Digital Commons Network^™

Tert Promoter Mutations And Survival Outcomes In Adult-Type Granulosa Cell Tumors, Allison L Brodsky, Alejandra Flores Legarreta, Bryan M Fellman, Deanna Glassman, Jeffrey How, Veena Vuttaradhi, Anil K Sood, Lois Michelle Ramondetta, David Gershenson, R Tyler Hillman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To evaluate survival outcomes among patients with adult-type granulosa cell tumors who have telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the MD Anderson Rare Gynecologic Malignancy Registry. Patients with adult granulosa cell tumors who underwent molecular testing for TERT promoter and FOXL2 c.C402G mutations were included. We used descriptive statistics to compare demographic and clinical variables and estimated progression-free and overall survival with Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards regression and log-rank tests were employed for comparisons, with multivariable analyses adjusting for various factors.

Results: Among 70 patients, 28 (40%) had TERT+ tumors. …

Ppp2r1a Mutations Portend Improved Survival After Cancer Immunotherapy, Yibo Dai, Anne Knisely, Mitsutake Yano, Minghao Dang, Emily M Hinchcliff, Sanghoon Lee, Annalyn Welp, Manoj Chelvanambi, Matthew Lastrapes, Heng Liu, Zhe Yuan, Chen Wang, Hao Nie, Stephanie Jean, Luis J Montaner, Jiakai Hou, Ami Patel, Shrina Patel, Bryan Fellman, Ying Yuan, Baohua Sun, Renganayaki Krishna Pandurengan, Edwin Roger Parra Cuentas, Joseph Celestino, Yan Liu, Jinsong Liu, R Tyler Hillman, Shannon N Westin, Anil K Sood, Pamela T Soliman, Aaron Shafer, Larissa A Meyer, David M Gershenson, David Vining, Dhakshinamoorthy Ganeshan, Karen Lu, Jennifer A Wargo, Weiyi Peng, Rugang Zhang, Linghua Wang, Amir A Jazaeri

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is effective against many cancers, although resistance remains a major issue and new strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes1-5. Here we studied ICB response in a cohort of patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma-a cancer type that poses considerable clinical challenges and lacks effective therapies6-8. We observed significantly prolonged overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with tumours with PPP2R1A mutations. Importantly, our findings were validated in additional ICB-treated patient cohorts across multiple cancer types. Translational analyses from tumour biopsies demonstrated enhanced IFNγ signalling, and the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures at the baseline, …

Nature-Inspired Metaheuristics For Optimizing Dose-Finding And Computationally Challenging Clinical Trial Designs, Weng Kee Wong, Yevgen Ryeznik, Oleksandr Sverdlov, Ping-Yang Chen, Xinying Fang, Ray-Bing Chen, Shouhao Zhou, J Jack Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Metaheuristics are commonly used in computer science and engineering to solve optimization problems, but their potential applications in clinical trial design have remained largely unexplored. This article provides a brief overview of metaheuristics and reviews their limited use in clinical trial settings. We focus on nature-inspired metaheuristics and apply one of its exemplary algorithms, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, to find phase I/II designs that jointly consider toxicity and efficacy. As a specific application, we demonstrate the utility of PSO in designing optimal dose-finding studies to estimate the optimal biological dose (OBD) for a continuation-ratio model with four parameters …

Optimization Of Mhealth Behavioral Interventions For Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: The Health4cll Study, Che Young Lee, Max J Gordon, Melissa M Markofski, Emily C Lavoy, Susan K Peterson, Liang Li, Sara Fares, Miranda Baum, Margaret Pace, Danielle Walsh, Alessandra Ferrajoli, Karen Basen-Engquist

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: This pilot study of a diet and physical activity intervention (HEALTH4CLL) was conducted to reduce fatigue and improve physical function (PF) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods: The HEALTH4CLL study used a randomized factorial design based on the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Patients received diet, exercise, and body weight management instructional materials plus a Fitbit and were randomized to undergo one of 16 combinations of 4 evidence-based mHealth intervention strategies over 16 weeks. Patients' fatigue, PF, health-related quality of life, behavior changes, and program satisfaction and retention were assessed. Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in …

Film Measurements Of Kilovoltage X-Ray Percentage Depth Doses For Different Energies And Field Sizes, Tze Yee Lim, Dershan Luo, Jamshid Moradi-Kurdestany, Xin Wang, Ramesh Tailor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Kilovoltage x-ray therapy, which includes superficial x-rays and orthovoltage x-rays, is particularly suited for treatments near the skin surface. Radiation dose deposition at depth is typically characterized by percentage depth dose (PDD) curves. However, PDD data are difficult to obtain in kilovoltage x-ray therapy, hence clinics often rely on British Journal of Radiology Supplement 25 (BJR-25) archival data. This study measured PDD for different energies and field sizes on the Xstrahl 300 kilovoltage x-ray therapy unit for comparison with BJR-25 data.

