Digital Commons Network^™

Challenges In Pediatric Home-Based Hospice And Palliative Care: A Case Series, Jill Ann Jarrell, Daniel H Grossoehme, Sarah Friebert, Toluwalase A Ajayi, Rachel Thienprayoon, Lisa Humphrey

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pediatric home-based hospice and palliative care is a growing and important sub-field within the larger pediatric palliative care landscape. Despite research demonstrating the clinical and systemic efficacy of pediatric home-based hospice and palliative care, there remain barriers to its optimal development, implementation, and dissemination as well as best clinical practice knowledge gaps. This case series presents specific examples of ubiquitous challenges in pediatric home-based hospice and palliative care in hopes of guiding future research, education, advocacy, and program development efforts.

Analysis Of Isoforms Associaated With The Mybl2 Gene In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Taylor Allen-Boswell

Theses (2016-Present)

Nearly every gene exists as transcript variants and protein isoforms. Variations of a particular gene are generated by small nuclear ribonucleoproteins which in many cases remove introns, so that exons can be joined together in varying configurations. Transcript variants are formed, which are then translated into protein isoforms. The resulting transcript variants have substantial sequence similarities; and the isoforms have substantial sequence similarities. Studies show that isoforms generated because of these processes can have different start sites and/or sizes that can lead to generations of different proteins with different biological roles in a cell. The isoforms might have different functions …

Statistical Analysis Of Telehealth Use And Pre- And Postpandemic Insurance Coverage In Selected Health Care Specialties In A Large Health Care System In Arkansas: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study, Aysenur Betul Cengil, Sandra Eksioglu, Burak Eksioglu, Hari Eswaran, Corey Hayes, Cari A. Bogulski

Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered policy changes in 2020 that allowed insurance companies to reimburse telehealth services, leading to increased telehealth use, especially in rural and underserved areas. However, with many emergency rules ending in 2022, patients and health care providers face potential challenges in accessing these services.

Objective:

This study analyzed telehealth use across specialties in Arkansas before and after the pandemic (2017-2022) using data from electronic medical records from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center. We explored trends in insurance coverage for telehealth visits and developed metrics to compare the performance of telehealth versus in-person …

The Relationship Of Acculturation With The Health Numeracy And Associated Health Behaviors Of Filipino-Americans, Ashwini Wagle, J. Cuaresma, Giselle A.P. Pignotti

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Describe relationships between acculturation level and the following variables - dietary acculturation and intake, health numeracy, physical activity, and anthropometric measurements - among Filipino-American men and women.

Association Of Aortic Valve Calcium With Dementia And Stroke: The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Natalie Marrero, Kunal Jha, Timothy M Hughes, Alexander C Razavi, Jelani K Grant, Ellen Boakye, Khalil Anchouche, Omar Dzaye, Matthew J Budoff, Jerome I Rotter, Xiuqing Guo, Jie Yao, Alexis C Wood, Roger S Blumenthal, Erin D Michos, George Thanassoulis, Wendy S Post, Michael J Blaha, Chinwe Ibeh, Seamus P Whelton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and aims: Calcific aortic valve disease is associated with increased thrombin formation, platelet activation, decreased fibrinolysis, and subclinical brain infarcts. We examined the long-term association of aortic valve calcification (AVC) with newly diagnosed dementia and incident stroke in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Methods: AVC was measured using non-contrast cardiac CT at Visit 1. We examined AVC as a continuous (log-transformed) and categorical variable (0, 1-99, 100-299, ≥300). Newly diagnosed dementia was adjudicated using International Classification of Disease codes. Stroke was adjudicated from medical records. We calculated absolute event rates (per 1000 person-years) and multivariable adjusted Cox proportional …

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Symptom Severity, Negative Thinking, Comorbidity, And Treatment Response In Youth With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Mariana Vazquez, Amanda Palo, Mckenzie Schuyler, Brent J Small, Joseph F Mcguire, Sabine Wilhelm, Wayne K Goodman, Daniel Geller, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Although youth and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) endorse elevated incidence of exposure to traumatic life events during childhood, the existing literature on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and OCD is mixed and studies focusing on pediatric OCD are limited. The present study examines the relationship between ACEs and OCD onset, symptom severity, negative cognitive patterns, comorbidity, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) response in 142 children and adolescents with OCD. ACEs were ascertained from parent reports. Most parents reported child exposure to ACEs. Out of the parents who reported ACEs, 50% reported ACE exposure prior to OCD diagnosis and 50% reported ACE …

