Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond The Rash: Cutaneous Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma As A Diagnostic Pitfall In Primary Care, Jared Hensley, Aura Calderon, Blake Martin, Cristina Kochi, Andres Suarez Parraga

School of Medicine Publications

Cutaneous manifestations of T-cell lymphomas may resemble common dermatologic or infectious conditions, increasing the risk of delayed recognition. We report a 78-year-old woman with known peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) who presented with a rapidly progressive, diffuse erythematous rash accompanied by cervical lymphadenopathy. Initial evaluation prioritized more common etiologies; however, inpatient medicine broadened the differential diagnosis, prompting early hematology and oncology consultation. Contrast-enhanced CT of the neck demonstrated multiple enlarged, partially necrotic left cervical lymph nodes consistent with disease progression. After multidisciplinary discussions and consideration of prognosis, the patient elected palliative-focused management with oncology follow-up. This case underscores the importance of …

Predictions Of Masses For Light Hybrid Baryons, Qi-Nan Wang, Ding-Kun Lian, Wei Chen, Hui-Min Yang, Hua-Xing Chen, Jason N.E. Ho, T. G. Steele

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Within the method of parity-projected QCD sum rules, we study the mass spectra of light hybrid baryons with 𝐼⁡(𝐽𝑃) =1/2⁢(1/2±),3/2⁢(1/2±),1/2⁢(3/2±),3/2⁢(3/2±) by constructing the local 𝑞⁢𝑞⁢𝑞⁢𝑔 interpolating currents. We calculate the correlation functions up to dimension eight condensates at the leading order of 𝛼𝑠. The stable QCD Lapalce sum rules can be established for the positive-parity 𝑁1/2+,Δ3/2+,Δ1/2+ and negative-parity 𝑁1/2−,𝑁3/2−,Δ1/2− channels to extract their mass spectra. The lowest-lying hybrid baryons are predicted to be the positive-parity 𝑁1/2+ state around 2.01 GeV. These hybrid baryons mainly decay into conventional baryon plus meson final states. We propose to search for the light hybrid …

Differentiation In The Human Urothelia Is Defined By Distinct Alternative Polyadenylation, Ninh B Le, Surbhi Sona, Briana Santo, Yi Zhang, Rosie Ou, Veena Kochat, Kunal Rai, Shih-Han Lee, Joo Mi Yi, Oliver Wessely, Byron H Lee, Angela H Ting

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Distinct epithelial cell states arise during differentiation, but mechanisms generating transcriptomic diversity among them remain poorly defined. The human ureter urothelium contains basal progenitor, intermediate cells, and terminally differentiated umbrella cells. Prior single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similar global gene expression profiles across these states, raising the question of how distinct identities emerge. Here, we show that alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) introduces a major layer of transcriptomic diversity during urothelial differentiation, largely independent of changes in mRNA levels. Analysis of 13,544 urothelial cells identified hundreds of differentiation-associated APA events. Single-cell imaging revealed spatially specific APA patterns, and reporter assays demonstrated …

Differentiation In The Human Urothelia Is Defined By Distinct Alternative Polyadenylation, Ninh B Le, Surbhi Sona, Briana Santo, Yi Zhang, Rosie Ou, Veena Kochat, Kunal Rai, Shih-Han Lee, Joo Mi Yi, Oliver Wessely, Byron H Lee, Angela H Ting

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Distinct epithelial cell states arise during differentiation, but mechanisms generating transcriptomic diversity among them remain poorly defined. The human ureter urothelium contains basal progenitor, intermediate cells, and terminally differentiated umbrella cells. Prior single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similar global gene expression profiles across these states, raising the question of how distinct identities emerge. Here, we show that alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) introduces a major layer of transcriptomic diversity during urothelial differentiation, largely independent of changes in mRNA levels. Analysis of 13,544 urothelial cells identified hundreds of differentiation-associated APA events. Single-cell imaging revealed spatially specific APA patterns, and reporter assays demonstrated …

Structures Of Invertebrate Pezo-1 Isoforms With A Compact Architecture And A Dispensable Pore-Distal N-Terminal Blade, Briar Bell, Angela M Jaramillo-Granada, Daniel J Orlin, Wei-Hsiang Weng, Haosheng Wen, Alexander T Chesler, Julio F Cordero-Morales, Valeria Vásquez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PIEZO channels are mechanosensitive ion channels conserved from plants to humans, yet structures exist for only a few mammalian orthologs. We define the structural and functional diversity of Caenorhabditis elegans PEZO-1, a single gene with extensive alternative splicing, by determining cryo-electron microscopy structures of three representative isoforms: G (full length), K (lacking the pore-distal N-terminal blade), and L (missing most of the blade). PEZO-1G displays mechanically evoked currents yet adopts a compact, semi-flattened conformation that significantly differs from the mammalian domes. The blades exhibit a three-step slope architecture stabilized by inter-blade latching among transmembrane helical units, yielding a circular, steering-wheel-like …

