Digital Commons Network^™

Prefrontal Cortex Astrocytes Modulate Distinct Neuronal Populations To Control Anxiety-Like Behavior, Eunyoung Kim, Hairuo Du, Yanqi Tan, Brandon L Brown, Yaowen Chang, Blanca Díaz-Castro, Jonathan V Sweedler, Xinzhu Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Accumulating evidence has supported diverse regulatory functions of astrocytes in different neural circuits as well as various aspects of complex behaviors. However, little is known about how astrocytes regulate different neuronal subpopulations that are linked to specific behavioral aspects within a single brain region. Here, we show that astrocytes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) encode anxiogenic environmental cues in freely behaving mice. Silencing mPFC astrocyte Ca

Autonomous Driving Of A Guided Emergency Service Robot With Route Tracking Control, Saif Talib Abbas Albasrawi, Lamyaa Sabeeh Ashour Al-Lami

Baghdad Science Journal

This work presents a method for controlling the travel routes that tracked robots use to get around their environments. The algorithm utilized in model-predictive control could be implemented in a vehicle to make the vehicle capable of driving itself if an emergency arises. It is anticipated that soon, collaboration between edge clouds will become more commonly used to connect and control various pieces of rescue equipment. The Linear Model-Predictive Control algorithm, also known as LMPC, is an excellent choice for controlling the path that the rescue robots will take because it makes efficient use of the limited computational resources available …

Operational Solutions To Address Radiology Staffing Challenges In Southern California Hospitals, Jacqueline Wood

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem of interest is the current workforce crisis among the Radiologist Specialty in hospitals in Southern California. There has been a significant decline in the number of Radiologists in the workforce compared to the caseload of imaging studies. The purpose of this integrative review was to evaluate empirical and non-empirical literature for operational solutions to improve recruitment and retention of radiology providers. Literature published between 1999-2024 were evaluated for appropriateness using the Johns Hopkins evidence appraisal tools. The literature involved strategies and identified operational areas of opportunity for improvement with radiologist staffing. Identifying ways to improve job satisfaction, retention …

Relationship Of Provider-Patient Communication And Health Literacy To Self-Management In Black Adults With Type-2 Diabetes, Linda Walker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black adults in the United States are nearly twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and are more susceptible to severe diabetes-related complications. Health literacy and patient-provider communication (PPC) are extremely important for self-management in patients of all ethnicities however, 58% of non-Hispanic Blacks have basic or below-basic health literacy skills compared to 28% of non-Hispanic Whites. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study, with was guided by the interaction model of client behavior, was to determine (a) if there is relationship between PPC during the healthcare encounter to health literacy among Black adults …

Investigation Of A Stable And Saturated Reference Electrode Using Metal Chlorides And Oxides In Eutectic Licl-Kcl Molten Salts, Carlos Mejia, Devin Rappleye

Faculty Publications

Stable and reproducible reference electrodes (REs) are essential for electrochemical systems operating in high-temperature molten salts, where consistent control of potential is required. This study uses three different solutes to investigate the development and evaluation of REs in eutectic LiCl-KCl at 773 K. The solutes tested were NiCl2, AgCl, and NiO, each prepared at multiple concentrations to assess stability, reproducibility, and saturation. Electrochemical stability was measured over three days using chronopotentiometry (CP), followed by open circuit potential (OCP), with cyclic voltammetry (CV) also integrated to monitor changes in electrochemical behavior over time. The CP-OCP approach established a Li+/Li redox potential, …

Tracing Priming Effects In Palsa Peat Carbon Dynamics Using A Stable Isotope-Assisted Metabolomics Approach, Christian Ayala-Ortiz, Moira Hough, Elizabeth K. Eder, David W. Hoyt, Rosalie K. Chu, Jason Toyoda, Steven J. Blazewicz, Patrick M. Crill, Ruth Varner, Scott R. Saleska, Virginia I. Rich, Malak M. Tfaily