Methods: We irradiated EBT3 film in water using different energy and field size combinations, then, compared the acquired …

Orp2 Regulates Free Cholesterol Accumulation In Hepatocytes During Mash, Jin Wu, Yudi Zhao, Liwen Qiu, Qiaoli Chen, Xiaowei Wang, Jingwen Gu, Yan Liang, Yingjie Zhang, Hong-Yu Wang, Yang Liu, Xiaoqin Wu, Shuai Chen, Feng-Jung Chen, Mingming Gao, Hongyuan Yang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Cholesterol crystals in hepatocytes are known to strongly associate with human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. However, it remains unclear which molecular pathway(s) regulates free cholesterol accumulation and the formation of cholesterol crystals in hepatocytes. In cultured cell lines, oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) functions to deliver cholesterol to the plasma membrane from endosomal compartments.

Methods: Here, we generated liver-specific ORP2 knockout (ORP2-LKO) mice and characterized their metabolic phenotypes on chow and high-fat diet.

Results: The ORP2-LKO mice developed much more severe hepatic steatosis than floxed control mice after high-fat diet feeding. They also demonstrated more severe liver inflammation and damage. …

Clinical And Dosimetric Considerations For Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres Radioembolization Of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma, And Metastatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: Recommendations From An International Multidisciplinary Working Group, Marnix Lam, Riad Salem, Beau Toskich, S Cheenu Kappadath, Carlo Chiesa, Kirk Fowers, Paul Haste, Joseph M Herman, Edward Kim, Thomas Leung, Siddharth A Padia, Bruno Sangro, Daniel Y Sze, Etienne Garin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The TheraSphere Global Steering Committee reconvened to review clinical data and address knowledge gaps related to treatment and dosimetry in non-HCC indications using Yttrium-90 (90Y) glass microspheres.

Methods: A PubMed search was performed. References were reviewed and adjudicated by the Delphi method. Recommendations were graded according to the degree of recommendation and strength of consensus. Dosimetry focused on a mean dose approach, i.e., aiming for an average dose over either single or multicompartment volumes of interests. Committee discussion and consensus focused on optimal patient selection, disease presentation, liver function, tumour type, tumour vascularity, and curative/palliative treatment intent for intrahepatic …

Evolution Of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma From Precursor Lesion Stem Cells, Wa Xian, Shan Wang, Jingzhong Xie, Yusuke Yamamoto, Melina Khorrami, Yanting Zhang, Raul Caballero Montes, Caycel Desales, Melika Khorrami, Zaal Mory, Ashley Hoffman, Amber Su, Crystal Nguyen, Peter J A Davies, Clifford Stephan, Shuang Pan, Wengen Wu, Yuxin Liu, Jeremy Siegelman, Rebecca E Waters, William A Ross, Shumei Song, Mark Metersky, David G Beer, Christopher P Crum, Alexander J Stewart, Matthew Vincent, Richard Russell, Robert A Izard, Khek Yu Ho, Jack Hung-Sen Lai, William W Bachovchin, Jaffer A Ajani, Frank D Mckeon

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background & aims: Metastatic cancers arise from a decades-long succession of increasingly virulent precursor lesions, each of which represents prospective targets for therapeutic intervention. This evolutionary process has been particularly vivid in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), as this cancer and associated precursor lesions, including Barrett's esophagus (BE), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), coexist in an accessible, 2-dimensional pattern in esophageal mucosa. Given the durability of these precursor lesions, it is likely that they, like EAC, rely on stem cells for their regenerative growth. To assess the role of stem cells in the evolution of EAC, we apply technology that …

Large-Scale Genome-Wide Analyses Of Stuttering, Hannah G Polikowsky, Alyssa C Scartozzi, Douglas M Shaw, Dillon G Pruett, Hung-Hsin Chen, Lauren E Petty, Alexander S Petty, Emily J Lowther, Shu-Hsien Cho, Yao Yu, Sahar Mozaffari, Christy L Avery, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Reyna L Gordon, Janet M Beilby, Kathryn Z Viljoen, Robin M Jones, Chad D Huff, Heather M Highland, Shelly Jo Kraft, Jennifer E Below

