Digital Commons Network^™

A New View Of Formal Equality And A Case For Predistribution, Alex Raskolnikov

Faculty Scholarship

A long-held egalitarian view is that formal equality — the absence of formal legal distinctions based on the material resources of individuals — is regressive. If legal rules are the same for the rich and the poor, the rich benefit and the poor suffer. This Essay argues that this view is mistaken. Far from being synonymous with laissez-faire, a commitment to formal equality provides a counterweight to the key neoliberal maxim that regulation of the market economy should focus on efficiency alone. Moreover, a new view of formal equality offered here reveals a key advantage of predistribution over redistribution: Explicit …

In Silico Assessment Of Cellular Damage From Lu-177, Ac-225, And Pb-212 Therapeutic Radionuclides, Konstantinos P Chatzipapas, Konstantinos Papachristou, Dimitris Visvikis, Sebastien Incerti, John D Hazle, George C Kagadis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) has emerged as a unique and effective treatment modality for cancer. Monte Carlo simulations have greatly advanced investigations into radiation-caused DNA damage, including the complexity of this damage.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage induced by high-linear energy transfer therapeutic radionuclides used in TRT, specifically 225Ac, 177Lu, and 212Pb, using Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo simulations.

Methods: The Geant4-DNA toolkit, incorporating the "molecularDNA" example, was employed to simulate radiation interactions within a human fibroblast cell model featuring a fractal chromatin fiber geometry within an ellipsoidal nucleus. Three source geometries (membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus) were modeled to …

Colorectal-Specific Radiation Dose And Chemotherapy Risk For Subsequent Colorectal Malignancies In Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (Ccss) Report, Constance A Owens, Ethan B Ludmir, Qi Liu, Weiyu Qiu, Aashish C Gupta, Susan A Smith, Bastien Rigaud, Kristy K Brock, James E Bates, Taylor G Meyers, Arnold C Paulino, Christine B Peterson, Stephen F Kry, Jop C Teepen, Cécile M Ronckers, Joseph P Neglia, Wendy M Leisenring, Kevin C Oeffinger, Paul C Nathan, Lucie M Turcotte, David C Hodgson, Melissa M Hudson, Leslie L Robison, Chaya S Moskowitz, Gregory T Armstrong, Tara O Henderson, Yutaka Yasui, Rebecca M Howell

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Among childhood cancer survivors, we evaluated not previously explored relationships between colorectal subsequent malignant neoplasm (SMN) incidence and colorectum-specific radiation dose metrics currently used in radiation therapy (RT) planning and expanded upon previously reported chemotherapy associations.

Methods: The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) includes 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1999. RT was assessed as mean colorectal dose (MCD) and the percent volume (VX Gy) receiving ≥5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy. Chemotherapy was assessed as cumulative doses for procarbazine and platinum agents, cyclophosphamide-equivalent doses for alkylating agents, and doxorubicin-equivalent doses for anthracyclines. Piecewise-exponential models …

Intentional Creation Of Suboptimal, Realistic Dose Distributions, Skylar S Gay, Mary P Gronberg, Raymond Mumme, Beth M Beadle, Anuja Jhingran, Tze Yee Lim, Zhiqian H Yu, Christine Chung, Meena Khan, Chelsea Pinnix, Sanjay Shete, Brent Parker, Tucker J Netherton, Carlos E Cardenas, Laurence E Court

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Radiation oncology residents report a lack of understanding and confidence in assessing radiotherapy plan quality. A contributing factor is the environment in which plan review is taught during residency, that is, routine clinical practice, which does not provide ample time for self-guided practice in a low-stakes setting. Expertise in plan review requires diverse case presentation and many examples, which are often not achievable in smaller programs and for less common cancer types. As plan quality affects patient outcomes, it is important to address these pitfalls in the education of residents on plan review.