Michigan Tech Publications

Introduction: Peatlands store up to a third of global soil carbon, and in high latitudes their litter inputs are increasing and changing in composition under climate change. Although litter significantly influences peatland carbon and nutrient dynamics by changing the overall lability of peatland organic matter, the physicochemical mechanisms of this impact—and thus its full scope—remain poorly understood. Methods: We applied multimodal metabolomics (UPLC-HRMS, ¹H NMR) paired with ¹³C Stable Isotope-Assisted Metabolomics (SIAM) to track litter carbon and its potential priming effects on both existing soil organic matter and carbon gas emissions. Through this approach, we achieved molecule-specific tracking …

Examining The Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence And Disability, Luke Abell, Ben Anderson, Andres Arbulu, Cailyn Bowerman, Ethan Brown, Logan Busch, Eliana Chinitz, Shaan Choksi, Charles Clark, Alexander Claure, Meaghan Crites, Amalia Daniell, Stephen Dombrowski, Clara Dotterer, Jordyn Fink, Jake Fox, Akanksha Garg, Ishaan Ghosh, Cristian Gorayeb, Lia Gosselin, Simon Hasik, Alexis Hawkins, Charles Dickerson Iv, Chistopher Johnson, Cj Kulprathipanja, Claire Lindborg, Josh Lorenz, Luke Mcdonald, Daniella Nahnsen, Arwa Neemuchwala, Sage Nichols, Henrique Ortega, Krish Patel, Daniel Paul, Andres Ravelo, Daniel Reyes, Francesca Rovetto, Santiago Sacchini, Juan Santos, Mauricio Saturno, Carter Schaffer, Joey Schlosser, Anna Scroggings, Dylan Smith, Daniel Tejeira, Kenny Teng, Diya Tibrewala, Max Young, Robert Zeltsman, Bradley S. Duerstock, Maxwell Mensah

Undergraduate Coursework

No abstract provided.

Understanding And Predicting Flossing Behavior In A Rural Appalachian Community Using The Multi-Theory Model, Rahib K. Islam, Manoj Sharma, Amanda H. Wilkerson, Bradford Layman, Clyde Dunn, Shamima A. Somi, Ratnesh Sharma, Karen Gruszynski, Syed S. Quadri, Vinayak K. Nahar, Robert E. Davis

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Effective flossing is essential for preventing periodontal disease. However, in a rural Appalachian community, adherence to flossing routines remains low, contributing to significant oral health disparities. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize intention of initiation and sustenance of flossing behaviors using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. A cross-sectional survey was administered to individuals recruited from a shopping mall in rural Appalachia. The MTM constructs were measured and data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Of the 228 participants, 55% did not floss daily. Behavioral confidence (β = 0.571, p < 0.001) was a significant predictor for the intention of initiation of flossing among non-daily flossers, while emotional transformation (β = 0.377, p = 0.836) significantly explained sustenance among non-daily flossers. For daily flossers, changes in the physical environment (β = 0.432, p = 0.003) significantly predicted the intention of initiation of flossing, whereas emotional transformation (β = 0.344, p = 0.008) and practice for change (β = 0.594, p < 0.001) significantly predicted sustenance of flossing behavior. The MTM appears to be a robust framework for understanding and predicting flossing behaviors in rural Appalachian populations. Interventions designed to enhance behavioral confidence, physical environment changes, emotional transformation, and practice for change could improve flossing adherence. Further research should explore these constructs to develop targeted public health strategies.

