Digital Commons Network^™

Functional Connectomics Reveals General Wiring Rule In Mouse Visual Cortex, Zhuokun Ding, Paul G Fahey, Stelios Papadopoulos, Eric Y Wang, Brendan Celii, Christos Papadopoulos, Andersen Chang, Alexander B Kunin, Dat Tran, Jiakun Fu, Zhiwei Ding, Saumil Patel, Lydia Ntanavara, Rachel Froebe, Kayla Ponder, Taliah Muhammad, J Alexander Bae, Agnes L Bodor, Derrick Brittain, Joann Buchanan, Daniel J Bumbarger, Manuel A Castro, Erick Cobos, Sven Dorkenwald, Leila Elabbady, Akhilesh Halageri, Zhen Jia, Chris Jordan, Dan Kapner, Nico Kemnitz, Sam Kinn, Kisuk Lee, Kai Li, Ran Lu, Thomas Macrina, Gayathri Mahalingam, Eric Mitchell, Shanka Subhra Mondal, Shang Mu, Barak Nehoran, Sergiy Popovych, Casey M Schneider-Mizell, William Silversmith, Marc Takeno, Russel Torres, Nicholas L Turner, William Wong, Jingpeng Wu, Wenjing Yin, Szi-Chieh Yu, Dimitri Yatsenko, Emmanouil Froudarakis, Fabian Sinz, Krešimir Josić, Robert Rosenbaum, H Sebastian Seung, Forrest Collman, Nuno Maçarico Da Costa, R Clay Reid, Edgar Y Walker, Xaq Pitkow, Jacob Reimer, Andreas S Tolias

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Understanding the relationship between circuit connectivity and function is crucial for uncovering how the brain computes. In mouse primary visual cortex, excitatory neurons with similar response properties are more likely to be synaptically connected1–8; however, broader connectivity rules remain unknown. Here we leverage the millimetre-scale MICrONS dataset to analyse synaptic connectivity and functional properties of neurons across cortical layers and areas. Our results reveal that neurons with similar response properties are preferentially connected within and across layers and areas—including feedback connections—supporting the universality of ‘like-to-like’ connectivity across the visual hierarchy. Using a validated digital twin model, …

Cl-Amidine And Rapamycin Combination As A Novel Synergistic Co-Therapy For Ovarian Cancer, Victoria Walden

Longwood Senior Theses

Peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs) are a family of calcium-binding enzymes that catalyze the citrullination of arginine and methylarginine residues as a form of gene regulation. The overexpression of PAD4 in cancer cells contributes to tumorigenesis and metastasis through the accelerated formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the downregulation of the p53 pathway. Significantly elevated PAD4 levels have been observed in various ovarian cancer subtypes, and it has been proposed that this elevation is a significant contributor to the malignancy of these cancers. Thus, the purpose of this research was to explore the effect of Cl-amidine, a small organic compound …

Rethinking Reverse Logistics: Neutrosophic Strategies For Warehouse Management Challenges, Thanh- Ngan Le, Quoc-Hieu Phan, Phi Hung Nguyen, Lan-Anh Thi Nguyen

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Implementing warehouse management platforms (WMPs) in Vietnam's smart reverse logistics (SRL) sector faces numerous barriers, hindering operational efficiency and competitiveness. This study develops a robust multi-stage decision-making framework to identify, analyze, and address these barriers, filling a critical research gap in SRL practices. The proposed model integrates Neutrosophic Sets (NS) for managing uncertainties in expert evaluations with the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to examine cause-and-effect relationships among barriers. Additionally, the Neutrosophic Combined Compromise Solution (NS COCOSO) method ranks solutions for overcoming these challenges. In the first stage, key barriers—such as insufficient strategic planning, lack of expertise in …

Environmental Geography And Law: Toward A Synthesis, Michaela Anang-Hadjicostandi, Sophia Borgias, Karrigan Börk, Ann M. Eisenberg, Guadalupe M. Franco, Cinnamon Carlarne Hirokawa, Keith H. Hirokawa, Jonathan London, Melinda Morgan, Jessica Owley, Shannon Roesler, Sonya Ziaja

