Digital Commons Network^™

Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio As A Prognostic Factor Of Survival Outcomes In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy, Pablo Llerena, Praneet C. Kaki, Kathryn Nunes, Eric Mastrolonardo, Kelly Bridgham, Annie Moroco, Hani Samarah, Mouadh Barbirou, David Baek, Chun Wang, Voichita Bar-Ad, David Cognetti, Joseph Curry, Jennifer M. Johnson, Hushan Yang, Larry A. Harshyne, Adam J. Luginbuhl

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker in cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), reflecting the link between inflammation and cancer immune response. This study examines NLR's prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients receiving neoadjuvant ICI therapy, focusing on its potential as an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including three neoadjuvant trials: durvalumab ± metformin, nivolumab ± tadalafil, or nivolumab ± BMS-986205 from 2017 to 2022. Pre-treatment NLR was calculated using absolute neutrophil and absolute lymphocyte counts obtained before neoadjuvant …

Testing And Evaluation Of Generative Large Language Models In Electronic Health Record Applications: A Systematic Review, Xinsong Du, Zhengyang Zhou, Yifei Wang, Ya-Wen Chuang, Yiming Li, Richard Yang, Wenyu Zhang, Xinyi Wang, Xinyu Chen, Hao Guan, John Lian, Pengyu Hong, David W Bates, Li Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The use of generative large language models (LLMs) with electronic health record (EHR) data is rapidly expanding to support clinical and research tasks. This systematic review characterizes the clinical fields and use cases that have been studied and evaluated to date.

Methods: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines to conduct a systematic review of articles from PubMed and Web of Science published between January 1, 2023, and November 9, 2024. Studies were included if they used generative LLMs to analyze real-world EHR data and reported quantitative performance evaluations. Through data extraction, we identified …

Large Language Models For Bioinformatics, Wei Ruan, Yanjun Lyu, Jing Zhang, Jiazhang Cai, Peng Shu, Yang Ge, Yao Lu, Shang Gao, Yue Wang, Peilong Wang, Lin Zhao, Tao Wang, Yufang Liu, Luyang Fang, Ziyu Liu, Zhengliang Liu, Yiwei Li, Zihao Wu, Junhao Chen, Hanqi Jiang, Yi Pan, Zhenyuan Yang, Jingyuan Chen, Shizhe Liang, Wei Zhang, Terry Ma, Yuan Dou, Jianli Zhang, Xinyu Gong, Qi Gan, Yusong Zou, Zebang Chen, Yuanxin Qian, Shuo Yu, Jin Lu, Kenan Song, Xianqiao Wang, Andrea Sikora, Gang Li, Xiang Li, Quanzheng Li, Yingfeng Wang, Lu Zhang, Yohannes Abate, Lifang He, Wenxuan Zhong, Rongjie Liu, Chao Huang, Wei Liu, Ye Shen, Ping Ma, Hongtu Zhu, Yajun Yan, Dajiang Zhu, Tianming Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

With the rapid advancements in large language model technology and the emergence of bioinformatics-specific language models (BioLMs), there is a growing need for a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape, computational characteristics, and diverse applications. This survey aims to address this need by providing a thorough review of BioLMs, focusing on their evolution, classification, and distinguishing features, alongside a detailed examination of training methodologies, datasets, and evaluation frameworks. We explore the wide-ranging applications of BioLMs in critical areas such as disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and vaccine development, highlighting their impact and transformative potential in bioinformatics. We identify key challenges and …

Beyond Short Microhomologies: Mismatch-Compatible Pol Θ-Mediated Dna Damage Repair, Yuzhen Li, Richard D Wood

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

DNA polymerase θ (Pol θ)-mediated end-joining (TMEJ), one of several pathways for repairing DNA double-strand breaks, is traditionally thought to initiate via anchoring at short, consecutive, and perfectly matched microhomologies (MHs). Emerging evidence indicates that Pol θ can utilize MHs containing mismatches both in vitro and in vivo. This revised definition of MH provides a mechanistic explanation for a broader spectrum of Pol θ-dependent repair outcomes. Here, we summarize recent findings on the revised definition of MHs utilized by Pol θ, assess the applicability of this concept across species, and compare TMEJ with other (micro)hom(e)ology-mediated repair pathways. We explore how …

Testing And Evaluation Of Generative Large Language Models In Electronic Health Record Applications: A Systematic Review, Xinsong Du, Zhengyang Zhou, Yifei Wang, Ya-Wen Chuang, Yiming Li, Richard Yang, Wenyu Zhang, Xinyi Wang, Xinyu Chen, Hao Guan, John Lian, Pengyu Hong, David W Bates, Li Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

           Background: The use of generative large language models (LLMs) with electronic health record (EHR) data is rapidly expanding to support clinical and research tasks. This systematic review characterizes the clinical fields and use cases that have been studied and evaluated to date.

