Language barriers in clinical trials: Exploring impacts on continuity and participants’ engagement and effective mitigation strategies

Clinical trials are crucial for advancing medical knowledge and developing new treatments. However, language barriers can pose significant challenges for participants, particularly in understanding trial procedures, risks, and benefits. Existing policies, guidelines, and studies from 2020 to 2024 identify key challenges in recruiting and retaining non-English-speaking participants. The lack of data on dropout rates highlights the need for improved language services and culturally sensitive communication methods. Findings demonstrate the importance of addressing linguistic disparities to enhance trial inclusivity and success. Innovative strategies to overcome language-related hurdles include the use of professional interpreters, translated materials, and community engagement initiatives. By addressing these challenges, the diversity and representativeness of clinical trials can be improved

2025 EMU Spring Commencement Ceremony for CAS, COE, and Individualized Studies

Streamed live on Apr 27, 2025 GEORGE GERVIN GAMEABOVE CENTER 4,323 views • Streamed live on Apr 27, 2025 • GEORGE GERVIN GAMEABOVE CENTER Download event program [PDF]: https://www.emich.edu/commencement/do... Learn more: https://true.mu/39m5RNr We are pleased to announce that Eastern Michigan University will hold an in-person Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This ceremony will be for students who have an active application to graduate in April 2025. For more information, visit the EMU Commencement website at https://www.emich.edu/commencement

From dictatorship to sectarianism: Iraq\u27s domestic politics and minority rights (1979-2023)

This study looks at how Iraq’s domestic politics have changed, moving from Saddam Hussein’s authoritarian rule to the post-2003 era that’s been heavily shaped by sectarian divisions. It focuses on how Shi’a communities were systematically oppressed under Saddam’s Sunni-led Ba’athist regime and then compares that to the frustrations many Sunnis have faced under the mostly Shi’a-led government that came after the U.S. invasion. By looking at government policies, shifts in society, and the current status of minority rights, I explore how sectarianism has shaped governance, complicated the Kurdish issue, and affected things like inter-sect marriages between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. Through interviews with Shi’a individuals, I was able to get a more personal view of what these political changes have meant for people on the ground. My main argument is that while Iraq’s move toward democracy was supposed to bring fairness and inclusion, it’s actually made sectarian tensions more visible and deepened the divide in new ways. This paper adds to the conversation by centering real lived experiences and showing how identity and power are still at the heart of Iraq’s ongoing political struggles

Online and in-person intimate partner violence: The role of relationship initiation context

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive phenomenon, and cisgender women and sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are particularly affected. Despite the prevalence of internet usage and online dating among young adults, less research has examined how IPV manifests across relationships in which interactions are predominantly online, as well as those that begin online and transition to predominantly in-person interactions (i.e. hybrid). This study\u27s primary aims are to examine the rates of IPV and nondating technology-facilitated sexual victimization among SGM and nonSGM emerging adults and explore how IPV victimization and mental health outcomes vary based on the extent to which the relationship was initiated and continued (online, hybrid online/in-person, inperson). Method: Emerging adults (N = 328) completed an anonymous online survey about dating experiences, protective behavioral strategies, and violence in online only, in-person only, and hybrid online and in-person relationships. Results: SGM individuals experienced more technology-facilitated sexual violence outside of dating relationships than non-SGM participants. Discussion: Replication in larger, national samples is critical to replicate and expand upon these results

Integration of agile approach into the implementation of the ISO/SAE 21434 on top of the V-model to enable continuous secure-by-design automotive cybersecurity development

