Life Sciences Commons^™

Periostin Promotes Sarcoma Growth By Promoting Tumor-Associated Macrophage Migration And Differentiation, Jin-Fen Xiao, Kristin Ishaya, Emily Y Ko, Annaliese Fowler, Marina T Broz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are characterized by abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, yet the functional contribution of specific ECM components remains poorly understood. In this study, we identify periostin (POSTN), a matricellular protein, as a regulator of sarcoma progression and the tumor immune microenvironment. Analysis of human sarcoma datasets revealed that high POSTN expression correlates with poor prognosis and elevated expression of ECM-related and myeloid cell–associated genes. In murine genetic models of sarcoma, tumors expressing high levels of Postn displayed enhanced expression of ECM genes and monocyte-recruiting cytokines. Functional silencing of Postnin vivo reduced tumor growth without altering tumor cell …

The Kiva System Versus Balloon Kyphoplasty For Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Control Trials, Humaid Al Farii, Nikhil Gattu, Caleb M Yeung, Christopher A Alvarez-Breckenridge, Robert Y North, Laurence D Rhines, Justin E Bird, Shalin S Patel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common type of vertebral body fracture. The Kiva VCF Treatment System is a relatively novel technique to manage VCFs. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Kiva versus standard Balloon Kyphoplasty (BK) through evaluation of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: This study was performed following the guidelines for PRISMA. We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed and MEDLINE in June 2023. The search keywords were "Kiva" and "Kyphoplasty" which yielded a total of 112 articles. Outcome measures included pain, measured through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) …

Reference Dosimetry Data And Machine Performance Comparison For Tomotherapy Delivery Systems Audited By Iroc, Paige A Taylor, Hunter Mehrens, Mallory C Glenn, Fre'etta Brooks, Hayden Scott, Taylor Meyers, Michael Yang, Paola Alvarez, Jessica Lowenstein, Andrea Molineu, Stephen F Kry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The aim of this work was to compare the imaging and radiation oncology core (IROC) on-site TomoTherapy dosimetry measurement results among institutions and generate a dataset of basic dosimetric properties for TomoTherapy units. Independent ion chamber measurements for nine TomoTherapy units were acquired by IROC physicists between 2008 and 2023. Measurements included percent depth dose (PDD) in a water tank and off axis factors (OAF) in a solid Polystyrene phantom. The independent measurements collected during the on-site audits for each TomoTherapy system were compared to corresponding TomoTherapy TPS calculations from the institution to assess agreement. Numeric measurement values and comparative …

The Role Of Neutrophils In Vasospasm And Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Is It Time For A Sah Clinical Trial Targeting Neutrophils?, William W Wroe, Hussein A Zeineddine, Spiros L Blackburn, Jaroslaw Aronowski, Devin W Mcbride

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating neurological disease, and one of the primary drivers of morbidity after aneurysm rupture is the phenomenon of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Significant knowledge has been gained over the past two decades of the impact of neuroinflammation in DCI; and neutrophils are now believed to play a major role. There is significant human subject data showing the rise of neutrophil related inflammatory markers and neutrophil's association with poor outcome after aSAH, but as of yet no trials involving human subjects have been done specifically targeting neutrophils. There is however a growing body of evidence …

Adherence To Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Among Age-Eligible Us Women: Findings From Nhis 2021, Monalisa Chandra, Joël Fokom Domgue, Robert Yu, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Despite the proven benefits of early breast cancer detection in reducing mortality, adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines in the United States is suboptimal. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and factors associated with adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines.

Methods: Using nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey 2021, we included breast cancer screening-eligible women (aged 50-74). Descriptive statistics and population-weighted multivariable logistic regression were employed to examine breast cancer screening adherence per the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, and its determinants in this population.