Breakdown Of Boltzmann-Type Models For The Alignment Of Self-Propelled Rods, Patrick Murphy, Misha Perepelitsa, Ilya Timofeyev, Matan Lieber-Kotz, Brandon Islas, Oleg A. Igoshin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Studies in the collective motility of organisms use a range of analytical approaches to formulate continuous kinetic models of collective dynamics from rules or equations describing agent interactions. However, the derivation of these kinetic models often relies on Boltzmann's “molecular chaos” hypothesis, which assumes that correlations between individuals are short-lived. While this assumption is often the simplest way to derive tractable models, it is often not valid in practice due to the high levels of cooperation and self-organization present in biological systems. In this work, we illustrated this point by considering a general Boltzmann-type kinetic model for the alignment of …

A Top Model Of Urban Residents’ Subjective Well-Being In China, Bing Pan, Deborah Kerstetter, Xiaoli Yi, Gaojun Zhang, Rui Li, Jie Gao, Xiangyou Sharon Shen, Guangming Li

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Past research on subjective well-being (SWB) in Western society and China has revealed various contributing factors. This study conducted a series of interviews with Chinese urban residents to systematically analyze those factors based on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory. The results revealed that 5 layers, 23 factors, and 55 elements, many of which had distinct Chinese characteristics, contributed to Chinese urban residents’ SWB. The Top Model of SWB, visualized as a spinning top or gyroscope, showcased the interdependent layers of factors impacting Chinese urban residents’ SWB. At its vertical axis is a time dimension as residents often reflect on factors by …

Healthy From The Start: Co-Designing Sleep, Nutrition And Physical Activity Resources For Young Shiftworkers—Novel Implementation And Evaluation, Alexandra E. Shriane, Sally A. Ferguson, Gabrielle Rigney, Charlotte C. Gupta, Tracy Kolbe-Alexander, Madeline Sprajcer, Cassie Hilditch, Robert Stanton, Matthew J.W. Thomas, Jessica L. Paterson, Jamie Marino, Grace E. Vincent

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of shiftwork among young adults poses significant health risks, primarily due to its disruptive effects on sleep, nutrition and physical activity. Addressing these risks necessitates the development of tailored, evidence-based resources to support these key health behaviours. Participatory research approaches, engaging those with relevant lived experience (i.e., co-design) are a novel and effective approach in developing these resources. As such, the aim of the present study was to explore whether sleep, nutrition and physical activity resources for young shiftworkers could be developed using participatory, co-design approaches and how co-designers would rate both the approaches used and …

Mixed Methods Study Protocol: Language Identity, Discrimination, And Mental Health Among Multilingual 1.5 Generation Asian/Asian American Immigrant Young Adults, Chulwoo Park, Mark Edberg, Janet Yougi Bang, Avizia Yim Long

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Language identity, an understudied factor, can influence isolation and discrimination, leading to disparities in well-being and mental health among immigrants. This study aims to investigate the role of language identity on structural racism and discrimination among 1.5 generation Asian/Asian American immigrants in a diverse U.S. state. We developed a three-step sequential approach: Stage 1—qualitative analysis (1A, focus group discussion; 1B, in-depth interviews); Stage 2—quantitative analysis (2A, language identity measurement scale; 2B, cross-sectional online survey; 2C, multivariate multiple linear regression); Stage 3—another round of qualitative analysis (3A, follow-up in-depth chronological interviews). Therefore, this study will contribute to the field by introducing …

The Piper Survey. Ii. The Globular Cluster Systems Of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies In The Perseus Cluster, Steven R. Janssens, Duncan A. Forbes, Aaron J. Romanowsky, Jonah Gannon, Joel Pfeffer, Warrick J. Couch, Jean P. Brodie, William E. Harris, Patrick R. Durrell, Kenji Bekki

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We present Hubble Space Telescope ACS/WFC and WFC3/UVIS imaging for a sample of 50 low-surface brightness (LSB) galaxies in the ∼ 1015 M☉ Perseus cluster, which were originally identified in ground-based imaging. We measure the structural properties of these galaxies and estimate the total number of globular clusters (GCs) they host. Around half of our sample galaxies meet the strict definition of an ultra-diffuse galaxy (UDG), while the others are UDG-like but are either somewhat more compact or slightly brighter. A small number of galaxies reveal systems with many tens of GCs, rivalling some of the richest GC systems known …

