Digital Commons Network^™

Are We Too Invested In Sports?, Joshua E. Hollinger

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"What would it look like to rein in and re-orient our love of sports, such that it becomes part of our worship of the one true God?"

Posting about a balanced perspective on sports from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

Are We Too Invested in Sports?

Targeted Delivery Of Rapamycin Via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors In Pancreatic Cancer Cells Inhibits Cell Proliferation And Induces Apoptosis, Adeolu S. Oluremi, Christofer Baldwin, Nickolas L. Gustavision, Mujeebat Bashiru, Adeniyi Nsiah Oyebade, Noureen Siraj, Raj Raghavendra Rao, N. Ali

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is aggressive and deadly; most PC cells overexpress an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR-targeting peptide (GE11) was conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for delivering rapamycin (Rap), an mTOR inhibitor that reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis. Biophysical techniques confirmed the conjugation. Rap loading efficiency was 41.5%, with sustained release at a lower pH. Conjugates showed higher uptake in PANC-1 cells than unmodified AuNPs. It also inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis via pathways involving reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and caspase activation. This approach represents a promising nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy targeting PC cells, utilizing GE11-EGFR interactions to minimize …

Potential Of Legume Seeds From The Leguminosae Family As Material Source Of Food And Medicine : A Literature Review, Ni Made Ayu Gangga Dewi, Nina Dewi Oktaviyanti, Aurapa Sakulpanich, Kartini Kartini

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Leguminosae, also known as Fabaceae, is the third largest plant family after Orchidaceae and Asteraceae. This review aimed to explore the potential of several legume species indigenous to Indonesia, from the Leguminosae family, as sources of food and medicine. The data used for the analysis were collected from various online databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The results showed that there were 13 species of Leguminosae family plants found easily in Indonesia including Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformis, Mucuna pruriens, Arachis hypogaea, Vigna subterranea, Glycine max, Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus lunatus, Vigna radiata, Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata, Vigna angularis, Vigna …

Optimization Of Formula, Stability Testing, And Antioxidant Activity Of Clay Masks As Skin Moisturizers, Naniek Widyaningrum, Agung Dwi Anggoro Bhakti, Alghafiqy Harya Evan Maulana, Amalia Safitri, Adinda Fajrah Ramadhani, Anisa Febriani, Anggit Naufal Hanafi, Thendi Abdul Arief

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Clay masks are cosmetic formulations designed to adhere closely to the skin, effectively lifting contaminants, cleansing the face, and absorbing impurities. We made a clay mask containing active ingredients such as niacinamide, alpha arbutin, ceramide, and hyaluronic acid. A careful selection of ingredients is essential for ensuring safety and mitigating potential dermatological issues. This study aimed to evaluate the physical characteristics, stability, primary irritation potential, and moisturizing efficacy of this clay mask formulation. Kaolin and bentonite are the primary base materials. The research included formulation optimization and physical stability testing using a cycling test, where each cycle was conducted over …

#Bergeraklebihbaik As A Cultural Campaign: Brand Activation, Digital Lifestyle, And Urban Health Consciousness In Contemporary Indonesia, Putri Ayu Ningtyas, Hardika Widi Satria, Besty Priyandhini, Naldo Tantuah, Muhammad Heychael, Nazira Shafera Kirana

International Review of Humanities Studies

In today's hyper-competitive branding environment, marketing strategies are no longer solely focused on product promotion but have evolved into cultural practices that shape societal norms, values, and identities. This study explores how Pristine, a premium bottled mineral water brand, utilized brand activation through the #BergerakLebihBaik campaign to not only increase brand awareness but also construct a cultural narrative around health, wellness, and lifestyle among urban Indonesian consumers. Through a mixed-method qualitative approach including social media observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, this research demonstrates how the campaign functioned as a cultural artifact that mediated discourses of modern health, digital engagement, …

Indian Cosmology And Archaeoastronomy Of The Khmer Stone Temples In Sakon Nakhon-Thailand, Duangden Boonpok

International Review of Humanities Studies

This article is multidisciplinary study of cosmology, archaeology and astronomy of the Khmer stone temples in Sakon Nakhon. The study investigates of the temple’s architectural structure and environmental geography which related to the astronomical knowledge. The result of study found that the plan and structure of temples is influenced by the concept of Indian cosmology which has Mount Meru as the central axis. Buildings is signified as mountain or heaven with high and multi-layered base. The main building is symbolically important as the origin of power for the whole temple. The objects and positions are the transforming of cosmology concept …