Results: Of the 6814 screening-eligible women included in …

Tubulin Regulates Stability And Localization Of Stmn2 By Binding Preferentially To Its Soluble Form, Xiang Deng, Gary A Bradshaw, Marian Kalocsay, Timothy Mitchison

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The small, tubulin-binding protein STMN2 is highly expressed in neurons and is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. STMN2 degrades rapidly and accumulates at axotomy sites, suggesting fast turnover is crucial for its neuroprotective function. We show that STMN2 was primarily degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Its membrane-targeting N-terminal domain promoted fast turnover, whereas its tubulin-binding domain promoted stabilization. Proximity labeling and imaging showed that tubulin binding reduced STMN2 targeting to trans-Golgi network membranes. Pull-down assays showed that tubulin binds preferentially to soluble over membrane-bound STMN2. Our observations suggest that STMN2 interconverts between a soluble, tubulin-bound form and a membrane-bound, tubulin-free …

Breakwater Phase Iii: Results For Encorafenib And Cetuximab Plus Mfolfox6 In First-Line Braf V600e-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Scott Kopetz, Josep Tabernero, Elena Élez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The BREAKWATER Phase III study investigated encorafenib and cetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 versus chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E – mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. The study showed significantly improved objective response rate by blinded independent central review, and significantly longer progression-free survival by blinded independent central review and overall survival in patients treated with first-line encorafenib and cetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab. The safety profiles were consistent with those known for each agent. These results led to the approval of encorafenib and cetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 for the …

Impact Of Boarding Time On In-Hospital Mortality In Patients Presenting To An Oncologic Emergency Department Of A Comprehensive Cancer Center, Patricia A Brock, Denise M Langabeer, Valda D Page, Ziyi Li, Aiham Qdaisat

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Longer boarding time in emergency departments (EDs) has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, including higher mortality rates. Studies of boarding to date have been conducted in the general population but not in the cancer population. In this study, we evaluated the association between mortality and boarding time in patients presenting at an oncologic ED.

Methods: This retrospective study included all ED visits for patients aged ≥19 years who presented to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center ED between March 3, 2016 and December 31, 2022, with a disposition of hospital admission. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression …

International Norms For Adult Handgrip Strength: A Systematic Review Of Data On 24 Million Adults Aged 20 To 100+ Years From 69 Countries And Regions, Grant R Tomkinson, Justin J Lang, Lukáš Rubín, Ryan Mcgrath, Bethany Gower, Terry Boyle, Marilyn G Klug, Alexandra J Mayhew, Henry T Blake, Francisco B Ortega, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez, Costan G Magnussen, Brooklyn J Fraser, Tetsuhiro Kidokoro, Yang Liu, Kaare Christensen, Darryl P Leong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Muscular strength is a powerful marker of current health status and robust predictor of age-related disease and disability. Handgrip strength (HGS) using isometric dynamometry is a convenient, feasible, and widely used method of assessing muscular strength among people of all ages. While adult HGS norms have been published for many countries, no study has yet synthesized available data to produce international norms. The objective of this study was to generate international sex- and age-specific norms for absolute and body size-normalized HGS across the adult lifespan.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in 6 databases/web search engines (MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Embase, Web …

Reviewing Vascular Influences On Neuronal Migration, Cortical Development, And Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Focus On Autism, Adhd And Schizophrenia, Lalit K Ahirwar, Spiros L Blackburn, Devin W Mcbride, Peeyush Kumar T

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

During cortical development, newly born neurons migrate radially or tangentially from their origin to expand the cortex. Simultaneously, neuron-derived factors support angiogenesis, and an elaborate network of blood cerebral vessels develops in the cortex. Traditionally, blood cerebral vessels were considered to support the growing cortex or migrating neurons by providing nutrients and oxygen. However, recent studies have shed light on Endothelial cells' influence on cortical development; they guide neuronal migration by providing molecular cues and structural support. Here, we review the current understanding of how CNS cerebral vessels support neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and the formation of the six-layer cortical structure …

Relative Biological Effectiveness-Clinical Practice At Us Proton Therapy Centers, Armin Lühr, Radhe Mohan, Anita Mahajan, Helen A Shih, Harald Paganetti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Proton therapy, with its high conformality and superior dose distribution, is becoming an increasingly prevalent modality in radiation oncology. Although a generic relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value of 1.1 for treatment planning has been adopted, evidence suggests that RBE varies with dose, linear energy transfer (LET), and biological endpoints. This variation raises concerns about underestimating the RBE-weighted dose, which may significantly impact treatment outcomes. To assess the awareness and management of RBE variability in clinical practice, we conducted a survey among US proton therapy centers.

