Digital Commons Network^™

Alumni Association Announces 2025 Award Recipients, Jim Urbanek

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Alumni Association will recognize eight distinguished University of Mississippi alumni with its highest annual awards as part of Homecoming activities.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) In Zoulfa Katouh’S As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, Mai Hazem El Gebali

English Language and Literature

This paper aims to analyze the representation of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Zoulfa Katouh’s novel, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow (2022). Katouh, a Canadian-Syrian author who specializes in drug sciences, sets her debut novel against the backdrop of the war in Syria in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. The protagonist, Salama, a teenage girl pursuing an undergraduate degree in pharmacy, faces the harrowing realities of war and volunteers as a surgical assistant amidst the chaos of bombings and sniper attacks. As a result of the war, Salama tragically loses almost all her family members, and in …

Design Principles For Deployable Fibers Inspired By Hagfish Defense, Mohammad Tanver Hossain, Wonsik Eom, Pallab Layak, Jeongmin Kim, Carolyn Darling, Andrew Lowe, Douglas S. Fudge, Sameh H. Tawfick, Randy Ewoldt

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Hagfish produce extraordinary slime as a defense mechanism, releasing exudate from glands that rapidly form a fibrous, soft, ultra-dilute, water-capturing network upon contact with seawater (up to 10 000 times its original volume). The gland thread cell (GTC) produces high-strength protein threads (filament diameter df = 1–3 µm) meticulously coiled into skeins (coil diameter Do ∼ 150 µm) that rapidly unravel upon deployment to reveal their hidden length (Lf = 15 cm), forming a cohesive fibrous slime network through interaction with mucin vesicles and seawater. To date, no engineered material is able to replicate the fiber …

Treatment Of Biopsy-Proven Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ, Praneet C. Kaki, Aman M. Patel, Lily Huang, Gavin Turner, Afash Haleem, Jason A. Brant, Robert M. Brody, Ryan M. Carey

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery on overall survival (OS) in laryngeal carcinoma in situ (Cis).

METHODS: The 2006-2020 National Cancer Database was queried for adults with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of laryngeal Cis. Multivariable binary logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented.

RESULTS: Of 3567 unique patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 514 (14.4%) underwent clinical surveillance, 1074 (30.1%) underwent primary radiotherapy, and 1979 (55.5%) underwent primary surgery. Receiving treatment at an academic/research facility was associated with higher odds of undergoing primary surgery compared to primary radiotherapy. Among 646 patients undergoing primary surgery …

October 2025 Faculty Senate Packet, University Of Nebraska At Kearney Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Packets

No abstract provided.

Molecular Imaging Of The Cochlea, Parveen Bazard, Mikalai Budzevich, Xiaoxia Zhu, Bo Ding, Robert Dana Frisina

USF Patents

A novel method of measuring endocochlear potential and cochlear function in a patient is presented. The method uses nuclear imaging, such as PET or SPECT, with a radiotracer such as 201Tl to visualize any potassium ion loss in the cochlea of the patient which can contribute to auditory disorders such as hearing loss. This non-invasive technique represents a new method for auditory diagnoses by measurement of cochlear properties which can aid in the development of new therapeutics for auditory disorders.

Methemoglobinemia-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction In A Pediatric Patient, Brian Drury, Chelsea Boyd, Kelsey Van Housen, Siraj Amanullah

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Methemoglobinemia is a rare congenital or acquired cause of functional anemia resulting from oxidation of hemoglobin. Prompt recognition and treatment are critical to prevent tissue hypoxia and end-organ injury. While other complications are well described, cardiac dysfunction is rarely reported—especially in children. We present what, to our knowledge, is the first known case of methemoglobinemia-induced transient cardiac dysfunction—or “myocardial stunning— in a pediatric patient. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and assessing cardiac involvement in such patients. Early intervention can lead to full recovery and prevent long-term sequelae, even in the presence of multiorgan …

Condition Optimization For The Synthesis Of Castor Oil Templated Mesoporous Silica, Godlisten Namwel Shao

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The present work provides suitable conditions for the synthesis of mesoporous materials with improved porosity using an optimization technique. The proposed preparation method involves forming final products by varying the amount of castor oil, media, and template removal. The obtained samples were examined by TGA, XRD, DRIFT and nitrogen physisorption studies. It was observed that the porosity of the obtained samples was dependent on the conditions under which the materials were synthesized. All synthesized materials showed the Type IV adsorption-desorption isotherm features of mesoporous, regardless of the conditions utilized during the synthesis. The sample synthesized using 2.5 g of a …