The Influence Of The Dutch East Indies Government’S Ethnic Politics On Discrimination Against The Chinese Ethnic Group In Batavia (1946–1950), Zaky Rizqy Zaidaan Fadrin, Fajar Muhammad Muhammad Nugraha

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study explains how discrimination was experienced by ethnic Chinese in Batavia in the early post-independence period in 1946–1950, with an emphasis on the influence of ethnic politics practiced by the Dutch East Indies colonial government. The purpose of this study is to analyze the pattern of discrimination against ethnic Chinese influenced by the legacy of colonial racial segregation. The method used is qualitative historical descriptive. The main sources of this study come from letters of complaint from the Chinese community in 1946–1949 in the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) and newspaper articles from 1950 from De …

The Comparison Of Classical Tafsir And Contemporary Interpretation Regarding The Verses Of Astrophysics And Cosmology In The Qur’An, Azra Ansharullah, Basuni Imamuddin

International Review of Humanities Studies

As time progressed, various kinds of discoveries in the field of science emerged one by one, especially in the field of Astronomy and its "little brother" Astrophysics. This opens up opportunities for everyone to research things that have been researched from a new perspective, such as researching the Koran from a science and technology perspective. There are 310 instances in the Qur'an where the word "heaven" is mentioned, and within them, there are various statements regarding the nature, phenomena, and other things related to the sky. With the progress of technology, there is undoubtedly a gap in the interpretation and …

Symbols And Power Discourses In Three Shadow Puppet Performances Of The Murwakala Play, Ayuk Latifah, Darmoko Darmoko

International Review of Humanities Studies

This study analyzes the symbols and discourses of power in three Purwa shadow puppet performances of the Murwakala play, styles of Surakarta, Yogyakarta, and Banyumas. The Murwakala play, centered on themes of purification and the transformation of power, contains a rich narrative for analyzing power dynamics through the interactions between characters such as Batara Kala (a form of destructive power), Batara Wisnu (a form of constructive power), and Batara Guru (a form of cosmic order). Using a qualitative approach, this research integrates Geertz's theory of cultural symbolism and Foucault's discourse of power to analyze how power is represented and negotiated …

The British Colonial Land Policy And The Development Of Plantation Agriculture In Colonial Southwestern Nigeria, Adesola S. Adesote

International Review of Humanities Studies

The main thrust of this paper is to critically analyse the impact of the colonial land policy of the British on plantation agriculture in colonial Southwestern Nigeria. Although land legislation had been introduced as far back as the late 19^th century, such as the Public Lands Ordinance of 1876 later renamed the Public Lands Acquisition Ordinance of 1917, it was vigorously pursued with the imposition of colonial rule in the period between 1900 and 1960. It argued that the introduction of land policy by the British in order to achieve her economic objective in Nigeria led to the commercialisation …

Soft Power: Brics Cultural Diplomacy And The Rebalancing Of Global Narratives, Brice Tseen Fu Lee, Kotchaphop Kornphetcharat, Juan Pablo Sims

International Review of Humanities Studies

BRICS has broadened its agenda beyond finance to cultivate soft power through coordinated cultural diplomacy. Examining official statements, press releases, and scholarly commentary on the bloc’s flagship film, sports, and ministerial initiatives, this article shows that cooperation is advancing from one-off spectacles toward structured, recurring institutions. Findings indicate two simultaneous dynamics: outwardly, BRICS venues amplify Global-South perspectives that diversify international cultural flows; inwardly, member states use the same platforms to signal national prestige, revealing persistent status competition. The result is an early but uneven cultural architecture—one that counters Euro-Atlantic narrative dominance yet has not crystallized into a fully coherent BRICS …

Effective Strategies That Marketing Leaders Use To Increase Fan Base, Denise Leslie Rosa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite its growth and potential, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) consistently struggles to generate profit, remaining unprofitable in its 28th (2024) season and heading into its 29th (2025) season. The inability of women’s professional basketball marketing leaders to generate increased revenue and fan engagement has limited the sport’s growth and visibility. Grounded in McCarthy’s four Ps of marketing concept that includes product, price, place, and promotion, the purpose of the qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore effective and innovative marketing strategies that marketing leaders use to increase the revenue of women’s professional basketball teams and their …

Neighborhood Environment And Incident Diabetes, A Neighborhood Environment-Wide Association Study ('Ne-Was'): Results From The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos (Hchs/Sol)., Cara M. Smith, Elizabeth W. Spalt, Linda C. Gallo, Jordan A. Carlson, Matthew Allison, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Christina Cordero, Qibin Qi, Earle C. Chambers, Martha Daviglus, Amber Pirzada, Gregory A. Talavera, Robert Kaplan, Joel D. Kaufman, Stephen J. Mooney

