Digital Commons Network^™

Interview With Jim Woodhead, Jacey Terrill

What Happened Here

This is a transcript of an oral history with Jim Woodhead, who is part of the staff of the Art Department at Cal Poly Humboldt as a studio art technician. He was responsible for making sure students who took art classes were able to retrieve their belongings, including expensive art supplies and artworks, when the campus was closed. He spent multiple weeks coordinating with students, making sure those who needed their items as soon as possible were prioritized. He is highly critical of some of the protesters’ choice to vandalize, noting the amount of work staff had to put in …

Full-Stack Web Applications: Infrastructure, Development Pipelines & Devsecops, Yassine Chahid, Patrick Slattery

Publications and Research

This research explores emerging development methodologies and technologies which facilitate the deployment and maintenance of software applications. It evaluates architectural styles for the development of software such as monolithic (legacy) and microservice models, with a focus on their key differences such as scalability or project structure through to the development of an application. By examining methodologies such as Agile and continuous integration/continuous development pipelines along with the deployment tools Docker and Git for version/release control, the study analyzes how these innovations speed up development, improve existing practices, and serve as the foundation for development operations. Cloud solutions for tasks such …

Muscle Rev-Erb Controls Time-Dependent Adaptations To Chronic Exercise In Mice, Jidong Liu, Fang Xiao, Abhinav Choubey, Udhaya Kumar S, Yanxiang Wang, Sungguan Hong, Tingting Yang, Husniye Gul Otlu, Ege Sanem Oturmaz, Emanuele Loro, Yuxiang Sun, Pradip Saha, Tejvir S Khurana, Li Chen, Xinguo Hou, Zheng Sun

Center on Aging Staff Publications

The best time of the day for chronic exercise training and the mechanism underlying the timing effects is unclear. Here, we show that low-intensity, low-volume treadmill training in mice before sleep yields greater benefits than after waking for muscle contractile performance and systemic glucose tolerance. Baseline muscle performance also exhibits diurnal variations, with higher strength but lower endurance before sleep than after waking. Muscle-specific knockout of circadian clock genes Rev-erbα/β (Rev-MKO) in male mice eradicates the diurnal variations in both training and baseline conditions without affecting muscle mass, mitochondrial content, food intake, or spontaneous activities. Multi-omics and metabolic measurements reveal …

Metabolic Clearance Rate Of Insulin Across The Glucose Tolerance Spectrum By Race And Ethnicity In Youth With Obesity, Wonhee Cho, Fida Bacha, Hala Tfayli, Sojung Lee, Sara F Michaliszyn, Joon Young Kim, Silva Arslanian

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objective: Despite β-cell failure in youth with dysglycemia (i.e., impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] and type 2 diabetes), fasting insulin (FI) concentrations are elevated. Herein, we examined the following: 1) metabolic clearance rate of insulin (MCRI) in youth with obesity and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) versus those with IGT versus those with type 2 diabetes; 2) racial and ethnic differences in insulin dynamics; and 3) metabolic/adiposity correlates of MCRI.

Methods: A total of 206 youth underwent assessment of fasting glucose, FI, MCRI and peripheral insulin sensitivity (PIS), first-phase insulin secretion, disposition index, body composition, and abdominal adiposity.

Results: In type 2 …

C-Terminal Frameshift Variants In Gpkow Are Associated With A Multisystemic X-Linked Disorder, Jung-Wan Mok, Laura Mackay, Maria Blazo, Elizabeth Mizerik, Jozef Gecz, Renee Carroll, Mathilde Nizon, Sophie Rondeau, Madeleine Joubert, Silvestre Cuinat, Wallid Deb, Fernanda Valle Sirias, Monika Weisz-Hubshman, Shamika Ketkar, Urszula Polak, Alyssa A Tran, Debra Kearney, Neil A Hanchard, Oguz Kanca, Michael F Wangler, Hugo J Bellen, Brendan H Lee, Shinya Yamamoto, Keren Machol

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Purpose: GPKOW, a gene on the X-chromosome, encodes a nuclear RNA-binding protein important in messenger RNA (mRNA) processing as a spliceosome subunit. This work aims to establish GPKOW as a disease-associated gene.

