Digital Commons Network^™

Digital Reflections: Evaluating Body Dissatisfaction In Xr Through Eye- And Body-Tracked Virtual Humans, Deyrel Diaz

All Dissertations

In an era where digital and physical realities increasingly intertwine, the perception of body image is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditional understandings of body dissatisfaction, long studied in relation to psychological distress and eating disorders, are now being reshaped by technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificially Intelligent (AI)- generated media. These technologies have introduced novel ways of experiencing and interacting with the human form, raising critical questions about their impact on self-perception and internalization of beauty standards.

As virtual representations become more prevalent in entertainment, social media, and interactive platforms, it is becoming more crucial …

Atomic-Scale Engineering Of Dilute Pd–Cu Alloys For Selective Electrocatalytic Cox Reduction, Zehua Jin

All Dissertations

The excessive release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere has become a major cause of global warming and ocean acidification, threatening the sustainability of human life on Earth. To address this challenge, scientists are exploring ways to convert CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals instead of simply capturing and storing it. One promising approach is electrocatalysis, which uses electricity—potentially from renewable sources—to drive chemical reactions that transform CO2 under mild, environmentally friendly conditions.

This research aims to understand how the arrangement of atoms in metallic catalysts affects the conversion of CO2 and carbon monoxide (CO) into valuable products such …

Cosmic Duets: A Search For Binary Supermassive Black Holes In Merging Galaxies, Sagar Adhikari

All Dissertations

Galaxies are vast cosmic islands of stars, dust, and gas. They come in various shapes and sizes. They might look static for the timescales we are used to, but they are dynamic and collisional systems that can merge with other galaxies to make bigger galaxies. Most galaxies, including the Milky Way, host a central supermassive black hole (SMBH) with a mass greater than a million (sometimes a billion) times the mass of the Sun. When galaxies merge, their SMBHs form a binary system before ultimately merging. These cosmic duets are of great interest to astronomers and astrophysicists as they are …

Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette Acceptability Among Adult Men And Women Who Smoke Combustible Cigarettes, Jason D Robinson, Yong Cui, Maher Karam-Hage, Janice A Blalock, Sanjay Shete, Peiying Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: The U.S. electronic cigarette marketplace is diverse and has evolved rapidly. To provide a standardized research model, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse developed the Standard Research E-Cigarette (SREC). This study characterized potential gender differences in product use, acceptability, reinforcement, and nicotine dependence symptoms when switching from combustible cigarettes (CCs) to nicotine and placebo SRECs.

Method: In total, 169 adults (82 women) who smoke were enrolled in this all-remote randomized double-blind crossover trial. During Weeks 1-2, participants used their usual brand cigarettes (UBCs). During Weeks 3-4 and 5-6, they were instructed to use the tobacco-flavored SREC (either nicotine …

Inhibiting Monocyte Migration Reduces Arterial Thrombosis And Facilitates Thrombolysis, Hee Jeong Jang, Jiwon Kim, Ha Kim, Taesu Kim, Jinyong Chung, Marvin Krohn-Grimberghe, Dawid Schellingerhout, Matthias Nahrendorf, Dong-Eog Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Monocytes contribute to the initiation and propagation of venous thrombosis. Little is known about the roles monocytes play in arterial thrombosis, the cause of stroke and myocardial infarction.

Methods: We investigated how CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) knockout (-/-)-mediated monocyte deficiency affects platelet function, blood coagulation, thrombus volume, and thrombolytic susceptibility in 666 male mice with FeCl3-mediated carotid arterial thrombosis, including 365 C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice, 295 CCR2-/- mice, and 6 CX3CR1-GFP (CX3C chemokine receptor 1-green fluorescent protein) mice.