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among the Hispanic/Latino population. Type 2 diabetes incidence rates vary between neighborhoods, but no single aspect of the neighborhood environment is known to cause type 2 diabetes. Using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohort of 16,415 Hispanic/Latino adults in four major US cities, we conducted a neighborhood environment-wide association study to identify neighborhood measures or clusters of measures associated with diabetes incidence. Two-hundred and four neighborhood measures were calculated at the census tract level or within a 1-km buffer of participants' residential addresses. Independent covariate-adjusted and survey-weighted Poisson …

Network Intelligence For Next-Generation Wireless Networks: Advancing Distribution And Coordination, Yonatan Melese Worku

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Next-generation wireless networks, encompassing 6G and beyond, face rigorous demands for ultra-low latency, ubiquitous connectivity, exceptionally high data rates, and robust security, necessitating innovative approaches to resource optimization and network protection. This dissertation proposes a pioneering framework that synergizes advanced methodologies—deep reinforcement learning, deep learning, blockchain, and multi-agent systems—to address these challenges. Distributed architectures, underpinned by AI-driven multi-agent systems, form the backbone of this framework, enabling seamless integration and intelligent orchestration across diverse domains. The research advances IoT-based systems leveraging machine learning for resource efficiency in healthcare applications, develops reinforcement learning-driven frameworks to optimize energy and coverage for Unmanned Aerial …

Lifestyle Factors Contributing To Occupational Heat-Related Acute Kidney Injury, Jonathan Specht, Fabiano Amorim, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes, Zachary Mckenna, Zachary Schlader

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Workers worldwide are at risk for acute kidney injury due to hyperthermia and dehydration as a consequence of exertional heat stress. Limited research has explored the impact which lifestyle agents such as beverages, recreational drugs, and medications have on core temperature, hydration, and risk of acute kidney injury during physical work in the heat. To address this research gap, we explored the impact of three agents frequently used by construction workers on thermoregulation and markers of risk of acute kidney injury. First, we investigated the effect which ibuprofen ingestion has prior to one hour of running in the heat on …

Deaf Black Youth's Narratives About Identity And Education, Dominic A. Harrison

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This study is significant in exploring the different ways in which Deaf Black youth construct their identities through the use of narrative inquiry. Educators of Deaf youth should acknowledge how the identity journeys of Deaf Black youth are often affected by the school and home communities. This research employed narrative inquiry to understand how Deaf Black youth construct their identities as Black Deaf individuals. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a theoretical framework with the guidance of Intersectionality and Dis/ability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) lenses, the study specifically examined four Deaf Black youth’s narratives to highlight how they construct and …

Assessing The Ecological Drivers And Consequences Of Partial Migration In Hudson River Striped Bass Over Three Decades, Caitlin Egan Zimmer

Biology ETDs

Climate change and shifts in human land use have caused extensive impacts to the connectivity, structure, and resilience of aquatic populations. Partial migration (PM), where only some individuals from a population migrate while the rest remain resident, can mitigate population-level responses to environmental stressors. However, little is known of the underlying mechanisms promoting variation in migration and whether these shift over time. In the Hudson River Estuary, striped bass (Morone saxatilis) are known to exhibit anadromous PM behavior. Here, I measured carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) of essential amino acids in striped bass scales to determine variation in …

Networked Systems: Synchronization, Decomposition And Transient Dynamics, Amirhossein Nazerian

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This dissertation investigates synchronization, transient dynamics, control, and signal amplification in networked dynamical systems. First, it examines complete and cluster synchronization, including cases with large parametric mismatches, in both natural (e.g., brain networks, fireflies) and technological systems (e.g., power grids, robotics). Second, it studies transient dynamics in consensus processes, designing synchronization strategies that link reactivity, contraction theory, and Lyapunov exponents. Third, it addresses the computational limits of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for large networks by introducing an algebraic decomposition method that enables parallel online computation of smaller subproblems, enhancing MPC performance under hardware constraints. Finally, it analyzes the structural role …

Instability Analysis In Cylindrical Thin Film–Compliant Core Structures: Numerical Simulations And Effects Of Inelastic Deformation, Md Al Rifat Anan

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

When a thin film bonded to a thick compliant substrate is subject to in-plane compression, wrinkles can develop if the critical state for instability is reached. In various applications the film/substrate system may also take the form of cylindrical fibers, where an axial compressive loading can trigger axisymmetric wrinkles. A straightforward computational approach to simulate such wrinkling behavior is needed for material design, to either prevent wrinkling or to exploit its benefits for flexible device applications. In this work a comprehensive numerical study is undertaken by employing the finite element method. The embedded imperfection approach used previously for planar structures …