Purpose: To address the identified pitfalls …

Outcomes And Patterns Of Relapse Of Npm1 Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Venetoclax Based Therapies, Wei-Ying Jen, Sanam Loghavi, Alexandre Bazinet, Alex Bataller, Ian Bouligny, Naval G Daver, Ghayas C Issa, Naszrin Arani, Emmanuel Almanza Huante, Abhishek Maiti, Guillermo Montalban-Bravo, Gautam Borthakur, Nicholas J Short, Sherry Pierce, Elias Jabbour, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Farhad Ravandi, Hagop M Kantarjian, Courtney D Dinardo, Tapan M Kadia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Tour Of Leukemia Progress In 2025, Viewed Through The Md Anderson Leukemia Research Lens, Hagop M Kantarjian, Gautam Borthakur, Naval Daver, Courtney Dinardo, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Ghayas Issa, Elias Jabbour, Nitin Jain, Tapan Kadia, Sanam Loghavi, Farhad Ravandi, Guilin Tang, Mary Alma Welch, William Wierda

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Advances in the prognostication, monitoring, and treatment of both the acute and chronic leukemias have led to drastically improved outcomes over the past 2 decades. With the advent of targeted therapies, including antibodies such as blinatumomab and inotuzumab and small molecule inhibitors, such as the BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and venetoclax, the treatment landscape of leukemia has drastically changed, improving survival outcomes while relying less on overall chemotherapy intensity in many leukemia types. This progress has allowed the categorization of more leukemia types as favorable (i.e., chronic lymphocytic leukemia, younger acute lymphoblastic leukemia [patients younger than …

Study Of 18 F-Fluciclovine Pet For Serial Assessment Of Glioblastoma Tumor Volumes During Surgery And Radiotherapy, Samir A Dagher, Jason M Johnson, Rania M M Mohamed, Shehbaz Ansari, Osama Mawlawi, Ho-Ling Liu, Max Wintermark, Dawid Schellingerhout, Lesley Flynt, Debra N Yeboa, Jeffrey S Weinberg, Sherise D Ferguson, Maria K Gule-Monroe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Recent evidence supports incorporating 18 F-Fluciclovine PET for glioblastoma treatment planning and monitoring, as it better captures tumor infiltration compared to conventional MRI. However, the relationship between PET- and MRI-defined tumor volumes remains unclear, particularly in the post-treatment setting. This study prospectively compares tumor volumes on MRI and PET at multiple timepoints throughout the treatment course and evaluates volumetric changes with therapy.

METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 8 adults with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma treated with surgery and chemoradiation between September 2019 and 2021. Participants underwent paired 18 F-Fluciclovine PET/CT and conventional MRI at four timepoints: preoperatively, pre-radiation, and at one- and …

Acute Kidney Injury Is Associated With Elevated Urinary Endotrophin, Amanda J Clark, Brenda Mendoza Flores, Marie Christelle Saade, Kyle Q Vu, Isaac J Pence, Ningyan Zhang, Zhiqiang An, Dawei Bu, Philipp E Scherer, Samir M Parikh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is prevalent among hospitalized patients. Novel biomarkers are needed to diagnose AKI and target therapies. Endotrophin (ETP) is a molecule released during collagen type VI formation that may promote injury and fibrosis. Although serum ETP elevation has been associated with adverse outcomes in AKI, urinary ETP has not been assessed in AKI, nor has ETP been evaluated in a pediatric population. Urine samples were collected from a tertiary children's hospital. Medical records were reviewed, and patients who met criteria were sorted into three categories:

Rural School Redesign: Enacting Care And Mutuality Through Responsive Professional Development, Catharine Biddle

The Rural Educator

One of the challenges that rural schools face is a lack of school change models developed from a rural standpoint that position schools and their organizational improvement as a critical component of rural community development policy. This case study of the Rural Aspirations Project draws on an evaluation of their decade of work with 18 small and rural schools in Maine to provide curriculum support and responsive professional development. Positioning their work as a revelatory case, this article explores the organization’s embodiment of a central component of care theory—mutuality—and the ways in which this principle enabled ecologies of care between …

Designing Research With Care: A Critical Race Nepantlera Methodological Approach To Rural Latinx College Access, Mayra Puente, Lupita Romo-González, Marlene López Torres, Melissa Romero

The Rural Educator

Research has widely documented the lack of educational resources and opportunities available to rural communities. Cognizant of the structural and spatial barriers facing rural communities, this study intentionally employed a critical race nepantlera methodology (CRNM) to mitigate the adverse effects of living in geographically isolated, systemically underinvested rural areas. Rather than perpetuating a false notion of objectivity in research, the research team actively supported rural Latinx students in accessing higher education through a CRNM research design, which prioritizes the well-being of research collaborators over the study. In enacting a CRNM approach, the research team demonstrated care while increasing students’ access …

Exploring An Asset-Based Framework For The Ethics Of Care In Rural Communities, Phillip D. Grant, J. Kessa Roberts, Jamon H. Flowers