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Developmental stuttering is a highly heritable, common speech condition characterized by prolongations, blocks and repetitions of speech. Although stuttering is highly heritable and enriched within families, the genetic architecture is largely understudied. We reasoned that there are both shared and distinct genetic variants impacting stuttering risk within sex and ancestry groups. To test this idea, we performed eight primary genome-wide association analyses of self-reported stuttering that were stratified by sex and ancestry, as well as secondary meta-analyses of more than one million individuals (99,776 cases and 1,023,243 controls), identifying 57 unique loci. We validated the genetic risk of self-reported stuttering …

An Evidence-Based Report On Digital Inclusion In Cornwall: -, Katharine Willis

School of Art, Design and Architecture

This report establishes Cornwall’s first comprehensive baseline on digital inclusion, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to reveal the scale, nature, and geography of digital exclusion across the county. Cornwall faces a dual challenge of ensuring equitable digital skills and addressing infrastructure and affordability barriers. While overall digital use is high, significant groups remain excluded, particularly older adults, low-income households, those without qualifications, and residents in rural or deprived areas. These challenges pose risks not only to individuals’ access to services and opportunities but also to Cornwall’s social and economic resilience.

Generation Of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines From An Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patient With Hyperreflective Foci Overlying Drusen (Rfsci002-A) And An Unaffected Sibling (Rfsci001-A), Adnin Ashrafi, Wendy Runyon, Sam Hu, Ritu Kumar, Timothy Catchpole, Ajeet Singh, Rinki Ratnapriya, Karl G Csaky, Srinivasa R Sripathi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, driven by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor degeneration. A key feature is drusen accumulation between the RPE and Bruch's membrane. In intermediate AMD, hyperreflective foci (HRF)-bright intraretinal lesions visible on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging-serve as biomarkers of disease progression. To study HRF mechanisms, we generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from an AMD patient with HRF overlying drusen (RFSC4) and their unaffected sibling (RFSC3). These iPSC models offer a platform to explore disease mechanisms and develop therapies for AMD.

Exploring Behavioural Motivations Of Treatment Refusal In Cancer: A Q-Methodological Approach, Ruby Koyllor A. Gleeson, Nicolas H. Hart, Darren Haywood, Frank D. Baughman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Cancer treatment refusal is known to lower survival rates and increase cancer symptoms in individuals with cancer. Behavioural motivations of treatment refusal need to be elucidated for better cancer care. Using Q-methodology, a mixed methods research approach, we explored behavioural motivations of treatment refusal in individuals diagnosed with cancer. Method: Thirty-nine individuals (n = 39; age = 49.2 ± 12.2 years) were recruited from Australia, the UK, and the USA, who had refused cancer treatment within the past decade. Participants completed an online demographic questionnaire and a Q-sort activity which required the organisation and ranking of 44 statements on …

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Modifiable Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Among Indians: Scoping Review, Kunwar Kaur, Ma'en Zaid Abu-Qamar, Amineh Rashidi, Nilufeur Mckay, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) causes a significant number of deaths globally. India has the highest IHD burden, with cases up 138% since 1990. Individuals of Indian descent face a greater risk of early IHD and poorer long-term outcomes. Indian people typically develop IHD a decade earlier than other populations, with 52% of IHD-related deaths occurring before the age of 70, compared to 23% in Western populations. Aims: This review aims to synthesise evidence on the Indian population's knowledge and perceptions of modifiable IHD risk factors and identify literature gaps. Methods: Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Preferred Reporting …

The Generality Of Psychosocial Safety Climate Theory—A Fundamental Element For Global Worker Well-Being: Evidence From Four Nations, May Young Loh, Michelle Chin Chin Lee, Maureen Dollard, Dianne Gardner, Kazuki Kikunaga, Tsukumi Tondokoro, Akinori Nakata, Mohd Awang Idris, Tim Bentley, Ali Afsharian, David Tappin, Darryl Forsyth