Methods: We describe 3 males from 2 unrelated families with hemizygous frameshift variants affecting the last exon of GPKOW p.(Arg441SerfsTer30) and p.(Ser444GlufsTer28). The effect of p.(Ser444GlufsTer28) on gene expression was evaluated in patient's fibroblasts. In vivo studies in Drosophila melanogaster targeting the sole GPKOW fly ortholog, CG10324 (Gpkow) were performed.

Results: Clinical presentations included intrauterine growth restriction, microcephaly/microencephaly, and eye, brain, skin, and skeletal abnormalities. Heterozygote females presented …

Navigating Adventure Therapy: Using Existential Theory As A Guide, Cian L. Brown, David D. Christian, Patrick L.R. Mcmillion, J. Reece Mclain

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods Faculty Publications and Presentations

A clinician's theoretical orientation serves as a foundational guide that embodies their values and beliefs for creating therapeutic change. Adventure therapy (AT) is an experiential modality that uses kinesthetic experiences as metaphors to promote client growth. Due to its transtheoretical nature, AT practitioners often end up being atheoretical in their facilitation, thus decreasing the potential benefits to clients. In this manuscript, we propose the use of existential Theory to guide AT by integrating the existential givens and welts with key components of AT. A case example is provided to demonstrate guided application.