Materials and methods: The survey consisted of 32 questions grouped into subtopics, such as …

Personalized Risk Prediction For Cancer Survivors: A Generalized Bayesian Semi-Parametric Model Of Recurrent Events With Competing Outcomes, Nam Hoai Nguyen, Seung Jun Shin, Elissa Dodd-Eaton, Jing Ning, Wenyi Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Multiple primary cancers are increasingly more frequent due to improved survival of cancer patients. Characteristics of the first primary cancer largely impact the risk of developing subsequent primary cancers. Hence, model-based risk characterization of cancer survivors that captures patient-specific variables is needed for healthcare policy making. We propose a Bayesian semi-parametric framework, where the occurrence processes of the competing cancer types follow independent non-homogeneous Poisson processes and adjust for covariates including the type and age at diagnosis of the first primary. Applying this framework to a historically collected cohort with families presenting a highly enriched history of multiple primary tumors …

Secretory Iga Dysfunction Underlies Poor Prognosis In Fusobacterium-Infected Colorectal Cancer, Ilseok Choi, Kyung-A Kim, Sang Cheol Kim, Donghwan Park, Ki Taek Nam, Seungbyn Baek, Hye-Yeong Jo, Minsun Jung, Melody Y Zeng, Irina Matei, Susan Bullman, Joong Bae Ahn, Yoon Dae Han, Han Sang Kim, Insuk Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is commonly enriched in colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated with poor outcomes, though its mechanisms remain unclear. Our study investigated how Fn affects the tumor microenvironment through single-cell transcriptomic analyses of 42 CRC patient tissues, comparing Fn-positive and Fn-negative tumors. We discovered that Fn impairs IgA plasma cell development and secretory IgA (sIgA) production by disrupting communication with tumor-associated macrophages. Additional experiments in germ-free mice, together with our re-analysis of a publicly available single-cell RNA-seq data set from a CRC mouse model with an intact gut microbiome–both models having been orally gavaged with Fn–jointly validated the causal …

Monte Carlo Simulations Of Geometric Deformation Of Harrison-Anderson-Mick Applicators Used In Intraoperative Radiation Therapy, Benjamin Insley, Brett Bocian, Sam Beddar, Reza Reiazi, Patrick James Jensen, Joshua Scott Niedzielski, Gabriel Oliveira Sawakuchi, Luis Augusto Perles

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The Harrison-Anderson-Mick (HAM) applicator is a high-dose-rate intraoperative radiotherapy (HDR-IORT) applicator used to position Ir-192 brachytherapy sources over surgically-accessed tumor volumes or post-resection tumor beds. Because of the lack of a 3D imaging system, dwell times are optimized pre-surgery by a TG-43-based treatment planning system (TPS) that assumes a perfectly flat applicator surface surrounded by an infinite water phantom. These assumed conditions are disparate from typical treatment conditions, especially in the pelvic regions, which often involve uneven patient surfaces and superficial irradiations with little to no backscatter material.

Purpose: Develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model of HDR-IORT …

Forecasting Chemoradiation Response Midtreatment For High-Grade Gliomas Through Patient-Specific Biology-Based Modeling, David A Hormuth, Maguy Farhat, Bikash Panthi, Holly Langshaw, Mihir D Shanker, Sara Thrower, Sophia Ty, Calliope Custer, Jeanne Kowalski, Thomas E Yankeelov, Caroline Chung

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: The entire course of radiation therapy (RT) for high-grade glioma (HGG) is currently derived from pre-RT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although it is possible to adapt RT during the course of treatment, it is often guided only by anatomical changes to the tumor. This study seeks to determine if a biology-based mathematical model, parameterized by patient-specific, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) data, can accurately forecast HGG response during RT.

