Digital Commons Network^™

Spatial Analytics To Elucidate The Incubation Period And Drivers Of Visceral Leishmaniasis: Case Of Turkana County In Kenya, Kennedy Senagi, Maureen Nzilani, Evans Omondi, David P. Tchouassi, Tobias Landmann, Damaris Matoke-Muhia, Emmanuel Okunga, Barrington Gesimba, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Dawn Maranga, Joseph M. Ndungu, Daniel Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe and neglected tropical disease of public health concern. VL is fatal if not treated. Kenya has experienced multiple outbreaks of the disease since 2017. The underlying drivers of the disease risk dynamics, as well as the incubation period, are not well understood. Methods: We implemented statistical (spatial logistic regression and Bayesian spatial) and machine learning (random forest, support vector machine, AdaBoost, logistic regression, and extra trees) models to estimate the incubation period and predict areas of low/high risk in Turkana County, an endemic VL foci in Kenya. Two-year (2019–2020) patient data were sourced …

Nomad: Metagenomic Characterisation Of The Viral Pathogen Composition In Outbreaks Of Non-Malaria Acute Febrile Illness Cases, Benard W. Kulohoma, Ibrahim Ng'eno

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The clinical importance of non-malaria febrile acute illness (NM-AFI) in patients with a negative parasitological test has become apparent, with the progressive reduction in malaria transmission in endemic regions. Bacterial pathogens, for example Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, which contribute disproportionally to febrile illness, are now preventable by vaccines. However, there are no vaccines, and little is known about viral NM-AFI prevalence, proliferation, virulence, and transmission chains between hosts. Although the predominant viral causes of NM-AFI are established, it is unclear if there are other NM-AFI associated emerging infectious viral pathogens that previously remained undetectable by conventional diagnostic strategies, for …

Do Rates Matter? Validation Of Insect Frass Fertilizer Rates In A Vegetable Intensified Push-Pull Technology For Optimal Sustainable Production, Priscilla Mwikali Kimuli, Dennis Beesigamukama, Judy Wambua, Bonoukpoe Mawuko Sokame, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga, Frank Chidawanyika, Sevgan Subramanian, Daniel Munyao Mutyambai

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Push–pull system intensification with vegetables (VIPPT) has contributed significantly in maintaining good control of lepidopteran pests and parasitic weeds with additional food and nutritional security benefits. However, the impact of integration of different rates of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) in the VIPPT to enhance productivity, has not been explored. This study investigated the effects of different BSFFF application rates on growth performance, pest infestation severity, diversity of natural enemies and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) grown under VIPPT in two agroecological zones. Plants were grown in soils amended with five different levels of BSFFF (0, …

The Physicochemical Properties, Biochemical Makeup, And Health Benefits Of Honey Produced From Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini), Belay Gezahegn Gebreyes, Tilahun A. Teka, Yetenayet Bekele Tola, Metekia Tamiru, Nkoba Kiatoko

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This review provides a comprehensive overview of stingless bee honey (SBH), focusing on its physicochemical properties, biochemical composition, and health benefits. SBH exhibits unique characteristics, including color, flavor, texture, and lower thermal stability, influenced by various botanical sources, stingless bee species, and diverse geographic and climatic conditions. These environmental factors, particularly floral diversity and climate, significantly affect SBH’s composition and functional properties, resulting in regional variations that impact its market value and health potential. The review details the composition ranges of SBH, which include moisture content (13.26%–41%), total acidity (12.59–270 meq/kg), reducing sugar (22.44%–78.95%), electrical conductivity (0.11–101.88 mS/cm), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) …

The Role Of Information And Communication Technologies-Based Extension In Agriculture: Application, Opportunities And Challenges, Kelvin Mulungu, Menale Kassie, Maurice Tschopp