Cross-Cultural Data On Romantic Love And Mate Preferences From 117,293 Participants Across 175 Countries, Marta Kowal, Piotr Sorokowski, Biljana Gjoneska, Katarzyna Pisanski, Gerit Pfuhl, Leonardo Aguilar, Steve M.J. Janssen, Benjamin Gelbart, Patrícia Arriaga, Jan Antfolk, Katarina Zvončáková, Linda H. Lidborg, Jorge Contreras-Garduño, Mikhail V. Kozlov, Taciano L. Milfont, Marco A.C. Varella, Valerija Križanić, Mahmoud Boussena, Tina Kavčič, Diana Ribeiro Da Silva, Brahim Hamdaoui, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Karlijn Massar, Eliane Deschrijver, Tatsunori Ishii, Hakan Cetinkaya, Oksana Senyk, Farida Guemaz, Koen Ponnet, Yahya Don, Dušana Šakan, Gyesook Yoo, Ravit Nussinson, Joaquín Ungaretti, Ali R. Can, Izzet Duyar, Jiří Čeněk, Joao Carneiro, Norbert Meskó, Luca Kozma, Ellen K. Nyhus, Mona Vintila, Oulmann Zerhouni, Farid Pazhoohi, Maja Zupančič, Sinem Söylemez, Austin H.-E. Wang, Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, Irena Pavela Banai, Pavol Prokop, Mohd Sofian Omar Fauzee, Reza Afhami, Jean C. Natividade, Roberto Baiocco, Mara Morelli, Toivo Aavik, Ezgi Toplu-Demirtaş, Singha Tulyakul, Anna Wlodarczyk, Razleh Chegeni, Anabela C. Santos, Dmitry Grigoryev, Dmitrii Dubrov, Dimitri Chubinidze, Gözde Ikizer, Nana Burduli, Johanna Czamanski-Cohen, Rizwana Amin, Petros Roussos, Evgeniya Hristova, Rūta Sargautytė, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Tenuunjargal Avirmed, Arooj Najmussaqib, Abdelilah Charyate, Shagufta Batool, Tatiana Volkodav, Yoshihiko Kunisato, Yuki Yamada, Asako Toyama, Mariia Perun, Seda Dural, Tetyana Mandzyk, Anna Studzinska, Ognen Spasovski, Felipe E. García, Caterina Grano, Merve Boğa, Mehmet Koyuncu, Sangeeta Singh, Ju Hee Park, Derya Atamtürk, Samuel Lins, Martin Pírko, David Lacko, Balazs Aczel, Ferenc Kocsor, Ádám Putz, Tobias Otterbring, Pavol Kačmár, Efisio Manunta, Théo Besson, Nasim Ghahraman Moharrampour, Çağlar Solak, Ignacio Estevan, Merve Topcu Bulut, Nicolas Kervyn, Moises Mebarak, Jackson G. Lu, Nejc Plohl, Bojan Musil, Adil Samekin, Kirill G. Miroshnik, Clément Cornec, Isabella Giammusso, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Maria Rosa Miccoli, Miriam Parise, Sabrina Stöckli, Tiago Marot, Sibele D. Aquino, Amanda Londero-Santos, Antonio Chirumbolo, Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Cemre Karaarslan, Ivana Hromatko, Kevin S. Kertechian, Ogeday Çoker, Matheus F. F. Ribeiro, Carlota Batres, Ilker Dalgar, Stephanie J. Eder, Katarina Mišetić, Marios Argyrides, Vita Mikuličiūtė, Silvia Mari, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Kathrin Masuch, Alan D. A. Mattiassi, Salma Samir Omar, Elena Piccinelli, Eda Ermagan Caglar, Diogo Lamela, David A. Frederick, Aleksander Kobylarek, Ma. Criselda T. Pacquing, Marc Eric Santos Reyes, Marcos Zumárraga-Espinosa, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Talía Gómez Yepes, Edgardo Etchezahar, Katarzyna Galasinska, Jan P. Röer, Ayşegül Şahin, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Arkadiusz Urbanek, Chee-Seng Tan, Rita Castro, Ksenija Cunichina, Anna Krasnodębska, Daniel Conroy-Beam, Franciszek Ostaszewski, Izabela Chałatkiewicz, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Bastien Trémolière, Alexios Arvanitis, Gulmira Topanova, Wiliam J. Chopik, Grace Akello, Ariela F. Pagani, Silvia Donato, Peter Fedor, Tomasz Frackowiak, Simon Ozer, Marlon Mayorga-Lascano, Farah Khan, Maryanne L. Fisher, Princess Lovella G. Maturan, Tatiana Semenovskikh, Sanjana Dutt, William Tamayo-Agudelo, Gulnara Ismukhanova, Laith Al-Shawaf, Luisa Angelucci, Adam Bode, Sercan Balım, Jovi C. Dacanay, Chiemezie S. Atama, Kai A. D. Morgan Campbell, Tchilissila A. Simões, Barış Özener, Paula Błauciak, Filipe Prazeres

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Psychological studies on close relationships have often overlooked cultural diversity, dynamic processes, and potentially universal principles that shape intimate partnerships. To address the limited generalizability of previous research and advance our understanding of romantic love experiences, mate preferences, and physical attractiveness, we conducted a large-scale cross-cultural survey study on these topics. A total of 404 researchers collected data in 45 languages from April to August 2021, involving 117,293 participants from 175 countries. Aside from standard demographic questions, the survey included valuable information on variables relevant to romantic relationships: intimate, passionate, and committed love within romantic relationships, physical-attractiveness enhancing behaviors, gender …

Military Inhalational Exposures Outside The Theater Of Conflict And Chronic Respiratory Symptoms, Reza Hosseini, Eric Garshick, Martin D Slade, Andrew Timmons, Anna M Korpak, Nicholas L Smith, Karen S Nakayama, Coleen P Baird, Paul Ciminera, Farrah Kheradmand, Vincent S Fan, Jaime E Hart, Petros Koutrakis, Ware Glenn Kuschner, Octavian C Ioachimescu, Michael Jerrett, Philippe R Montgrain, Susan P Proctor, Christine H Wendt, Cherry Wongtrakool, Emily S Wan, Paul D Blanc, Carrie A Redlich

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Deployment to Afghanistan and Southwest Asia has been associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. However, the impact of inhalational exposures (eg, vapor, dust, gas, fumes), which are known correlates of reduced lung function and future chronic lung disease, during military service time outside this deployment period has not been assessed.