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Occupational health and safety researchers and policymakers often rely on organisational theories and evidence to provide valuable information for effective policy making and understanding. Yet, most traditional and contemporary organisational theories are developed within a single nation, often in high-income countries. Therefore, cross-national validation is required for generalisable worldwide use. The current study focuses on an antecedent to workplace health and safety, that is, the psychosocial safety climate (PSC), and aims to investigate if PSC is an etic (i.e., universally applicable) or emic (i.e., nationally/context specific) theory. Across nations, we investigate the construct meaning of PSC by testing PSC measurement …

Blood Biomarkers Of Alzheimer's Disease In Australians Habitually Consuming Various Plant-Based Diets, Shaun Eslick, Grace Austin, Jessica J.A. Ferguson, Manohar L. Garg, Christopher Oldmeadow, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Evidence suggests that plant-based diets (PBDs) may be protective against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: This study examined associations between blood-based AD biomarkers in individuals 30–75 years without current or diagnosed cardiovascular disease following different PBDs versus regular meat-eating diets (RMEs). Methods: This secondary analysis of the Plant-based Diets study measured Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40, p-tau181, NFL, and GFAP in 237 plasma samples using SIMOA from individuals following vegan, pesco-vegetarian (PVs), lacto-ovo vegetarian (LOVs), semi-vegetarian (SVs), or RME diets. Multivariable regression adjusted for age and sex. Results: Following adjustments for age and sex, plasma Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40ratio was significantly higher in …

Caring For Home Care Workers: Health And Safety Hazards, Harms And Risk Factors, Denise M. Jepsen, Sanetta Henrietta Johanna Du Toit, Toni Robyn Barker, Saul Wodak, Erin Lawn, Tash Freeburn, Josh Rhee, Carmel Laragy, Elizabeth Convery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Home care workers support the growing number of older adults or people with disabilities who are living at home in their own private residences. The complex and varied work health and safety (WHS) hazards these workers face on the job include both physical and psychosocial harms. While physical WHS hazards in this sector have been articulated, there is an urgent need to update, understand and address psychosocial risks such as verbal abuse and sexually inappropriate behaviour and bullying, particularly when perpetrated by clients. This study sought to identify the range of WHS hazards and harms that home care workers face …

Exercise Perceptions In People With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Insights From A Qualitative Study, Kedar Deshpande, John Olynyk, Oyekoya Ayonrinde, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver condition associated with lifestyle and metabolic risk factors. While exercise is a beneficial treatment strategy, many patients struggle to implement and perform exercise regularly. It is important for practitioners to know about patient awareness, attitudes, and preferences regarding exercise in the con-text of MASLD. In this study, we examined exercise knowledge, attitudes, and exercise preferences among patients with MASLD to improve their exercise behavior changes. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire and semi-structured inter-view study in adults with MASLD to assess their disease awareness, perspectives on exercise and exercise preferences. …

Nut Intake, Functional Limitations, And Quality Of Life In Older Adults: Findings From Nhanes 2003–2012, Ilili Feyesa, Elena S. George, David Scott, Gavin Abbott, Jeew Hettiarachchi, Robin M. Daly, Jack Dalla Via, Ekavi N. Georgousopoulou, Sze Yen Tan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Increased nut consumption has positive effects on physical and cognitive function, but whether these translate into lower functional limitations in older adults is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nut intake, functional limitations, the severity of these limitations and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from 5807 adults (53.4% female) aged 60 years and older who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2012. Nut intake was assessed using two 24-h dietary recalls. Functional limitations were assessed using …

Ocular Changes As Potential Biomarkers For Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease, Purna Chandra Poudel, Shaun M. Frost, Shaun Eslick, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Kevin Taddei, Eugene Hone, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. AD diagnosis often involves a thorough assessment, including clinical evaluation, cognitive testing, medical history examination, genetic testing, and biomarker analysis. Currently, the invasive nature and high costs of biomarker testing, such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis and neuroimaging, have limited the early detection and intervention of the disease. Therefore, researchers have explored cheaper and less invasive options, such as ocular imaging. This review discusses the close relationship between the eye and the central nervous system and ocular changes as a potential non-invasive AD biomarker. Ocular changes …

Impact Of Biodegradation On The Mechanical And Fatigue Properties Of 3d-Printed Pla Bone Scaffolds, Hamed Bakhtiari, Alireza Nouri, Muhammad Aamir, Mohadeseh Najafi, Majid Tolouei-Rad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A proper degradation rate of bone scaffolds ensures optimal mechanical support and effective tissue regeneration. The present study examines the degradation effects of simulated body fluids (SBF) on the compressive and fatigue strength of 3D-printed PLA bone scaffolds. Scaffolds with varying surface-to-volume (S/V) ratios and identical porosity (60 %) were immersed in Hanks' solution for a maximum period of 30 days. Static and dynamic compression tests were performed at different immersion times to assess how S/V ratio influences the degradation process. CT images showed that scaffold pore structure remained interconnected after biodegradation, with no significant change in strut thickness or …