Structures Of Trpv1 Bound By Hyperthermia-Inducing Analgesics, Yu-Hao Gao, Yi-Zhe Huang, Zhao-Xing Li, Xiao-Ying Chen, Chang-Yan Shao, Bin Liu, Mei-Rong Chen, Mei-Ling Lu, Michael X Zhu, Fan Yang, Yi-Bei Xiao, Ye Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

TRPV1, a member of the transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily, mediates nociception and thermoregulation. TRPV1-targeting analgesics frequently induce hyperthermia, underscoring the need for structural insights to guide the development of safer compounds. Here, we determined the structures of rat TRPV1 bound to the clinical candidate analgesics AMG517, AMG9810, and SB366791. AMG517 and AMG9810 are deeply situated within the S3-S4 interface of the vanilloid pocket, where they interact with residues from the S3-S6 helices, as well as the S4-S5 linker. These interactions induce local deformations in the TRP-box and lower S6 helix, accompanied by a modest rotation of the S1-S4 bundle, …

Beyond Neurons: Impact Of Cannabidiol On Glial Cells In Ischemic Stroke, Victória Linden De Rezende, Khiany Mathias, Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves, Rafael Mariano De Bitencourt, Tatiana Barichello

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ischemic stroke triggers a complex cascade of events involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and glial cell dysfunction, all of which contribute to neuronal damage and impaired recovery. Glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes) play key roles in neuroinflammatory responses, making them attractive targets for therapeutic modulation. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Preclinical evidence indicates that cannabidiol attenuates glial reactivity, reduces pro-inflammatory signaling, mitigates oxidative stress, and preserves blood-brain and intestinal barrier integrity in stroke models. Moreover, cannabidiol modulates key molecular pathways (e.g., nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor, and calcium-related signaling), contributing to …

Mechanistic Insights Into The Antimicrobial Effect Of Benzodioxane-Benzamides Against Escherichia Coli, Lorenzo Suigo, Alessia Lanzini, Valentina Straniero, William Margolin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/Objectives: The bacterial cell division machinery is emerging as an attractive target for antimicrobial compounds. FtsZ, a highly conserved essential division protein, is the target for a number of small molecules such as benzamides. Recent studies show that benzodioxane-benzamides (BDOBs) are among the most potent inhibitors of FtsZ function in Gram-positive bacteria, although their ability to inhibit Gram-negative FtsZ, in particular Escherichia coli FtsZ, has been more controversial.

Methods: Here, we use genetic and cytological methods to demonstrate that FtsZ of efflux pump-disabled E. coli can be efficiently targeted by BDOBs.

Results: We show that engineered mutants …

Coexisting Salps Exhibit Distinct Feeding Selectivity On Microorganisms In The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Anne W. Thompson, Kylee Lamberson, Kelly R. Sutherland

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mortality mechanisms play an important role in how oceanic microorganisms contribute to global biogeochemical cycles. Salps are widespread pelagic tunicates known to remove phytoplankton from coastal and high-latitude waters, but their interaction with microorganisms in the vast tropical and subtropical gyres is not well quantified. Using quantitative measurements of six major marine microorganisms in the guts of six distinct but co-occurring salp species from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, we examined the impact and dynamics of salp feeding on marine microorganisms in a vast open ocean region. All salps preferentially removed prey greater than 1 μm in diameter, including marine …

Cabozantinib And Thromboembolism In Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, And Retrospective Study, Raj S Kasthuri

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Antiangiogenic agents, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), represent an important class of treatments for a range of solid tumors. However, concerns have arisen over potential associations between antiangiogenic agents and thromboembolic events. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared a frequently used VEGFR TKI, cabozantinib, with placebo or usual care. The primary outcome was the risk of any thromboembolism. Secondary outcomes included the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and progression-free survival. 14 RCTs were included with a combined total of 4204 patients, …

Payload Diversification Overcomes Resistance And Guides Sequential Antibody-Drug Conjugate Therapy In Breast Cancer, Nithya Sridhar, Kyoji Tsuchikama, George W Sledge, Naoto T Ueno, Jangsoon Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have transformed the treatment of breast cancer. FDA-approved ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), sacituzumab govitecan (SG), and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) have demonstrated clinical benefit; however, drug resistance will almost inevitably emerge in the metastatic setting, and there is no established strategy for selecting subsequent ADCs after disease progression to the first exposure to the ADC. This study aimed to define mechanisms of acquired resistance and evaluate rational sequencing approaches.