The Latest In Resuscitation Research: Highlights From The 2024 American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium, Gabriela M Galli, Aarthi Kaviyarasu, Sachin Agarwal, Catherine R Counts, Tommaso Scquizzato, Betty Yang, Clark G Owyang, Ryan Coute, Simon Orlob, Lindsay Shepard, Saleem Halablab, James Horowitz, Sarah Perman, Ryan Morgan, Anne Grossestreuer, Jacob Vine, Nicholas Johnson, Luke Andrea, Ari Moskowitz, Benjamin Abella, Cameron Dezfulian, Walid H Farooqi, Felipe Teran

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Genetics-Nutrition Interactions Control Diurnal Enhancer-Promoter Dynamics And Liver Lipid Metabolism, Dishu Zhou, Ying Chen, Panpan Liu, Kun Zhu, Juliet Holder-Haynes, S Julie-Ann Lloyd, Cam Mong La, Inna I Astapova, Seunghee Choa, Ying Xiong, Hosung Bae, Marlene Aguilar, Hongyuan Yang, Yu A An, Zheng Sun, Mark A Herman, Xia Gao, Liming Pei, Cholsoon Jang, Joshua D Rabinowitz, Samer G Mattar, Yongyou Zhang, Dongyin Guan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The circadian clock controls 24-h rhythmic processes. However, how genetic variations outside clock genes impact peripheral diurnal rhythms remains largely unknown. Here, we find that genetic variation contributes to different diurnal patterns of hepatic gene expression in both humans and mice. Nutritional challenges alter the rhythmicity of gene expression in mouse liver in a strain-specific manner. Remarkably, genetics and nutrition interdependently control more than 80% of rhythmic gene and enhancer-promoter interactions (E-PIs), with a noncanonical clock regulator, estrogen-related receptor gamma (ESRRγ), emerging as a top transcription factor during motif mining. Knockout of Esrrγ abolishes strain-specific metabolic processes in response to …

A Preliminary, Photography-Based Assessment Of Bee Diversity At The Finca Botánica Organic Farm In The Central Pacific Coast Of Ecuador, Joseph S. Wilson, Tyler M. Wilson, Chris Packer, Orlando Pacheco

Biology Faculty Publications

Understanding wild bee diversity is critical for pollinator conservation, particularly in understudied tropical regions like coastal Ecuador. This preliminary study provides a photography-based assessment of bee diversity at Finca Botánica, an organic and regenerative farm on Ecuador’s central Pacific coast. Over a 10-day survey in December 2024, researchers documented 51 bee species across four families, with Apidae being the most represented. The study highlights a predominance of solitary, ground-nesting bees and a lower-than-expected diversity of Meliponini (stingless bees) and Euglossini (orchid bees) compared to other regions of Ecuador. Many species were found in forest patches, ecological corridors, and cover-cropped maize …

Spartan Daily, October 7, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 165, Issue 19

Biliverdin Reductase A Is A Major Determinant Of Protective Nrf2 Signaling, Chirag Vasavda, Ruchita Kothari, Navneet Ammal Kaidery, Suwarna Chakraborty, Sunil Jamuna Tripathi, Ryan S Dhindsa, Cristina Ricco, Shruthi Shanmukha, Samaneh Saberi, Julia E Lefler, Priyanka Kothari, Kalyani Chaubey, Adele M Snowman, Michael C Ostrowski, Eugenio Barone, Lakshminarayan M Iyer, L Aravind, Sudarshana M Sharma, Andrew A Pieper, Bobby Thomas, Solomon H Snyder, Bindu D Paul

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Biliverdin reductase A (BVRA), the terminal enzyme in heme catabolism, generates the neuroprotective and lipophilic antioxidant bilirubin. Here, we identify a nonenzymatic role for BVRA in redox regulation. Through phylogenetic, genetic, biochemical, and enzymatic assays, we found that BVRA exerts critical nonenzymatic antioxidant activity. Transcriptomic analyses further revealed that BVRA physically and genetically interacts with nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor-like 2 (NRF2), a major transcriptional regulator of cellular redox signaling. ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses reveal that BVRA and NRF2 coordinate the expression of antioxidant genes, many of which are typically dysregulated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Thus, this noncanonical …

