5b leads to a JAK1-dependent upregulation of STAT1, the formation …

Apolipoprotein E4 And Its Later-Life Health Effects On The Multiple Sclerosis Population, Dean Zeldich, Chia Hsin Cheng, Yi Guan, Sriman Narain, Bang-Bon Koo

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) allele, a major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's Disease, accelerates cognitive decline and neuroinflammatory processes, including blood-brain-barrier disruption. This study explores the impact of APOE4 on later-life health in MS patients using biomarkers from the UK Biobank.

METHODS: MS patients were grouped by APOE4 carrier status: MS-E4 and MS-nonE4. Age- and sex-matched non-MS controls (control-E4, control-nonE4) were included for comparison. Analyses assessed retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) from optical coherence tomography (OCT), blood biomarkers, cognitive performance, and brain magnetic …

Integrated Proteomics To Understand The Role Of Neuritin-1 (Nrn1) As A Molecular Mediator Of Synaptic Resilience In Alzheimer’S Disease, Derian Pugh

ETDs from 2020-2029

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in adults over the age of 65, and currently affects approximately 6.9 million people in the United States. By 2060, the number of people age 65 and older with AD is projected to reach 13.8 million, barring the development of disease-altering therapies to prevent, slow or cure AD. Thus, there is a need for progress in the understanding of AD pathophysiology, as well as in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Approximately one-third of individuals without dementia at the time of death are found to harbor high levels of amyloid-beta …

Cbct Evaluation Of Planned Vs. Achieved Expansion And Buccal Bone Thickness In Phase I Orthodontic Cases Treated With Clear Aligners, Jared Teeples

ETDs from 2020-2029

Introduction: Within orthodontics, CBCT technology has been used to analyze tooth movement with both fixed appliances and clear aligners. However, little research has evaluated alveolar bone remodeling outcomes in growing patients treated with clear aligner expansion. Methods: This study compared pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1) CBCTs of Phase I patients treated with clear aligners who had expansion planned in the Invisalign® ClinCheck. CBCTs were collected and analyzed, including 27 maxillary and 22 mandibular arches. The aims were (1) to compare planned vs. actual expansion and (2) to evaluate the arch width (AW) and alveolar bone changes before and after treatment. …

Cysteine Protease Activity In Allergen Recognition And Initiation Of Th2 Allergic Responses, Audrey Rae Meloun

ETDs from 2020-2029

Allergens are non-infectious environmental proteins that can trigger T helper 2 (Th2) cell-mediated inflammation in atopic individuals. Allergens are structurally diverse and typically lack pathogen-associated molecules patterns (PAMPs), which are recognized by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs are the canonical sensors of the innate immune system that typically detect PAMPs in microbes, initiating signaling pathways that drive pathogen clearance. Because allergens generally do not activate PRRs in the same way as infectious agents, alternative detection mechanisms are likely responsible for their recognition and the subsequent initiation of Th2 cell-mediated inflammation. House Dust Mite (HDM), a major indoor allergen, and other …

Physical And Psychophysiological Responses To Self-Selected Music In Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Sophia Porrill

ETDs from 2020-2029

Exercise is a cornerstone adjunct therapy for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP). However, exercise capacity is often impaired by non-motor processes including decreased motivation, arousal, and physical effort. Self-selected music (SSM) has been shown to improve motivation and arousal state in healthy individuals thereby leading to increases in exercise capacity. Whether these positive effects of SSM translate to PwP is unclear. The purpose of this study was to measure 1) the psychophysiological effects of SSM at rest, and 2) psychophysiological and physical responses during a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in PwP. In a counterbalanced crossover manner, PwP (n=12) completed resting …

Biomineralization Of Low Temperature Plasma(Ltp) Modified Polymeric Biomaterials And Scaffolds, John Patrick Bradford

ETDs from 2020-2029

Bio-integration, specifically osseo-integration of bone implants and scaffolds, are vital for the success of implants and bone tissue engineering (BTE). Calcification can be defined as the deposition of calcium compounds as either calcium phosphate(CaP) minerals consisting of hydroxyapatite(HAP) or CaP salts. The significance of the variety of phases of CaP is that mature bone matrix is composed of 65% CaP mineral. Many investigators have attempted to model the natural matrix by producing materials containing calcium phosphate in both amorphous CaP or in the more crystalline HAP form, with biomaterials (both synthetic and biological). Biomimetic CaP formation is a sign of …

Development Of Human Trophoblast Cell Surface Antigen-2 (Trop-2) Specific Radiopharmaceutical Tracers, Arnav Vipulkumar Patel