Experimental design: We generated breast cancer cell lines resistant to T-DXd (TDXd-R) and SG (SG-R). We assessed antigen expression, internalization, and resistance pathways, including efflux transporter …

Recurrence Of Locally Perturbed Random Walks With Long Jumps, Tamer Oraby, András Telcs

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

We study the effect of local perturbations on the recurrence of random walks with long jumps. Such walks serve as discrete models for infinite-horizon Lorentz processes, in which a particle can take arbitrarily long steps in specific directions. Motivated by a question of Sinai in the finite-horizon case and its extension by Szász to the infinite-horizon setting, we give recurrence and transience criteria for long-jump walks on Z2 and certain classes of graphs, and we prove that local perturbations in a bounded region do not change the recurrence property. Our proofs combine the Markov chain approach with the electrical network …

Staff Education To Increase Knowledge And Awareness Of Cultural Sensitivity Among Providers, Stephanie Chiamaka Anyanwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to enhance cultural sensitivity among healthcare providers through an educational intervention in a local organization. With the U.S. foreign-born population exceeding 47 million, the need for culturally competent care has become paramount. The study involved nine participants who underwent a pretest and posttest assessment to evaluate their knowledge and awareness of cultural sensitivity. Results indicated a significant increase in knowledge, with pretest and posttest scores improving from a mean of 4.33 to 8.56 (p < 0.01). Awareness in key areas such as patient-provider relationships, cultural beliefs, and language barriers also showed marked improvement. These findings further support the necessity of ongoing cultural sensitivity training to enhance patient care and outcomes, highlighting the potential for broader application across healthcare institutions.

Digital Trust Recovery: Effective Data Breach Management Approaches, Milbert Flores Dacayana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the digital economy, organizations face an increasing number of data breaches that compromise sensitive information and erode consumer trust. Some organizational leaders are concerned about the lack of effective strategies to manage data breaches and restore stakeholder confidence, which threatens organizations’ reputation and financial stability, and long-term trust in digital systems. Grounded in cybersecurity risk management theory (CRMT) and situational crisis communication theory (SCCT), the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies employed by data managers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, to manage data breaches and rebuild consumer trust. Participants were 10 experienced data …

Staff Education To Improve Nurses' Knowledge And Confidence In Suicide Risk Assessment, Sherica Mcbride

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to strengthen nurses’ knowledge and confidence in suicide risk assessments. Suicide remains a crucial patient safety issue, and nurses report uncertainty in early recognition and intervention; therefore, brief, practice-proximal training is essential. The practice-focused question that informed this project’s purpose was whether a short education module with pre- and post testing improves nurses’ knowledge and confidence in suicide risk assessment. Three nurses participated in a structured session covering risk factors, warning signs, standardized screening, and safety planning. I then used descriptive analysis to compare their pre- and posttest …

Predicting Perceived Immigrant Threat To National Identity Based On Christian Nationalism, White Racial Centrality, And Social Dominance Orientation, Anna Caroline Kinney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Immigrants remain frequent targets of anti-immigrant hate speech, often amplified by right-wing media. Demographic factors such as Christian nationalism (i.e., the desire to preserve Christian symbols, beliefs, and policies preserved as the established religion of the United States), White racial centrality (i.e., an automatic association between the self and the White ingroup), and social dominance orientation (i.e., support for group-based hierarchies and inequality) significantly shape perceptions of immigrants as a threat to national identity. Although prior research has examined these factors independently, their relative importance in predicting perceived immigrant threat remains limited. Informed by intergroup threat theory, this quantitative study …

Staff Education On Metabolic Syndrome Screening In Patients Receiving Long-Acting Injectable Psychotropics, Efetze Metangpa Akana

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary This Doctor of Nursing Practice project was a staff education initiative designed to improve metabolic syndrome screening practices for patients receiving long-acting injectable psychotropic medications in an outpatient psychiatric setting. People living with serious mental illness face a heightened risk of cardiometabolic conditions, and inconsistent screening leads to delayed detection, avoidable illness, and ongoing health disparities, underscoring the importance of this practice gap within nursing practice due to nurses’ central role in medication oversight and preventive care. A key limitation of the project was the small sample size and short-term evaluation period, which limited generalizability and did not allow …