Methods: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines to conduct a systematic review of articles from PubMed and Web of Science published between January 1, 2023, and November 9, 2024. Studies were included if they used generative LLMs to analyze real-world EHR data and reported quantitative performance evaluations. Through data extraction, we identified …

Physical Activity In Osteosarcoma Patients During And Post Therapy: A Single Site Prospective Observational Study, Elysia R Cohen, Clark Andersen, Karen Moody, Maria C Swartz, Michael C Robertson, Alakh Rajan, Theresa Honey, Sandra Lugo, Grace Waterman, Keri Schadler

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Many patients face long-term impairments in their mobility and function after treatment, leading to a decrease in their quality of life. Exercise has been shown to improve functional recovery and improve quality of life in patients with cancer, though data specific to children with osteosarcoma are sparse. Exercise has also been shown to be feasible in patients undergoing chemotherapy, with numerous potential benefits to health and quality of life. To design the most effective exercise interventions for children and adolescents with osteosarcoma, we must first understand the …

Trends And Challenges: A 15-Year Review Of Imaging And Radiation Oncology Core Anthropomorphic Phantom Audits For Proton Therapy, Lian Duan, Hunter S Mehrens, Stephen F Kry, Jessica R L Lowenstein, Nadia Hernandez, Lucas B Acuna Scafati, Paige A Taylor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the trends in institutional performance on Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) proton phantoms and to investigate the impact of treatment parameters on proton therapy delivery accuracy.

Materials and methods: We analyzed 402 IROC anthropomorphic phantom audits performed by 57 institutions worldwide between 2009 and 2024, including brain, head and neck (H&N), spine, prostate, lung, and liver phantoms. Dosimetric assessments included thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for dose comparison and gamma analysis of radiochromic film. The lung and liver phantoms were irradiated with simulated motion. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between treatment parameters …

An Adp Getaway Service, Not An Atp Tank: Insights Into The Phosphagen System In Neurons, Madeline P Marques, Kartik Venkatachalam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Defining A Quantitative Threshold For Adaptive Re-Planning Using A Percentile-Based Scoring System, Alexandra O Leone, Christine B Peterson, Anna Lee, Adam S Garden, G Brandon Gunn, Lauren L Mayo, Amy C Moreno, Steven J Frank, C David Fuller, Jay P Reddy, Karen Hoffman, Ivan Vazquez, Ming Yang, Joshua S Niedzielski, Laurence E Court, Thomas J Whitaker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Despite the frequent need for adaptive planning in head and neck proton therapy, no quantitative indicators have been identified to determine when a plan should be adapted. Here, we aimed to determine a quantitative threshold for the change in plan quality between the primary treatment plan and verification plans that correlates with the physician's decision to adapt.

Methods: Primary treatment and verification plans were extracted from the clinical treatment planning system for 167 patients who underwent intensity-modulated proton therapy for base of tongue, tonsillar, or oropharyngeal cancers, with and without nodal involvement, between 2016 and 2021. All plans were …

Clemastine Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits In An Experimental Rat Model Of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion, Xuemei Zong, Zhihai Huang, Fanfei Kong, Yu Feng, Yulan Zhang, Peibin Zou, Hung Wen Lin, David C Hess, Quanguang Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) profoundly affects patient well-being and has been proposed as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. However, due to the limited understanding of the pathophysiology of CCH, there are currently no effective preventive or therapeutic approaches for CCH-associated cognitive impairment. Therefore, identifying new targets for CCH is essential to bridge this knowledge gap. In this study, we sought to determine whether enhanced myelination could prevent cognitive impairment associated with CCH. Experimental CCH was induced via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) in rats, and clemastine, a well-established pro-myelinating agent, was administered to boost myelin renewal. …