Objective: To assess military inhalational exposures during nonwartime routine activities and their associations with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs Service and Health Among Deployed Veterans study. US veterans who served between October 7, 2001, and …

Student Life, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Curriculum, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Majors, Minors, And Certificates, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Academic Regulations, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Academic Officers And Services, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

2025-2026 Academic Catalog, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Course Descriptions, Saint Mary's College Of California

Academic Catalog

No abstract provided.

Unfolding The Mystery Of Autoimmunity: The Environmental Determinants Of Diabetes In The Young (Teddy) Study, Marian Rewers, Daniel Agardh, Suzanne Bennett Johnson, Ezio Bonifacio, Helena Elding Larsson, Patricia Gesualdo, William Hagopian, Michael J Haller, Heikki Hyöty, Randi Johnson, Richard Mcindoe, Eoin Mckinney, Jessica Melin, Åke Lernmark, Richard E Lloyd, Kristian F Lynch, Jill M Norris, Stephen S Rich, Roswith Roth, Desmond Schatz, Jorma Toppari, Eric Triplett, Kendra Vehik, Suvi M Virtanen, Anette-G Ziegler, Beena Akolkar, Jeffrey P Krischer, Teddy Study Group

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In 2025, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health celebrates 75 years of leadership in diabetes research. The NIDDK serves people of the U.S. affected by or at risk for many chronic diseases, including diabetes and other endocrine, metabolic, and digestive disorders, by funding innovative research to develop better treatment and prevention and a cure for these conditions. Autoimmunity that leads to type 1 diabetes or celiac disease or thyroid autoimmunity affects 1 in 20 children and adolescents in the U.S. While treatments are available, prevention of these common autoimmune …

Under The Legal Lens: Navigating Psychological Safety And Conflict For Black Women In Legal Support Roles, Chanel M. Bradden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intersectional challenges of Black women in legal support roles are an overlooked phenomenon in organizational research. Despite diversity efforts in the legal profession, Black women face challenges due to gender, race, and professional status that impact their career advancement, as well as their mental and psychological well-being. As a result of experiencing the effects of racialized workplace dynamics and destructive leadership behaviors, Black women in legal support roles find resilience through self-protection strategies while working through the effects of intersecting forms of oppression in legal workspaces. This study addressed the lack of knowledge of the lived experiences of Black …

Dissections Of Lacunary Eta Quotients And Identically Vanishing Coefficients, Timothy Huber, James Mclaughlin, Dongxi Ye

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

For any function A(q)=∑∞n=0anqn defineA(0):={n∈N:an=0}.Now suppose C(q) and D(q) are two functions whose m-dissections are given byC(q)=c0G0(qm)+c1qG1(qm)+…+cm−1qm−1Gm−1(qm),D(q)=d0G0(qm)+d1qG1(qm)+…+dm−1qm−1Gm−1(qm).If it is the case that ci=0⟺di=0, i=0,1,…,m−1, then we say that C(q) and D(q) have similar m-dissections, and then it is also clear that C(0)=D(0), in which case we say that C(q) and D(q) have identically vanishing coefficients. In the present paper some new 4-dissections of particular eta quotients are developed. These are used in conjunction with known 2- and 3-dissections to prove many results on the identical vanishing of coefficients of various eta quotients, results which were found experimentally …

Ad-Sge-Dkk3 Gene Therapy Overcomes Resistance To Immune Checkpoint Blockade In Pleural Mesothelioma, Hee-Jin Jang, Meera Patel, Daniel Y Wang, Sung Wook Kang, Jong Min Choi, Claire Lee, Monica Vilchis, Ji Seon Shim, Sonali Mitra, Priyanka Ranchod, Allen Kuncheria, William Hudson, Peter Jindra, Veronica Lenge De Rosen, Maheshwari Ramineni, Ernest Ramsay Camp, Farrah Kheradmand, R Taylor Ripley, Shawn S Groth, Hyun-Sung Lee, Bryan M Burt

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have limited efficacy in pleural mesothelioma. We investigated the role of Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 3 (DKK3) in overcoming treatment resistance.