ETDs from 2020-2029

Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) is closely related to the development and progression of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and is also being investigated as a pan-cancer biomarker. Trop-2 tumorigenesis is mediated by the calcium ion signaling pathways. By accurately predicting and targeting Trop-2 for immunotherapy, precision therapy is crucial. Trop-2 is overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, which makes it a promising molecular target for cancer-targeted therapy. This thesis reports the development and preclinical evaluation of two novel Trop-2-specific radiopharmaceutical tracers derived from the clinically approved antibody-drug conjugate Sacituzumab Govitecan (SG): a full antibody drug conjugate-based tracer …

Race And Patient-Physician Communication On Blood Pressure Management: Helping Improve Care, Samar A. Nasser, Ashley Pender, Ayan Ali, Kardie Tobb, Keith C. Ferdinand

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an overview of the relationship of race and ethnicity and patient-physician/clinician communication on blood pressure management.

RECENT FINDINGS: The suboptimal interactions experienced by patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations may be improved by enriching relationships among clinicians, population health scientists, policymakers, and community members/leaders. Current care communication and policies for managing hypertension appear to be insufficient. Implementing and disseminating effective strategies to efficiently improve the quality of hypertension care and recognize social determinants of health among minoritized populations is intertwined with enhanced communication.

SUMMARY: Approaches such as self-affirmation—encouraging patients to reflect on their strengths …

Beyond Neurons: Impact Of Cannabidiol On Glial Cells In Ischemic Stroke, Victória Linden De Rezende, Khiany Mathias, Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves, Rafael Mariano De Bitencourt, Tatiana Barichello, Fabricia Petronilho

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ischemic stroke triggers a complex cascade of events involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and glial cell dysfunction, all of which contribute to neuronal damage and impaired recovery. Glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes) play key roles in neuroinflammatory responses, making them attractive targets for therapeutic modulation. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Preclinical evidence indicates that cannabidiol attenuates glial reactivity, reduces pro-inflammatory signaling, mitigates oxidative stress, and preserves blood-brain and intestinal barrier integrity in stroke models. Moreover, cannabidiol modulates key molecular pathways (e.g., nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor, and calcium-related signaling), contributing to …

Common Octopus (Octopus Vulgaris) Blooms Off The Southwest Of The Uk: History, Trends, Causes And Consequences.: Report On Work Package 1: History, Causes And Consequences Of Octopus Blooms, Bryce Stewart, Simon Thomas, Tim J. Smyth, Molly K. James, Emma Sullivan, Alice Hall, Tully Osmond, Emma Sheehan

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) are normally uncommon in UK waters, with a mainly south-westerly distribution linked to the species’ preference for warmer conditions. However, a major population bloom occurred off southwest UK in 2025, comparable to rare historical blooms recorded in 1899–1900, 1932–33 and 1950–51. The species’ rapid growth, high fecundity and short lifespan make its populations highly responsive to environmental conditions. Evidence from fisheries landings, scientific surveys and citizen science confirmed the bloom, with commercial fisheries landings of common octopus in 2025 being almost 65 times higher than recent annual averages. The 2025 bloom and all previous blooms were …

Differentiation In The Human Urothelia Is Defined By Distinct Alternative Polyadenylation, Ninh B Le, Surbhi Sona, Briana Santo, Yi Zhang, Rosie Ou, R Allen Schweickart, Veena Kochat, William I Padron, Kunal Rai, Shih-Han Lee, Joo Mi Yi, Oliver Wessely, Byron H Lee, Angela H Ting

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Distinct epithelial cell states arise during differentiation, but mechanisms generating transcriptomic diversity among them remain poorly defined. The human ureter urothelium contains basal progenitor, intermediate cells, and terminally differentiated umbrella cells. Prior single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similar global gene expression profiles across these states, raising the question of how distinct identities emerge. Here, we show that alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) introduces a major layer of transcriptomic diversity during urothelial differentiation, largely independent of changes in mRNA levels. Analysis of 13,544 urothelial cells identified hundreds of differentiation-associated APA events. Single-cell imaging revealed spatially specific APA patterns, and reporter assays demonstrated …

Differentiation In The Human Urothelia Is Defined By Distinct Alternative Polyadenylation, Ninh B Le, Surbhi Sona, Briana Santo, Yi Zhang, Rosie Ou, R Allen Schweickart, Veena Kochat, William I Padron, Kunal Rai, Shih-Han Lee, Joo Mi Yi, Oliver Wessely, Byron H Lee, Angela H Ting

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Distinct epithelial cell states arise during differentiation, but mechanisms generating transcriptomic diversity among them remain poorly defined. The human ureter urothelium contains basal progenitor, intermediate cells, and terminally differentiated umbrella cells. Prior single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similar global gene expression profiles across these states, raising the question of how distinct identities emerge. Here, we show that alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) introduces a major layer of transcriptomic diversity during urothelial differentiation, largely independent of changes in mRNA levels. Analysis of 13,544 urothelial cells identified hundreds of differentiation-associated APA events. Single-cell imaging revealed spatially specific APA patterns, and reporter assays demonstrated …

