TUScholarShare (Temple University)
Not a member yet
10706 research outputs found
Sort by
Search Methods for CTEPH patients who underwent BPA after PEA: A Systematic Review
No full textThe databases included in this search are [list of databases: PubMed (NLM), Embase (Elsevier), Cochrane (Wiley), Clinical Trails (Clinicaltrials.gov), and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (https://trialsearch.who.int/). All final searches were performed on October 06, 2025, by the librarian (SB) and were fully reported on October 06, 2025. The full search strategies as reported by the librarian are provided in Appendix (___). They are also archived at [DOI].
summary of the search results from databases:
PubMed (NLM, 1809-present): 717 results
Embase (Elsevier, embase.com, 1974-present): 1,053 results
Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley): 43 results
Clinicaltrials.gov: 22 results
WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (https://trialsearch.who.int/): 23 results
The search resulted in 1,858 studies and 545 duplicate studies were found and omitted by the librarian (AGS) using EndNote 20. This resulted in 1,313 records to screen from databases and registers. Studies were screened by title and abstract by two blinded and independent reviewers. If a tiebreaker was needed, a third reviewer was used. This process was repeated for full text screening and data extraction.
The search was re-run on October 6, 2025, and the results are listed below.
A summary of the search results from databases:
PubMed (NLM, 6/8/2023-present): 222 results
Embase (Elsevier, embase.com, 6/8/2023-present): 325 results
Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley)(6/8/2203-present): 22 results
Clinicaltrials.gov(6/8/2023-present): 5 results
WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (https://trialsearch.who.int/) (6/8.2023-present):1 results
The updated search resulted in 2,433 studies, of which 575 were new. 171 duplicate studies were found and omitted by the librarian (SB) using the EndNote 20, and the Wichor Bramer Method. This resulted in 404 new records to screen from databases or registers.Lewis Katz School of MedicineVascular and Endovascular MedicineTo identify studies to include or consider for this systematic review, the review team worked with a librarian (AGS) to develop detailed search strategies for each database. The PRISMA-S extension was followed for search reporting. The librarian (SB) developed the search for PubMed and translated the search for every database searched. The PubMed search strategy was reviewed by the research team to check for accuracy and term relevancy. All final searches were peer-reviewed by another librarian (Travis Nace, MLIS) following the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS checklist). The search included no major limits or date restrictions
HARMONIC ANALYSIS METHODS FOR ELLIPTIC BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS IN UNIFORMLY RECTIFIABLE AND INFINITESIMALLY FLAT AHLFORS REGULAR DOMAINS
No full textThe work in this Ph.D. thesis lies at the intersection of Harmonic Analysis, Partial Differential Equations, and Geometric Measure Theory. It focuses on the study of boundary integral operators associated with elliptic boundary value problems on non-smooth domains via singular integral methods. The results are joint work with Dorina Mitrea (Baylor University), Irina Mitrea, and
Marius Mitrea (Baylor University) (cf. [2], [3], and [4]), and the thesis is structured around four interconnected themes:
A. Overdetermined boundary value problems for the Laplacian on uniformly rectifiable domains;
B. Overdetermined boundary value problems for second-order, homogeneous, constant complex coefficient elliptic systems on uniformly rectifiable domains;
C. Overdetermined boundary value problems for the Stokes system of linearized hydrostatics on uniformly rectifiable domains;
D. Fredholm Theory for the Dirichlet boundary value problem for on infinitesimally flat Ahlfors regular domains in .
For themes A and B, this dissertation contains a well-posedness theory for overdetermined boundary value problems in bounded uniformly rectifiable domains with boundary data in -based function spaces. A key ingredient to obtaining such results is introducing a Cauchy-like singular integral operator adapted to second-order homogeneous elliptic systems and the overdetermined setting. See also [2].
For theme C, the well-posedness theory for the overdetermined boundary problem for the Stokes system of linearized hydrostatics requires the introduction of a new -based {\it divergence-free} Lebesgue-Whitney function space, along with a pair of Cauchy-like integral operators specifically adapted to the Stokes system. Additionally, this work contains a connection between the Cauchy integrals for the Stokes system of linearized hydrostatics and those for the Lamé system of linearized elastostatics as one of the Lamé parameters tends to infinity. See also [3].