Multiscale And Multi-Model Studies Of Metal Plasticity, Luo Li

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Plastic deformation is the process in which the material deforms permanently due to external effects. Twinning and slip are two main mechanisms of plastic deformation in metallic materials. The prominent mechanism of plastic deformation in metals that have FCC crystal structures is slip or gliding movement of dislocations, which is mainly focused on here. In the current study, frameworks for investigating plasticity phenomena of metals at different scales ranging from microscale to macroscale are demonstrated. Specifically, the macroscale modeling of plastic response of metallic materials induced by indentations are emulated by nonlinear FEA simulations. Simulation results of macroscale modeling are …

Elevated Nr2f1 Underlies The Persistence Of Invasive Disease After Treatment Of Braf-Mutant Melanoma, Manoela Tiago, Timothy J. Purwin, Casey D. Stefanski, Renaira Oliveira Da Silva, Mitchell E. Fane, Yash Chhabra, Jelan I. Haj, Jessica L. F. Teh, Rama Kadamb, Weijia Cai, Sheera Rosenbaum, Vivian Chua, Nir Hacohen, Michael A. Davies, Jessie Villanueva, Inna Chervoneva, Ashani T. Weeraratna, Dan A. Erkes, Claudia Capparelli, Julio A. Aguirre-Ghiso, Andrew E. Aplin

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Despite the success of targeted inhibitors in cutaneous melanoma, therapeutic responses are limited by the aged tumor microenvironment and drug-tolerant residual cells. Given the similarities between drug tolerance and cellular dormancy, we studied the dormancy marker, nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1 (NR2F1), in response to BRAF-V600E inhibitors (BRAFi) plus MEK inhibitors (MEKi) in BRAF-mutant melanoma models. Transcriptomic analysis of melanoma patient samples treated with BRAFi + MEKi showed increased NR2F1. NR2F1 was highly expressed in the drug-tolerant invasive cell state of minimal residual disease in patient-derived and mouse-derived xenografts on BRAFi + MEKi. NR2F1 over-expression was sufficient …

Phase Nanoscopy With Correlated Frequency Combs, Xiaobing Zhu

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

In this dissertation a sensing method applying to any physical quantity that modifies optical phase is developed. Two pulses are produced inside a synchronously pumped Optical Parametric Oscillator, generating two identical, undistinguishable frequency combs. The physical quantity to be measured applies a small phase shift/round trip to one of the pulses, resulting in a frequency shift of the corresponding comb. The latter frequency is measured as a beat by interfering the two combs on a detector. A world record resolution, close to the quantum limit, of 0.033 nanoradian (corresponding to 0.006 fm in displacement) is achieved. A detailed analysis of …

An Arc Of Time Through Crime: Representations Of Gypsies And Travellers In Police Killings, Coretta Phillips, Becky Taylor, Zoë James

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines newspaper stories reporting on the killings by Gypsy and Traveller offenders of PC Leslie Meehan in 1960 and PC Andrew Harper in 2019. These media representations are used as heuristic devices to explore differing media discourses about this white minority ethnic group. Sixty years apart, these stories demonstrate supportive media commentary in the earlier period and more corrosive coverage in the recent period. Making a contribution to historical criminology and its consideration of race, this paper draws from extensive archival analysis and the extant literature. It highlights the political-economic significance of home ownership, the partial inclusion of …

Interdependence And Place In Mescalero Homelands, 1660-1865, Joseph A. Ukockis

History ETDs

This dissertation examines strategic relationships that Mescalero Apaches made among themselves and with non-Mescalero communities from 1660 to 1865. It references Mescalero place names in piecing together pertinent stories across their vast ancestral homelands, demonstrating regional continuities in social, political, and economic dynamics over two centuries. It argues that bonds of interdependence, rather than armed resistance, were critical in maintaining autonomy and the ability to move freely, conduct effective diplomacy to protect claims to homelands, access resources in times of scarcity, and form key alliances that presented possibilities for resistance to colonial domination. Central to these dynamics were Mescalero and …

College Football Or Abortion Education? An Examination Of The University Of Arizona’S 1974 Stadium Bonds Bill, Emma Masterson