Articles

This Article introduces the new interdisciplinary field of Environmental Geography and Law, which has deep roots in ecology, social science, and law. Environmental and natural resources laws are situated in specific times and places where the climate, ecosystems, history and political economy influence both the land and the law. These places drive and constrain the way law develops. In turn, the law shapes places, from the dispossession and forced migration of indigenous groups, to land development via railroad land grants, to patterns of resource extraction and infrastructure development. Past efforts to integrate law and geography have focused more on critical …

Rapid Review B: Risk Factors In Terrorist Use Of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Suat Cubukcu

Reports, Projects, and Research

The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) has been tasked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support evidenced, novel frameworks that accurately represent the current nature and future trajectory of the terrorist use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) threat. In support of a subject matter expert summit meeting to be hosted in early 2025, the project team has completed three rapid review reports, which focus on key dimensions of the issue, which include emerging trends, the logic of terrorist UAS exploitation, and related risk factors.

Changes In Household Composition And Their Effects On The Academic Achievement Of Orphans And Vulnerable Children Affected By Hiv In Rural Zambia, Mei Tan, Nan Li, Ackim Mungo, Philip E. Thumac, Elena L. Grigorenko

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The African kinship system facilitates the movement of children and adults between households to mitigate hardship, yet few studies have documented membership changes in rural African households over time and addressed the effects of these household dynamics on the developmental outcomes of children. We used a household inventory instrument to document the number of changes in household membership experienced by 93 households in rural Zambia between two timepoints (∼2 years apart). We then used multilevel models to evaluate the effects of migration and household change on the academic learning of the children affected by HIV residing in these households, positing …

Gastroesophageal Reflux And Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Metabolic And Bariatric Surgery In Adolescents: An 8-Year Follow-Up Analysis, John B Rode, Suhail A Zeineddin, Jane C Khoury, Todd M Jenkins, Stephanie R Sisley, Anita P Courcoulas, Justin R Ryder, Marc P Michalsky, Thomas H Inge

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Importance: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most commonly performed metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) procedures in adolescents and adults. Despite their safety and effectiveness, there is concern over postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS), especially gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS), in those undergoing VSG.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term prevalence of GIS in adolescents who underwent RYGB or VSG.

Design, setting, and participants: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study at five academic referral centers in the United States. Patients were enrolled from February 28, 2007, through December 30, 2011. The analysis included 228 adolescents: 161 …

Suppression Of Hypothalamic Oestrogenic Signal Sustains Hyperprolactinemia And Metabolic Adaptation In Lactating Mice, Meng Yu, Bing Feng, Jonathan C Bean, Qianru Zhao, Yongjie Yang, Hailan Liu, Yongxiang Li, Benjamin P Eappen, Hesong Liu, Longlong Tu, Kristine M Conde, Mengjie Wang, Xi Chen, Na Yin, Darah Ave Threat, Nathan Xu, Junying Han, Peiyu Gao, Yi Zhu, Darryl L Hadsell, Yang He, Pingwen Xu, Yanlin He, Chunmei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

17β-oestradiol (E2) inhibits overeating and promotes brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, whereas prolactin (PRL) does the opposite. During lactation, the simultaneous decline in E2 and surge in PRL contribute to maternal metabolic adaptations, including hyperphagia and suppressed BAT thermogenesis. However, the underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we find that oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-expressing neurons in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), specifically the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and the ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamus (vlVMH), are suppressed during lactation. Deletion of ERα from MBH neurons in virgin female mice induces metabolic phenotypes characteristic of lactation, including hyperprolactinemia, hyperphagia …

Acute Kidney Injury In Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis Treated With Anakinra Plus Zinc Or Prednisone, Kavish R Patidar, Wanzhu Tu, Thomas G Cotter, Douglas A Simonetto, Amon Asgharpour, Muhammad Y Jan, Qing Tang, Yunpeng Yu, Yang Li, Moyinoluwa Taiwo, Prashanth Thevkar Nagesh, Srinivasan Dasarathy, Patrick S Kamath, Craig J Mcclain, Naga Chalasani, Gyongyi Szabo, Ramon Bataller, Mack Mitchell, Wajahat Z Mehal, Laura E Nagy, Vijay H Shah, Samer Gawrieh, Arun J Sanyal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and aims: In a recent trial, patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis treated with anakinra plus zinc (A+Z) had lower survival and higher acute kidney injury (AKI) rates versus prednisone (PRED). We characterize the clinical factors and potential mechanisms associated with AKI development in that trial.