Finally, for theme D, this dissertation contains a {\it distinguished} coefficient tensor for the polyharmonic operator in all dimensions of the Euclidean space. It also provides an argument showing that the associated singular integral operator for the Dirichlet problem for in infinitesimally flat Ahlfors regular domains is compact on Lebesgue-Whitney function spaces for all , thus opening the door for the employment of Fredholm Theory for the solvability of the Dirichlet Problem. All developments presented are from ongoing joint in [4].Mathematic
Cultural Significance of African Music and Dance: An Afrocentric Analysis
No full textThe primary goal of this paper is to investigate how music and dance plays a significant role in African culture. African music and dance are each both an embodiment of history and an art form, which capture the continent’s vibrant culture. They are each a form of art that play a vital role in the lives of African people and which are critical in solidifying the African social structure, with its complex diversity of social purposes. These forms of art allow African people to communicate with the divine, promote their community bond, mark life transitions, and transmit cultural values across generations.
After being forcibly sold out of Africa and brought to the Americas and other parts of the globe through enslavement, Africans brought their own culture and way of life to America. Having been brought across the Atlantic to a foreign land, they were detached from their own languages and communities. Music and dance was a way to transmit their cultural values through an oral tradition, which allowed them to preserve their culture and history. During enslavement, they continued to participate in their African rituals, told stories, sang, danced, and played African derived instruments to continue to celebrate life as they did in Africa. Music and dance are cultural forms of expression that helped the people to survive and communicate with one another.
The shape of the communities has changed with time and along with those changes, coupled with fluctuations of the political climate and economic factors, the role of music and dance has adapted and changed. They both continue to be important element in the spiritual, emotional, and social well-being of African diasporic societies. For generations, their practice of music and dance, and storytelling was a way for them to preserve their history, customs, and mythology. Both of these forms of art play a vital role in their rituals, ceremonies, social gatherings, which reflects their history, values of the people and a reflection of the African culture attachment to one’s native land and ancestral heritage. Despite the forced migration and oppression, the enslaved Africans and their descendants were able to preserve the components of their cultural identity, blending them with other cultures in creating new forms of expression. Each era and genre of African American music and dance are distinct cultural expressions that laid the foundation for future forms of American music. For instance, the call and response structure of the music in Yoruba influenced genres such as jazz, blues, and gospel music. Katherine Dunham and Pearl Primus contributed to popularization of African dance forms and choreography through their research in Africa and the Caribbean.
My goal is to show how the socio-cultural implication of African music and dance has enriched our understanding of how African people organize, conceptualize, and experience various aspects of their daily lives. Belief is the key component of culture and influences human behavior immensely. The music and dance of Africa and its significance continue to survive through generations of African people engaging in the search for cultural identity and appreciation of African worldview.Africology and African American Studie
Ecological Dynamics of Methane-Seep Foundation Species: Succession, Disturbance Response and Niche Stability
No full textDeep-sea methane seeps host unique biological communities driven by chemosynthetic primary production, and are essential to both local and global functioning. Foundation species at these sites play a critical role in structuring seep ecosystems by providing habitat complexity and refugia for associated fauna. Despite their ecological importance, however, the successional dynamics of these communities, and their responses to environmental disturbance, remain poorly understood. This thesis investigates the abiotic niche requirements, successional patterns and resilience of foundation species communities at methane seeps along the Pacific Costa Rican Margin to enhance our understanding of the factors shaping these ecosystems. In Chapter 2, abiotic niches and inferred successional patterns of foundation species at the Mound 12 methane seep are assessed using photo-transect data coupled with maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. Results support a successional framework in which bacterial mats and vesicomyid clams act as early colonizers, followed by bathymodiolin mussels and serpulids as intermediate successors, and vestimentiferan tubeworms and corals as late-successional stages. These findings provide empirical support for previously hypothesized succession stages and improve our understanding of how foundation species establish and persist through time.