Pennies In The Bank: Building Background Knowledge, Brooke Lee Webster

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

Across the United States, teachers are met with stringent time requirements that may not align with the needs of the students inside the classroom. This paper explores the efforts of condensing and prioritizing in a diverse classroom. Through a reflective narrative of teaching comprehension to emerging bilingual students, this paper presents a structure that leverages morning meetings and discussion as prongs for maximizing the benefit of students within limited instructional minutes. Tasks that build competence, confidence, and connection cycle to foster the environment that students need to thrive. Additionally, this paper investigates the role of building background knowledge in …

Supporting English Language Learners: A Comprehensive Guide For Long-Term Success, Yana Shifrina-Piljovin

Journal of English Learner Education

Abstract

This literature review provides a thorough examination of the various multifaceted challenges encountered by Long-Term English Language Learners (LTELLs) in educational settings. It critically analyzes the effectiveness of current support systems and instructional strategies, synthesizes relevant recent research findings, and offers targeted recommendations aimed for educators and policymakers striving to improve educational outcomes for LTELLs. The review evaluates the efficacy of existing support frameworks and teaching methodologies, synthesizes contemporary research findings, and presents actionable recommendations for educators and legislators to enhance the learning outcomes of these students.

Supporting English Language Learners LTELLs) in classroom settings requires a deep understanding …

Are Testing Accommodations Helping Or Not? A Review Of English Learner (El) Accommodations On Standardized Tests, Cole Forbes

Journal of English Learner Education

This paper examines and critiques English Learner (EL) testing accommodation policies. They have been ineffective at increasing test scores and accessibility. The policies have mandated that EL students participate in high-stakes assessments with accommodations, and sometimes without them. The purpose of the accommodation is to create an even playing field for all test-takers, so that no subgroup is put at a disadvantage, which would compromise their scores and lead to misclassification of students. Laws and Acts such as the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, No Child Left Behind, and the Every Student Succeeds Act have updated and mandated a more …

Differentiated Instruction For Multilingual Learners: A Thematic Analysis Of Research And Practice, Mohsine Bensaid, Jiayuan Jiang

Journal of English Learner Education

Differentiated instruction (DI) is widely promoted as a means of supporting diverse learners, yet its enactment for multilingual learners (MLs) remains uneven and under-theorized in mainstream classrooms. This study examines how DI is conceptualized and implemented to support MLs by attending to learners’ linguistic, cultural, and academic profiles. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this qualitative synthesis examines 20 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024 in English-medium K–12 contexts in the United States, with particular attention to elementary settings when specified. Analytic interpretation was supported by practitioner-based reflection functioning as an interpretive lens rather than a separate data source. Four …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Achieve3000 On The Reading Comprehension Scores Of Ells With Ld, Paula P. Fields

Journal of English Learner Education

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was to determine if a significant difference existed in the comprehension scores of secondary English Language Learners with learning disabilities after treatment. The problem addressed is that a significant correlation exists between English language learners and learning-disabled students’ low reading proficiency scores and student achievement, leading to decreased graduation rates. Schema theory served as the theoretical foundation of this research because when the appropriate schema is activated, it helps increase comprehension. The research question guiding this study was: Is there a significant difference between the reading comprehension scores of high school English language …

Reading Comprehension Interventions For Multilingual Learners With Disabilities: A Systematic Review, Sariya Shabnam, Jennifer E. Smith, Samiratu Bashiru

Journal of English Learner Education

Multilingual learners with disabilities (MLWDs) face substantial barriers to reading comprehension given the intersecting challenges of language acquisition and disability (Artzi et al., 2022; Frates et al., 2024). Students with disabilities often need explicit, strategy-based instruction with modeling, guided practice, and scaffolding (Frates et al., 2024; Wawire et al., 2024; Moura, 2024). When learners are also multilingual, interventions must be linguistically accessible and responsive to diverse cognitive profiles (Moura, 2024; Sarisahin, 2020). MLWDs comprise 15.8% of English learners in U.S. public schools (NCES, 2024), yet research on effective comprehension interventions remains limited; most studies treat multilingual learners or students with …

The New Red Scare: The Shocking Truth Behind The Fda's Unethical Regulation Of Red 40 And Other Synthetic Food Dyes, Angelica Martuscello