Approach and results: Data from 147 participants in a multicenter randomized clinical trial (74 A+Z, 73 PRED) were analyzed. AKI, AKI phenotypes, and kidney injury biomarkers were compared between participants who did/did not develop AKI in the 2 treatment arms. Multivariable competing risk analyses were performed to identify baseline risk factors for incident AKI, …

Full Issue 17(2) 2025

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Alphafold 3, Ai, Antibody Patents, The Future Of Broad Pharmaceutical Patent Claims, And Drug Development, Brendan Bargmann, Robert A. Bohrer

Faculty Scholarship

Artificial intelligence (AI) will have an enormous impact both on pharmaceutical development and patent protection, particularly for antibody therapeutics. In Amgen Inc. v. Sanofi, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the scope of Amgen’s therapeutic antibody patent to only those antibodies that were specifically described in Amgen’s patent application and that had been shown to bind to a particular region of the target antigen, blocking the activity of the antigen that caused disease. The reason for this limitation was the patent requirement of enablement: that potentially millions of antibodies could be generated to the target antigen but that not all …

The Genetic In Alzheimer, Elaine Vanterpool, Cristy Jimenez

Student Posters

APOE gene (apolipoprotein E gene) can be associated with pathogenic effects, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases, though it’s not inherently pathogenic in everyone. APOE comes in different alleles (variants), with APOE ε2, ε3, and ε4 being the most common. The protein encoded by this gene (Apolipoprotein) is a major apoprotein of the chylomicron. It binds to a specific liver and peripheral cell receptor, and is essential for the normal catabolism of triglyceride rich lipoprotein constituents. This gene maps to chromosome 19 in a cluster with the related apolipoprotein C1 and C2 genes. Mutations in this …

Brca1 Variants And Associations With Breast Cancer, Elaine Vanterpool, Tessa Tsoka

Student Posters

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most life-threatening diseases throughout the world, and various genetic factors play a critical role in its development. While there are a number of gene variants associated with hereditary breast cancer, BRCA1 is an extremely important tumor suppressor gene which is responsible for the maintenance of genomic stability. BRCA1, in addition to BRCA2, is crucial for DNA repair by method of homologous recombination. Together, these genes function to prevent the accumulation of DNA damage which could cause uncontrolled cell growth, leading to the development of tumors. The tumor suppressor protein that the BRCA1 …

An Analysis Of Dguok Variants Associated With Mitochondrial Dna Depletion Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Ethan Harris

Student Posters

The DGUOK is a nuclear gene that codes for the enzyme deoxyguanosine kinase, an essential protein in maintaining mitochondrial DNA and producing mitochondria. Mutagens in this gene can result in deoxyguanosine kinase deficiency, an inherited disorder that disrupts liver, muscle, and cerebral function. Manifesting from biallelic pathogenic variants, Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome ((MDDS) is a clinically heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorders that significantly reduce the number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the affected cells. This results in stifled ATP synthesis, decreased energy reserves, and cellular dysfunction. As such, energy-dependent tissues such as the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, and …

My09b And Ctla4 Effects On Celiac Disease, Elaine Vanterpool, Blake Woode

Student Posters

Celiac disease is a disease that restricts what people can eat. When the body overreacts to gluten it damages the tiny, hairlike projections, called villi, that line the small intestine. This affects millions of Americans. In this study, we search for the genes that affect this disease and why. In this study, we will be using SIFT, simple clinvar, and SIFT. First, we will use simple clinvar. Using this tool we find the gene that is being affected which is gene MY09B. After using SIFT to determine variant pathogenicity and the potential to impact protein function we found that the …

Investigating Alk, Phox2b, And Brca2 Gene In Relation To Neuroblastoma, Elaine Vanterpool, Joshua Henry

Student Posters

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer of immature nerves. Less than 10% of neuroblastoma (NB) cases affect kids older than ten years of age. Adult occurrences of NB are extremely rare. Majority of neuroblastomas are caused by genetic alterations in neuroblasts that take place during a child's development, occasionally even prior to birth. More than 60% of survivors of long-term childhood cancer have chronic illnesses because of their treatment, and more than 25% have a serious or potentially fatal illness. Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma include bone pain or a lump in the abdomen, neck, or chest. With today's methods …