The rapid evolution of technology is revolutionizing the automotive industry, with connected and autonomous vehicles at the forefront. These vehicles rely on complex digital ecosystems to enhance safety and efficiency but are increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Addressing these challenges requires following robust development methodologies, while complying with cybersecurity standards. This study introduces a framework that merges the widely used agile methodology practices with the ISO/SAE 21434 standard to support secure-by-design automotive product development. Traditional development approaches like the V-model provide structured and linear project phases, but they often lack the flexibility and the ability to adapt to evolving security needs. By incorporating agile principles, the framework promotes iterative, adaptive, and collaborative processes, ensuring timely identification and mitigation of risks. This research highlights the critical role of integrating agile methodologies with the established cybersecurity standards to meet the growing demands of connected vehicle security, offering valuable contributions to both academic and industry practices. The study also demonstrates how iterative threat analysis and risk assessments can be performed to refine cybersecurity goals and prioritize risks. It also provides a practical case study, which implements the above integration, showing how techniques, such as continuous testing of the tool, were applied within every agile sprints to verify the tool\u27s effectiveness by shifting verification and validation earlier in the development process. This approach improved risk management efficiency and ensured compliance with ISO/SAE 21434 requirements. The study highlights the framework’s practicality, showing how it can streamline cybersecurity processes in a dynamic automotive development environment. By adopting this agile-driven methodology, organizations can better manage cybersecurity risks, align with industry standards, and foster a culture of continuous improvement

Pointer Land game app with Unity

In this project, I implemented my game concept, Pointer Land, using the Unity game engine. I have implemented the game in the past using other frameworks (such as Flutter), but I thought that doing this using Unity would help me gain two major types of experience: using cross-platform software frameworks in general and using Unity. I found this project to be helpful in doing that. I have found that, with every software framework that I learn, there are new concepts associated with the framework. For Unity, I quickly figured out that a lot of the scripting I was doing involved working with GameObjects and Components. In addition to this, I learned that I could not write my own custom widget classes, but I could work around this using Prefabs and Components. Overall, I feel this project taught me more about Unity, as well as another paradigm that can show up when I am developing software

What amino acid residue is responsible for the interaction of Atg11 with its autophagy partner Atg9?

Macroautophagy is a cellular function that involves the formation of a double membrane vesicle that isolates and transports cellular materials to the vacuole or lysosome for degradation and recycling. It is divided into selective and non-selective macroautophagy. Atg11 and Atg9 are two key proteins involved in selective macroautophagy, and their interaction is critical for selective macroautophagy. Specific residues on Atg9 critical for Atg11 binding have been identified, but similar residues on Atg11 have not been identified. The aim of my research was to identify a specific residue critical for Atg11’s interaction with Atg9. To this end, we carried out Yeast-twohybrid and Co-IP experiments on 6 different mutants of Atg11. Only one mutant lost interaction with Atg9, but it was a multiple mutant and likely not a single binding surface. Thus, we could not identify a specific residue critical for Atg11’s interaction with Atg9. Still, we successfully eliminated several possibilities, refining our understanding of this area

Songwriting in music therapy clinical practice

Songwriting is a technique used in music therapy practice that has been documented since 1950, and has been used in a clinical setting in many countries where music therapy is a fully developed profession. There are many different types of therapeutic songwriting experiences used in music therapy practice, to accommodate for the many different needs and abilities of clients. Additionally, therapeutic songwriting is used to help achieve many goals, and is used in a wide variety of settings. These settings include the pediatric hospital, a setting given particular attention in this paper. This paper will also include the author’s own reflections on her experiences of facilitating songwriting. Recommendations for future research and advice for music therapists facilitating songwriting are also included

Supplemental feeding alters foraging behaviors of tarantulas in their natural habitat (Aphonopelma Hentzi)

Foraging success is a crucial factor in survival and reproductive success for many animals. One mechanism that can improve an organism’s foraging success is foraging plasticity, or the organism’s ability to alter their behavior in response to environmental changes. This study aims to evaluate if the Colorado Brown Tarantula, Aphonopelma hentzi, a long-lived, sit-andwait predator will use foraging plasticity in response to increased prey encounters. I predicted that tarantulas with more prey encounters will have a higher body condition index, shorter foraging duration, and shorter distances traveled from the burrows. I conducted a field study on A. hentzi in their natural habitat in La Junta, Colorado. I compared a group of tarantulas that received supplemental feeding to a group of tarantulas and compared them to a nonsupplemented control group using video-tracking to determine behavior. As hypothesized, the supplemented tarantulas had increased body conditions, lower foraging duration, and did not travel as far from burrows. Additional behavioral observations were also scored, pertaining to repeated prey capture and novel object interactions. The ability for tarantulas to alter foraging behaviors in response to environmental stimulus could have important implications on how they can tolerate changes in the environment, which could be necessary in the face of habitat disturbances and climate change