Racial And Socioeconomic Disparities In Long Term Survival After Surgery And Radiation For Spinal Cord Hemangioblastoma, Abdul Karim Ghaith, Xinlan Yang, Joshua Weinberg, Shaan Bhandarkar, Taha Khalilullah, Abdel-Hameed Al-Mistarehi, Khaled Zaitoun, Meghana Bhimreddy, Arjun K. Menta, Antony A. Fuleihan, Kamel Chebaro, Jawad Khalifeh, Andrew Grossbach, Nicholas Theodore, Daniel Lubelski

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Spinal cord hemangioblastomas are rare, benign, intradural tumors that, despite their nonmalignant histopathology, can lead to substantial neurological morbidity. While disparities in outcomes based on race and socioeconomic status have been well-documented in other spinal tumor populations, their role in spinal cord hemangioblastoma remains poorly understood. In this study, we utilize the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to evaluate the influence of race, socioeconomic factors, and healthcare access on survival outcomes in patients with spinal cord hemangioblastoma. Additionally, we explore the utility of machine learning-based survival models to improve individualized risk prediction and to identify key clinical and sociodemographic determinants of …

Optimizing Workflow And Patient Outcomes: The Impact Of The Modified Adult Difficult Intravenous Access (A-Diva) Scale On Peripheral Iv Access: A Quality Improvement Project, Dakota S. Weaver, Ryan O'Sullivan

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Manuscripts

Peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is one of the most performed invasive procedures in hospital settings, yet it is frequently associated with multiple attempts in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA). In obstetric (OB) triage settings, where time-sensitive care is critical, failed PIVC attempts can delay treatment and negatively affect patient experience. The Modified Adult Difficult Intravenous Access (A-DIVA) scale is a validated tool designed to identify patients at risk for DIVA and guide early use of advanced techniques such as ultrasound (US) guidance.

A QI initiative was implemented in the OB triage unit of a large academic hospital. The tool …

3d Printing Of Short Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene: Novel Lattice Architucture And Material Characterization, Mohammad Ghazi Alshneeqat

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This study explores the enhanced compressive behavior of 3D-printed single and double gyroid solid-networks lattices. Where the double gyroids are constructed from two intertwined single gyroid structures. These structures were designed by nTop implicit modeling tool and then fabricated by material extrusion additive manufacturing method at optimized printing parameters, including optimized nozzle temperature and raster angle. The main objective of this study is to reveal the compressive behavior of the novel double gyroid lattice structure and then to tailor its response through variable gyroid heights. Standard polymer tests were performed, considering thermogravimetric analysis, to confirm the thermal stability of the …

Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter, August 21, 2025, Jeremy K. Greene

Clemson University Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter, August 21, 2025, Jeremy K. Greene

Clemson University Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Covid-19-Associated Mucormycosis Mimicking Odontogenic Pain: A Report Of Three Cases, Pegah Sarraf, Mahboube Hasheminasab, Mehrfam Khoshkhounejad, Seyed A. Abaee, Pardis Akbari, Mohammad H. Nekoofar, Paul M.H. Dummer

Pacific Faculty Work

Aim: The aim of this study was to present three cases of COVID-19-related mucormycosis mimicking endodontic pain and to discuss the relevant dental and medical literature for this potential life-threatening disease. Summary: Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a rare but serious infection caused by a group of fungi called mucormycetes. Mucormycosis mainly affects people who are medically compromised and have systemic health conditions or take drugs that lower their immune response. There has been an increase in case reports/series of mucormycosis in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. This is likely attributable to the high doses and prolonged use of corticosteroids in …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Bres No. 94 – Rialto Dump Reclamation Improvement (Ri) Field Sampling Plan (Fsp)., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Decomposing Trends In The Gender Gap For Highly Educated Workers, Joseph G. Altonji, John Eric Humphries, Yagmur Yuksel, Ling Zhong

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper examines the gender gap in log earnings among full-time, college-educated workers born between 1931 and 1984. Using data from the National Survey of College Graduates and other sources, we decompose the gender earnings gap across birth cohorts into three components: (i) gender differences in the relative returns to undergraduate and graduate fields, (ii) gender-specific trends in undergraduate field, graduate degree attainment, and graduate field, and (iii) a cohortspecific “residual component” that shifts the gender gap uniformly across all college graduates. We have three main findings. First, when holding the relative returns to fields constant, changes in fields of …

Change For The Use Of Phenobarbital In Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Rylee J. Studiner