Methods and materials: Twenty one patients with HGG planned for 6 weeks of concurrent RT and chemotherapy were imaged weekly with mpMRI during RT and at 1, 2, and 3 months post-RT. …

Fludarabine Lymphodepletion Exposure Is Associated With Toxicities After Idecabtagene-Vicleucel In Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Real-World Experience From The Us Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium, Karen Sweiss, Charlotte Wagner, Eric Anto, Tom Greene, Ryan Sun, Omar Castaneda Puglianini, Filip Ionescu, Krina Patel, Christopher Ferreri, Mahmoud Gaballa, Leyla Shune, Joseph Mcguirk, Surbhi Sidana, Vanna Hovanky, Jack Khouri, Shahzad Raza, Faiz Anwer, Danai Dima, Hamza Hashmi, James Davis, Aimaz Afrough, Gurbakhash Kaur, Larry Anderson, Peter Forsberg, Megan Herr, Doris K Hansen, Mehmet Hakan Kocoglu, Douglas Sborov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) is a BCMA-directed CAR-T associated with high response rates in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), yet responses are not durable and most patients experience toxicities. Fludarabine (Flu) is a key component of lymphodepletion but exhibits significant pharmacokinetic (PK) variability.

Objective: Given Flu exposure (AUC) predicts outcomes after CD19-directed CAR-T, we hypothesized it would predict outcomes after ide-cel. Our objective was to determine the association between fludarabine AUC and clinical outcomes after standard-of-care (SOC) ide-cel.

Study design: RRMM patients receiving ide-cel from 10 US Multiple Myeloma Immunotherapy Consortium centers were retrospectively analyzed. A population PK approach using cumulative …

Improvement And Maintenance Of Clinical Outcome Assessments In Atopic Dermatitis With Amlitelimab, Andrew Blauvelt, Raj Chovatiya, Joseph F Merola, Stephan Weidinger, Ken Igawa, Christine Weber, Cori Gray

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Amlitelimab, a fully human, nondepleting, anti-OX40 ligand monoclonal antibody, demonstrated reductions in lesional and pruritic endpoints in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in phase 2a and 2b trials.

Objectives: Here, we examined the effect and durability of amlitelimab on clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in the randomized STREAM-AD phase 2b trial.

Methods: Adults with moderate-to-severe AD with prior inadequate response to or inadvisability of topical medications received subcutaneous amlitelimab (250 mg with 500-mg loading dose, 250 mg, 125 mg or 62.5 mg) or placebo every 4 weeks in Part 1 (Weeks 0-24; 1:1:1:1:1 randomization). In Part 2, Week 24 …

Knowledge Mapping And Visualized Analysis Of Research Progress In Onconephrology: A Bibliometric Analysis, Yiwei Wang, Shuling Fan, Wei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: Onconephrology is an expanding subspecialty focused on the management of cancer patients with renal injury. This study used a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to emphasize the need for cooperation between oncologists and nephrologists, exploring current trends and future research areas in onconephrology.

Methods: Relevant literature on onconephrology published between 1 January 2000 and 27 April 2024 was retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection, followed by manual screening. Bibliometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix software.

Results: A total of 1,853 publications, including 1,647 articles and 206 reviews, by 11,606 authors …

Decoding Fibrosis In Nonresolvable Covid-19: A Role For Myeloid-Specific Hif1a Deletion, Kemly Philip, Hannah P Thompson, Scott D Collum, Isabella Lefebvre, Bindu Akkanti, Rahat Hussain, Michael R Blackburn, Tingting W Mills, Harry Karmouty-Quintana

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A complication of viral lung infections is the development of pulmonary fibrosis. This phenomenon is most evident in patients with COVID-19, where in its most aggressive form patients developed nonresolvable (NR) COVID-19 requiring lung transplantation. NR-COVID-19 was characterized by the presentation of a fulminant fibrotic lung injury that progressed rapidly, even in patients with limited comorbidities. However, the mechanisms that led to this rapidly progressing form of fibrosis are not fully understood. A common clinical manifestation in the most severe cases of COVID-19 was the presence of "silent" hypoxemia. Thus, we hypothesized that a dysfunctional hypoxic response may result in …

