This study evaluated the suitability of locations near Bend, Oregon, analyzing approximately 36,269 km2 of land, for the construction of the 40 km by 40 km Cosmic Explorer, a next generation gravitational wave observatory, using a Boolean analysis. Site selection prioritized areas with flat, geologically stable terrain with minimal environmental risk and low human disturbance. Terrain suitability was assessed using Local Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation with 40 nearest neighbors to identify clusters of similar slope values, while the Topographic Position Index classified landforms representing valleys, ridges and flat areas. Raster reclassification was applied to the land cover raster data. Buffer analyses were used for active oil wells, buildings, major roads, railroads, hydrological flowlines, wind farms, mines and national historic places. Rasterization was applied to pipelines, FEMA flood zones, and protected wildlife areas. Each analysis produced a Boolean layer with values of 1 for locations meeting suitability criteria and 0 for locations considered inadequate. All Boolean layers were combined using raster math to produce a consolidated suitability map. The final analysis determined that approximately 24,826 km2 (~70% of the study area) met all criteria for potential Cosmic Explorer construction. These results provide a reproducible framework for identifying potential locations for large-scale observatories, combining terrain, infrastructure, hydrology, and cultural data to address scientific, environmental, and societal considerations.

This research analyzes river corridor adjustment and floodplain microtopography along a 20-mile reach of the Great Miami River, Ohio, integrating recent National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived terrain models. Using ArcGIS Pro, a 1-meter digital elevation model (DEM) was processed to produce hillshade and relative elevation surfaces that highlight subtle floodplain features. Active channel belt (ACB) polygons were mapped for 2004, 2013, and 2023, and change detection identified zones of erosion and deposition across 52 river segments. Historical 1952 aerial imagery provided qualitative context. Results show that erosion and deposition hotspots are concentrated in specific segments and vary between intervals, rather than being evenly distributed. DEM-based terrain visualizations aided interpretation of floodplain morphology, particularly where historical imagery corresponded with low-relief features; interpretation was limited in areas with significant anthropogenic modification. This integrated approach establishes a repeatable framework for quantifying and visualizing river corridor adjustments, supporting improved management and historical analysis in managed landscapes.

Specific Aims: This retrospective study sought to determine the percentage of patients who achieved a therapeutic drug serum concentration and investigated influencing factors involved in suboptimal serum concentrations among patients treated with posaconazole DRT at BUMCT/BUMCP. Electronic medical records were utilized from BUMCT and BUMCP. Methods: A list of patients with at least one serum posaconazole concentration (SPC) was obtained and evaluated for inclusion criteria. Patients included had to be hospitalized and have received at least 5 days of posaconazole treatment with DRT with doses documented in the medication administration record. Additional review was performed of covariates that might affect posaconazole absorption or disposition. Covariates included age, sex, weight, BMI, solid organ transplant, cancer, solid tumor, hematologic cancer, severe neutropenia, history of GI disease/surgery, tablet crushing, diet, feeding tube, nutritional supplement, concomitant medications (statin, metabolic inducer, acid suppression, metoclopramide, antacid, sucralfate, corticosteroid), diarrhea, mucositis, and chronic kidney disease stage. ALT, AST, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase were included as a marker for liver disease. Albumin was recorded, and a recently proposed equation was used to correct for hypoalbuminemia, resulting in adjusted SPC (ASPC). Posaconazole is > 98% bound, and the equation for adjustment is ASPC = SPC * 1/(0.01 + 0.99 *ALB/4.4) A low SPC was defined as < 0.7 µg/ml for prophylaxis or < 1.0 µg/ml for treatment. High SPC was defined as SPC > 5.5 µg/ml. ASPC concentrations were evaluated using the same interpretation. Results: The mean age was 60.5 ± 12.0 years. Most of the population were males (n=30, 75%). The mean height, weight, and BMI were 173 ± 10.1 cm, 82.4 ± 19.6 kg, and 27.5 ± 6.14, respectively. A history of solid organ transplant was found in 27, including lung (18), heart (2), kidney (4) and liver (3). Ten subjects had cancer including 7 with solid tumors and 3 with leukemia/lymphoma. A loading dose was utilized for 17 subjects. Most were prescribed a regular diet and nutritional supplements were ordered for half the subjects (n=20). The SPC for the initial TDM averaged 1.19 ± 0.65 µg/ml, and after adjustment for albumin, the mean ASPC was 1.79 ± 1.12 µg/ml. The initial SPC was characterized as low in 11/40 (27.5%). After adjustment for albumin, this number dropped to 7 (17.5%). No “high” concentrations were encountered. Covariates associated with low SPC included receipt of a proton pump inhibitor, diarrhea, and tube feeding; however, none of these were statistically significant. Advanced stages of chronic kidney disease were not associated with low SPC. The timing of food and nutritional supplements relative to posaconazole dose could not be explored due to lack of documentation. Conclusions: Given that free concentrations determine antifungal activity and drug disposition, use of aSPC in cases of hypoalbuminemia is recommended. We were unable to identify the factors responsible for low aSPC. More detailed PK monitoring is needed to differentiate between poor bioavailability versus rapid elimination.