Analysis Of Sim1 Variants In Diabetes, Elaine Vanterpool, Shayne Gordon

Student Posters

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to either the body’s inability to produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the cells’ resistance to insulin (Type 2 diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is the leading cause of many complications such as kidney failure, heart disease, and loss of vision. Gestational Diabetes which is developed during pregnancy and may go away after birth. SIM1 is a gene, known as ”single-minded”, that I choose to research for this study. SIM1 is a gene that plays a role in the regulation of …

Impact Of Smad 4 Gene To Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Robert Lister

Student Posters

The SMAD family job is to aid in signal transduction of transforming growth factor �� (TGF ��), which is used as a growth hormone that aids in hyperpermeability of blood vessels, epithelial cell production, and cell differentiation. For the specific SMAD4 protein it has been to be a tumor suppressor gene that regulates the production of cells so that the abnormal production does not occur. However, with a mutated SMAD gene, these functions could be altered and cause drastic damage to the body. Learning how the SMAD 4 gene can cause diseases such as juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) and gastric …

An Analysis Of Androgen Receptor (Ar) Variants In Breast Cancer, Elaine Vanterpool

Student Posters

The androgen receptor gene is more than 90 kb long and codes for a protein that has 3 major functional domains: the N terminal domain, DNA-binding domain, and androgen-binding domain. The protein functions as a steroid-hormone activated transcription factor. Upon binding the hormone ligand, the receptor dissociates from accessory proteins, translocates into the nucleus, dimerizes, and then stimulates transcription of androgen responsive genes. This gene contains 2 polymorphic trinucleotide repeat segments that encode polyglutamine and polyglycine tracts in the N-terminal transactivation domain of its protein. Expansion of the polyglutamine tract from the normal 9-34 repeats to the pathogenic 38-62 repeats …

Hbb Gene And Sickle Cell Disease, Elaine Vanterpool, Adia Burley

Student Posters

Around 100,000 people in the US are affected by sickle cell disease. There are 8 million people worldwide who are affected by Sickle cell disease. Regarding African ancestry or those who identify as black, 9 of 10 people would have this disease. Black babies can be born with this trait, and the ratio is 1 in every 13, and around 1 in every 365 babies are born with the disease. (NHLBI) •Hemoglobin, a specific protein in red blood cells, affects sickle cell disease. Our red blood cells are important for carrying oxygen throughout our body. When we breathe, the hemoglobin …

An Analysis Of Diabetes Associated With Appl1 Variants D94n And R46w, Elaine Vanterpool, Gaielle Price

Student Posters

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body's inability to produce or effectively use insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is often linked to insulin resistance, where cells do not respond properly to insulin. The APPL1 gene encodes a multifunctional adaptor protein that plays a key role in insulin and adiponectin signaling, both of which are crucial for glucose metabolism. APPL1 enhances insulin stimulated glucose uptake by activating Akt, a major component in the insulin signaling pathway. Deficiencies in APPL1 have been linked to impaired insulin signaling, contributing to insulin resistance …

Analysis Of The Capn10 Gene In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Elaine Vanterpool, Gabrielle Murray

Student Posters

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance disorder unique to females that primarily affects the ovaries. It is common in women of reproductive age and characterized by irregular menstrual cycles and further health issues include diabetes type 2, ovarian cysts and infertility. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance. CAPN10 is the first diabetes gene to be identified through a genome scan. It was also found to be associated with other Cardiometabolic disease and PCOS. CAPN10 gene also known as the calpain-10 is a calcium dependent cysteine protease. This means its activity is regulated by calcium ions and it …

The Duality Of The Bard1 Gene, Elaine Vanterpool, Khadra Burden

Student Posters

Cancer causes cells to constantly grow and wreak havoc on the body. Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world and affects over 2 million individuals in the United States. One of the most common cancers in the US is breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in women in the US. Breast cancer occurs when the breast cells overproduce, and tumors develop and eventually spread to the rest of the body. There are several factors that increase an individual’s risk of breast cancer such as age, sex, genetics, obesity, family history of …

Unveiling Genetic Links To Hypertension: Smad4 Mutations And Their Predicted Impact, Elaine Vanterpool, Cailey Wilson