Pkmyt1 Is A Marker Of Treatment Response And A Therapeutic Target For Cdk4/6 Inhibitor-Resistance In Er+ Breast Cancer, Anran Chen, Cynthia X Ma, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Endocrine therapies (ET) with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibition are the standard treatment for estrogen receptor-α-positive (ER+) breast cancer, however drug resistance is common. In this study, proteogenomic analyses of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from patients with 22 ER+ breast cancer demonstrated that protein kinase, membrane-associated tyrosine/threonine one (PKMYT1), a WEE1 homolog, is estradiol (E2) regulated in E2-dependent PDXs and constitutively expressed when growth is E2-independent. In clinical samples, high PKMYT1 mRNA levels associated with resistance to both ET and CDK4/6 inhibition. The PKMYT1 inhibitor lunresertib (RP-6306) with gemcitabine selectively and synergistically reduced the viability of ET and palbociclib-resistant ER+ breast …

Consequences Of How Third Sector Organisations Are Commissioned In The Nhs And Local Authorities In England: A Mixed-Methods Study, Rod Sheaff, Angela Ellis Paine, Mark Exworthy, Alex Gibson, Joanna Stuart, Véronique Jochum, Pauline Allen, Jonathan Clark, Russell Mannion, Sheena Asthana

Peninsula Medical School

Background: As a matter of policy, voluntary, community and social enterprises contribute substantially to the English health and care system. Few studies explain how the National Health Service and local authorities commission them, what outputs result, what contexts influence these outcomes and what differentiates this kind of commissioning. Objectives: To explain how voluntary, community and social enterprises are commissioned, the consequences, what barriers both parties face and what absorptive capacities they need. Design: Observational mixed-methods realist analysis: exploratory scoping, cross-sectional analysis of National Health Service Clinical Commissioning Group spending on voluntary, community and social enterprises, systematic comparison of case studies, …

Intertidal Seagrass Extent From Sentinel-2 Time-Series Show Distinct Trajectories In Western Europe, Bede Ffinian Rowe Davies, Simon Oiry, Philippe Rosa, Maria Laura Zoffoli, Ana I. Sousa, Oliver R. Thomas, Dan A. Smale, Melanie C. Austen, Lauren Biermann, Martin J. Attrill, Alejandro Roman, Gabriel Navarro, Anne Laure Barillé, Nicolas Harin, Daniel Clewley, Victor Martinez-Vicente, Pierre Gernez, Laurent Barillé

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Intertidal areas, which emerge during low tide, form a vital link between terrestrial and marine environments. Seagrasses, a well-studied intertidal habitat, provide a multitude of different ecosystem goods and services. However, owing to their relatively high exposure to anthropogenic impacts, seagrasss meadows and other intertidal habitats have seen extensive declines. Remote sensing methods that can capture the spatial and temporal variation of marine habitats are essential to best assess the trajectories of seagrass ecosystems. An advanced machine learning method has been developed to map intertidal vegetation from satellite-derived surface reflectance at a 12-band multispectral resolution and distinguish between similarly pigmented …

Deletion Of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor Isoform Beta Or Gamma, But Not Alpha, Improves Clotting In Hemophilic Mice, Irem Eldem, Lilian Antunes-Heck, Renumathi Subramanian, Nina M Lasky, Katrina Ashworth, Jorge Di Paola, Thomas J Girard

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) regulates tissue factor-triggered coagulation. Humans and mice express transcripts encoding for multidistributed (endothelial, platelet, and plasma) 3-Kunitz domain TFPIα and endothelial membrane-anchored 2-Kunitz TFPIβ. Mice express a third transcript, γ, that encodes plasma lipoprotein-associated 2-Kunitz TFPI. In humans, proteolysis of α and/or β produces plasma lipoprotein-associated 2-Kunitz TFPI at lower levels. In clinical trials, monoclonal antibodies that target all TFPI isoforms extend coagulation and correct bleeding in hemophilic patients but with some thrombosis risks.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of TFPI isoform-specific deletions on promoting clotting in hemophilic mice.