In Chapter 3, the potential impact of a magnitude 6.5 earthquake on the Mound 12 seep community is examined, using pre- and post-earthquake spatial mapping and MaxEnt modeling to track shifts in species distributions. Results reveal substantial changes in seepage activity, with vesicomyid clams displaying a notable capacity for migration in response to altered seepage patterns. This provides the first direct evidence of such movement in a methane-seep ecosystem, shedding light on potential pioneer species and the resilience of these communities to natural disturbances.
In Chapter 4, the scope of this research is expanded to assess how seep community composition and abiotic niches vary across multiple sites along the Pacific Costa Rican Margin. By testing the transferability of MaxEnt models trained on Mound 12, varying degrees of niche stability were identified across sites, with Parrita seep and Jaco scar exhibiting strong similarity to Mound 12, while Mound 11 and Quepos slide show distinct community patterns driven by differences in seepage flow rates and oxygen conditions. These findings highlight the role of local environmental conditions in shaping seep communities and suggest that some sites may represent different stages of succession.
Together, these studies provide new insights into the ecological processes governing methane-seep communities, demonstrating the importance of abiotic factors in structuring these systems and shaping their responses to disturbance. By improving our ability to predict how these ecosystems change over time, this research informs conservation strategies aimed at protecting methane-seep habitats from anthropogenic threats, such as hydrocarbon extraction and bottom trawling, which could substantially alter community dynamics.Biolog
Development of economically feasible sustainable and durable concrete mixtures using performance-enhancing admixtures and alternative cementitious materials
No full textThe global construction sector relies heavily on concrete, yet the production of its primary binder, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), is a significant contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions (5-8% globally) and is highly energy-intensive. Addressing this environmental burden necessitates practical and economically viable strategies. This dissertation investigates two primary approaches to developing sustainable concrete: optimizing mixtures with reduced cement content enabled by a higher dosage of high-range water reducers (HRWR), and evaluating Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) as a lower-carbon alternative binder.
The research first focused on developing and characterizing concrete mixtures with reduced cement content (specifically 10% reduction) and low water-to-cementitious material (w/c) ratios (0.37–0.42), facilitated by optimized aggregate gradation and increased HRWR dosages. Experimental results demonstrated that these "low cement + high HRWR" systems, while requiring approximately three times the HRWR dosage to maintain workability (managed with retaining admixtures), exhibited superior performance. Mechanical strengths (compressive and flexural) increased by over 30-50%, while dimensional stability (shrinkage) remained comparable to control mixtures. Crucially, durability was significantly enhanced, evidenced by reduced porosity (up to 26%) and lower water absorption (up to 40%). This translated into a predicted 117% increase in service life against chloride-induced corrosion and a 29% reduction in life-cycle costs compared to conventional concrete.
A subsequent multicriteria assessment, integrating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), service life prediction, and mechanical properties, further validated these findings for both non-air-entrained and air-entrained systems. Reducing cement content substantially lowered environmental impacts, including Global Warming Potential and resource depletion. The 10% low cement mixture consistently emerged as the most sustainable option, achieving the lowest environmental footprint and life-cycle costs (28.9% reduction for non-air-entrained, 25% for air-entrained). Overall, the 10% low cement mixture outperformed the control mixture by 30% across the combined sustainability metrics.
Finally, the research specifically evaluated the abrasion resistance of PLC concrete compared to OPC, a critical factor for applications like industrial flooring. Testing according to BS EN 13892-4 revealed that PLC mixtures, across various sources, generally provided comparable or superior abrasion resistance to OPC at similar strength levels, with an average wear depth 21% lower in the tested PLC samples. Performance improved significantly with lower w/c ratios (0.42 vs. 0.52) and when testing formed surfaces versus finished surfaces (25-55% less wear). While PLC proved a viable alternative, higher variability between sources was noted, linked to differences in cement fineness and chemistry affecting HRWR demand and strength. The application of a surface hardener dramatically improved abrasion resistance (80-90% wear reduction for PLC), highlighting the benefit of surface treatments.