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Limited access to information about new technologies is a major barrier to agricultural productivity. To bridge this information gap, agricultural extension services increasingly use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to provide timely and actionable information to farmers. This systematic review analyses evidence from 49 studies examining the impact of ICT interventions including mobile apps, SMS messaging, educational videos, and voice calling services on awareness, agricultural practices adoption, yields, and income. The review reveals that 76% of studies reported increased adoption of good agricultural practices, 60% demonstrated improved awareness, 74% indicated higher yields, and 68% observed enhanced incomes. Cereals, particularly maize, …

Home Dialysis For Latinx Individuals Living With Kidney Failure: A Qualitative Study Of Interdisciplinary Dialysis Clinicians, Katherine Rizzolo, Rebeca Gonzalez Jauregui, Jade Teakell, Michel Chonchol, Sushrut S Waikar, Lilia Cervantes

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Key Points:

1. Individual-level advocacy to overcome structural barriers to home dialysis is key in improving home dialysis access for Latinx individuals.

2. Acknowledging patient influences on dialysis modality choice is critical for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

3. Early, repeated education from a trusted source is important for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

Background: Latinx individuals experience two times the incidence of kidney failure compared with non-Latinx individuals and are less likely to use home dialysis therapies. In this qualitative study, interdisciplinary home dialysis clinicians were interviewed to understand the key factors and strategies used by clinicians to improve home dialysis uptake …

Biology-Informed Inverse Problems For Insect Pests Detection Using Pheromone Sensors, Thibault Malou, Nicolas Parisey, Katarzyna Adamczyk-Chauvat, Elisabeta Vergu, Béatrice Laroche, Paul André Calatayud, Philippe Lucas, Simon Labarthe

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Most insects have the ability to modify the odor landscape in order to communicate with their conspecies during key phases of their life cycle such as reproduction. They release pheromones in their nearby environment, volatile compounds that are detected by insects of the same species with exceptional specificity and sensitivity. Efficient pheromone detection is then an interesting lever for insect pest management in a precision agroecological culture context. A precise and early detection of pests using pheromone sensors offers a strategy for pest management before infestation. In this paper, we develop a biology-informed inverse problem framework that leverages temporal signals …

Unraveling The Potential Of Black Soldier Fly Larvae As A Sustainable Protein Source For Nile Tilapia Production In Diverse Aquaculture Systems, Jonathan Munguti, Mavindu Muthoka, Jimmy B. Mboya, Domitila Kyule, Menaga Meenakshisundaram, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has emerged as a promising, nutrient-dense alternative. This review synthesizes existing literature on BSFLM’s nutritional profile and its suitability for Nile tilapia diets, while acknowledging that the data come from diverse independent studies conducted under varying environmental conditions and husbandry practices. BSFLM consistently provides high-quality protein (29.9%–48.2%), aligning with tilapia’s requirements, and is rich in …

Nature-Based Land Management Practices And Yield Dynamics In Oil Palm Production: Insights From Indonesian Smallholder Growers, Kibrom T. Sibhatu, Martin Paul Tabe-Ojong, Hermanto Siregar

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Nature-based land management (NLM) practices are increasingly promoted for their potential to bridge yield gaps and increase overall crop production. Yet, the extent of NLM adoption, the factors driving it, and its impact on yields remain unknown, particularly among smallholder farmers. This study addresses this knowledge gap using a unique three-round panel dataset from independent smallholder oil palm growers in Indonesia, focusing on three main NLM practices: composting, manual weeding, and organic soil amendments (SA) using lime and gypsum. We employ panel data estimators and a multivariate probit model to examine the yield effects of these practices and assess any …

Seasonal Variability Of Surface Ocean Carbon Uptake And Chlorophyll-A Concentration In The West Antarctic Peninsula Over Two Decades, Jessica S. Turner, David R. Munro, Amanda Fay, Sharon Stammerjohn, Heather Kim, Oscar Schofield, Heidi Dierssen