METHODS: Engineered TFPI isoform-specific, hemophilic …

Ms Treatment De-Escalation: Review And Commentary, Krzysztof Selmaj, Hans-Peter Hartung, Marcin P Mycko, Igor Selmaj, Anne H Cross

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Almost all currently licensed disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS treatment require prolonged if not lifelong administration. Yet, as people age, the immune system has increasingly reduced responsiveness, known as immunosenescence. Many MS DMTs reduce the responsiveness of the immune system, increasing the risks for infections and possibly cancers. As people with MS (pwMS) age, it is recognized that inflammatory MS activity declines. Several studies have addressed de-escalation of DMTs for relapsing MS under special circumstances. Here, we review evidence for de-escalating DMTs as a strategy that is particularly relevant to pwMS of older age. Treatment de-escalation can involve various strategies, …

Establishing Quality Indicators And Implementation Priorities For Post-Stroke Aphasia Services Through End-User Involvement, Kirstine Shrubsole, Marissa Stone, Dominique A. Cadilhac, Monique F. Kilkenny, Emma Power, Elizabeth Lynch, John E. Pierce, David A. Copland, Erin Godecke, Bridget Burton, Emily Brogan, Sarah J. Wallace

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Currently, there are no agreed quality standards for post-stroke aphasia services. Therefore, it is unknown if care reflects best practices or meets the expectations of people living with aphasia. We aimed to (1) shortlist, (2) operationalise and (3) prioritise best practice recommendations for post-stroke aphasia care.

Methods: Three phases of research were conducted. In Phase 1, recommendations with strong evidence and/or known to be important to people with lived experience of aphasia were identified. People with lived experience and health professionals rated the importance of each recommendation through a two-round e-Delphi exercise. Recommendations were then ranked for importance and …

Experimental Study Of Coal Fines Migration Characteristics In Reservoirs With Diverse Coal Structures: Influence On Reservoir Behavior, Yingchun Wei, Ziliang Liu, Xianyue Xiong, Tiancheng Xie, Biao Li, Anmin Wang, Daiyong Cao, Zhenjiang You

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The challenge of coal fines production within tectonic coal reservoirs during coalbed methane (CBM) development in China presents a significant concern. In this study, coal samples with distinct coal structures from Hancheng mining area were selected for experiments on coal fines migration. Our analysis focused on the distinctive characteristics of coal fines generated by various coal structures, the subsequent alterations in sample permeability, and the changes in pore and fracture structures before and after the experiments. By examining the reservoir properties across different structures, we aimed to uncover the migration characteristics of coal fines in these diverse coal reservoirs and …

Navigating Ethical Challenges In Online Wildlife Trade Research, Thais Q. Morcatty, Shan Su, Penthai Siriwat, Astrid Alex Andersson, Sadek Atoussi, Kim Feddema, Sergio Henriques, Jordi Janssen, Anushri Karve, Jennifer Pytka, Ruth M. Thompson, Vincent Nijman, Joss Wright, David L. Roberts

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The surge in internet accessibility has transformed wildlife trade by facilitating the acquisition of wildlife through online platforms. This scenario presents unique ethical challenges for researchers, as traditional ethical frameworks for in-person research cannot be readily applied to the online realm. Currently, there is a lack of clearly defined guidelines for appropriate ethical procedures when conducting online wildlife trade (OWT) research. In response to this, we consulted the scientific literature on ethical considerations in online research and examined existing guidelines established by professional societies and ethical boards. Based on these documents, we present a set of recommendations that can inform …

Performance Determinants And Evidence-Based Practice In Track Cycling: A Survey Of Coaches, Practitioners, And Athletes, Antony M.J. Stadnyk, Franco M. Impellizzeri, Jamie Stanley, Paolo Menaspà, Katie M. Slattery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: This study examined how track cycling coaches, practitioners, and athletes: develop knowledge and practices; value performance areas; and, implement research into practice. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: An online REDCap survey of track cycling coaches, practitioners, and athletes was conducted involving questions related to demographics, performance area importance, knowledge acquisition and application, research relevance, and research direction. Results: A total of 159 responses were received from coaches (n = 55), practitioners (n = 29), and athletes (n = 75). Participants' highest track cycling competition level involvement ranged from local/regional (12.7%) to Olympic/Paralympic (39.9%). Respondents primarily develop practices by observing ‘the …

Nursing Student Voices: A Qualitative Thematic Synthesis Of Education Elements Supporting Nursing Students' Clinical Learning During Placement, Robyn Cant, Colleen Ryan, Lynda Hughes, Christine Ossenberg, Simon Cooper

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: to report a thematic synthesis of students’ narratives in free text comments from a national quality survey of Australian nursing degree students’ clinical placements. Background: Nursing student evaluation surveys are submitted to the Australian National Placement Evaluation Centre. Students in 36 Australian nursing programs are included. Design: Thematic synthesis of nursing students’ narrative comments. Methods: Data were sourced from 10,226 surveys submitted between July and December 2023. From these, the 3640 free text comments were extracted and tabulated to form the sample for synthesis. Three authors conducted a thematic synthesis and all five authors agreed on the findings. Findings: …