Patients and methods: We performed preclinical studies to elucidate DKK3's role in ICI-resistant mouse mesothelioma. Based on these findings, we conducted a single-arm, phase II clinical trial of a combination of Ad-SGE-DKK3 and nivolumab for chemotherapy-refractory epithelioid pleural mesothelioma, with the objective response rate as the primary outcome.

Results: DKK3 was significantly reduced in human epithelioid mesothelioma. Overexpression of DKK3 in cancer cells activated the p53 pathway, enhanced glycolysis, increased surface PD-L1, and …

Clinical Assessment On Days 1-14 For The Characterization Of Traumatic Brain Injury: Recommendations From The 2024 Ninds Traumatic Brain Injury Classification And Nomenclature Initiative Clinical/Symptoms Working Group, David K Menon, Noah D Silverberg, Adam R Ferguson, Thomas J Bayuk, Shubhayu Bhattacharyay, David L Brody, Scott A Cota, Ari Ercole, Anthony Figaji, Guoyi Gao, Christopher C Giza, Fiona Lecky, Rebekah Mannix, Ana Mikolić, Kasey E Moritz, Claudia S Robertson, Abel Torres-Espin, Spyridoula Tsetsou, John K Yue, Hibah O Awad, Kristen Dams-O'Connor, Adele Doperalski, Andrew I R Maas, Michael A Mccrea, Nsini Umoh, Geoffrey T Manley

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The current classification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) primarily uses the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to categorize injuries as mild (GCS 13-15), moderate (GCS 9-12), or severe (GCS ≤8). However, this system is unsatisfactory, as it overlooks variations in injury severity, clinical needs, and prognosis. A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA) recommended updating the classification system, leading to a workshop in 2024 by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This resulted in the development of a new clinical, biomarker, imaging, and modifier (CBI-M) framework, with input from six working groups, including …

Emergence Of Cellular Nematic Order Is A Conserved Feature Of Gastrulation In Animal Embryos, Xin Li, Robert J Huebner, Margot L K Williams, Jessica Sawyer, Mark Peifer, John B Wallingford, D Thirumalai

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Cells undergo dramatic morphological changes during embryogenesis, yet how these changes affect the formation of ordered tissues remains elusive. Here, we show that a phase transition leading to the formation of a nematic liquid crystal state during gastrulation in the development of embryos of fish, frogs, and fruit flies occurs by a common mechanism despite substantial differences between these evolutionarily distant animals. Importantly, nematic order forms early before any discernible changes in the shapes of cells. All three species exhibit similar propagation of the nematic phase, reminiscent of nucleation and growth mechanisms. The spatial correlations in the nematic phase in …

Investigating Environmental And Socioeconomic Contributors To Adult Obesity In The Rio Grande Valley, John Nicholas Cauba, Jihoo Woo, Russel Wiggins, Shizue Mito

School of Medicine Publications

Obesity in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas remains a critical public health concern, with rates (46.9%) significantly exceeding those of Texas (36%) and the U.S. (34%) (p < 0.001). This study used 2024 County Health Rankings data to analyze environmental and socioeconomic contributors to obesity across 240 Texas counties, with a population-weighted focus on Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy counties. The RGV exhibited markedly poorer access to exercise, higher rates of physical inactivity, lower Food Environment Index scores (FEI = 4.3 vs. 5.7 in Texas), higher rates of uninsurance, worse patient-to–primary care physician (PCP) ratios (2152:1 vs. Texas 1660:1), and increased preventable hospitalizations. Multiple linear regression identified physical inactivity (β = 0.6, p = 0.01) and access to exercise (β = −0.02, p = 0.02) as significant predictors of obesity. Notably, higher uninsured rates were associated with lower reported obesity, likely due to underdiagnosis in the absence of routine care. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing food access, environmental and recreational infrastructure, along with healthcare infrastructure in the RGV, where socioeconomic disadvantage and structural barriers magnify the impact of national obesity trends on the regional level.