The Rural Educator

This article introduces asset-based innovation in rural education (ABIRE) as a framework for rethinking school improvement in rural communities and integrates the ethics of care as a conceptual lens to view improvement efforts. Rather than focusing on external problems or shortcomings, ABIRE centers the strengths, relationships, and resources already present in rural contexts. The framework offers a relational and locally responsive approach to educational change by drawing on principles from the ethics of care, improvement science, and asset-based community development. Through asset mapping, educators and leaders can engage in cycles of inquiry that are grounded in place and driven by …

Mindful Leadership: How Rural Principals Enact School Mindfulness Through Care And Social-Emotional Learning, Jesse Wood

The Rural Educator

This qualitative research study explored how rural secondary principals in Tennessee made sense of the practice of school mindfulness and what motivated them to engage in leadership practices that enact mindfulness in this setting. This study draws from the theoretical construct of high reliability theory (HRT) and school mindfulness: focus on failure, reluctance to simplify, sensitivity to teaching and learning, commitment to resilience, and deference to expertise. Three themes emerged: situational awareness, social-emotional learning (SEL), and care. This study extends the extant literature on school mindfulness and highlights leadership practices of care and social-emotional learning that enact school mindfulness in …

American Period Poverty: Highlighting Inequity At Home, Julia E. Lever, Phillip D. Grant

The Rural Educator

No abstract provided.

Creating A Culture Of Safety: A Rural School’S Story, Melissa Rivers, Katie Ralston

The Rural Educator

Post-pandemic measures show increases in mental health concerns, chronic absenteeism, and disciplinary incidents in schools across the US. This article focuses on how a rural school district in western New York, Silver Creek Central School District, is addressing student mental health needs, working to lower absenteeism rates, and increasing student engagement through purposeful programming and support system under the leadership of their superintendent and support from the board of education.

Beyond Community To Collective Care: Reimagining Inclusion For Rural Students With Disabilities, Y. Radeen Yang, Katie M. Mccabe, Sarah Bubash, Carlyn Mueller

The Rural Educator

This conceptual piece examines how prevailing notions of community in rural schools influence inclusive education practices for students with disabilities. While rural communities often emphasize care and belonging, these values can mask exclusionary practices when inclusion is treated as sameness or is assumed rather than actively cultivated. We explore how disability is acknowledged or overlooked within rural community traditions and how these dynamics sustain outdated models of special education service delivery and reinforce exclusionary practices. To reframe inclusion as a collective and relational practice, we introduce a care-based framework rooted in three interrelated components: mattering, interdependence, and accountability. Informed by …

Developing Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Protein Structures By 3d Food Printing Of Sorghum And Soy Protein Gels, Sorour Barekat, Ali Ubeyitogullari

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The goal of this study was to introduce the simultaneous use of hydrophobic-hydrophilic proteins bioinks for 3D food printing. Sorghum protein gel (SPG) at 25 % w/w and soy protein isolate gel (SPIG) at 11 % w/w were loaded into separate extruders. The effects of the first printed layer (SPG or SPIG), printing speed (10, 20 mm/s), and nozzle size (0.52, 0.64, 0.72 mm) on printability were evaluated. The textural properties, rheological characteristics, microstructure, crystallinities, and functional groups of the proteins were analyzed. Printing sorghum and soy proteins together helped balance essential amino acids, where lysine (94.7 %) and histidine …

Improving Infant Continuity Of Care In An Academic Center Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project., Abiye Y. Okah, Morgen L. Govindan, Rachael D. Dameron, Kristi Williams

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

INTRODUCTION: Continuity of care (COC) with an identified provider is a key principle of the patient-centered medical home. COC may be impacted by other activities that providers practicing in an academic center must engage in. The disruption of care processes during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in COC for infants attending our academic center's primary care clinic. We implemented a quality improvement (QI) project to improve the rates of infant COC.