Resilient Tcp Variant Enabling Smooth Network Updates For Software-Defined Data Center Networks, Abdul Basit Dogar, Sami Ullah, Yiran Zhang, Hisham Alasmary, Muhammad Waqas, Sheng Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Network updates have become increasingly prevalent since the broad adoption of software-defined networks (SDNs) in data centers. Modern TCP designs, including cutting-edge TCP variants DCTCP, CUBIC, and BBR, however, are not resilient to network updates that provoke flow rerouting. In this paper, we first demonstrate that popular TCP implementations perform inadequately in the presence of frequent and inconsistent network updates, because inconsistent and frequent network updates result in out-of-order packets and packet drops induced via transitory congestion and lead to serious performance deterioration. We look into the causes and propose a network update-friendly TCP (NUFTCP), which is an extension of …

Sub-Surface Geospatial Intelligence In Carbon Capture, Utilization And Storage: A Machine Learning Approach For Offshore Storage Site Selection, Mehdi Nassabeh, Zhenjiang You, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study introduces an innovative data-driven and machine-learning framework designed to accurately predict site scores in the site screening study for specific offshore CO2 storage sites. The framework seamlessly integrates diverse sub-surface geospatial data sources with human aided expert-weighted criteria, thereby providing a high-resolution screening tool. Tailored to accommodate varying data accessibility and the significance of criteria, this approach considers both technical and non-technical factors. Its purpose is to facilitate the identification of priority locations for projects associated with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Through aggregating and analyzing geospatial datasets, the study employs machine learning algorithms and an expert-weighted …

Revised Final Multi-Pathway Residential Metals Abatement Program Plan, Atlantic Richfield Company, Butte Silver Bow

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Final Bpsou Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Belle Of Butte (Bres No. 8 & Ur-39) Remedial Action Work Plan (Rawp), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Revised Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Second Quarter 2023, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Clark Tailings Consolidated Waste Management Area (Ctcwma) Site Investigation Draft Data Summary Report 2019 Surface Water, Groundwater Seep, And Soil Characterization 2021-2023 Surface Water And Groundwater Seep Evaluation 2023 Waterloo Aps Soil And Groundwater Evaluation, Woodard & Curran

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Cardiovascular Imaging Results On Medication Use And Adherence: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Reindolf Anokye, Jack Dalla Via, James Dimmock, Ben Jackson, Carl Schultz, Mie Schæffer, Joanne M. Dickson, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Mandy Stanley, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Cardiovascular imaging results offer valuable information that can guide health decisions, but their impact on medication use and adherence is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the downstream impact of cardiovascular imaging results on medication use and adherence.

Methods: Searches were conducted across databases, including MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, and relevant references up to 2024. Data were extracted from studies comparing outcomes for individuals with diseased versus normal arteries and trials comparing outcomes for individuals who were provided imaging results versus those with no access to imaging results and analysed in 2023 and 2024. Pooled odds ratios …

Normative Data For The Squat, Bench Press And Deadlift Exercises In Powerlifting: Data From 809,986 Competition Entries, Daniel J. Van Den Hoek, Patrick L. Beaumont, Adele K. Van Den Hoek, Patrick J. Owen, Joel M. Garrett, Robert Buhmann, Christopher Latella

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Strength assessment and comparison to normative values are an important benchmarking tool in human health and performance. However, population specific normative data are several decades old, lack information about adolescent and adult strength levels and are not representative of the strength levels of strength trained individuals. The purpose of this study was to develop contemporary strength norms for the squat, bench press, and deadlift using powerlifters competing in un-equipped, drug-tested competitions. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Methods: Retrospective data from global drug-tested, unequipped powerlifting competitions were collated with 809,986 samples (571,650 males, 238,336 females) included. Strength was assessed according to …

Sequential Investment Decisions For Mining Projects Using Compound Multiple Volatility Real Options Approach, Atul Chandra, Peter R. Hartley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Managers evaluating investment decisions in mining projects have reported using the net present value approach (NPV). However, NPV has the drawback of collapsing variations from uncertainties in future project cash flows into a fixed expected project value today. Ignoring future uncertainties and contingencies can lead managers to make incorrect up-front binary decisions, such as investing in or abandoning the project now. The real options analysis approach (ROA) instead captures variations from uncertainties as volatilities in project value and allows flexibility in investment decisions to be contingent on information as it is revealed. Managers we consulted agreed that ROA is superior …