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Prediction of Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity Using Machine Learning Analysis of hiPSC-CM Contractile Profiles
No full textDrug-induced cardiotoxicity remains a critical concern in pharmaceutical development as failed drug candidates result in lost time and resources that could be better spent on viable candidates. We believe that a robust in vitro model that accurately captures human cardiac physiology is an applicable model for examining drug candidates. In addition to those models, there is a need for quick and effective predictive models to analyze data obtained from the model to classify drugs based on their potential for cardiotoxicity. In this study, we conduct a functional analysis of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and pass the data collected into a machine learning framework to predict drug-induced contractile dysfunction. Our workflow involves preprocessing contractile waveforms, extracting key biomechanical features, and training an ML-based predictive framework to classify drug-induced effects with high accuracy. This approach showcases the scalability and precision of cardiotoxicity assessment while reducing experimental complexity and time. Additionally, we can analyze how the models came to their predictions to gain a better understanding of how the machine learning model is making its predictions. The findings demonstrate the potential of AI-driven physiological profiling for streamlining preclinical cardiac safety evaluation, providing an ethical and efficient platform for drug screening
Protecting Networks Against Entry-Point Attacks
No full textIn many network applications, it is critical to protect sensitive nodes from discovery by malicious crawlers. This thesis addresses the network protection problem from the data protector’s perspective, focusing on strategically deleting edges to hide target nodes from entry-point attacks. Earlier work on this problem proposed node-level scores to identify key edges for deletion. We propose two novel edge-level scoring functions to identify critical edges for removal: the Shortest Path Change Score (SPCS), which quantifies the damage an edge’s removal causes to shortest paths, and the PageRank Edge Flow Score (PEFS), which estimates an edge’s usage in random walks from source to target nodes. SPCS is designed to be effective against expansion-based crawlers like breadth first search (BFS), while PEFS is suited for protection against random walk (RW) crawlers. A key limitation of existing methods is that edge scores become stale as the graph is modified. To address this, we introduce an adaptive and dynamic edge deletion strategy that periodically assesses its own performance. By using metrics such as Shortest Path Cut Congestion and Conductance, our algorithm recomputes edge scores only when it detects that the current strategy is no longer effective, improving both accuracy and efficiency. We conducted extensive experiments on four real-world graph datasets, comparing our methods against baselines. The results demonstrate that our proposed edge-level scoring functions and the adaptive deletion strategy significantly outperform existing methods in making it more difficult for crawlers to locate target nodes
Calcium-Ion Transport in Gel and Solid Polymer Electrolytes: From Solvent-Solute Interactions to Molecular Simulations for Next-Generation Calcium Batteries
No full textMultivalent metal-ion batteries, especially calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) systems, are attractive alternatives to lithium-ion technologies owing to their high theoretical energy density, improved safety profiles, and abundant natural resources. Nevertheless, the successful commercialization of these technologies is impeded by challenges in electrolyte development, particularly related to cation solvation, ion transport efficiency, and interfacial stability. This dissertation addresses these challenges through comprehensive experimental investigations and molecular dynamics simulations of polymer-based electrolytes designed explicitly for multivalent cation conduction. In the first study, polymer gel electrolytes comprising poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and low dielectric solvents—1,3-dioxolane (DOL) and dimethoxyethane (DME)—with calcium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Ca(TFSI)₂) were developed and characterized. Spectroscopic analyses revealed strong Ca²⁺–solvent coordination, minimal interaction with the polymer host, and solvent-dominated ion transport. Conductivity measurements showed a non-monotonic dependence on salt concentration, reaching optimum values (10⁻⁴–10⁻³ S/cm at room temperature) balanced between enhanced charge-carrier density and ion pairing. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated effective calcium plating/stripping cycles, though increasing overpotentials indicated interfacial passivation. The second investigation extended electrolyte design by incorporating PEGDA-based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) utilizing Ca(BF₄)₂ salt and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMIM OTf) ionic liquid. These GPEs exhibited significantly enhanced ionic conductivities (up to 2.16 mS/cm), wide electrochemical stability windows (approximately 4 V), and thermal stability above 200 °C. Cycling tests demonstrated low initial overpotentials and verified stable Ca plating/stripping behavior, confirming their suitability for high-performance calcium-metal batteries. In the third project, a preliminary molecular dynamics study probing how salt concentration—expressed as oxygen-to-metal ratios (O\:M = 10 and 44)—governs solvation structure and ion transport in PEO-based polymer electrolytes was presented. Structural analyses (radial distribution functions and cluster-size distributions) showed that concentrated conditions (O\:M = 10) promote larger ionic aggregates and more frequent multi-chain coordination, whereas dilute conditions (O\:M = 44) favor greater ionic dissociation and more localized polymer coordination. These early results provide molecular-level guidance for tuning salt loading to balance structural stability and transport in solid-state polymer batteries. Collectively, these projects provide comprehensive insights into multivalent polymer electrolyte systems, emphasizing critical molecular interactions, electrolyte composition optimization, and practical electrochemical performance. This work lays a foundation for developing efficient, stable, and safe electrolytes, accelerating the realization of advanced multivalent metal-ion battery technologies