METHODS: In 2021, we implemented a QI project with the aim of increasing the percentage of 12-month-old infants who had seen the same provider for at least …

Modeling Cell Differentiation In Neuroblastoma: Insights Into Development, Malignancy, And Treatment Relapse., Simon F. Martina-Perez, Luke A. Heirene, Jennifer C. Kasemeier, Paul M. Kulesa, Ruth E. Baker

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Neuroblastoma is a paediatric extracranial solid cancer that arises from the developing sympathetic nervous system and is characterised by an abnormal distribution of cell types in tumours compared to healthy infant tissues. In this paper, we propose a new mathematical model of cell differentiation during sympathoadrenal development. By performing Bayesian inference of the model parameters using clinical data from patient samples, we show that the model successfully accounts for the observed differences in cell type heterogeneity among healthy adrenal tissues and four common types of neuroblastomas. Using a phenotypically structured model, we show that alterations in healthy differentiation dynamics are …

Revisiting The Genetics Of Hypophosphatasia., Priya S. Kishnani, Catherine Rehder, Keiichi Ozono, Jordi Pérez-López, Guillermo Del Angel, William R. Mowrey, Meena Balasubramanian, Wolfgang Högler, Eric T. Rush

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited monogenic disorder that is typically caused by variants in the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene. Genetic testing for ALPL variant(s) to confirm the diagnosis in patients with suspected HPP is a standard practice based on availability. This review attempts to improve the current understanding of the genetics of HPP as it addresses five key related topics: (1) HPP patterns of inheritance and the relationship between HPP genotype and phenotype, (2) how the disease can manifest (including specific genotypes) in heterozygotes, (3) potential reasons why some patients have persistently low alkaline phosphatase activity yet lack …

On Neutrohyperrings And Neutroorderedhyperrings, Fakhry Asad Agusfrianto, Saba Al-Kaseasbeh, Mariam Hariri, Yudi Mahatma

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The notion of Neutrosophic sets first introduced by Smarandache in 1998 as a generalization of intu itionistic fuzzy sets. Furthermore, Al-Tahan in 2022 introduced the notion of NeutroHyperstructures. Inspired by this research, in this study, we extend NeutroAlgebra and NeutroOrderedAlgebra by introducing two new concepts: NeutroHyperring and NeutroOrderedHyperring. These new concepts enrich the existing framework by incorporating neutrosophic elements, enabling the exploration of complex relationships and uncertainties within algebraic and ordered structures. Furthermore, NeutroHyperring applications on the NeutroRing is also introduced.

Neutrosophic Approaches For Analyzing The Interaction Between The Sports Industry And Community Health: A Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Perspective, Hang Zhang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In the context of integrating sports and medicine, the evaluation of collaborative development models in community healthcare and the sports health industry can be analyzed through four aspects: resource integration efficiency, health service coverage, improvement in residents' health levels, and policy support and implementation effectiveness. These indicators help assess the model's effectiveness and promote residents' well-being and industry collaboration. The collaborative development patterns evaluation of community medical and sports health industry based on sports medicine integration is multiple-attribute decision-making (MADM). In such a study, the generalized weighted geometric Bonferroni mean (GWGBM) approach is conducted for MADM with single-valued neutrosophic sets …

A. Saranya, A. Kalavathi And S.Krishnaprakash, Neutrosophic Superhypersoft Sets, Florentin Smarandche

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Neutrosophic SuperHyperSoft Sets (NSHSS) represent an innovative extension of traditional soft set theory, integrating the principles of Neutrosophy to address uncertainties in decision-making processes. In this study, we recall the NSHSS and establish its foundational principles, including the relationships between various attributes and their corresponding values. The framework facilitates a structured evaluation process, allowing decision-makers to assess multiple proposals based on criteria such as environmental impact, feasibility, community engagement, cost effectiveness, and innovation. Each criterion is categorized into distinct levels, ranging from low to transformative, thereby enabling a nuanced analysis of project proposals. Through illustrative examples and tabular representations, we …

Short Note Of Supertree-Width And N-Superhypertree-Width, Takaaki Fujita

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper investigates the properties of tree-width and related graph width parameters for n SuperHyperGraphs, a broader generalization of hypergraphs. By exploring concepts such as SuperHyperTree width and Hypertree-width, we aim to understand how these structures resemble tree-like formations. We also analyze the relevance of these width parameters in computational contexts, following extensive research in graph theory and hypergraph applications

Hypersoft Set With Neutrosophic Sets For Quality Evaluation Of Visual Communication Design Professional Courses, Jing Yao, Xingli Wang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The quality evaluation of the Visual Communication program is a comprehensive assessment of course design, teaching effectiveness, and student learning outcomes. Through evaluation, the rationality of course content, achievement of teaching objectives, and effectiveness of teaching methods can be understood. It helps instructors improve their teaching strategies, ensuring that students acquire the necessary professional skills and theoretical knowledge. Additionally, evaluation results reflect whether the course keeps pace with industry trends and meets the needs of society and the market. Student feedback provides important references for course optimization, driving continuous improvement in teaching quality, and ultimately cultivating outstanding design talents who …