OES Faculty Publications

The Southern Ocean plays a vital role in global CO₂ uptake, but the magnitude and even the sign of the flux remain uncertain, and the influence of phytoplankton phenology is underexplored. This study focuses on the West Antarctic Peninsula, a region experiencing rapid climate change, to examine shifts in seasonal carbon uptake. Using 20 years of in situ air-sea CO₂ flux and satellite-derived Chlorophyll-a, we observe that the seasonal cycles of both air-sea CO₂ flux and Chlorophyll-a intensify poleward. The amplitude of the seasonal cycle of the non-thermal component of surface ocean pCO₂ increases with increasing latitude, while the amplitude …

Micrornas As Key Regulators Of Cancer Drug Resistance: Insights And Future Directions In Chemotherapy, Targeted-Therapy, Radiotherapy, And Immunotherapy, Michael Attathikhun, Ancuta Jurj, George A Calin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer therapy remains an active field of investigation, particularly in understanding and overcoming therapy resistance. Small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are emerging as key regulators of cancer survival, progression, proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Although many studies have linked miRNAs to cancer therapy outcomes, significant questions remain regarding their precise molecular and cellular roles in therapy resistance. Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs influence critical pathways such as apoptosis, immune evasion, and other signaling cascades. However, there have been many setbacks because of the limitations in knowledge of each specific miRNA's function. A deeper understanding of miRNA expression and …

Corrigendum To Exosomal Mirna Confers Chemo Resistance Via Targeting Cav1/P-Gp/M2-Type Macrophage Axis In Ovarian Cancer, Pinar Kanlikilicer, Recep Bayraktar, Merve Denizli, Mohammed H Rashed, Cristina Ivan, Burcu Aslan, Rahul Mitra, Kubra Karagoz, Emine Bayraktar, Xinna Zhang, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Amr Ahmed El-Arabey, Nermin Kahraman, Seyda Baydogan, Ozgur Ozkayar, Michael L Gatza, Bulent Ozpolat, George A Calin, Anil K Sood, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Fraud In Genetic Testing: Swindling The System, Rachel Notestine, Claire N Singletary, Meagan Choates, Stephanie Gandomi, Molly Daniels, Rebecca Lunstroth, Quinn Stein

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Health care fraud comprises a sizable portion of United States health care expenditure and inflicts undue burden on payors, patients, and the health care system overall. The genetic testing industry is rapidly growing, which propagates opportunities for health care fraud. Although federal organizations have highlighted it as an issue, there is limited research exploring genetic testing fraud.

Methods: A retrospective review of federal websites, news articles, and a legal database resulted in 42 cases of fraud involving outpatient genetic testing published between February 2019 and December 2023. These cases were analyzed for themes via inductive conventional content analysis.

Results: …

Burden Of Seasonal Human Coronavirus Infections In Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients, Fareed Khawaja, Terri Lynn Shigle, Layale Yaghi, May Daher, Jeremy L Ramdial, Ella Ariza-Heredia, Ying Jiang, Roy F Chemaly

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Community respiratory viruses, such as seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV), commonly infect hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Recognizing the risk factors and outcomes of HCoV infections in HCT recipients is essential for the future development of potentially lifesaving therapeutics.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all HCoV-infected HCT recipients from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017, at our institution. Patients were classified with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) or lower respiratory infection (LRI) based on predefined definitions for respiratory viral infections in HCT recipients. Patient data were collected to identify risk factors for HCoV LRI, and to calculate …

Mechanical Regulation Of Macrophage Metabolism By Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 Leads To Adverse Remodeling After Cardiac Injury, Matthew Deberge, Kristofor Glinton, Connor Lantz, Zhi-Dong Ge, David P Sullivan, Swapna Patil, Bo Ryung Lee, Minori I Thorp, Adam Mullick, Steve Yeh, Shuling Han, Anja M Van Der Laan, Hans W M Niessen, Xunrong Luo, Nicholas E S Sibinga, Edward B Thorp

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Myocardial infarction (MI) mobilizes macrophages, the central protagonists of tissue repair in the infarcted heart. Although necessary for repair, macrophages also contribute to adverse remodeling and progression to heart failure. In this context, specific targeting of inflammatory macrophage activation may attenuate maladaptive responses and enhance cardiac repair. Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1) is a macrophage-specific protein expressed in a variety of inflammatory settings, but its function after MI is unknown. Here we identify a maladaptive role for macrophage AIF1 after MI in mice. Mechanistic studies show that AIF1 increases actin remodeling in macrophages to promote reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of …