Value-Added Utilization Of Agricultural Wastes In Biocomposite Production: Characteristics And Applications, Karuppusamy Manickaraj, Ramakrishnan Thirumalaisamy, Sivasubramanian Palanisamy, Nadir Ayrilmis, Ehab El Sayed Massoud, Murugesan Palaniappan, S Lakshmi Sankar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Agro-waste-based biocomposites are reinforced with natural fibers derived from agricultural residues. These biocomposite materials have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years due to their environmentally friendly and sustainable nature as an alternative to conventional synthetic materials. Issues of environmental sustainability and the search for waste management solutions have driven research into the development of materials that minimize reliance on nonrenewable resources and have a low environmental impact. This review presents an overview of the physical and mechanical properties of some selected biocomposites derived from rice husk, coconut shell, and sugarcane bagasse. Critical properties such as density, water …

Germination Time: Impact On Nutritional, Thermal, And Paste Properties Of Red Rice, Thauana Heberie, Lucas Avila Do Nascimento, Ya-Jane Wang, Rosana Colussi, Jaqueline Ferreira De Souza, Andre Ricardo Fajardo, Marcia Foster Mesko

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

BACKGROUNDThe study investigates how varying germination times affect the nutritional, thermal, and pasting properties of red rice. Germination was conducted over 32 h, with aliquots collected every 2 h starting from 18 h for property evaluation.RESULTSAt all evaluated germination times, the red rice samples exhibited low to intermediate amylose levels, while resistant starch content remained relatively constant (approximately 15-20%). Structural changes in the starch were observed: the peak viscosity decreased, maximum gelatinization of the granules occurred at 76 degrees C, and spectroscopic bands characteristic of this polysaccharide were detected at 3400 cm-1 (O-H stretching) and within the 1150-1000 cm-1 range …

Cardiac Rhythm Devices In Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction – Role, Timing, And Optimal Use In Contemporary Practice European Journal Of Heart Failure Expert Consensus Document, Biykem Bozkurt, Wilfried Mullens, Christophe Leclercq, Andrea M Russo, Gianluigi Savarese, Michael Böhm, Loreena Hill, Koichiro Kinugawa, Naoki Sato, William T Abraham, Antoni Bayes-Genis, Alexandre Mebazaa, Giuseppe M C Rosano, Shelley Zieroth, Cecilia Linde, Javed Butler

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Guidelines for management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) emphasize personalized care, patient engagement, and shared decision-making. Medications and cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices are recommended with a high level of evidence. However, there are significant disparities: patients who could benefit from devices are frequently referred too late or not at all. Misconceptions about device therapy and the notion that the needs of patients (especially the prevention of sudden cardiac death) can now be met by expanding drug therapies may play a role in these disparities. This state-of-the-art review is produced by members of the DIRECT HF initiative, …

Performance Of Stool Xpert Mtb/Rif Ultra For Detection Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Among Adults Living With Hiv: A Multicentre, Prospective Diagnostic Study, George W Kasule, Sabine Hermans, Sozinho Acacio, Alexander Kay, Joachim Kikoyo Nsubuga, Carlos Fernández-Escobar, Nosisa Shiba, Lucia Carratalá-Castro, Derrick Semugenze, Patricia Mwachan, Shilzia Munguambe, Joanna Ehrlich, Elisa Lopez-Varela, Andrew R Dinardo, Frank Cobelens, Christoph Lange, Moses Joloba, Anna M Mandalakas, Willy Ssengooba, Alberto L García-Basteiro

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: When people living with HIV develop pulmonary tuberculosis, it often manifests without detectable acid-fast bacilli on sputum microscopy. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of stool Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (hereafter, Ultra) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection among adults with HIV.