Pace Law Review

For decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed synthetic food dyes to remain in the American food supply, despite evidence linking them to cancer and behavioral issues in children. These additives offer no nutritional value yet remain common in everyday products. This essay scrutinizes the FDA’s failure to enforce its own legal obligations, particularly its continued approval of synthetic dyes, which were later found to be harmful to human health. Harmful dyes have been kept on the market due to weak oversight, outdated science, and industry lobbying. In 2025, the FDA finally announced a plan to phase …

Lessons In Pedagogy: My Experience With Problem-Based Learning, Leslie Y. Garfield Tenzer

Pace Law Review

This Article chronicles my experimental adoption of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in first-year Contracts. After three decades of conventional teaching, I observed that Gen Z students struggled to transition from undergraduate memorization strategies to law school-level analytical reasoning, prompting my desire to engage in a fundamental pedagogical change. Drawing on successful PBL implementations in medical and mathematics education, I restructured my Contracts course around collaborative problem-solving in small groups, transforming my role from lecturer to facilitator. Students worked through authentic legal scenarios at whiteboards, developing rule-based reasoning through active engagement rather than passive reception.

This article first details my reasons for …

On Some Temporal Values Of The Verb Kan (To Be) In Moroccan Arabic, Zahra Zaid

Faits de Langue et Société (FLS)

The expression of tense is a universal characteristic of natural languages. Each one has a linguistic resource to locate the process on the tense axis in relation to the speaker's present or in relation to other processes. In this contribution, we propose, from the description of a corpus of simple verbal sentences, to identify some temporal values rendered by the verbal forms composed of the auxiliary kan (to be) and the verbal predicate in Moroccan Arabic (AM). The aim is to show that other categories can provide details on the functioning of temporality in Moroccan Arabic, such as the verb …

Digital Practices Among Young Oasis Women: Tailor-Made Internet Connections, Douha Ejjaouani, Zakaria Kadiri

Faits de Langue et Société (FLS)

Cette étude analyse l’appropriation des technologies numériques par les jeunes femmes de l’oasis de Toudgha (Tinghir) à travers le prisme de la sociocritique et des études de genre. Dans un contexte marqué par un contrôle patriarcal, le smartphone apparaît comme un outil de « braconnage » quotidien. À travers une intimité « sous la couette », l’espace virtuel devient un refuge nocturne, favorisant l’expérimentation identitaire face aux stigmates sociaux tels que le divorce et le mariage précoce. Fondé sur trente entretiens qualitatifs, l’article explore la tension entre l’émancipation numérique et la reproduction des inégalités du monde réel. Si le monde …

Gender Inequalities In Morocco: Between Attempts At Destabilization And Patriarchal Continuity, Osire Glacier

Faits de Langue et Société (FLS)

This text explores gender inequalities in Morocco by articulating patriarchal continuity and attempts at destabilization through gender studies. It takes as its starting point the pioneering initiative of Fatima Sadiqi, who founded the first women's research center (1996) and the first gender studies unit (2000) at the University of Fez. These structures aimed to introduce the concept of gender into the humanities and social sciences to deconstruct sociocultural obstacles to equality. Since then, the integration of similar programs in other universities has strengthened the visibility of these issues in higher education. Based on a discourse analysis of representations of women, …

Reply To The Letter-To-Editor On Article "Evaluation Of Left Ventricular Function In Coronary Artery Ectasia: The Added Value Of 2d Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography", Osama Elshaer

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

No abstract provided.

Informing Consumer Product Sound Quality Analysis Using Generative Adversarial Networks, Daniel Jeffery Lesko, Vinh Nguyen

Michigan Tech Publications

Sound quality attributes have been proven important predictors of customer satisfaction with consumer goods and appliances. The results of several studies indicate that level-based, tonal, and temporal aspects of sound influence the perceived quality of consumer products. The current state-of-the-art of inferring consumer satisfaction with sound attributes is based on the jury test methodology. However, product engineers often find the models generated from these studies incomplete, resulting in products that fail to meet consumer expectations. Therefore, this study aims to utilize generative data-driven approaches to create a range of acceptable sound quality attributes given consumer satisfaction requirements. A baseline sound …

Trust In Regulation In A Time Of Revolution, Cristie Ford

All Faculty Publications

In a moment when big-P Politics feel practically catastrophic, the suggestion that we should be focusing on regulation could seem foolish, or worse: it could seem like some kind of self-serving effort to pretend our work rearranging deck chairs continues to matter. Regulation can feel like the opposite of resistance, and resistance is on many peoples’ minds these days, particularly in the United States. And, the goal of this paper is to argue that failing to focus on regulation – and especially on trust in regulation, in this time of revolution – would be a terrible mistake. Regulation is at …