History ETDs

In 1974 the University of Arizona renovated their football stadium through a bonds bill passed by the state legislature. The renovations allowed the university to increase the stadium’s capacity by 17,000 seats. While in the state house, an Arizona Congressman attached a rider to the bonds bill banning the university’s medical school from performing abortions in most circumstances, effectively barring the university from teaching the medical students how to perform the procedure as well. This thesis seeks to position the University of Arizona football stadium renovations and abortion ban within the larger histories of American higher education and Arizona. This …

But Who Is It For? Introducing A Framework For Critical Reflection On Design And Delivery Of Ethical Participatory Research, Hannah Gardiner, Clare Pettinger, Louise Hunt, Mary Hickson

School of Health Professions

Delivering ethical collaborative research is challenging, requiring disruption of assumptions, academic norms, and ways of working–including long-standing power dynamics. This article proposes a framework to support critical reflection on participatory practice; an adaptation of the wheel of consent. The adapted ‘ILBR’ framework explores the balance of who Initiates (makes requests/offers), does Labour (the action), gets Benefits, and takes on Risks (ILBR) in the conduct of research. This aims to support reflexive design and delivery of ethical participation, including a shift towards consent becoming an ongoing multi-way negotiation of agreements. Particularly it aims to support ‘interpersonal reflexivity’, and navigation of the …

Transforming Cancer Care: A Narrative Review On Leveraging Artificial Intelligence To Advance Immunotherapy In Underserved Communities, Victor M. Vasquez Jr., Molly Mccabe, Jack C. Mckee, Sharon Siby, Usman Hussain, Farah Faizuddin, Aadil Sheikh, Subramanian Dhandayuthapani, Shrikanth Gadad, Jessica Chacon

School of Medicine Publications

Purpose: Cancer immunotherapy has transformed oncology, but underserved populations face persistent disparities in access and outcomes. This review explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can help mitigate these barriers. Methods: We conducted a narrative review based on peer-reviewed literature selected for relevance to artificial intelligence, cancer immunotherapy, and healthcare challenges, without restrictions on publication date. We searched three major electronic databases: PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and arXiv, covering both biomedical and computational literature. The search included publications from January 2015 through April 2024 to capture contemporary developments in AI and cancer immunotherapy. Results: AI tools such as machine learning, …

Glucose Metabolism And Its Direct Action In Cancer And Immune Regulation: Opportunities And Challenges For Metabolic Targeting, Bo-Syong Pan, Che-Chia Hsu, Hsin-En Wu, Yuan-Ru Chen, Xiaobo Zhou, Shu-Chi Wang, Chia-Yang Li, Hui-Kuan Lin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glucose metabolism is a pivotal hub for cellular energy production and the generation of building blocks that support cell growth, survival, and differentiation. Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to sustain rapid proliferation, survive in harsh microenvironments, and resist therapies. Beyond producing energy and building blocks to meet cancer cell demands, glucose metabolism generates numerous metabolites that serve as signaling molecules, orchestrating signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications that regulate cancer cell phenotypes and immunity. In this review, we discuss how glucose, through its metabolism and direct actions, influences diverse biological processes driving cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, while also exploring metabolic …

Elizabethkingia Infections - An Important Emerging Cause Of Sepsis And Meningitis In Neonates And Infants: Case Series From North Batinah Region, Oman, And Literature Review, Mohammed Said Al Reesi, Latifa Abdullah Al Muttawa, Mariam Abdullah Albolushi, Naima Salim Al Risi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Elizabethkingia species, particularly E. anophelis and E. meningoseptica, are gram negative bacilli known to be associated with neonatal infections. Although these bacteria are rare, they are highly concerning pathogens associated with severe sepsis, bacteraemia and meningitis in neonates and immunocompromised individuals. Managing Elizabethkingia infections presents significant challenges because of their multidrug resistance, including resistance to most β-lactam agents. They have been implicated in both nosocomial and community outbreaks worldwide, often with high mortality rates. In Oman, Elizabethkingia infections are underreported, with only 1 publication documenting 2 cases of E. meningoseptica bacteraemia and meningitis, both of which were successfully …

Acceptance Analysis Of The Employee Management Information System (Simpeg) At The Ministry Of Tourism Using Utaut, Muhammad Alfa Tanzil, Istiadi Soenarto

Jurnal Administrasi Bisnis Terapan

The Employee Management Information System (SIMPEG) is utilized by the Ministry of Tourism to support digital personnel administration management. Although SIMPEG has been implemented, its success largely depends on employees’ acceptance of the system. This indicates that system availability alone does not ensure successful implementation without an understanding of the factors influencing its use. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the acceptance of SIMPEG by applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. A quantitative approach was used, with data analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Data were collected from 67 …