Erratum: Melatonin Enhances Sorafenib-Induced Cytotoxicity In Flt3-Itd Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells By Redox Modification: Erratum, Tian Tian, Jiajun Li, Yizhuo Li, Yun-Xin Lu, Yan-Lai Tang, Hua Wang, Fufu Zheng, Dingbo Shi, Qian Long, Miao Chen, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Yumin Hu, Lijun Qin, Wuguo Deng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Continued Positive Job Search Experience For New Pathologists Seeking First Employment During The Covid-19 Pandemic (2020-2022), Julie Katz Karp, Amanda Lofgreen, Kristen Johnson, Melissa R George, Stephanie Barak, Bronwyn H Bryant, Mary P Berg, John M Childs, Barbara E C Knollman-Ritschel, Victor G Prieto, Kristie L White, Cindy B Mccloskey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Context.—: As pathologists retire and leave the field, it is critical to accurately capture employment trends for new-in-practice pathologists. There is always interest in the job market for newly graduated pathology trainees and prospective pathology trainees, but it is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the job search experience.

Objective.—: To provide an update on trends gleaned from a survey of pathology graduates' job search experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design.—: We analyzed data from an annual job search survey sent by the College of American Pathologists Graduate Medical Education Committee between 2020 and 2022 to College of …

Effectiveness And Acceptability Of Ventilation Modifications In Healthcare Facilities, Liberia 2022–2023, Ronan F Arthur, Ashley Styczynski, Krithika Srinivasan, Amos Tandanpolie, Philip Bemah, Ethan Bell, Jason R Andrews, Tom Baer, Jorge L Salinas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of ventilation interventions in naturally ventilated hospitals in Liberia.

Design: Difference-in-differences analysis of pre- and post-air changes per hour of intervention and control spaces.

Setting: Hospitals in Bong and Montserrado Counties, Liberia.

Participants: Seventy patient care spaces were evaluated at baseline. Six spaces underwent physical intervention modifications, while 2 spaces were assessed for indirect effects and 2 others used as controls. Healthcare workers were interviewed to assess ventilation knowledge and acceptability.

Interventions: Ventilation interventions included the installation of window screens, louvered doors and windows, and wind turbines.

Methods: We measured carbon dioxide levels …

Teaching Cuba In Georgia Today, Eric Kartchner

The Coastal Review

This essay details a college professor's approach to teaching a course on Cuban history and culture. The professor's pedagogical choices were influenced by Ada Ferrer's book, Cuba: An American History, and José Antonio Bowen's work on fostering independent thinking. The syllabus covered pre-Columbian Cuba, Spanish rule, the wars of independence, the Castro era, and significant cultural aspects like music and religion. The course emphasized multiple perspectives and encouraged student-led research, challenging preconceived notions about Cuba's complex relationship with the United States. The professor aimed to promote critical thinking and understanding through student-driven inquiry.

Knowing God: Life Story And Selected Sermons, J. B. Mcbride

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

An Earnest Appeal, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

The Church Of God, J. A. Sneed

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Defeats Of The Devil: As Seen In The Life Of James M. Taylor, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Pictures On The Wall, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

On Muleback Through Central America, James M. Taylor

Heritage Material

No abstract provided.