Theorizing Technology Integration: The Case of Smart Grid Technologies at Electrical Utilities in the United States
No full textOver the past decade, the energy culture as a whole and electric industry specifically has been going through wide-scale disruptive and consequential transformation. The pressure for these changes comes from different fronts: Decarbonization (switching to renewable sources and implementing carbon reduction policies); Digitalization (adoption and investment on smart digital technologies, infrastructure, and networks), Decentralization (distributed nature of behind-the-meter resources), and Demand (growing demand from customers for high quality, affordable electricity). In response to these pressures, electric distribution utilities were continuously adopting smart grid technologies (most notably Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) and enterprise-wide applications) to create new organizational capabilities. Now, utilities’ focus has shifted toward developing new services and organizational capabilities by integrating these technologies on both sides of the meter. The real value (economic, organizational, Environmental and social) of these technologies directly depends on successful integration of these technologies. Considering the complex, multi-dimensional nature of technology integration, that makes integration highly critical, while extremely challenging. The conceptual foundation of this dissertation research is drawn from the computer-based information systems (IS) research community. The research investigated, in the context of organization (utilities), by proposing these questions; (a) nature and dynamics of technology integration, (b) factors influencing the technology integration, (c) process of technology integration, and (d) technology integration success metrics. As phenomenology-oriented qualitative research, by adopting case-study, data collected by interviews, organizational documents, and archival data. The data was categorized, coded and analyzed. Finally, the findings are used for theory development, Theory of Technology Integration (ToTI), unpacking technology integration constructs, and their relationships. Research findings have both theoretical and practical implications. In theory, advancing the knowledge of technology integration in organizations, and in practice, providing a framework for managers and technologists to effectively integrate new digital technologies
Why Aren’t More People Calling 988 for Mental Health Crises?
No full textWhen someone is in a mental health crisis, calling 911 has long been the default response. However, 911 call centers are not well-equipped to handle mental health emergencies, and law enforcement dispatch can result in unnecessary arrests, hospitalizations, or crisis escalation. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in 2022 is a free, confidential alternative, yet awareness remains low and misconceptions persist. Using data from a 2024 national online survey of nearly 1,900 U.S. adults ages 18-50, this brief summarizes findings about awareness of 988, willingness to use it, and concerns about the service. Results show that only 22% of respondents had heard of 988, though once informed, 72% expressed willingness to use it. Additionally, nearly 9 in 10 had concerns about 988, many of which are misconceptions. The authors recommend expanded public education campaigns and targeted outreach to address these barriers
Toward a combine-Style Approach to Predicting Future Esports Success
No full textHistorically, there has been a great deal of interest in using basicmeasures of individual difference factors to predict future success in traditional sports. For instance, the National Football League (NFL) holds a scouting combine each year prior to the NFL draft during which a host of attributes about players are measured, from basic height and weight, to sprint speed, to jumping capacity, to strength. Even among an already highly selected group of individuals (i.e., individuals skilled enough to even be considered for the NFL), such measures have been seen to have some degree of utility in predicting future performance. The rise of esports has resulted in interest in the potential for batteries of measures that could be similarly predictive of future esports success. Early research suggests that this might indeed be possible. Indeed, work in this sphere has already demonstrated associations between a range of basic abilities and esports aptitude. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the differential nature of esports compared to traditional sports, the most predictive abilities are largely those related to basic perceptual, cognitive, and motor performance (e.g., speed of processing, multitasking ability, working memory). In this commentary, we discuss this burgeoning literature and highlight major challenges on the route to creating an “esports combine.
Early College Program Implementation and Growth: A Collaborative Initiative by a State University
No full textThis article explores a collaborative initiative undertaken by a state university aimed at implementing and expanding an Early College Program. The conceptual framework, practical strategies, collaborative efforts and background of this initiative are presented. With a focus on improving college access for all, the article introduces the university\u27s efforts to promote an inclusive Early College Program accessible to high-need students in particular. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of fostering collaboration among both internal and external partners of Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). By sharing insights into the program design and implementation, the article aims to inspire similar initiatives and contribute to the ongoing dialogue promoting early college experiences for all