Interdependence And Portfolio Analysis Of Property Sector Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits) In Malaysia During Covid-19, Muhammad Aqhari Azmi, Muhammad Zaim Razak

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

This study examines the benefits of incorporating Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) into a mixed-asset portfolio, with a focus on the periods preceding, during, and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilises daily data from 1 January, 2018 to 21 October 2024, sourced from the Datastream database. By utilising the Dynamic Conditional Correlation-Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (DCC-GARCH) model, the study examines the volatility of office property REITs and retail property REITs, as well as the linkages between these assets and stocks and bonds. The findings reveal that REITs exhibit unique volatility structures and correlations with other financial assets, which …

Influence Of Time Management Skills And Technostress On Academic Performance Among The Private University Students: A Conceptual Framework, Jogtika Ramasamy, Nasreen Khan Thandar Oo

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

Digital tools enhance learning but can also cause technostress, which can impact focus and academic performance. Balancing technology use with effective time management and social engagement is key to student success. Students in Malaysia's Klang Valley reported increased feelings of loneliness, mental health issues, and technostress, particularly as a result of the shift to online learning. This study aims to propose a conceptual framework based on the Study Demand-Resources Theory, examining how time management skills and technostress dimensions influence academic performance through the mediating role of student engagement. A quantitative and cross-sectional survey will be conducted by distributing Likert scale …

Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Wearable Technology In The Malaysian Healthcare Sector: A Conceptual Framework, Syeda Hafsa Rizwan, Anusuyah Subbarao, Nasreen Khan, Farrukh Ahmed Khan, Shaikh Fazlur Rahman, Nimra Aziz, Syed Muntazir Azhar Shah

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

This conceptual paper examines the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven wearable technology, including smartwatches, fitness trackers, wearable ECGs, glucose monitors, and pain management devices, in transforming healthcare in Malaysia. Despite the extreme potential to enhance patient care and healthcare monitoring, the adoption of AI-driven wearable technology remains limited due to several persistent barriers. The purpose of this study is to examine these challenges and propose a framework to improve the integration of AI-driven wearable technology in Malaysia’s healthcare system. Grounded in the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, this study examines how five key innovation attributes —relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, …

Innovative Approaches To E-Grocery: Analyzing Customer Satisfaction In Facebook Livestream Shopping, Karen Tien Wan Lin, Vincent Oh Kim Seng, Hasliza Hassan, Shaikh Fazlur Rahman

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

The primary objective of this study is to examine the crucial determinants that influence customer satisfaction in Facebook livestream e-grocery shopping in Malaysia, with a particular focus on housewives as a significant consumer segment. A sample of 220 respondents was selected using simple random sampling, and the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis confirms the hypotheses that customer satisfaction in Facebook Livestream e-grocery shopping was influenced by factors such as product quality, security, website design, delivery service and e-service quality. Interestingly, three factors, including information quality, payment method, and product variety, were …

Artificial Intelligence And Employee Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review, Dombagaha Pathiranage Marian Shavini Medonka Peiris

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming modern workplaces by offering opportunities to enhance employee well-being while simultaneously introducing significant challenges. Although scholarly interest in the intersection of AI and well-being is growing, empirical research in this domain remains limited and underdeveloped. This study's primary objective was to assess the current knowledge in this domain, with a secondary aim of identifying critical research gaps to inform future investigations. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, this systematic literature review analysed 23 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025, sourced from the Lens.org and ProQuest databases and was guided by the Job Demands Resources (JD–R) model. …

Subdimensions Of Technostress Across Industries: A Systematic Review, Jogtika Ramasamy, Nasreen Khan Thandar Oo

International Journal of Management, Finance and Accounting

Technostress is the stress induced by the use of digital technologies, which has attracted growing academic interest due to its multidimensional nature and impact across various industries. In this light, the aim of this systematic review was to analyse the most frequently reported sub-dimensions of the technostress creator's framework, identify the issues related to the dimensions of technostress and to evaluate how technostress is conceptualised as a unidimensional or multidimensional construct. Based on Scopus as the single database, 52 empirical papers were retrieved that have been published from 2020 to 2025 mid and were subject to a structured dimension-mapping approach. …