Conned By The Enemy: The Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium Anisopliae Lures And Kills Drosophila Suzukii, Ibrahim M. Farid, Shepard Ndlela, Paul G. Becher, Christopher W. Weldon, Abdelmutalab Ga Azrag, Helgi B. Schiöth, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

BACKGROUND: Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is a highly invasive and economically major pest that inflicts significant damage on soft-skinned fruit crops, including raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries and grapes. The recent invasion of D. suzukii in Africa represents a key impediment to the berry industry on the continent. Conventional control strategies for this pest rely heavily on chemical insecticides, which pose several adverse side effects on biodiversity and environmental health. In this study, we evaluated five Metarhizium anisopliae isolates (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 18, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 30, ICIPE 78) for development as a biopesticide for …

Mechanistic Insights Into The Antimicrobial Effect Of Benzodioxane-Benzamides Against Escherichia Coli, Lorenzo Suigo, Alessia Lanzini, Valentina Straniero, William Margolin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: The bacterial cell division machinery is emerging as an attractive target for antimicrobial compounds. FtsZ, a highly conserved essential division protein, is the target for a number of small molecules such as benzamides. Recent studies show that benzodioxane-benzamides (BDOBs) are among the most potent inhibitors of FtsZ function in Gram-positive bacteria, although their ability to inhibit Gram-negative FtsZ, in particular Escherichia coli FtsZ, has been more controversial.

Methods: Here, we use genetic and cytological methods to demonstrate that FtsZ of efflux pump-disabled E. coli can be efficiently targeted by BDOBs.

Results: We show that engineered mutants …

Payload Diversification Overcomes Resistance And Guides Sequential Antibody-Drug Conjugate Therapy In Breast Cancer, Dileep Reddy Rampa, Minji Seo, Nanae Ogata, Zhaoxuan Yang, Nithya Sridhar, Fujii Takeo, Chalothorn Wannaphut, Jennifer A Maynard, Kyoji Tsuchikama, George W Sledge, Naoto T Ueno, Jangsoon Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have transformed the treatment of breast cancer. FDA-approved ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), sacituzumab govitecan (SG), and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) have demonstrated clinical benefit; however, drug resistance will almost inevitably emerge in the metastatic setting, and there is no established strategy for selecting subsequent ADCs after disease progression to the first exposure to the ADC. This study aimed to define mechanisms of acquired resistance and evaluate rational sequencing approaches.

Experimental design: We generated breast cancer cell lines resistant to T-DXd (TDXd-R) and SG (SG-R). We assessed antigen expression, internalization, and resistance pathways, including efflux transporter …

Coexisting Salps Exhibit Distinct Feeding Selectivity On Microorganisms In The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Anne W. Thompson, Kylee Lamberson, Kelly R. Sutherland

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mortality mechanisms play an important role in how oceanic microorganisms contribute to global biogeochemical cycles. Salps are widespread pelagic tunicates known to remove phytoplankton from coastal and high-latitude waters, but their interaction with microorganisms in the vast tropical and subtropical gyres is not well quantified. Using quantitative measurements of six major marine microorganisms in the guts of six distinct but co-occurring salp species from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, we examined the impact and dynamics of salp feeding on marine microorganisms in a vast open ocean region. All salps preferentially removed prey greater than 1 μm in diameter, including marine …

Expression Spectrum Of Te-Driven Transcripts In Human Adult Tissues, Benpeng Miao, Xinlong Luo, Amina Ademovic, Yushan Yang, Tao P Wu, Bo A Zhang

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Transposable elements (TEs) are vital components of eukaryotic genomes and have played a critical role in genome evolution. Although most TEs are silenced in the mammalian genome, increasing evidence suggests that certain TEs are actively involved in gene regulation during early developmental stages. However, the extent to which human TEs drive gene transcription in adult tissues remains largely unexplored. RESULTS: In this study, we systematically analyze 17,329 human transcriptomes to investigate how TEs influence gene transcription across 47 adult tissues. Our findings reveal that TE-driven transcripts are broadly expressed in human tissues, contributing to both housekeeping functions and tissue-specific …

Educational Design Models In Transition: A Comparative Review, Tofan Stofiana, Yeti Mulyati, Andoyo Sastromihardjo, Dadang Sunendar