This research provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of utilizing optimized low-cement concrete systems with HRWR and adopting PLC as a binder. These approaches yield concrete with enhanced mechanical properties, significantly improved durability and service life, reduced environmental impact, and greater economic feasibility over the life cycle, offering practical pathways towards more sustainable construction practices.Civil Engineerin
PRODUCTIVE AND LATENT HIV INFECTION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: VIRUS AND HOST WRESTLE FOR CONTROL OF THE SUMOYLATION SYSTEM
No full textSUMOylation (small ubiquitin-related modification) is a post-translational modification that involves the covalent attachment of SUMO proteins to target substrates. The dynamic process regulates several aspects of cellular functions, including gene expression, protein stability, subcellular localization, and cellular signaling. SUMOylation is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis and its dysregulation is implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disorders. SUMOylation has also been increasingly recognized in its regulation of innate immune responses. SUMOylation has been shown to regulate the activity of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and transcription factors like NF-B, which are essential in innate immunity. As such, SUMOylation has significant implications in immune regulation for viral infections. Many viruses like, herpesviruses, influenza, and HIV have evolved mechanisms to hijack the host SUMOylation system to enhance their replication and evade host immune responses. Conversely, host cells can use SUMOylation to mount an antiviral response by modifying key immune factors that limit viral replication. This dichotomous role of SUMOylation makes SUMOylation a critical area of research. Despite significant advances in understanding SUMOylation’s role in cellular functions and viral infections, several important questions remain unanswered. What are the precise mechanisms through which SUMOylation regulates immune signaling pathways in response to viral infections, particularly HIV? What are the broader implications of SUMOylation in the context of viral persistence or latency? To what extent can targeting SUMOylation be used as a therapeutic strategy in viral infections? The work presented in this thesis uses a multi-faceted approach to begin to address these questions. First, we explored a relationship between HIV infection and SUMOylation in microglial and T cells. Prior literature suggested an impairment in global SUMO conjugation during HIV infections, though comprehensive evidence from our experiments to support this was lacking. We instead observed a translocation of the SUMO paralogs following HIV infection. One potential explanation is that HIV is capable of manipulating which proteins are modified by SUMO. To further explore this relationship, we performed proteomic analysis on a novel cellular model of HIV latency in microglia. Using quantitative immunoassays, we demonstrate that global SUMO conjugation is significantly increased in HIV latently infected microglia, with global SUMO conjugation levels decreasing following HIV reactivation. Here, we also demonstrate a unique proteomic landscape between HIV latent and HIV induced reactivation cell populations. Finally, we explored targeting SUMOylation as a therapeutic strategy for viral infections. Here, we observed a significant reduction in HIV reactivation in T cells through inhibition of SUMOylation. Both SUMO E1-activating and SUMO E2-conjugating enzymatic inhibition resulted in fewer GFP+ cells in a dose-dependent manner, with almost complete blocking of reactivation at higher concentrations. Altogether, these studies highlight the importance of SUMOylation in cellular processes, its emerging role in innate immunity, and its implications in productive and latent HIV infection. Our work suggests that targeted modulation of SUMOylation may offer new therapeutic strategies for treating viral infections.Biomedical Science
Playing With Narrative: Canon and Collective Memory in Tabletop Roleplaying Games
No full textThis dissertation examines the intersection of canon, fandom, and collective memory within the participatory context of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), focusing specifically on player experiences in Star Wars-themed campaigns. By integrating interdisciplinary frameworks in fan studies, memory studies, and analog game studies, I investigated how players simultaneously engage with established narratives and co-create their own through collaborative play. Through qualitative, ethnographically informed methods—including interviews with 25 players and game masters and participant observation of a Star Wars TTRPG campaign session—I explored how players navigate the tensions between narrative fidelity, creative agency, and community-building.I argue that TTRPGs function as sites of collective memory work where canonical lore is not merely referenced but actively negotiated, (re)interpreted, and transformed by players. Canon, in this context, serves as both a cultural anchor and a flexible narrative scaffold. Players navigate a spectrum of approaches to canon, from reverence for established lore to prioritizing creative freedom, often engaging with canon selectively or subversively. Across these engagements, players co-construct communal narratives that foster social cohesion and deepen group identity.