Results: Intravital microscopy and flow cytometry showed that both neutrophils and monocytes were recruited to the acute arterial thrombus, …

Lymphodepletion, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, And High Versus Low Dose Il-2 Followed By Pembrolizumab In Patients With Metastatic Melanoma, Merve Hasanov, Simin Kiany, Marie-Andrée Forget, Roland Bassett, Michael A Davies, Jeffrey E Gershenwald, Jeffrey E Lee, Anthony Lucci, Jennifer L Mcquade, Sapna P Patel, Merrick I Ross, Hussein A Tawbi, Jennifer A Wargo, Michael K Wong, Chantale Bernatchez, Patrick Hwu, Cara Haymaker, Rodabe N Amaria

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of unengineered tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) combined with pembrolizumab and either high (HD, Arm-1) or low (LD, Arm-2) doses of IL-2 in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM). Patients were lymphodepleted with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, followed by TIL infusion and IL-2 (Arm-1: 720,000 IU/kg IV q 8 hrs up to 15 doses; Arm-2: 2 million IU SC for 14 days). Patients received pembrolizumab 200 mg IV starting 21 days post-TIL infusion, and every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. Blood samples were collected …

Study Protocol For Project Shine (Sleep Health Initiative For Equity): A Community-Based Pilot Rct To Promote Sleep And Physical Activity Among Black/African American Adults, Ivan Hc Wu, Lorna Mcneill, Kristen Knutson, Yisheng Li, Diwakar Balachandran, Pamela L Lutsey, Shikha Bista, Rachel Price, Vanessa Anyanso, Taylor Smith, Rev Melvin Miller

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Black/African American (AA) adults experience shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality compared to White counterparts, contributing to higher risks of chronic diseases. Project SHINE (Sleep Health INitiative for Equity) aims to address these sleep disparities by evaluating the feasibility, satisfaction, and plausibility (i.e., preliminary efficacy) of a culturally tailored sleep intervention designed to improve sleep duration and physical activity among AA adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 not meeting physical activity and sleep guideline recommendations.

Methods: This pilot community-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) includes two phases. Phase 1 involves qualitative interviews with AA adults to explore …

Meniscal Repair In The Setting Of Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: 6-Year Follow-Up Results From The Mars Cohort, Jake A Fox, Laura J Huston, Amanda K Haas, Jacquelyn S Pennings, Christina R Allen, Thomas M Deberardino, Brett Brick A Lantz, Kurt P Spindler, Michael J Stuart, Annunziato Ned Amendola, Christopher C Annunziata, Robert A Arciero, Bernard R Bach, Champ L Baker, Arthur R Bartolozzi, Keith M Baumgarten, Jeffrey H Berg, Geoffrey A Bernas, Stephen F Brockmeier, Robert H Brophy, Charles A Bush-Joseph, J Brad Butler V, James L Carey, James E Carpenter, Brian J Cole, Jonathan M Cooper, Charles L Cox, R Alexander Creighton, Tal S David, David C Flanigan, Robert W Frederick, Theodore J Ganley, Charles J Gatt, Steven R Gecha, James Robert Giffin, Sharon L Hame, Jo A Hannafin, Christopher D Harner, Norman Lindsay Harris, Keith S Hechtman, Elliott B Hershman, Rudolf G Hoellrich, David C Johnson, Timothy S Johnson, Morgan H Jones, Christopher C Kaeding, Ganesh V Kamath, Thomas E Klootwyk, Bruce A Levy, C Benjamin Ma, G Peter Maiers, Robert G Marx, Matthew J Matava, Gregory M Mathien, David R Mcallister, Eric C Mccarty, Robert G Mccormack, Bruce S Miller, Carl W Nissen, Daniel F O'Neill, Brett D Owens, Richard D Parker, Mark L Purnell, Arun J Ramappa, Michael A Rauh, Arthur C Rettig, Jon K Sekiya, Kevin G Shea, Orrin H Sherman, James R Slauterbeck, Matthew V Smith, Jeffrey T Spang, Col Ret Steven J Svoboda, Timothy N Taft, Joachim J Tenuta, Edwin M Tingstad, Armando F Vidal, Darius G Viskontas, Richard A White, James S Williams, Michelle L Wolcott, Brian R Wolf, James J York, Rick W Wright

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Meniscal preservation has been demonstrated to contribute to long-term knee health and has been a successful intervention in isolation and in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The long-term results of meniscal repair in the setting of revision ACLR have yet to be documented.