Enhanced Piezo1 Function Contributes To The Pathogenesis Of Sickle Cell Disease, Luis O Romero, Manisha Bade, Laila Elsherif, Jada D Williams, Xiangmei Kong, Adebowale Adebiyi, Kenneth I Ataga, Shang Ma, Julio F Cordero-Morales, Valeria Vásquez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene, is characterized by sickle erythrocytes that are prone to hemolysis, leading to anemia and vaso-occlusion crises. In sickle erythrocytes, hemoglobin aggregation is followed by altered cation permeability and subsequent dehydration. Interventions that restore cation permeability can decrease hemolysis and ameliorate the symptoms associated with SCD. PIEZO1 is a nonselective mechanosensitive cation channel that regulates erythrocyte volume. Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in PIEZO1 cause hemolytic anemia by increasing cation permeability, leading to erythrocyte dehydration in humans and mice. Although PIEZO1 plays a key role in erythrocyte …

Phosphorylation Of Ryr1 At Ser2902 Decreases Ca2+ Leak In Skeletal Muscle And Susceptibility To Malignant Hyperthermia And Heat Stroke, Rachel Sue Zhen Yee, Chang Seok Lee, Ting Chang, Sung Yun Jung, Omar Yousif, Courtney Cavazos, John Colyer, Filip Van Petegem, George G Rodney, Susan L Hamilton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) is the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel required for both skeletal muscle contraction and Ca2+ leak. Mutations in RYR1 cause malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS) and enhanced sensitivity to heat stroke (ESHS), which can result in death due to excessive skeletal muscle thermogenesis upon exposure to volatile anesthetics or heat. Here, we investigated the molecular and physiological functions of phosphorylation of RYR1 at Ser2902 by the kinase SPEG (striated muscle preferentially expressed protein). Muscle from SPEG-deficient mice expressing RYR1 with a Ser2902 →Asp2902 (S2902D) point mutation to mimic phosphorylation by SPEG showed decreased SR Ca2+ …

Advances In Fret Methodologies For Probing Molecular Interactions, Geetika Verma, Vasanthi Jayaraman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has evolved into a powerful, quantitative approach for probing biomolecular structure, dynamics, and interactions. This research highlight brings together recent studies in Biophysical Journal that push the boundaries of traditional FRET. These innovations expand the spatial and temporal resolution of FRET, enabling its application to increasingly complex biological systems.

Representation Is Power: Traditional, Hybrid, And Digital Recruitment Results From A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial Engaging Adolescents, Taylor B Harrison, Jessica A Sinclair, Lisa J Martin, Kristin Childers-Buschle, Holly Elder, Sunyang Fu, Hongfang Liu, William B Brinkman, Melanie F Myers, Michelle L Mcgowan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Clinical trials support the iterative advancement of modern medicine. However, challenges in achieving population-representativeness or participant sampling commensurate with the burden of disease can limit the generalizability and reproducibility of trial results. Here, we present the recruitment strategies and cohort profile of the Engaging Adolescents in Decisions about Return of Genomic Research Results non-randomized clinical trial (NCT0448106), where traditional, targeted hybrid, and digital recruitment methods were implemented with quota sampling to enroll diverse adolescents (ages 13-17) and young adults (ages 18-21). The largest proportion of participants enrolled through digital strategies (39.1%), followed by traditional (34.2%), and targeted hybrid strategies (23.2%). …

Functional Diversity In Gii.4 Norovirus Entry: Hbga Binding And Capsid Clustering Dynamics, B Vijayalakshmi Ayyar, Carmen V Apostol, Janam Jitendra Dave, Soni Kaundal, Joseph A Kendra, Frederick H Neill, Khalil Ettayebi, Sarah Maher, Ramakrishnan Anish, Gabriel I Parra, Göran Larson, Robert L Atmar, Sue E Crawford, B V Venkataram Prasad, Mary K Estes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs), especially GII.4 strains, are the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis worldwide, yet no approved vaccines or antivirals exist. The pandemic GII.4 Sydney 2012 strain enters cells via membrane wounding and clathrin-independent carrier-mediated endocytosis, but it is unclear whether this entry mechanism is conserved across GII.4 variants. We compared early binding and entry of multiple GII.4 variants using wild-type and mutant GII.4 virus-like particles (VLPs) and modified human intestinal enteroid cultures. Only a subset of GII.4 variants, including GII.4 Sydney, form distinct, histo-blood group antigen (HBGA)-dependent capsid clusters on the cell surface. Clustering strains display significantly enhanced …