Utility Of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 As A Biomarker In Cholestatic Infants With Congenital Heart Disease, Sindhu Pandurangi, Michael E Kim, Nicolas Noriega, Bradley Conant, Jangdong Seo, Pranavkumar Shivakumar, Andrew Misfeldt, Meghan Chlebowski

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) is a novel biomarker for diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA), the most common cholestatic liver disease in infancy. There is a pressing need to determine the utility of MMP-7 levels in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) to avoid unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures in this high-risk population. We investigated the utility of MMP-7 in discriminating BA from non-BA cholestasis in infants with CHD and whether MMP-7 elevation was present in infants requiring treatment for clinically significant PH.

Methods: This is a single-center cross-sectional study including infants < 180 days of age with cholestasis and serum MMP-7 levels collected from 2019 to 2023. Demographic data and descriptive statistics were summarized with medians with interquartile ranges and frequencies with percentages. Median MMP-7 levels were assessed via Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Results: A total of 149 patients were included. Patients …

Uncovering The Diversity Of Bats In The Mbam Minkom Massif, Cameroon: Insights Into The Importance Of Tropical Inselbergs, Amanda L. Grunwald, Terrence C. Demos, Patrick J. Atagana, Courtney M. Volk, Ara Monadjem, Franck P. Meyo Konoo, Yvette Ngueagni, R. Travis Merrill, Daniel J. Ballhorn, Luis A. Ruedas, Multiple Additional Authors

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

We report the results of two expeditions (2019 and 2022) to the Mbam Minkom Massif (Centre Region, Cameroon), focused on an assessment of the montane area's bat fauna. We describe bat species' richness and highlight the incredible diversity and ecological importance of this highly threatened ecosystem. Across both years, we captured a total of 36 bat species representing 21 genera and six families on Mbam Minkom Massif and in the surrounding lowland forest. Our findings include two new species records for Cameroon, and two additional records of the recently described bat, Pseudoromicia mbamminkom. We provide accounts for all captured species, …

Population Observations And Microhabitat Use Of Isthmohyla Tica (Anura: Hylidae) In San Ramón, Costa Rica, Pablo Marin Pacheco, Jerson Santamaria Martinez, Jose Manuel Mora, Jennifer L. Stynoski, Randall Arguedas

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Isthmohyla tica, the Tica Frog, is a critically endangered species endemic to Costa Rica and supposedly Panama that has only been seen in a few sites in recent decades. To aid in its conservation, we assessed the population status and microhabitat preferences of this frog in a section of the Danta stream at Rancho Alegre farm, San Ramón, Costa Rica. We conducted 18 nocturnal surveys and collected data on perch types, vegetation associations, stream characteristics, and environmental variables for each sighting of the Tica Frog. To identify potential microhabitat preferences, we compared these features between sites with or without frogs …

The Effects Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Status Of Collegiate Females, Connor Kemp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Iron deficiency has remained a global issue even in developed countries despite food fortification and increased nutritional literacy, biological women of child baring age are at particular risk due to menstruation and reduced dietary intake of iron containing foods compared to men. This issue is of particular concern in athletics due to the critical role of iron in oxygen transport and energy metabolism. With nearly half of female athletes presenting low iron status iron supplementation is often necessary. With iron supplementation often resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms that could negatively impact sport performance itself there is a need to explore other …

Understanding Impact Of Starter Culture Blends On The Ph Variation In Cheddar Cheese During Early Aging, Samuel J. Clarke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Consumer expectations govern what is acceptable when it comes to the flavor, texture, and color of the cheese. These quality attributes of cheese are all influenced by the pH of the cheese which is in turn controlled by the acid production of the starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) used to make cheese. Whatever the final pH of the cheese is, is what determines the quality of the cheese. Unfortunately, there are some Cheddar cheese manufacturers that have observed pH variation during the early aging of their cheeses. We hypothesize that the addition of thermophilic, fast-acid producing bacteria, like Streptococcus thermophilus …

Exploring Life History Trade-Offs In The Facultative Eusocial Bee Megalopta Genalis, Ana Gutiérrez Zuluaga