Methods: This multicentre, prospective diagnostic accuracy study was done in outpatient and inpatient health centres in Eswatini, Mozambique, and Uganda. We enrolled adults aged 15 years and older with HIV with presumptive tuberculosis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of stool Ultra using the simple one-step processing method against a composite microbiological reference standard (CMRS) including three WHO-recommended tuberculosis diagnostic …

Figo Position Statement: Gamete Donations, Laurie Henry, Aris Antsaklis, Dov Feldberg, Jaideep Malhotra, Suchitra Pandit, Carlos Salazar, Alex Vidaeff, Rafal Zadykowicz, M Louise Hull, Nikhil Purandare

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Gamete donation has become a crucial part of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), providing hope to individuals, including those who may have no other option for parenthood. This process comes with a wide range of ethical, medical, and legal challenges that need to be carefully addressed to protect the well-being and rights of all parties involved: donors, recipients, and offspring. Navigating these complexities requires strict ethical standards, robust regulatory frameworks, and international collaboration. By standardizing these, the field of gamete donation can continue to develop while ensuring that all parties are well informed and safeguarded. This paper explores the ethical concerns …

Microbial Biosensor For Sensing And Treatment Of Intestinal Inflammation, Duolong Zhu, Jeffrey Galley, Jason Pizzini, Elena Musteata, Martin V Douglas, Walter J Chazin, Eric P Skaar, Jeffrey J Tabor, Robert A Britton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Synthetic biology has enabled the development of biosensors to detect intestinal inflammation, yet few target the clinically validated biomarker of intestinal inflammation calprotectin with both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Here, an optimized calprotectin biosensor is presented that leverages a zinc uptake regulator (Zur) controlled promoter coupled with a memory circuit to detect and record intestinal inflammation in vivo. The level of biosensor activation strongly correlates with calprotectin levels in the colon of two independent mouse models of colitis. Coupling of the biosensor with the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 allowed for the resolution of chemically induced colitis, demonstrating the …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Screening Tools For Depression And Anxiety In Cervical Dystonia, Davide Martino, Mehrafarin Ramezani, Steven Bellows, Brian D Berman, Florence Ching-Fen Chang, Jeanne Feuerstein, Victor Fung, Gamze Kilic Berkmen, Irene A Malaty, Claire Maciver, Scott A Norris, Kathryn J Peall, Joel S Perlmutter, Sarah Pirio Richardson, Laura J Wright, Zahra Goodarzi, Hyder A Jinnah

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Despite their high prevalence and impact, depression and anxiety are not routinely screened for, and accuracy of screening procedures is unknown in adult-onset dystonia. We evaluated accuracy parameters of selected self-rated scales for depression and anxiety in patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD).

Methods: Two-hundred-and-ten patients with idiopathic CD were recruited from 10 movement disorders centers from the US, Canada, Australia, and UK. At the end of each botulinum toxin cycle, participants were administered the Adult Standard Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as reference standard for depression and anxiety. Participants completed 8 self-administered index instruments (2 for depression, 2 for …

Dynamic Few-Shot Prompting For Clinical Note Section Classification Using Lightweight, Open-Source Large Language Models, Kurt Miller, Steven Bedrick, Qiuhao Lu, Andrew Wen, William Hersh, Kirk Roberts, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Unlocking clinical information embedded in clinical notes has been hindered to a significant degree by domain-specific and context-sensitive language. Identification of note sections and structural document elements has been shown to improve information extraction and dependent downstream clinical natural language processing (NLP) tasks and applications. This study investigates the viability of a dynamic example selection prompting method to section classification using lightweight, open-source large language models (LLMs) as a practical solution for real-world healthcare clinical NLP systems.

Materials and methods: We develop a dynamic few-shot prompting approach to classifying sections where section samples are first embedded using a transformer-based …