Student Posters

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a significant public health concern due to its role in increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke. Often called the "silent killer," hypertension typically presents without symptoms, leading many individuals to remain unaware of their condition until complications arise. While lifestyle factors play a crucial role in hypertension development, genetic factors have also been increasingly recognized as contributors to disease susceptibility. This study focuses on the genetic basis of hypertension by investigating the SMAD4 gene, which encodes a protein involved in intracellular signaling pathways. Mutations in …

Analysis Of The Actb Gene Pathogenicity And Its Impact On Dystonia Pathogenesis Abygail Newton And Elaine Vanterpool, Phd, Elaine Vanterpool, Abygail Newton

Student Posters

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary spasms or contractions of the muscles in one or more areas of the body, which may or may not be accompanied by pain. Over 250,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with dystonia, making it one of the three most common neurological motor diseases in the country. Dystonia does not discriminate; it can affect anyone, regardless of race or age. However, women are diagnosed with this disease at twice the rate of men. The precise cause of dystonia remains unclear, but it can be hereditary. Fortunately, we have identified …

Representation Of South Asians In U.S. American Children’S Picture Books, Eman A. Chaudhry

Senior Theses

One potential cause of racism against South Asian Americans in school could be the lack of authentic representation of South Asians in the media. A method to properly depict them is via children’s picture books, which can be used to explore different cultures within the classroom. I examined the current landscape of American children’s picture books that depict South Asians and found that the most authentic portrayals included characters embracing certain holidays or traditions. Additionally, I researched issues that affect the South Asian community, one of which includes the stigmatization of mental health. Drawing on my own experiences, I wrote …

Focal Adhesion Genes And Proteins Are Differentially Expressed Across Cell Types In Down Syndrome, Brian Yoon

Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS), caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, leads to widespread gene expression changes through mechanisms such as transcriptional dysregulation and altered protein interactions. These disruptions contribute to a range of clinical features, including impaired wound healing, immune dysfunction, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This study focused on how DS affects fibroblast morphology and motility—processes critical for tissue repair and brain development. Using quantitative immunocytochemistry and image analysis, we found that DS fibroblasts displayed a broader, less polarized shape, with increased cell perimeter and reduced aspect ratio. However, levels of key adhesion proteins like vinculin, FAK, and β-actin were …

Achieving Total Health Using Food To Heal: A Podcast On A Holistic Approach To Nutrition, Taylor Sharer

Senior Theses

Nutrition is the key to a healthy and happy life. In a world where chronic, avoidable diseases are the leading cause of death, it is necessary to educate the public on how they can improve their overall health and wellbeing using food. Every aspect of health is interconnected, and what we eat can create massive changes in our health. My project focuses on holistic nutrition, providing an easily accessible, science-based and informative discourse about how to reach health and wellness goals through a podcast. Using personalized experience combined with current research, I discuss topics such as whole foods, individualized nutrition, …

Early Motor And Language Development In Infants At Elevated Likelihood For Autism, Natalie C. Deal

Senior Theses

During the early stages of infant development, various emerging skills set the foundation for more complex abilities. One such connection is the development of motor skills, which play a crucial role in influencing language outcomes later in the infants' first year. Although these developmental cascades are well understood in typically-developing populations, less is known about the cascade in infants at elevated likelihood for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have motor delays or language delays, suggesting that the cascade from motor to language may not be typical in this population. Additionally, little is known …

The Isolation And Characterization Of Acidovorax And Brevundimonas Bacteriophages With Preliminary Biocontrol Study On Arabidopsis Thaliana, Minh Quynh N. Vu

Senior Theses

As antibiotic-resistance becomes an increasing global concern, researchers are looking for alternatives to combat phytopathogenic rhizobacteria – one of which is through the application of phage biocontrol. To elucidate the complex tripartite relationships between phage, bacteria and plant interactions, nine novel phages were isolated from potential phytopathogenic strains of Acidovorax (RBW13) and Brevundimonas (RBW18). These phages were isolated from root samples obtained from the Rocky Branch Creek and the Broad River located in Columbia, SC. Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), we identified seven “medium sized” phages (~40 kbp), one “large-sized” phage (~200 kbp), and one “small-sized” phage ( < 25 kbp). Three phages were determined to be lambda-like due to their “ladder-building” patterns on PFGE. Although spot-tests revealed that all phages seemed to have broad host ranges that spanned over multiple genera, plaque-formations must be observed in future experiments to determine if these phages can infect their hosts productively. Preliminary in planta experiments were performed on Arabidopsis thaliana …