Advancement Of Biocarbon Materials In Sustainable Thermal And Electrochemical Energy Storage With Future Outlooks, Md Shahriar Mohtasim, Barun K. Das

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Biocarbon exhibits significant potential in thermal and electrochemical energy storage owing to its higher surface area, flexible porosity, and superior thermal stability, facilitating effective energy absorption, storage, and conversion. Additionally, its sustainable and cost-effective nature, derived from renewable biomass, aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions. There is not enough review work that offers comprehensive details on the unique properties of biocarbon (both animal and plant-derived), synthesis and characterization methods, the root level mechanism of biocarbon's interaction with phase change materials (PCMs) matrix, the generalization of thermal and electrochemical regulation with an emphasis on the benefits to the environment …

Urbanisation And Specifically Impervious Cover Alter Riparian Plant Communities In A Rapidly Urbanising Landscape In The Himalayas, Karma Jamtsho, Mark A. Lund, David Blake, Eddie Van Etten

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Impervious covers, such as roads, pavements, buildings, and parking lots, prevent water infiltration, thereby increasing surface runoff. The expansion of impervious cover along riverbanks in urban areas poses a significant threat to riparian ecosystems by altering species diversity and composition through hydrological changes. As dynamic ecosystems at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial environments, riparian areas play a crucial role in aquatic ecology, particularly in terms of biodiversity, bank stability, nutrient dynamics, and hydrological processes. Employing plot-based floristic sampling, this study investigated the effects of urbanisation, particularly impervious cover (quantified as PTIA, Percentage of Total Impervious Area), on riparian plant …

Endogenous Analgesia, Assessed Via Conditioned Pain Modulation, Is Not Different In People With Hip Osteoarthritis Compared To Controls: A Cross-Sectional Study, Myles C. Murphy, Molly Coventry, Ebonie K. Rio, Paola T. Chivers, Benedict Wand, Gordon Waddington, Andrea B. Mosler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In people with knee osteoarthritis, measures of pain sensitivity have been demonstrated to relate to both pain severity and treatment outcomes, dependent on the type of pain sensitivity being tested. Objective: Quantify if differences in the pressure pain thresholds (PPT) or conditioned pain modulation (CPM) effect exist between people with hip osteoarthritis and age-matched controls without hip osteoarthritis. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study across two geographic locations. PPTs at a local (hip) and remote (elbow) site were collected via a manual algometer. CPM was quantified using PPTs immediately prior to, and during ice water immersion of the hand …

Visual Analog Of Temporal Envelope Benefits Speech Processing In Cochlear Implant Users: A Pilot Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study On The Associations Between Audiovisual Benefit, Listening Environment, And Peripheral Neural Health, Zi Gao, Yi Yuan, Christopher R. Mueller, Ross A. Aiello, Yingying Wang, Shuman He

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Objectives: This study compared the benefit of visual analog of temporal envelope for speech processing across listening environments in postlingually deafened adult cochlear implant users. Associations between cortical activities and peripheral neural health were explored. Design: Speech perception was measured using Harvard/IEEE sentences in quiet and noise with a visually presented sphere whose size was synchronized with the temporal envelope of the sentences. Cortical activities were recorded concurrently using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Audiovisual benefit was evaluated using sentence scores, activation additivity, and functional connectivity. Peripheral neural health was measured using electrically evoked compound action potentials. Results: Behavioral results showed the …

Handling Skewness And Directional Tails In Model-Based Clustering, Cristina Tortora, Antonio Punzo, Brian C. Franczak

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Model-based clustering is a powerful approach used in data analysis to unveil underlying patterns or groups within a data set. However, when applied to clusters that exhibit skewness, heavy tails, or both, the classification of data points becomes more challenging. In this study, we introduce two models considering two component-wise transformations of the observed data within a mixture of multiple scaled contaminated normal (MSCN) distributions. MSCN distributions are designed to enable a different tail behavior in each dimension and directional outlier detection in the direction of the principal components. Using the transformed MSCN distributions as components of a mixture, we …