Reflective Parenting, Psychological Needs, And Parental Interpretation Of Children’S Negative Emotions, Julia Pappas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Parents’ ability to understand and respond effectively to children’s negative emotions plays a critical role in children’s emotional development and regulation. However, it remains unclear whether parents interpret negative emotions as potential signals of underlying psychological needs. Based in the conceptual framework of parental reflective functioning and basic psychological needs theory, and grounded in interpretivist- constructivist paradigm, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine how parents interpret children’s negative emotions and how their meaning-making processes relate to basic psychological needs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children between ages 3 and 9 years old (N = …

Strategies Leaders In Structured Alternative Academic Environments Use To Improve Resource Management, Operational Efficiency, And Program Sustainability, Sean D. Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of structured alternative academic environments often struggle to sustain operations because of limited resources, fragmented leadership, and high staff turnover. This business problem is important to leaders of structured alternative academic environments because ineffective resource management and operational inefficiencies threaten program sustainability and continuity of services for at-risk student populations. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies leaders in structured alternative academic environments use to improve resource management, operational efficiency, and program sustainability. The participants were six leaders from structured alternative academic programs in southeastern New Mexico. Data were …

Leadership Strategies Used By Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resource Providers To Support Entrepreneurial Success, Sarah Niehaus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Failure to collaborate effectively within entrepreneurial ecosystems remains a significant concern for leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations. Without clear, actionable collaboration strategies, these leaders may struggle to support entrepreneurial success and make informed decisions that enhance financial performance. Grounded in Mockler’s complex adaptive systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies some leaders within entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations use to collaborate in a manner that supports entrepreneurial success. Participants included seven leaders of entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations located in the Midwest United States with successful experiences using such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured …

An Assessment Of New Employee Training In A U.S. Government Agency, Kisaana Fernanders

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study evaluated the utility of a newly developed employee training initiative within a U.S. government disaster recovery agency. The purpose of the professional administrative study was to examine the existing training architecture and recommend improvements aligned with the agency’s mission. A general qualitative approach was employed, using interviews and surveys with government personnel to elicit their perceptions of the training’s effectiveness. The research aimed to identify key elements to incorporate into a revised employee training program, with the goal of enhancing disaster response readiness and policy implementation. It also sought to recommend strategies for continuous improvement. The study was …

Implementation Of Structured Nursing Leadership Rounding To Improve Hospital Policy Adherence, Irma Rose Maize

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Variability in nursing policy compliance contributes to inconsistent clinical practice and compromises the delivery of standardized care. Limited leadership presence, support, and accountability have been identified as significant contributors to this practice gap. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focused on educating nurse leaders about the importance and benefits of consistent unit-based leadership rounding as a strategy to support frontline nurses and reinforce policy adherence. A structured leadership rounding checklist was developed to guide purposeful, consistent check-ins with nursing staff, facilitating real-time support and identification of barriers to practice. Implementation of the checklist promoted increased leadership accessibility, improved communication, and …

Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help, Psychological Safety, And Employee Assistance Program Use In Nurses, Latisha Lenee Marshall

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) remain underutilized across various U.S. work sectors, including nursing. There are several barriers that impede nurses from using EAP services, including self-stigma of seeking help (SSOSH) and psychological safety (PS). The purposes of this study, which used the health promotion model as its theoretical framework, were to determine (a) if there was a difference in the level of SSOSH in nurses who have used EAPs and those who have not used EAPs, (b) if there was a difference in the level of PS in nurses who have used EAPs and nurses who have not used EAPs, …

Quantum Technologies, Part One: Focusing A Bit Upon Realities, James Giordano

Strategic Insights

This commentary examines the current realities of quantum technologies and their implications for national security and defense. While quantum systems are often described as revolutionary, their practical military impact remains uneven and frequently overstated. This analysis reviews three key domains—quantum computing, sensing, and communications, and explains where these technologies currently outperform classical systems and where significant technical limitations remain. In particular, quantum computing is still in a “noisy, intermediate-scale” stage, meaning most applications remain experimental and dependent on advances in error correction, algorithms, and hardware. Understanding both the promise and limitations of quantum technologies is essential for shaping realistic defense …