Neutrosophic Fuzzy Metric Spaces And Fixed Points For Contractions Of Nonlinear Type, Ayman.A Hazaymeh, Anwar Bataihah

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In this research, we present xed point theorems pertaining to nonlinear contractions, situated within the sophisticated framework of neutrosophic fuzzy metric spaces. Furthermore, we establish several xed point results that are pertinent to this speci c context.

Linguistic Neutrosophic Sets With Application To Group Decision-Making To Enhance The Work Effectiveness Evaluation Of University Counselors, Li Wang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The evaluation of university counselors' work effectiveness in the new era aims to assess their performance in areas such as ideological and political education (IPE), psychological counseling, academic support, and daily management. The evaluation typically includes counselors' performance in guiding students’ thoughts, promoting mental health, crisis intervention, and career planning. A scientific and comprehensive evaluation system can improve the quality of counselors' work and promote students' holistic development. The work effectiveness evaluation of university counselors is multiple-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM). Recently, Exponential TODIM (ExpTODIM) and TOPSIS approaches have been introduced to address MAGDM. The 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic sets (2TLNSs) have …

Modeling Social Evolution, Involution, And Indeterminacy: A Neutrosophic-Cultural Algorithm Approach, Antonios Paraskevas, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Neutrosophic Sociology, or Neutrosociology, is the study of sociology using neutrosophic scientific methods for understanding the dynamics of social systems within complex environments. When a social change occurs, the society evolves with respect to some parameters, regresses with respect to others, and remains the same or experiences an unclear change (indeterminacy) with respect to another set of parameters. This mirrors neutrosophic logic: true (��), neutral or indeterminate (ℐ), and false (ℱ). The main concept of cultural algorithms is a generalization of the idea that evolution has at its base both racial learning within species and social learning within human societies. …

Modified 2-Tuple Linguistic Neutrosophic Hybrid Gra Framework For Comprehensive Strength Evaluation For High-Quality Development In The Cultural Industry, Xiuhuan Feng, Yiran Feng, Xiaoyong Zhang, Shan Mi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The evaluation of comprehensive strength for the high-quality development of the cultural industry is a systematic assessment of the overall performance of the cultural sector across multiple dimensions. This evaluation covers aspects such as economic benefits, innovation capacity, social impact, cultural influence, and sustainability. By using both quantitative indicators and qualitative analysis, it measures the industry's overall competitiveness and growth potential, providing a scientific basis for policymaking, resource allocation, and industry optimization. This evaluation system helps promote high quality and sustainable growth in the cultural industry. The comprehensive strength evaluation for high quality development in the cultural industry is a …

Enhancing Business English Teaching Quality: A Single-Valued Neutrosophic Framework For Multi-Attribute Decision-Making, Lian Xue

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The evaluation of teaching effectiveness in college business English courses focuses on enhancing students' language skills, applying business knowledge, cross-cultural communication abilities, and career readiness. Evaluation methods include student feedback, exam results, class participation, and project presentations. A multidimensional evaluation system ensures course content aligns with real-world business needs, improving students' competitiveness and adaptability in a global business environment. The business English teaching quality evaluation is useful for MADM. The single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNSs) is a useful approach to administrate fuzzy information during the business English teaching quality evaluation. Currently, the Aczel-Alsina operations and power geometric (PG) approach was administrated …

A Comprehensive Discussion On Fuzzy Hypersoft Expert, Superhypersoft, And Indetermsoft Graphs, Takaaki Fujita

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Graph theory, a branch of mathematics, studies relationships among entities through vertices and edges. To capture the inherent uncertainties in real-world networks, Uncertain Graph Theory has evolved within this field. Soft Expert Graphs combine conventional graph theory with expert assessments, using fuzzy sets for vertices and edges, while allowing expert opinions to shape the uncertainties and relationships within the graph. Hypersoft Graphs extend this concept further by incorporating multi-attribute nodes that represent multiple distinct attribute values, enabling the modeling of more complex, multi-dimensional relationships. In this paper, we define the Hypersoft Expert Graph and explore its connections to other classes …