Purpose: To report the incidence of meniscal repair failures at the 6-year follow-up in a cohort of patients who underwent concurrent revision ACLR and primary meniscal repair.

Study design: Prospective cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: All revision ACLRs with concomitant primary meniscal repair cases from a multicenter group between 2006 and 2011 …

A Person-Centered Approach To Digital Health Technologies For Cancer Prevention: Qualitative Findings On Use Of Technology-Based Interventions In Houston, Texas, Preena Loomba, Scherezade Mama, Thuan Le, Stacy Mitchell, Elizabeth Dominguez, Larkin L Strong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and obesity are significant, yet preventable contributors to morbidity and mortality among adults. This qualitative study examined internet access and technology use, and barriers and facilitators to engaging in digital cancer prevention programs.

Methods: We conducted 30-60-min semi-structured interviews of Hispanic adults (n = 12) and cancer survivors (n = 10) from two lifestyle intervention trials (September 2021-April 2022) in Houston, Texas, who transitioned from in-person to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews examined in-person versus virtual experiences and were thematically analyzed.

Results: Participants (95 % women, mean age for Hispanic adults …

Fusobacterium Sphaericum Sp Nov, Isolated From A Human Colon Tumor Adheres To Colonic Epithelial Cells And Induces Il-8 Secretion, Martha A Zepeda-Rivera, Yannick Eisele, Alexander Baryiames, Hanrui Wu, Claudia Mengoni, Elsa F Mcmahon, Dakota S Jones, Hans Hauner, Samuel S Minot, Nicola Segata, Floyd E Dewhirst, Christopher D Johnston, Susan Bullman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancerous tissue is a largely unexplored microbial niche that provides a unique environment for the colonization and growth of specific bacterial communities, and with it, the opportunity to identify novel bacterial species. Here, we report distinct features of a novel Fusobacterium species, F. sphaericum sp. nov. (Fs), isolated from primary colon adenocarcinoma tissue. We acquire the complete closed genome and associated methylome of this organism and phylogenetically confirm its classification into the Fusobacterium genus, with F. perfoetens as its closest neighbor. Fs is phenotypically and genetically distinct, with morphological analysis revealing its coccoid shape, that while similar to …

Does Reducing Videofluoroscopy Frame Rate Affect Dige/St Grades In Modified Barium Swallow Studies?, Shitong Mao, Carla L Warneke, Sheila N Buoy, Ariana J Sahli, Brinda Rao Korivi, Kristy K Brock

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Understanding the effects of reduced frame rates on the reliability of Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) ratings for swallowing safety and efficiency is essential for clinical practice. While previous research has examined frame rate (simulated pulse rates) implications concerning penetration, aspiration, and residue ratings, the impact on summary grading systems like the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) remains unclear. This study analyzed a total of 315 full MBS videos collected from 278 patients, and 76.25% of patients were diagnosed with head and neck cancer (mean age 62.51 years, SD 8.53; 12.23% female). We performed pairwise comparisons of DIGEST grades …

Smags-Lasso: A Novel Feature Selection Method For Sensitivity Maximization In Early Cancer Detection, Hamid Khoshfekr Rudsari, Sara Khorami-Sarvestani, Johannes F Fahrmann, James P Long, Samir Hanash, Ehsan Irajizad

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Sensitivity and specificity are foundational metrics for cancer detection tools. However, most machine learning algorithms prioritize overall accuracy during optimization, which fails to align with clinical priorities of early detection. We aim to develop a feature selection machine learning algorithm while maximizing sensitivity at a given specificity.

