Carolyn Wilson Digital Collections (Lipscomb Univ.)
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The Penumbras: Religious Entities, Economic Stagnation, & Covid-19
No full textDuring the Covid-19 pandemic small businesses found themselves gasping for air as their employees felt the disaster. In an attempt to aid these choking businesses, the United States Small Business Administration alongside the Department of Treasury implemented the Paycheck Protection Program. Its aim targeted keeping employees paid and businesses open. The plot twist here is about who fits into that category of small businesses. Religious entities were included in this aid and suddenly, not only was the economic wall hit, so was the wall between religion and government. The US federal government, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), funded approximately 85,000 religious institutions during Covid-19. An estimated ⅓ of American churches participated in the program. This paper investigates the discrepancy between churches that opted to apply for PPP funds and those that did not and asks specifically what ethical reasons may have informed these decisions. To answer this question, I conducted interviews with churches that received PPP funds and those that did not
The treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) using synthetic hormone therapy versus holistic approaches: An integrative review
No full textIs synthetic hormone therapy more effective in treating PCOS compared to holistic approaches such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, supplements, and microbiome support
Myocardial PI3K-AKT Pathway and Cardiovascular Disease Etiology
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the United States according to recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Myocardial infarctions, heart attacks, Coronary Artery Disease, ischemic reperfusion injuries, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies represent common pathologies leading to the hospitalization of Americans. The etiologies of these diseases vary, however there is a common link. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) AKT pathway is a cellular pathway that is commonly overexpressed or repressed in myocytes. The human body is in an active limbo to maintain homeostasis. At a cellular level this can be simplified to a delicate balance between cell division and survival. The elucidation of PIP2 and PIP3, critical components of the PI3K pathway, has led to a more direct connection between the pathway and CVD. More specifically, the lynchpin of PTEN has become of great importance. PTEN is the regulator of the pathway, ensuring the balance between senescence and division is controlled. A better understanding of the PI3K pathway has led to the development of PI3K inhibitors and unique pharmaceuticals that stimulate the pathway. With CVD being one of the most common pathologies treated in the inpatient setting, as well as being one of the most well researched disease types in biomedical science, having a better understanding of this pathway is imperative. Leveraging a better understanding of this cellular pathway could result in the synthesis of novel therapeutics that target CVD while decreasing the rate of secondary complications seen in current treatment modalities
How does vertical hydroponic farming compare to traditional soil farming in terms of crop yield, energy efficiency, and cost?
No full textVertical hydroponics (hydro “water;” ponics “labor”) is a method of year-round farming that uses water in place of soil and supplies vegetables’ nutrients in a space-efficient setting. It dates back to 500 BC when it was used in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a wonder of the ancient world. Thousands of years later, vertical hydroponics has expanded across the globe to supply leafy greens, herbs, and grains. It is typically implemented in dense urban environments where green space is hard to come by as a form of sustainable farming. Our research seeks to answer the question “How does vertical hydroponic farming compare to traditional soil farming in terms of crop yield, energy efficiency, and cost?” If vertical hydroponics yields better results than traditional soil farming, it could change sustainable farming as we know it. We conducted a literature review and analyzed peer-reviewed articles from Greefile, Gale Environmental, ScienceDirect, and Project Drawdown. Results will be discussed
Smart Traffic Lights
No full textNashville is quickly growing, and as a result, traffic congestion is becoming a bigger challenge for commuters. Longer travel times and increased vehicle emissions are major concerns. This research examines how smart traffic lights can improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city. By analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles, this study explores how AI, IoT, and machine learning can optimize traffic signal timing in real time. In particular, simulation models illustrate how these technologies adapt dynamically to changing traffic patterns in cities similar to Nashville. Furthermore, this research compares the cost-effectiveness of smart traffic lights with other solutions, such as roundabouts, while also highlighting their role in improving pedestrian safety. Overall, the findings suggest that adopting smart traffic signals can improve efficiency, lower emissions, and decrease travel times, ultimately creating a more sustainable and adaptable transportation network to support Nashville’s growth
Practices in Single Ventricle Repairs: Insights from Computational Fluid Dynamics on Cavopulmonary Connections – A Scoping Review
Get PDFAbstract: Single-ventricle congenital heart defects require complex surgical strategies, with computation fluid dynamics (CFD) playing a growing role in optimizing cavopulmonary connections. This scoping review examines CFD-derived insights into power loss, hepatic flow distribution (HFD), and wall shear stress (WSS) across different Fontan geometries.
Methods: A search of available peer-reviewed literature (1995-2024) identified studies using CFD models to analyze hemodynamic performance in second and third-stage single-ventricle repairs. Studies were categorized based on surgical stage, anatomical variations, modeling assumptions, and key outcomes such as power loss, HFD, and WSS.