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Organisms face many trade-offs in how to invest in these traits. One example is the trade-off between reproduction and longevity. Queens of social insects seem to escape this trade-off, producing thousands of eggs daily, despite having a longer lifespan than their workers. Some hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, such as an evolutionary change in the molecular pathways that regulate queen investment in maintenance, growth, and reproduction. An alternative hypothesis suggests that the tradeoffs are rarely observed in queens due to the extensive resources provided by the help of workers. While these hypotheses have supporting evidence, they have …

Golden Eagle Predation Of Greater Sage-Grouse On Diamond Mountain Plateau, Victoria E. Thorpe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Predation and the perceived risk of predation can have major impacts on prey populations. Golden Eagles are considered one of the main predators of adult greater sage-grouse. Sage-grouse populations have been declining for decades throughout the West and wildlife managers are concerned about the impacts of golden eagles on sage-grouse. We investigated the nonconsumptive effects of golden eagles on sage-grouse by conducting observational surveys for golden eagles, sage-grouse, and other predators at sage-grouse lek sites near Vernal, Utah during the sage-grouse breeding season from 2022–2024. Additionally, we examined the prevalence of sage-grouse in golden eagle diet using DNA metabarcoding of …

Lagomorphs, Ungulates, And Predation: Exploring Interactions And Quantifying The Effect Of Lagomorph Herbivory In Rangelands, Shantell Marie Garrett

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Rangelands are expansive ecosystems that make up more than 30% of the total surface land area in the contiguous United States. In the west, they are typically categorized as shrublands, grasslands or deserts with low precipitation. The vegetation communities consist largely of grasses and forbs and are thus widely used for livestock grazing. Despite their barren appearance, rangelands are diverse ecosystems that are home to a wide breadth of species.

The Henry Mountains, located in south central Utah, is one example of this system type. With their inspiring red-rock mesas and towering plateaus, this public land, managed by the Bureau …

Biocontrol Of Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense) With The Rust Fungus, Puccinia Punctiformis In The Intermountain West: Integrated Weed Management Compatibility And Characterization Of Microbiome Associations, Caitlin Henderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is an invasive weed of major concern in both agricultural and native areas. It competes against native plants, reduces crop production and quality, and causes significant costs in management and damages. Canada thistle can survive and spread through seeds, but primarily does so through its extensive root system, which causes the greatest management difficulties. There are several control methods for this invasive weed, herbicides are perhaps the most common and effective, however, they have limitations and negative consequences. Herbicide use near waterways is restricted and there are growing concerns of the development of herbicide …

Assessing The Human Health Impacts Of Nutrient-Dense Diets: Clinical Trials On Regenerative Agriculture And Protein Source, Jennifer Jensen-Cloward

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Increasing consumer demand for sustainable, animal-friendly food options has sparked discussion about farming production practices. As more people prioritize their food choices, questions have circulated about how farming practices might impact not just the environment, but also human health. Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that has gained popularity for its potential to improve both food quality and environmental outcomes. It focuses on restoring ecosystem function, ultimately impacting the resulting nutrients in food products, and includes foods like grass-fed meat and organic produce. However, it is still unclear whether these practices make a difference in human health. This dissertation informs …

Privacy-By-Design: Case Studies In Interactive Record Linkage Using A Hybrid Human-Computer System, Theodoros Giannouchos, Qinbo Li, Adam D'Souza, Elmer V Bernstam, Jeffrey R Curtis, Alva O Ferdinand, Cason Schmit

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: High-quality patient matching from several sources without a common identifier (ID) requires interactive record linkage (RL) using a hybrid human-computer system. MiNDFIRL (MInimum Necessary Disclosure For Interactive Record Linkage) is a hybrid prototype software system that facilitates maximizing linkage accuracy while minimizing information disclosure. We present and evaluate MiNDFIRL using two real-world case studies.

Materials and methods: Two user studies were conducted linking 10,000 data pairs from EHR data and 18,240 unique patient IDs from patient generated data. After automated RL, manual review was conducted by three teams of four reviewers (12 total) using MiNDFIRL to resolve potential matches …