Methods: We developed SMAGS-LASSO, a machine learning algorithm that combines our developed Sensitivity Maximization at a Given Specificity (SMAGS) framework with L1 regularization for feature selection. This approach simultaneously optimizes sensitivity at user-defined specificity thresholds while performing feature selection. SMAGS-LASSO utilizes a custom loss function with L1 regularization and multiple parallel optimization …

Addressing Controversy In Fusobacterium Nomenclature: What Exactly Does “F Nucleatum” Refer To?, Martha A Zepeda-Rivera, Floyd E Dewhirst, Susan Bullman, Christopher D Johnston

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The F. nucleatum group (sensu lato) is historically composed of four subspecies (F. nucleatum subsp. animalis, F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, F. nucleatum subsp. polymorphum, F. nucleatum subsp. vincentii). Although F. nucleatum sensu lato members are typically associated with oral disease, they have recently been shown to disseminate to the gastrointestinal tract and are associated with adverse health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer (CRC). A growing debate over the nomenclature applied to Fusobacterium taxonomy has resulted in different names for these lineages, shifting them from their historic subspecies designations to …

Bayesian Integrated Learning Of Longitudinal Dose-Response Relationships Via Decentralized Clinical Trials, Jingyi Zhang, Tuo Wang, Yongming Qu, Fangrong Yan, Suyu Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) extend trial activities beyond traditional sites, enhancing access, convenience, efficiency, and result generalizability. They are particularly promising for chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity, which require longer study durations to evaluate drug effects. However, decentralized data collection raises concerns about increased variability and potential biases. This paper presents a novel Bayesian integrated learning procedure to analyze dose-response relationships using longitudinal data from a phase II DCT that combines centralized and decentralized data collection. We generalize a parametric exponential decay model to handle mixed data sources and apply Bayesian spike-and-slab priors to address biases and uncertainties from …

Differential Microrna Profiling Of Blood L1cam And Bulk Extracellular Vesicles In Bipolar Disorder, Gabriel R Fries, Salahudeen Mirza, Jun Wang, Camila N C Lima, Wei Zhang, Giselli Scaini, Joao Quevedo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: This preliminary study aimed to identify microRNA (miRNA) signatures associated with bipolar disorder (BD) by profiling blood-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) of both putative neuronal origin and from all sources.

Method: In two parallel studies of individuals with BD and controls (CON), we characterized miRNA expression profiles of blood EVs selected for L1CAM, a putative marker of neuronal origin (n = 20 BD/20 CON), as well as bulk EVs (n = 21 BD/20 CON). For each study, analyses identified miRNAs differentially expressed between groups, followed by functional interrogation and testing for associations with clinical features.

Results: Results of …

Symptom Burden, Healthcare Utilization, And Risky Behaviors In Survivors Of The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (Ccss): An Observation Cohort Study, Rachel Webster, Deo Kumar Srivastava, Lu Xie, Himani Darji, Wei Liu, Tara M Brinkman, Kirsten K Ness, Bernard Fuemmeler, Alicia S Kunin-Batson, I-Chan Huang, Gregory T Armstrong, Rebecca M Howell, Daniel M Green, Yutaka Yasui, Kevin R Krull

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Childhood cancer survivors face physical, psychological, and neurological symptoms that contribute to risky health behaviors and increased healthcare utilization. Traditional survivorship care models overlook risk associated with this symptom burden. The current study examined symptoms phenotypes to identify high-risk groups.

Methods: Five-year survivors (N = 17,231; Mean [standard deviation] age = 27.4 [5.98]; 80% non-Hispanic White; 48% female) from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (NCT01120353) self-reported symptoms and risky behavior at baseline and first follow-up (original cohort data collection: baseline 1994-1998 and follow-up 2002-2004; expansion cohort: baseline 2008-2010 and follow-up 2014-2016). Medical records were extracted through chart …

Experimental Design And Control Methods For Dose Rate Optimization In A Synchrotron-Based Proton Therapy Beamline, Jason Tang, Daniel Liu, Jacob Mathew, Sabrina Campelo, Lawrence Bronk, Yuting Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (typically defined >40 Gy/s) has shown promise for enhanced normal tissue sparing while maintaining tumor control, termed the FLASH effect when this biological response is observed. However, precise dose rate control remains a technical challenge in proton therapy systems, particularly for research applications investigating dose rate effects.

Purpose: To develop and validate a passive beam modulation technique using tungsten scatterers for controllable dose rate adjustment in a synchrotron-based proton therapy beamline without modifying accelerator parameters.