Partial Agonism In Heteromeric Gluk2/Gluk5 Kainate Receptor, Nabina Paudyal, Anindita Das, Elisa Carrillo, Vladimir Berka, Vasanthi Jayaraman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Kainate receptors are a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors that form transmembrane channels upon binding glutamate. Here, we have investigated the mechanism of partial agonism in heteromeric GluK2/K5 receptors, where the GluK2 and GluK5 subunits have distinct agonist binding profiles. Using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer, we found that at the bi-lobed agonist-binding domain, the partial agonist AMPA-bound receptor occupied intermediate cleft closure conformational states at the GluK2 cleft, compared to the more open cleft conformations in apo form and more closed cleft conformations in the full agonist glutamate-bound form. In contrast, there is no significant difference in cleft closure …

Tnik-Driven Regulation Of Erk5 Transcriptional Activity In Endothelial Cells, Venkata Subrahmanya Kumar Samanthapudi, Sivareddy Kotla, Nhat-Tu Le

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is essential for cardiovascular development and endothelial cell (EC) function. Activation of ERK5 through MEK5-mediated phosphorylation at threonine 218 and tyrosine 220 (T218/Y220) drives the transcriptional activation of myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), promoting the expression of KLF2 and KLF4—key transcription factors that maintain vascular homeostasis. We previously demonstrated that ponatinib suppresses ERK5 transcriptional activity without affecting laminar-flow (l-flow)-induced T218/Y220 phosphorylation, suggesting a non-canonical regulatory mechanism. Since ponatinib inhibits Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK), we hypothesized that TNIK modulates ERK5 transcriptional activity. Using a mammalian one-hybrid assay and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), we show that TNIK …

Assessing The Impacts, Risks, And Vulnerabilities Of Extreme Heat In Learning Environments Of Puerto Rico In 2023, Pablo Méndez-Lázaro, Laura T. Cabrera-Rivera, Digna T. Rueda-Roa, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Manuel Heredia Morales, Monica V. Sanchez-Sepúlveda, Ernesto Rodríguez, Odalys Martínez, Ernesto Morales, Patricia Chardon-Maldonado, Wanda I. Crespo-Acevedo, Sarah Molinari, Masoud Ghandehari, Jorge E. Gonzalez-Cruz

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Puerto Rico is experiencing anomalous heat episodes. The year 2023 was marked by unprecedented extreme heat events with negative impacts in Puerto Rico’s learning environments. This study aimed to understand the context, barriers, knowledge, risks, vulnerabilities, perceptions, employees’ profiles, attitudes, and symptoms related to extreme heat in learning environments.

Materials and Methods

We employed a mixed-methods approach combining: (1) Earth Observation Data and geospatial analysis, (2) an online survey for teachers, administrative staff, and other school employees from diverse educational settings and levels and (3) a series of participatory activities with stakeholders, practitioners and decision makers that led to …

Dissolved Organic Carbon In Coastal Waters: Global Patterns, Stocks And Environmental Physical Controls, Christian Lønborg, Isabel Fuentes-Santos, Cátia Carreira, Valentina Amaral, Javier Arístegui, Punyasloke Bhadury, Mariana Bernardi Bif, Maria Ll. Calleja, Qi Chen, Luiz C. Cotovicz, Stefano Cozzi, Bradley D. Eyre, E. Elena García-Martín, Michele Giani, Rafael Gonçalves-Araujo, Renee Gruber, Dennis A. Hansell, Johnna M. Holding, William Hunter, J. Severino Ibánhez, Valeria Ibello, Piotr Kowalczuk, Federica Maggioni, Paolo Magni, Patrick Martin, S. Leigh Mccallister, Xosé Anxelu Morán, Joanne M. Oakes, Helena Osterholz, Hyekyung Park, Digna Rueda-Roa, Jiang Shan, Eva Teira, Nicholas Ward, Youhei Yamashita, Liyang Yang, Qiang Zheng, Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in coastal waters is integral to biogeochemical cycling, but global and regional drivers of DOC are still uncertain. In this study we explored spatial and temporal differences in DOC concentrations and stocks across the global coastal ocean, and how these relate to temperature and salinity. We estimated a global median coastal DOC stock of 3.15 Pg C (interquartile range (IQR) = 0.85 Pg C), with median DOC concentrations being 2.2 times higher than in open ocean surface waters. Globally and seasonally, salinity was the main driver of DOC with concentrations correlated negatively with salinity, without a …

2025 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

South East Coastal Conference on Languages & Literatures (SECCLL)

Conference Program