Effects Of Leucine Supplementation On Athletic Performance, Central Fatigue, And Serum Metabolism In Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial And Targeted Metabolomics Study, Tieying Li, Wei Xu, Jun Chen, Zhaobo Kan, Xuemei Sui, Zhiguang Zhao, Qirong Wang

Faculty Publications

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of leucine supplementation on athletic performance, central fatigue, and serum metabolome in endurance athletes, and to provide valuable insights into nutritional strategies for endurance athletes. Methods: Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: the placebo (PLA) group and the leucine (LEU) group. Subjects were given leucine (8.5 g) + sucrose (14 g) or only sucrose (14 g) supplements twice each day from Monday to Saturday for 6 weeks. Test parameters include body composition, aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscle strength, blood biochemistry, and targeted metabolomics. Results: After intervention, compared …

Expression Spectrum Of Te-Driven Transcripts In Human Adult Tissues, Yushan Yang, Tao P Wu, Bo A Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are vital components of eukaryotic genomes and have played a critical role in genome evolution. Although most TEs are silenced in the mammalian genome, increasing evidence suggests that certain TEs are actively involved in gene regulation during early developmental stages. However, the extent to which human TEs drive gene transcription in adult tissues remains largely unexplored.

Results

In this study, we systematically analyze 17,329 human transcriptomes to investigate how TEs influence gene transcription across 47 adult tissues. Our findings reveal that TE-driven transcripts are broadly expressed in human tissues, contributing to both housekeeping functions and tissue-specific …

Place Identity Of Korean Restaurants In Bandung, Indonesia, Aida Faiz Mutiara Sari, Hayuning Anggrahita, Alif Raya Zulkarnaen, Guswandi Guswandi

Jurnal Geografi Lingkungan Tropik (Journal of Geography of Tropical Environments)

Place identity is a perception that comes from social actors who have knowledge, interest, or authority in that place. Moreover, it refers to the relationship between space and its identity. It emphasizes its meaning and significance for individuals that experience it. Korean restaurant In Bandung-Indonesia is a culinary or food business that combines South Korean culture as an attraction that can become the identity of the place. Bandung Wetan Sub-District in Bandung City, Indonesia, is chosen as the case study location to determine the place identity of Korean restaurants. This study aims to determine the place identity of Korean restaurants …

Educational Design Models In Transition: A Comparative Review, Tofan Stofiana, Yeti Mulyati, Andoyo Sastromihardjo, Dadang Sunendar

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A persistent gap between educational theory and classroom practice underscores the need for methodological approaches that are reflective, participatory, and context responsive. This study provides a comparative review of four major educational design models, including research and development (R&D); Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE); design-based research (DBR); and educational design research (EDR), to examine their theoretical orientations and contemporary applications. A systematic literature synthesis and bibliometric mapping were conducted on 80 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus between 2020 and 2025. The findings reveal that ADDIE remains the most frequently applied framework due to its procedural clarity and …

Mechanical Performance Evaluation Of Natural Composites Recycled Hemp Rice Bag Reinforced With And Without Silicon Carbide Particles, Gaber A. Elawadi, A. S. Fayed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Significant progress has been made in the development of natural fiber-reinforced composite materials, owing to their potential to enhance mechanical properties while offering a greener and more sustainable alternative to traditional materials. These materials combine superior ecological benefits with enhanced mechanical performance. This study examines how recycled hemp fiber bags, including recycled hemp fibers obtained from rice hemp fiber bags, affect the mechanical characteristics of unreinforced and reinforced composites. Four composite systems were fabricated and tested: (1) HFR (randomly chipped recycled hemp fiber bags–epoxy composite), (2) HFB (continuous recycled hemp fiber bag–epoxy composite), (3) HFR SiC (randomly chipped recycled hemp …

Factor And Demand Conditions Shaping Production Effectiveness In Remote Msmes: A Case Study Of Luci Snack In North Kalimantan, Saadiq Alhadi, Hasyim Asyari

Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia

The production effectiveness of agro-industrial MSMEs in remote frontier regions is severely hampered by geographic isolation and lack of basic infrastructure. This study examines the unique case of Luci Snack in North Kalimantan, operating without state electricity or land access. The research aims to analyze how the interaction between Factor Conditions (river logistics and technology) and Demand Conditions influences Production Effectiveness. Employing an embedded single-case study design, data were collected via in-depth interviews with the owner and village officials, participant observation, and documentation, then analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña (2014) interactive model. Findings reveal a paradox: (1) Production …