Results: Of 30 included studies, 28 analyzed power loss, 24 evaluated HFD, and 6 assessed WSS. CFD simulations consistently demonstrated that maintaining pulmonary artery cross-sectional area improves energy efficiency, while Y-grafts promote balanced HFD but may increase WSS. Offset junctions minimized flow vortexing but often compromised HFD. Most studies employed rigid-wall and steady-state assumptions, limiting the assessment of pulsatile flow effects but providing practical insights for surgical decision-making.
Conclusions: CFD provides valuable predictive insights into Fontan hemodynamic performance, informing surgical modifications that balance power loss, flow distribution, and shear stress. However, limitations in modeling assumptions, patient-specific anatomy, and surgical feasibility restrict direct clinical translation. Further studies integrating patient-specific boundary conditions, exercise modeling, and long-term follow-up will enhance the clinical applicability of CFD-driven surgical planning
High-Pressure Excursion in Oxygenators During Adult Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Scoping Review
Get PDFBackground: High-pressure excursions (HPE) in oxygenators during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are rare but clinically significant events that can lead to compromised perfusion and adverse patient outcomes. HPE occurs due to fibrin and platelet deposition within the oxygenator, leading to increased transmembrane pressure and potential obstruction of blood flow. Despite its clinical importance, HPE remains an underrecognized issue with limited standardized guidelines for detection, prevention, and management.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases and grey literature sources to identify studies reporting on HPE in CPB oxygenators. The selection process followed the PRISMA-ScR framework, with articles screened based on relevance to the research questions. Key findings were extracted, summarized, and classified according to study design and level of evidence.
Results: Twenty-two articles were initially identified, with six removed due to duplication. Following title and abstract screening, ten additional articles were excluded, leaving six articles for full-text review. No articles were removed at the full-text screening stage. The included studies highlighted key factors contributing to HPE, including oxygenator coating materials, priming solution composition, blood flow resistance, and patient-specific comorbidities. Heparin-coated and synthetic-coated oxygenators were associated with a lower incidence of HPE compared to uncoated oxygenators. Continuous monitoring of pre-membrane and post-membrane pressures was identified as an effective detection method, while the incorporation of albumin in priming solutions appeared as a potential preventive strategy. Management techniques such as adjusting blood flow, increasing FiO2, and warming the patient were also reported as effective interventions.
Conclusions: This scoping review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of HPE in CPB oxygenators, emphasizing its clinical significance, detection, and management. While existing studies offer valuable insights, further research is needed to standardize definitions, establish preventive protocols, and optimize management strategies. Future prospective, multicenter studies are recommended to enhance the generalization of findings and improve patient outcomes in cardiac surgery
δ-valerobetaine as a Novel Inhibitor of Breast Cancer Cell Migration: Hinders Cellular Migration of MCF-7 Cells Through Reducing ATP Concentrations and FAK Activation
No full textδ-valerobetaine as a Novel Inhibitor of Breast Cancer Cell Migration: Hinders Cellular Migration of MCF-7 Cells Through Reducing ATP Concentrations and FAK Activation
Lincoln Brown, Braxton Ivie, Bryson Lovorn, Joshua Owens
Based on female breast cancer diagnoses from 2014-2020, the CDC reports that the 5-year relative survival rate for local and regional breast cancers was 98.9% and 86.3%, respectively, while the survival rate for metastasized cancers was reportedly 32.4%. These discrepancies in survival highlight an increased mortality rate when cancer metastasizes. Interestingly, aggressive tumors have been shown to metabolize fats at higher rates than low-metastatic tumors. Recently, our group has discovered the novel nontoxic molecule δ-valerobetaine (VB) that inhibits fat metabolism, and recent data in our lab displays that VB significantly decreases MCF-7 breast cancer cell migration in high-fat environments. We hypothesized that VB reduces cellular migration by lowering overall metabolic capacity and limiting Focal Adhesion Kinase (P-FAK) activity in a high-fat environment. To test this, we cultured MCF-7 cells and applied 4 treatment groups: PBS/BSA, PBS/Oleate, VB/BSA, and VB/Oleate, from which we either extracted protein or ATP and performed a western blot or ATP assay. Preliminary ATP assay data suggests that VB reduces cellular ATP concentration in a high-fat environment, as ATP concentration of the VB/OLE treatment group decreased by a factor of 1.29 relative to the PBS/OLE treatment. Western blot data displays that VB reduces P-FAK activation, as the ratio of P-FAK/FAK in the VB/OLE treatment group decreased 1.63-fold relative to the PBS/OLE treatment. Overall, preliminary data suggests that VB could serve as a promising therapeutic agent that inhibits fat-induced cancer metastasis via inhibiting fat metabolism, thereby lowering the energy availability for migration
Human Moderators behind the AI: Unseen Costs and Hidden Consequences
No full textThis presentation is about AI-driven content moderation and the ethical and legal concerns surrounding the human moderators who oversee it. While AI helps filter content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it often fails to catch nuanced violations, exposing human moderators to harmful material with serious mental health consequences