Re: Butte Priority Soil Operable Unit (Bpsou) Final Bres No. 35 Del Monte Reclamation Improvement Field Sampling Plan, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Fiber Recruitment Drives A Phase Transition Of Cell Polarization At A Critical Cell Spacing In Matrix-Mediated Tissue Remodeling, Xiangjun Peng, Yuxuan Huang, Wenyu Kong, Yanan Du, Elliot L Elson, Xi-Qiao Feng, Guy M Genin

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Biological tissues exhibit sharp phase transitions where cells collectively transition from disordered to ordered states at critical densities. We demonstrate through bio-chemo-mechanical modeling that this emergent behavior arises from a nonmonotonic dependence on nonlinear extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics: mechanical communication between cells is optimized at intermediate stiffness values where cells can both generate sufficient forces and create strain-stiffened tension bands in the ECM. This balance establishes a critical cell spacing threshold for cell-cell communication ([Formula: see text]100 to 200 [Formula: see text]m) that is conserved across experimental observations for a broad range of cell types and collagen densities. Our model …

Scientific Authority In The Public Sphere: The Heroic Legacies Of Carl Sagan And Philip Zimbardo, Scott T. Allison

Heroism Science

This article examines the parallel trajectories of Carl Sagan and Philip Zimbardo as scientists who assumed the role of public intellectuals. Their careers highlighted the tensions and opportunities inherent in bridging scholarly research and public engagement. Sagan, an astronomer, popularized the cosmic perspective to promote planetary stewardship, while Zimbardo, a social psychologist, used compelling methodologies to explore the psychological underpinnings of cruelty and heroism. Both were, in their own ways, heroic in their commitment to making science accessible, employing storytelling and mass media to render complex concepts understandable and relevant, thereby expanding the societal relevance of their disciplines. However, their …

Evaluating Gender Policy In Kazakhstan: A Dual Perspective On Politics And Economics, Elmira Kagazbaeva, Ulzhan Kazybekova, Madina Axakalova

Journal of International Women's Studies

This article aims to advance gender studies in Kazakhstan by examining the underlying causes of inequality in the political and economic spheres. It holds both scientific and practical significance in identifying the challenges to gender equality in Kazakhstan and exploring potential solutions that could be applicable to other countries. The methodological framework of the study is grounded in a gender-based approach, complemented by general scientific and specialized methods of inquiry, including structural, functional, and content analysis of official documents. The research is supported by an analysis of official statistics and the legal framework governing gender-related issues. Kazakhstan’s gender policy is …

Undoing Gender Performativities In Nawal El Saadawi’S Woman At Point Zero, Tobe Levin Von Gleichen, U. H. Ruhina Jesmin, Tasnuva Khair

Journal of International Women's Studies

Physician, psychiatrist, and Marxist activist for women’s rights, Nawal El Saadawi (1931-2021) published fiction and non-fiction exposing how a capitalistic, phallocratic social order keeps Egyptian women in thrall to men through violent suppression. Women are exploited by men, who see women as weak and prey on these presumed docile subordinates in a display of masculinity. Deciphering the effects of this gendered performativity through the lens of Judith Butler, El Saadawi’s novel Woman at Point Zero (1977/2015a), or Ferdaous, une Voix en Enfer (El Saadawi, 1977/2007) in French, provides a narrative whose significance is amplified by Butlerian theory. The protagonist, …

The Effectiveness Of Teaching The Internet Of Things Course Using The Numbered Heads Strategy In Developing The Basics Of The Internet Of Things And The Attitude Towards The Course Among Second Year Secondary School Students, Faisal Fahad Alshammari

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

The aim of this research is to identify the effectiveness of teaching the Internet of Things course using the numbered headings strategy in developing the basics of the Internet of Things and the attitude towards the course among second-year secondary school students in the city of Hail. To achieve this goal, the research relied on the quasi-experimental approach, and a random sample of students in the second year of secondary school in the computer and engineering track in the city of Hail was selected. They numbered (30) students, and they were divided into two experimental and control groups. The tool …