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a critical condition commonly encountered in hospital settings. If not properly treated, AWS can progress to seizures, delirium tremens, and death. Traditionally, benzodiazepines guided by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar), have served as a mainstay of treatment. However, emerging evidence supports the use of phenobarbital as a pharmacologic alternative and the Severity of Ethanol Withdrawal Scale (SEWS) as a more objective and clinically practical assessment tool. This doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project aimed to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the use of phenobarbital in managing severe …

Covid-19 Crisis: Contemporary Trauma Theory And Clinical Social Workers’ Perspectives Of Work-Related Secondary Trauma Post-Pandemic, Dr. Veronica Y. Griffin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global crisis that challenged clinical social workers’ traditional client-centered strategies and exposed some to secondary trauma. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore clinical social workers’ perspectives on work-related secondary trauma post-COVID-19 pandemic using the contemporary trauma theory as the theoretical framework. The research question involved exploring their perspectives of how this trauma affected their biopsychosocial functioning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants who were clinical social workers between 28 and 36. Using thematic analysis, themes were identified and grouped into the three functioning groups: personal, relationships, and career. Twelve themes …

Staff Education On Suicidal Screening In Young African American Male Adults With Bipolar Disorders, Tokunbo Ndidi Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice education project aimed to enhance mental health providers’ preparedness in culturally competent suicide screening, specifically for African American males with bipolar disorder in a behavioral health department. The practice issue identified was a lack of documented training, leading to underdiagnosis, missed interventions, and health disparities driven by cultural stigma, provider discomfort, and the absence of standardized guidelines. This represents a serious patient safety concern for African American males with mood disorders, such as bipolar, who are significantly underserved in mental health care. The guiding question was: Does a suicide screening education program improve the knowledge …

Unh Study Finds Walkable Neighborhoods Eased Pandemic Mental Health Declines, Aaron Sanborn

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Organizational Climate And Decision Aid Sustainability In Lupus Care: Mixed Methods Study, Aizhan Karabukayeva, Larry R Hearld, Nathan W Carroll, Reena Kelly, Jasvinder A Singh

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Digital decision aids (DAs) are increasingly used in health care to support shared decision-making and promote patient engagement. In the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disease characterized by diverse symptoms and uncertain prognoses, DAs offer guidance to patients in navigating treatment risks and benefits. Although numerous studies have examined the initial implementation of evidence-based tools, there is limited evidence on the organizational factors that influence their long-term sustainability in clinical practice. This gap is particularly salient for digital interventions, where integration into routine workflows and ongoing use require alignment with clinic readiness and culture. This …

Phytochemical Analysis And Appraisal Of Antiproliferative Activity Of Magnolia Alejandrae, José E. Caballero-Chávez, Alma D. Paz-Gonzalez, Diana V. Navarrete-Carriola, Fabian E. Olazarán, María Miriam Estevez-Carmona, Benjamin Nogueda-Torres, Fernando Emiliano Jiménez-Mondragón, Melany X. Márquez-Aguilar, Carmen Michelle Pineda-Alcala, Debasish Bandyopadhyay

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Magnolia alejandrae is a tree endemic to Tamaulipas, Mexico, distributed in the forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental. Objective: Our objective was to analyze the secondary metabolite profile of different parts of M. alejandrae and evaluate their antiproliferative activity in vitro. Methods: Different extracts of leaf, bark, and fruit were obtained using conventional and unconventional extraction methods with solvents of different polarity. The extracts were analyzed by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectra (UPLC-MS), and their antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines was determined. Results: The primary yields of the extracts obtained from M. alejandrae ranged from 8.32% to 36.19%. Three …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling And Investigation Plan (Fsp): Bres No. 177 – North Alice Culvert, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy In Elementary Reading Instruction, Chelsea Renae Little