By situating these practices within the broader Star Wars fandom, particularly in light of Disney’s contested redefinition of canon, my study reveals how players balance corporate authorship with personal investment and community consensus. It also highlights the unique position of TTRPGs as a transformative fan practice akin to improvisational fanfiction, blending game mechanics with deeply affective narrative participation. Ultimately, my research contributes to scholarly conversations on participatory culture by demonstrating that narrative play in TTRPGs is not only a site of creative expression but also a powerful mechanism for sustaining and reshaping collective memory. It offers insights into how fan communities negotiate identity and meaning through collaborative storytelling within transmedia storyworlds.Media & Communicatio
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AMONGST PRECLINICAL AND CLINCAL DENTAL STUDENTS
No full textPurpose: To evaluate if there is a difference in musculoskeletal pain in preclinical students versus clinic students. It was hypothesized that clinic students would have greater ratings of pain based on prior research and due to the physical demands of dentistry.
Method: This study was approved by the institutional review board. Participants were recruited via email and eligible if they were a student at Temple dental school. In addition to demographic information, the primary outcome of interest was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. This questionnaire surveyed musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months. Dependent variables included presence of musculoskeletal pain in regions of the neck, lower back, upper back, wrist, and shoulders. The data was analyzed by a dichotomous cross tabulation between the responses to presence of pain in the various body regions and the year of the respondents (D1, D2, D3, D4, post bac, post doc) and by clinic status (preclinic vs clinic). In addition, a dichotomous cross tabulation for the presence of pain was also applied to gender and race. Pearson’s chi squared test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the dichotomous cross tabulations.
Results: Survey participants include 102 respondents from the post baccalaureate program, D1, D2, D3, D4, and graduate programs. The gender distribution included 36% males, 63% females, and 1% identified as non-binary. The majority of the participants were White/Caucasian (53%) and Asian (30%). Survey respondents had a mean age of 26.3 yrs and a standard deviation of 4.37 yrs. Higher pain values were reported for the neck, lower back, upper back, and shoulders for both preclinic and clinic students. There were no significant differences observed between pre-clinical and clinical students in terms of pain (all p’s > .05). However, there were trends such that clinical students reported higher pain in the neck (75.0% vs 65.1%), while pre-clinical students reported higher pain in lower back (65.1% vs 55.6%), and shoulders (67.4% vs 50%). In addition, there were no significant differences reported amongst respondents based on gender and race (all p’s > .05). However, females tended to experience higher pain values, wrist (45.3% vs 33.3%), shoulder (60.9% vs 45.9%), neck (71.9% vs 62.2%), upper back (68.8% vs 47.2%), and lower back (65.6% vs 47.2%).
Conclusion: Dental students indicated presence of pain in neck, lower back, upper back, and shoulders. While there were no significant differences, trends emerged related to gender and year in school. There were limitations of this survey research due to small sample size and self-reported input.Oral Biolog
Sinus Pathology Detection in Panoramic Radiographs Verified by CBCT Imaging
No full textIntroduction: The accurate identification of maxillary sinus pathology plays a critical role in dental diagnostics, as these conditions can significantly impact treatment outcomes. Panoramic radiographs (PR) are frequently used due to their accessibility and lower radiation dose compared to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). However, questions remain about their reliability in detecting various sinus pathologies.
Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PR for identifying maxillary sinus abnormalities, using CBCT and expert oral radiologist evaluation as reference standards. Specific maxillary sinus conditions evaluated include mucosal thickening, mucous retention cysts, sinus opacification, antral polyposis, sinus border disruption, and periapical lesions.