Methods: We investigated dose rate modulation using tungsten foils of varying thicknesses (0.1-3.5 mm) positioned upstream in an 87.2 MeV …

Periostin Promotes Sarcoma Growth By Promoting Tumor-Associated Macrophage Migration And Differentiation, Jin-Fen Xiao, Kristin Ishaya, Emily Y Ko, Annaliese Fowler, Marina T Broz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are characterized by abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, yet the functional contribution of specific ECM components remains poorly understood. In this study, we identify periostin (POSTN), a matricellular protein, as a regulator of sarcoma progression and the tumor immune microenvironment. Analysis of human sarcoma datasets revealed that high POSTN expression correlates with poor prognosis and elevated expression of ECM-related and myeloid cell–associated genes. In murine genetic models of sarcoma, tumors expressing high levels of Postn displayed enhanced expression of ECM genes and monocyte-recruiting cytokines. Functional silencing of Postnin vivo reduced tumor growth without altering tumor cell …

Reference Dosimetry Data And Machine Performance Comparison For Tomotherapy Delivery Systems Audited By Iroc, Paige A Taylor, Hunter Mehrens, Mallory C Glenn, Fre'etta Brooks, Hayden Scott, Taylor Meyers, Michael Yang, Paola Alvarez, Jessica Lowenstein, Andrea Molineu, Stephen F Kry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The aim of this work was to compare the imaging and radiation oncology core (IROC) on-site TomoTherapy dosimetry measurement results among institutions and generate a dataset of basic dosimetric properties for TomoTherapy units. Independent ion chamber measurements for nine TomoTherapy units were acquired by IROC physicists between 2008 and 2023. Measurements included percent depth dose (PDD) in a water tank and off axis factors (OAF) in a solid Polystyrene phantom. The independent measurements collected during the on-site audits for each TomoTherapy system were compared to corresponding TomoTherapy TPS calculations from the institution to assess agreement. Numeric measurement values and comparative …

Adherence To Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Age-Eligible Us Women: Findings From Nhis 2021, Monalisa Chandra, Joël Fokom Domgue, Robert Yu, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Despite the proven benefits of early breast cancer detection in reducing mortality, adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines in the United States is suboptimal. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and factors associated with adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines.

Methods: Using nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey 2021, we included breast cancer screening-eligible women (aged 50-74). Descriptive statistics and population-weighted multivariable logistic regression were employed to examine breast cancer screening adherence per the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, and its determinants in this population.

Results: Of the 6814 screening-eligible women included in …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Geometric Deformation Of Harrison-Anderson-Mick Applicators Used In Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Benjamin Insley, Brett Bocian, Sam Beddar, Reza Reiazi, Patrick James Jensen, Joshua Scott Niedzielski, Gabriel Oliveira Sawakuchi, Luis Augusto Perles

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Harrison-Anderson-Mick (HAM) applicator is a high-dose-rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR-IORT) applicator used to position Ir-192 brachytherapy sources over surgically-accessed tumor volumes or post-resection tumor beds. Because of the lack of a 3D imaging system, dwell times are optimized pre-surgery by a TG-43-based treatment planning system (TPS) that assumes a perfectly flat applicator surface surrounded by an infinite water phantom. These assumed conditions are disparate from typical treatment conditions, especially in the pelvic regions, which often involve uneven patient surfaces and superficial irradiations with little to no backscatter material.

Purpose: Develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of HDR-IORT …

Forecasting Chemoradiation Response Midtreatment For High-Grade Gliomas Through Patient-Specific Biology-Based Modeling, David A Hormuth, Maguy Farhat, Bikash Panthi, Holly Langshaw, Mihir D Shanker, Sara Thrower, Sophia Ty, Calliope Custer, Jeanne Kowalski, Thomas E Yankeelov, Caroline Chung

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The entire course of radiation therapy (RT) for high-grade glioma (HGG) is currently derived from pre-RT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although it is possible to adapt RT during the course of treatment, it is often guided only by anatomical changes to the tumor. This study seeks to determine if a biology-based mathematical model, parameterized by patient-specific, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) data, can accurately forecast HGG response during RT.