A Proposed Vision For Science Courses In Technical Colleges In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia In Light Of The Dimensions Of The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Ibrahim Ahmad Ibrahim Alfarhan

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

The study aimed to identify the requirements of the fourth industrial revolution that must be included in the content of science curricula in technical colleges and the availability of the requirements of the fourth industrial revolution that must be included in the content of science curricula in technical colleges. The research is a descriptive approach to reach the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution that must be available in science courses in technical colleges, where the sample was the content of science courses (General Physics, General Chemistry 111, General Biology, 101 Chemistry) in technical colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi …

Keys For Success When Using An Integrative Interprofessional Teaching Model: A Synergistic Approach, Hon-Vu Quang Duong, Nina Marcellus, Sandip Thanki

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This study presents a longitudinal analysis of the qualitative experiences and quantitative outcomes associated with integrative, interdisciplinary teaching in the context of a specific nursing course, Pathophysiology (NURS 337), at a public, 4-year, state college (now university). Spanning an 8-year period, from 2014–2022, the research compares two distinct student cohorts: one exposed to collaborative interdisciplinary teaching methods, the other to traditional non-collaborative instructional approaches. The findings reveal that integrative, interdisciplinary teaching yielded significant benefits across multiple metrics. Notably, integrative, interdisciplinary teaching contributed to a more normalized distribution of grades, higher student retention rates, and an elevated cumulative GPA at the …

Service Design In The Age Of Ai – An Analysis Of Real-World Use Cases, Himanshu Warudkar

ServDes Conference Series

This paper analyses the critical intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Service Design, exploring how AI integration fundamentally reshapes business operations and customer interactions. Through a qualitative study of real-world use cases, this research provides a comprehensive overview of current applications, categorizing them into mechanical, thinking, and feeling AI to frame the discussion. The analysis illuminates’ opportunities and challenges presented by this technological convergence. It addresses key paradoxes, such as augmentation versus automation, and investigates the ethical, legal, and societal implications of human-AI collaboration. This work bridges research gaps by providing a richer conceptualization of AI's impact, offering a framework …

Bridging The Learning Gap In Inclusive Preschool Classrooms: Impact Of Soft Teaching Materials On Behavioural Challenges, Sree Rajitha, Shahid Mohammad

ServDes Conference Series

An inclusive classroom embraces diversity while nurturing the shared bond of childhood, giving an equitable opportunity for every child to learn and grow, irrespective of their cognitive capabilities. Children with sensory processing disorders tend to get disruptive when emotionally frustrated or overwhelmed. Oftentimes, these disruptions give rise to safety concerns, emphasizing the need for safe teaching materials and the presence of support teachers. Soft tools serve as safe and engaging alternatives, simultaneously facilitating tactile therapy for emotional self regulation. This study applies service design principles to enhance and expand the role of soft teaching materials from mere toys to tools …

From Affirmative-Technological To Critical-Humanistic Tech Trends: A Speculative Framework For Service Design Futures, Yong-Ki Lee

ServDes Conference Series

This paper presents a speculative framework for service design education, practice, and research in light of emerging technologies. It examines the evolution of service design through stages, from its foundations to a “thinking” era, and proposes a model for “Service Design 2.0” that considers industry-led, human-centred, and information driven approaches. The paper explores future trends in service design practice, emphasizing socio-technical systems thinking and learning systems. Design research is discussed in terms of evolving user-designer interactions, moving toward symbiotic relationships where designing and using become intertwined. Finally, the paper advocates for a balanced design education that integrates arts, engineering, computer …

Structural Coupling As A Strategy For Achieving Stakeholder Co-Benefits: A Case Of Public Service Design In Shanghai Community Childcare, Yuqing Wang, Wanqiang Li, Fei Hu

ServDes Conference Series

Stakeholder co-benefits are critical in public service design, yet existing tools lack systemic capacity to articulate multi-stakeholder values and resources. To address this, the study responds to public service design complexity by leveraging structural coupling theory to identify actionable co-benefit opportunities. Grounded in this theory, it proposes a three-phase service innovation framework—Structural Coupling Status (CS), Structural Coupling Gap (CG), and Structural Coupling Opportunity (CO)—as a design tool that integrates diverse stakeholders’ motivations, activities, and rights/responsibilities (M.A.R.) into a reciprocal analytical structure. Validated through a case study on Shanghai’s public childcare services, the framework identifies coupling mismatches and enhances resource integration …