Methods: PR and CBCT from patients seen at TUKSOD were extracted from PACS® software, additional information was collected via the axiUm® database. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients age ≥18, having PR and CBCT taken within six months apart. Exclusion criteria involved PR with technique error, severe artifacts, low image quality, or missing sinus anatomy on the CBCT. Quality control was performed by removing duplicate images, blurred images, technique errors, and artifacts. All images had a unique identifier and were viewed on Weasis DICOM Viewer, version 4.5.1. Three residents were calibrated and served as readers for PR diagnoses, with CBCT diagnoses confirmed by two expert radiologists. After reviewing each PR, residents documented the presence of absence of sinus diseases and characterized the type of disease in an Excel form without time constraints. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Diagnostic performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, accuracy, and AUC, were calculated to account for data imbalance.
Results: 79 PR were identified, amounting to a total of 158 sinuses. After excluding 16 uncertain responses, 142 sinuses were included in the final analysis. The analysis showed varying agreement levels among reviewers, with an overall inter-rater reliability of ICC=0.40. When comparing PR evaluations to the CBCT reference standard, kappa values varied by feature, with the highest agreement for mucosal thickening (K=0.51 for Reader 1) and lower agreement for rarer findings like antral polyposis (Κ=0.14). Overall, PR showed variable ability to detect sinus abnormalities, with precision values below 15% for subtle findings such as retention pseudocysts and antral polyposis.
Conclusion: Maxillary sinus conditions were able to be diagnosed in PR to an extent. Results demonstrate disagreement on maxillary sinus pathology while using PR. There is a promising outlook of developing an AI algorithm that can improve sinus pathology detection accuracy using PR without the necessary corresponding CBCT.Oral Biolog
BEYOND COMPETITION: AN EXPLORATION OF HOW COLLEGIATE WOMEN ATHLETES NAVIGATE NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS (NIL) OPPORTUNITIES
No full textThe introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has reshaped the collegiate athletics landscape, particularly for women athletes who are increasingly leveraging personal branding as a pathway to entrepreneurial ventures. This shift is transforming student-athletes into student-athlete entrepreneurs (SAEs). Despite the growth of NIL into a multibillion-dollar marketplace, women athletes continue to face disparities in financial opportunities compared to their male counterparts. This research addresses the urgent need to understand the lived experiences and support ecosystems of women SAEs within this rapidly evolving landscape.Employing a two-study qualitative approach grounded in interpretivist and grounded theory methodologies, this dissertation investigates how collegiate women athletes navigate NIL opportunities and engage with an evolving support ecosystem. Study One, based on 21 in-depth interviews with collegiate women athletes and supplemented by secondary analysis of four publicly available YouTube interviews, introduces the Ripple Effect of NIL Dynamics for Women Collegiate Athletes as a conceptual model. This model illustrates the cascading impact of NIL, beginning with the individual athlete and extending through their support networks, ultimately influencing the broader women’s sports ecosystem.
Study Two expands on understanding the NIL support ecosystem by analyzing interactions between traditional support networks (coaches, teammates, family, institutional resources) and emerging NIL-specific stakeholders (agents, collectives, brand programs, third-party platforms). Through 22 in-depth interviews with these stakeholders, this analysis develops the SAE Support Network: Competitive and Collaborative Forces in Navigating NIL Opportunities model, which visually maps the complex relational patterns, power dynamics, and interactions that collaboratively and competitively shape athlete outcomes.
Theoretically, this research extends Sports Entrepreneurship Theory and Social Support Theory by positioning the NIL Ecosystem at the intersection of sport management, entrepreneurship, and the creator economy. It incorporates emerging NIL-specific stakeholder roles and outlines the types of support they provide. Additionally, it enhances the Individual Sport Brand Management Framework (ISBMF) by demonstrating its relevance within collegiate athletics and introducing new dynamics shaped by institutional and gendered contexts. Practically, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers, NCAA officials, universities, brands, and sponsors. It advocates for equitable NIL policies, targeted educational initiatives, and support structures tailored to the unique needs of collegiate women athletes. Ultimately, this dissertation underscores NIL’s transformative potential to advance gender equity, increase visibility, and create entrepreneurial pathways within collegiate sport.Business Administration/Entrepreneurshi