Methods and materials: Twenty one patients with HGG planned for 6 weeks of concurrent RT and chemotherapy were imaged weekly with mpMRI during RT and at 1, 2, and 3 months post-RT. …

Tsunami Simulation And Boulder Transport Across Contrasting Coastal Geomorphologies In Sanriku, Japan, Storm Roberts, Daisuke Sugawara, Hidetoshi Masuda, Sarah Boulton

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Tsunami boulders serve as crucial indicators for reconstructing past tsunami events, yet their full transport process remains poorly understood. This study investigates tsunami boulder transport at two geomorphically distinct field sites in Japan affected by the 2011 tsunami, integrating field data with a validated tsunami simulation to track wave parameters at every transport stage. The simulation was validated against eyewitness accounts, local reports, and offshore GPS buoy data. Near the shoreline at the Settai site simulated flow velocities reached a maximum of 7.55 m/s, compared to 6.51 m/s at Hoshiyama beach. Inland at Settai, a maximum 15.56 m/s flow velocity …

Tectonic Modulation Of Caldera Volcanism On The South Aegean Island Arc, A Metcalfe, Tim Druitt, Katharina Pank, Steffen Kutterolf, Jonas Preine, Sarah Beethe, Axel K. Schmitt, Christian Hübscher, Paraskevi Nomikou, Thomas A. Ronge, Carole Berthod, Hehe Chen, Shun Chiyonobu, Acacia Clark, Susan Debari, Ralf Gertisser, Raymond Johnston, Olga Koukousioura, Michael Manga, Molly Mccanta, Iona Mcintosh, Ally Peccia, Masako Tominaga, Yuzuru Yamamoto, Adam Woodhouse, Alexis Bernard, Tatiana Fernandez-Perez, Christopher Jones, Kumar Batuk Joshi, Günther Kletetschka

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Many highly hazardous, caldera-forming explosive eruptions occur in extensional tectonic regimes, but the role of lithospheric rifting in modulating caldera volcanism remains enigmatic. IODP Expedition 398 deep-drilled the volcano-sedimentary infills of submarine half-grabens around Santorini caldera on the continental South Aegean Volcanic Arc. Here we use the volcanic tephra archives to produce a high-resolution eruptive chronostratigraphy for Santorini, to ground-truth seismic stratigraphy, and to extract an integrated timeline of volcano-tectonic couplings. The rift basins contain several submarine volcaniclastic megabeds from the caldera-forming eruptions of Santorini and one from the Kos caldera. The thickest megabed succession is < 250,000 yrs old and lies on a seismic reflection onlap surface that records a phase of rapid rifting. Sedimentation lagged behind subsidence during this rifting phase, creating bathymetric troughs. Integrating submarine core-seismic and onland datasets, we propose that rifting may have driven the transition of Santorini from a prolonged state of effusive and minor explosive activity (∼550 – 250 ka) typical of arc stratovolcanoes to one of repeated caldera-forming eruptions (<250 ka). Rapid rifting may have amplified the normal internal dynamics of the magmatic system in three ways, driving the volcano into a sustained, highly explosive state: (1) an increase in the supply of mantle-derived basalt, (2) enhanced shearing, permeability, and melt percolation in the transcrustal magmatic system, and (3) the development of horizontally extensive magma reservoirs. Broadly simultaneous transitions into caldera-forming activity of the widely separated Santorini and Kos Volcanoes suggest that the two magmatic systems are linked by plate-scale lithospheric stresses.