Coastal And Anthropogenic Heat Impacts On Pbl Processes During Extreme Summer Thunderstorm Precipitation In New York City, Madhusmita Swain, Jean Carlos Peña, Robert D. Bornstein, Jorge E. González-Cruz

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Urban extreme precipitation is a crucial study topic due to its growing societal impact and limited understanding of its processes. This study examines the extreme summer precipitation event that occurred in coastal New York City (NYC) on July 17, 2018, using observations and simulations. Severe flooding was caused throughout the City by the thunderstorm event, which had a maximum rainfall of 44 mm and an Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity of 8 °C. The study employs two high-resolution weather model simulations: one uses the Building Effect Parameterization (BEP), while the other incorporates with the BEP, Building Energy Model (BEM), an …

A Systematic Review Of Machine Learning In Groundwater Monitoring, Mrunmayee Dhapre, Shrikant Jadhav, Debanjana Das, Jehanzeb Khan, Youngsoo Kim, Sen Chiao, Thomas Danielson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

With increasing concerns about water scarcity, groundwater has become crucial since this resource provides most of the freshwater needs. However, various human and natural activities often contaminate the groundwater, making it unsuitable for use. Over the years, scientists and engineers have used many methods to predict and track groundwater contamination as part of environmental monitoring. Consequently, there is an urgent need for improved methods, particularly in the face of increasing contamination. Machine learning has sometimes been used to monitor groundwater, air quality, and climate. Traditional methods must be improved due to the complexity and large amount of environmental data. This …

A Comprehensive Look At Pudg-R21: Stellar Population And Kinematics Of A Globular Cluster-Rich Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy In The Perseus Cluster, Arsen Levitskiy, Duncan A. Forbes, Jonah S. Gannon, Anna Ferré-Mateu, Aaron J. Romanowsky, Jean P. Brodie, Warrick J. Couch, Lydia Haacke

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We present the analysis of the stellar populations and kinematics of the globular cluster (GC)-rich ultra-diffuse galaxy (UDG), PUDG-R21, using spectroscopic observations obtained with the Keck Cosmic Web Imager. The recessional velocity is measured to be 5536 ± 10 km s⁻¹, confirming its association with the Perseus Cluster. The galaxy exhibits mild rotation of 15.6 ± 10 km s⁻¹ and a stellar velocity dispersion of 19.4 ± 3.5 km s⁻¹ within the galaxy effective radius. From this, we infer a dynamical mass of Mdyn = 9.3 ± 3.3 × 108 M☉. Based on a halo mass …

Kinematic Confirmation Of A Remarkable Linear Trail Of Galaxies In The Ngc 1052 Field, Consistent With Formation In A High-Speed Bullet Dwarf Collision, Michael A. Keim, Pieter Van Dokkum, Zili Shen, Harrison Souchereau, Imad Pasha, Shany Danieli, Roberto Abraham, Aaron J. Romanowsky, Yimeng Tang

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

A unique linear trail of diffuse galaxies was recently identified in the NGC 1052 field. This trail includes the remarkable, ultradiffuse galaxies DF2 and DF4, which lack dark matter and host unusually luminous globular clusters. It has been proposed that the trail formed via a high-speed collision between two gas-rich dwarf galaxies. This scenario predicts that the trail galaxies are kinematically connected and follow a specific trend in radial velocity as a function of position, based on the known velocities and positions of DF2 and DF4. To test this hypothesis, we measured radial velocities for seven additional galaxies on the …

Anticolonialism And Qualitative Methods For Culture-Centered Interventions, Mohan Jyoti Dutta, Ambar Basu, Satveer Kaur-Gill, Debalina Dutta, Mahuya Pal, Iccha Basnyat, Selina Metuamate, Venessa Pokaia, Phoebe Elers, Indranil Mandal, Rabindranath Mandi, Pankaj Baskey, Devalina Mookerjee, Shaunak Sastry, Jaime Robb, Andrew Carter

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In this essay, we a collective of Indigenous, Black, and migrant Global South scholars engaged in experiments with the culture-centered approach (CCA) draw on our lived experiences amidst struggles against land grab, neoliberal extractivism, and capitalist exploitation to outline a framework for qualitative methods as anticolonial politics. We begin by exploring the interplays of colonialism, imperialism, and racial capitalism that have shaped the origins and uses of qualitative methods toward serving extractive agendas of global capital. This critique serves as the basis for outlining the key principles of the CCA, turning to voice, storytelling, and embodied action as the basis …