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A persistent gap between educational theory and classroom practice underscores the need for methodological approaches that are reflective, participatory, and context responsive. This study provides a comparative review of four major educational design models, including research and development (R&D); Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE); design-based research (DBR); and educational design research (EDR), to examine their theoretical orientations and contemporary applications. A systematic literature synthesis and bibliometric mapping were conducted on 80 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus between 2020 and 2025. The findings reveal that ADDIE remains the most frequently applied framework due to its procedural clarity and …

Mechanical Performance Evaluation Of Natural Composites Recycled Hemp Rice Bag Reinforced With And Without Silicon Carbide Particles, Gaber A. Elawadi, A. S. Fayed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Significant progress has been made in the development of natural fiber-reinforced composite materials, owing to their potential to enhance mechanical properties while offering a greener and more sustainable alternative to traditional materials. These materials combine superior ecological benefits with enhanced mechanical performance. This study examines how recycled hemp fiber bags, including recycled hemp fibers obtained from rice hemp fiber bags, affect the mechanical characteristics of unreinforced and reinforced composites. Four composite systems were fabricated and tested: (1) HFR (randomly chipped recycled hemp fiber bags–epoxy composite), (2) HFB (continuous recycled hemp fiber bag–epoxy composite), (3) HFR SiC (randomly chipped recycled hemp …

A Constructive-Engaging Analysis Of Descarrtes (European) And Oyeshile (African) On Personhood, Olanrewaju Shitta-Bey

Comparative Philosophy

An examination of the nature of the human person provides a crucial foundation for understanding human life and identity. Conceptions of personhood have far-reaching implications beyond philosophy, influencing politics, ethics, religion, and epistemology. Beliefs about what constitutes a person shapes theories of rights, responsibility, and justice; moral views on duty and accountability; religious understandings of the soul and the afterlife; and epistemological reflections on the sources and limits of knowledge. Inquiry into human nature is therefore not merely abstract, but central to understanding social organization and individual conduct. This paper examines two influential accounts of human nature drawn from distinct …

The Coherence Of Navayāna Pragmatism: Ambedkar And The Pragmatist Reconstruction Of Buddhist Philosophy, Danish Hamid

Comparative Philosophy

This paper examines the philosophical coherence of B.R. Ambedkar’s reconstruction of his (Navayāna) Buddhism in relation to John Dewey’s pragmatism. Building on Scott Stroud’s reading of Ambedkar as a Deweyan Pragmatist (2017, 2023), it argues that Dewey’s evolutionary naturalism, his conception of growth, and pragmatic redefinition of concepts provide Ambedkar with the methodological tools for a naturalistic and socially reconstructive reinterpretation of Buddhist doctrines such as anicca (impermanence), dhamma (Buddha’s teaching), nirvāṇa (enlightenment), karuna (compassion), etc. Ambedkar transforms impermanence from a metaphysics of flux into an ethics of progressive growth, and recasts dhamma as a social morality grounded in fraternity …

Procedure To Evaluate Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Output For Educational And Clinical Tasks, Lynn Gilbertson, Cody Marie Busch, Jon Spike, Kaitlin Demoss, Jae Thompson

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more ubiquitous and accessible, there is a call to promote awareness, implementation, and evaluation skills among AI users. Free AI platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to transform how education and healthcare tasks are approached. However, a process for evaluating AI output has yet to be standardized. The current study implemented a structured process for guiding graduate and undergraduate students through critical evaluations of various AI platforms, promoting students' critical thinking and career readiness.

Review Of "The Age Of The Gas Mask: How British Civilians Faced The Terrors Of Total War" By Susan R. Grayzel, Kyle Pritchard

Canadian Military History

Review of The Age of the Gas Mask: How British Civilians Faced the Terrors of Total War by Susan R. Grayzel

Consanguinity, Jill Carpenter

Creative Nonfiction Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Modern-World System: Europe Or Asia? Fernand Braudel & André Gunder Frank, Charles Lemert

Fast Capitalism

Author Biography

Charles Lemert, Wesleyan University

Charles Lemert is an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Wesleyan University and will soon publish: Americans Thinking America; The Bottom Turtle: Silence and Society; and. with Immanuel Wallerstein: Living Progressively in a Transitional Time.

Hamlet's Father: Hauntology And The Roots Of The Modern Self, Lukas Szrot

Fast Capitalism

In his 1949 work Hamlet's Ghost, Richard Flatter wrote of the ghost of Hamlet's father that the play ultimately belongs to him, to the ghost.   Modernity, like the play, belongs to its ghosts, to its dead fathers haunting their wayward sons, the metaphysical specters it imperfectly endeavors to exorcise. Critical theory has often focused on the possibility, and the contours, of a utopia populated by liberatory spirit and liberated persons. Less well explored, however, are the implications for tradition, religion, and the transmission of culture at a metaphorical echelon—those ostensibly "pre-modern" ideas which the broader project of Enlightenment liberalism never …