Combining Pirfenidone With Mycophenolate Mofetil For Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (Scleroderma Lung Study Iii): An Investigator-Initiated, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial, Dinesh Khanna, Cathie Spino, Donald P Tashkin, Elana J Bernstein, Jonathan Goldin, Eric C Kleerup, Airi Harui, Grace Ibrahim, Grace Hyun J Kim, Suiyuan Huang, Richard Mclain, Yi-Hsuan Tu, Vivek Nagaraja, Richard M Silver, Virginia D Steen, S Samuel Weigt, Joyce S Lee, Aryeh Fischer, Mary Beth Scholand, Jessica K Gordon, Paul F Dellaripa, Ivan O Rosas, Gary M Hunninghake, Marcin A Trojanowski, Robert W Simms, Jane E Dematte, Vivien M Hsu, Robyn T Domsic, Ganesh Raghu, Maureen D Mayes, Ryan D Boente, Michael D Roth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can stabilize or improve lung function in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). We hypothesized that combining MMF with pirfenidone (PFD) would produce a significantly more rapid and/or greater improvement in lung function.

Methods: A randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled phase 2 trial was conducted in SSc-ILD in which patients received PFD or PLA (801 mg three times daily) along with MMF (1,500 mg twice daily) for 18 months. The primary outcome was change in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC-%). Linear mixed-effects models assessed treatment differences in a modified intention-to-treat population.

Results: Only fifty-one of …

Refractory Hypoxemia In An Asymptomatic 6-Year-Old: It Is Not Always The Heart, Aymen Mirza, Bibek Bista, Vidhya Annavajjhala, Chinyere O'Connor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Bias And Disparities In Neonatal End-Of-Life Care, Tamiko Younge, Daria Murosko, Simranjeet S Sran, Terri Major-Kincade

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Acculturation, Values, And Acculturative Stress For Autistic Latino Emerging Adults And Spanish-Speaking Parents Participating In The ¡Iniciando! La Adultez Program, Antonio F Pagán, Miriam Ortiz, Erin Bernal, Katherine A Loveland, Ana Esparza, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Latino families with emerging adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges during the transition to adulthood, influenced by cultural values, acculturation, and systemic barriers. Acculturation and acculturative stress are particularly relevant in this population, as they navigate cultural adaptation while maintaining traditional values like familismo (family) and respeto (respect). These dynamics are further complicated by disparities in access to resources and culturally responsive interventions. This study explores the interplay of cultural values, acculturation, and acculturative stress among Latino emerging adults with ASD and their Spanish-speaking parents participating in a culturally adapted and translated intervention. Using a cross-sectional …

Help-Seeking Among Early Adolescents Who Use Physical Peer Violence, Kelli Franco, Elizabeth Baumler, Leila Wood, Heidi Adams Rueda, Jeffrey R Temple

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite accumulating research on help-seeking among violence victims, little is known about help-seeking among youth who use violence. In a racially and ethnically diverse sample of early adolescents (N=2,676; 50.3% female; Mage=12.67), participants self-reported physical bullying, physical fighting, physical dating violence perpetration, and help-seeking intentions over the past year. T-tests and one-way ANOVAs examined help-seeking by sex and race, respectively. Prevalence and comparisons of help-seeking across youth with and without any violence were examined. Youth who used any physical peer violence (n=965) reported lower help-seeking intentions than their peers, and among violent youth, males reported …

Allogeneic Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial., Mya C Schiess, Jessika Suescun, Juan D Martinez-Lemus, Charles Green, Tia S Thomas, Mohammad Shahnawaz, Emily Tharp, Nikunj B Satani, Jerome G Saltarrelli, Christopher Adams, Marie-Francoise Doursout, Vanessa Thyne, Rula Abuamouneh, Elsa M Rodarte, Sean I Savitz, Timothy M Ellmore

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Neuroinflammation contributes to Parkinson's disease (PD) progression and motor dysfunction. Allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (allo-hMSCs) may reduce neuroinflammation and improve motor symptoms.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of repeated intravenous doses of 10 × 106/kg allo-hMSCs in improving motor symptoms in patients with PD (PwP).

Methods: In this phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (November 2020-July 2023), mild-to-moderate PwP received either three allo-hMSC infusions, one placebo followed by two allo-hMSC infusions, or three placebo infusions at 18-week intervals. Follow-up lasted 88 weeks. The primary outcome was a >70% posterior probability (PP) of a difference in the proportion of participants …