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) has been shown to help educators address the unique educational needs of African American students. While research has supported the belief that CRP promotes a sense of belonging and positively influences academic achievement, there remains a lack of research regarding elementary teachers’ perceptions of their implementation of CRP specifically when teaching reading to African American students. Framed by Ladson-Billings’s CRP framework, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore elementary teachers' perceptions of their implementation of CRP when teaching reading to African American students. Using a basic qualitative design, data were collected through semistructured …

Comparative Modeling Of Nuclear Energy Consumption In The United States And France: An Optimized Structure-Adaptive Grey Model, Alae Chahid '25, Naima Shifa

Student Research

This study investigates nuclear energy consumption trends in the United States, and France by applying advanced time-series modeling and computational optimization techniques. Using annual consumption data from 2005 to 2023, the research compares the predictive accuracy under data scarcity of the AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Grey Model (1,1,t), Grey Model(1,1,t²), and an Optimized Structure-Adaptive Grey Model (OSGM). This OSGM (1,1,_) the traditional Grey Model (1,1) by introducing time-dependent terms and parameter tuning through particle swarm optimization and Monte Carlo simulations. Models are trained and tested using an in-sample and out-of-sample period framework. Then, forecast accuracies are compared using Mean …

Homelessness Among School-Aged Children In The Mountain West, 2022-2023, Mohit Pande, Sean Curry, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet presents data on homelessness among school-aged children in the Mountain West during the 2022-2023 school year. The data are sourced from the “Child and Youth Homelessness in the United States: Data Profiles” dashboard produced by SchoolHouse Connection and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. State-level data profiles include information about child and youth homelessness at the national, state, county, school district, and congressional district levels. This fact sheet focuses on homelessness among school-aged children within the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Public School Funding In The Mountain West, 2020-2021, Sean Curry, Mohit Pande, Olivia K. Cheche, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet examines the state of public school funding across the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are sourced from the Education Law Center’s 2023 Making the Grade report, which provides data for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The original report provides grades for school funding, enrollment data, and funding data based on the 2020-2021 school year.

Green Synthesis Of Mgo Nanoparticles Via Two Different Methods And Studying Their Structural, Morphological, And Optical Properties, Athraa Hadi Obead, Nada K. Abbas

Baghdad Science Journal

Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) have been prepared by a green synthesis using the leaves of Ficus carica extract, which can be easily used for various biomedical applications. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) prepared by a green synthesis are non-toxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly. Fig extract functions as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The precursors used for preparation are from Magnesium Nitrate MgO(n) and bulk magnesium oxide MgO(b) by two different methods. The MgO(n) prepared from Magnesium Nitrate and MgO(b) prepared from bulk magnesium oxide nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) to analyze the absorption patterns, The energy band …

Biodegradable Nanocomposites Thin Films For Recyclability Electronic Covering, Ban Jawad, Ammar Emad Al-Kawaz, Hanaa Jawad, Nabeel Hasan, Balqees Mohammed

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, the nanocomposite thin films were prepared from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that reinforced with different proportions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via hand casting method . The current work aims to create the connection between improving surface characteristics for high efficiency electronic covering and biodegradability. The nature of bonding between the PVA and CNTs were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Wettability properties were studied via contact angle analyzer. The two dimensions' morphology of nanocomposites was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biodegradable tests of nanocomposites were performed via burial in soil for seven days. According to the contact …

The Influence Of Hunting Cooperation And Fear On The Dynamics Of The Eco-Epidemiological Model With Disease In Both Populations, Nabaa Hassain Fakhry, Raid Kamel Naji

Baghdad Science Journal

Predicting and controlling environmental dynamics requires an understanding of the intricate interaction between hunting cooperation, fear, and other biological elements in eco-epidemiological models. Studying these models is crucial for environmental sustainability and conservation, as seen by the rise in infectious diseases caused by population growth and interactions among organisms. The goal of this study is to create a novel mathematical model that takes into account contagious diseases that impact both predators and prey, as well as how cooperative hunting behavior on the part of predators causes anxiety in the prey population. Important features of the model are examined, including the …