Specific Aims: To assess whether average daily commute time to campus is associated with students’ perception of their physical and mental wellness. Methods: A survey was sent out to all students at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy who will graduate in 2026, 2027, and 2028. The survey asked questions regarding home campus, wellness, and drive time. This study used an ANOVA single factor test to look at average wellness scores for each drive time and a T-test compared scores between campuses. Results: 89 students completed the questionnaire, 55.1% on the Phoenix campus and 42.6% to Tucson, 2 students did not state their campus. There were 10 questions regarding wellness. Each question could give a maximum of 4 points based on response, so the overall wellness score was out of 40 points. The average wellness scores were as follows: for <15 minutes the average score was 23.5, 15-29 minutes was 23.9, 30-44 minutes was 23.7, >45 minutes was 25.6, and we had a variable drive time section due to 7 students responding different drive times depending on their commute and that average score was 22.4 (P= 0.53). The average score for Tucson students was 23.3 and for Phoenix students was 24.4, but there were 2 students who did not state their campus, and their average was 26.5 (P=0.2). Conclusions: This study showed that there is no significant impact of drive time on student wellness.

Specific Aims: This systematic review evaluates the anticancer effects of high-dose vitamin C, with a focus on its role in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and influencing tumor cell outcomes. The review investigates: (1) the efficacy of vitamin C in combination with chemotherapy on progression-free survival and quality of life; (2) its relationship with tumor cell size; (3) variations in response across cancer types and stages; and (4) the incidence of toxicity and adverse effects. Methods: This review followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Of 10,538 records screened, 21 studies published between 2007 and 2024 met inclusion criteria. Eligible studies included clinical trials, cohort studies, and retrospective analyses. Results: There are 21 studies that involved over 1,100 patients diagnosed with the following malignancies: hematologic, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, and breast. Most studies assessed high-dose intravenous vitamin C (IVC) in combination with chemotherapy, at doses ranging from 1 g/kg to 125 g. While survival benefits were inconsistent, several studies reported enhanced tumor responses, particularly in non-small cell lung and rectal cancers, and improved quality of life metrics such as reduced fatigue and nausea (p < 0.05). One rectal cancer study reported a 44.4% pathological complete response rate. Adverse events were minimal across studies. Conclusions: High-dose IVC is generally safe and may improve treatment tolerability and quality of life when used with chemotherapy. While survival outcomes remain unclear, the evidence supports further investigation in large-scale randomized trials to clarify its clinical utility.

Specific Aims: To determine how the FDA’s expedited pathways affect the regulatory review time of new molecular entities. Methods: A descriptive study using the Drugs@FDA database was performed to analyze drug approvals that occurred anytime between 2016 to 2023. Drugs that underwent NDA/BLA submission, but were not granted approval during this timeframe were excluded from the study. There have been 369 novel drug approvals from 2016 to 2023. The time between the NDA/BLA submission and the final approval of each novel drug was collected during this period. Results: New molecular entities that did not utilize any expedited pathway (n = 11) had an average regulatory review time of 626 days. The shortest average review time (221 days) was observed in the NMEs that used the combination of BTD + AA + PR (n = 23). Conclusions: FDA’s expedited pathways significantly reduce the regulatory review times for new molecular entities. Furthermore, NMEs that leveraged a combination of Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Accelerated Approval, and Priority Review achieved the shortest average review time of 221 days, 65% faster than drugs utilizing no expedited pathway, highlighting the potential benefit of utilizing multiple pathways concurrently.

Specific aims: To measure the frequency of hypoglycemic and rebound hyperglycemic events, time to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) resolution, and hospital length of stay (LOS) in mild to moderate DKA patients with long-acting subcutaneous insulin. Methods: An emergency medicine pharmacist initiated long-acting subcutaneous insulin in patients with mild to moderate DKA at Northwest Medical Center (NMC). Patients were started on glargine insulin instead of intravenous insulin in the NMC emergency department from June 1 to December 31, 2024. Patient data such as sex, age, BMI, diabetes type, insulin dose, lab values, point of care glucose, date and time of admission/discharge, were collected using REDCap. Results: A total of 11 patients received subcutaneous insulin as treatment for mild DKA (male 55%; mean age 53.1; mean BMI 30.4). The median time to resolution was 12.5 hours. The frequency of hyperglycemic events and hypoglycemic events were 45.5% and 9.1%, respectively. The median LOS was 5.13 days with an outlier of 19.25 days. Conclusion: Subcutaneous insulin is an alternative intervention for mild DKA patients and has shown a median resolution time of less than one day. The next steps would be to evaluate the optimal dosing and treatment in patients using BMI and creatinine to reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia and rebound hyperglycemia after DKA resolution. There may be other factors affecting hypoglycemia and rebound hyperglycemia that we cannot control such as diet, activity, etc.

Specific Aims: To evaluate final-year pharmacy students’ perspectives on their preparedness, skill development, and future research interests after completing a required research project during their Doctor of Pharmacy education. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study utilizing an anonymous electronic survey. The survey was administered to fourth-year student pharmacists from both the Tucson and Phoenix campuses of the University of Arizona. It measured self-reported confidence across research tasks, skill development, and post-graduation intentions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses on a Likert scale. Results: Fourteen students completed the survey (100% female; age range: 20–30+ years; majority with a GPA ≥3.50). Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were confident in performing key research tasks such as literature review (79%) and preparing a purpose statement (85%). However, fewer expressed confidence in areas like developing instrumentation (50%) or identifying study designs (64%). Responses were mixed regarding whether the research experience increased their likelihood of pursuing research post-graduation. Conclusions: Overall, students felt confident in core research tasks and recognized skill development through their project experience. However, the impact on career trajectory was less consistent. These findings suggest that integrating structured mentorship and dedicated time into the research curriculum may further enhance student outcomes.

Specific Aims: To evaluate the awareness and attitudes of community-based Arizona pharmacists and identify perceived barriers and facilitators associated with the Arizona contraceptive standing order. Methods: An online survey was emailed to licensed community-based pharmacists practicing in Arizona from September 2024 to February 2025. An optional follow-up interview was offered to gather further insight. The survey collected demographics, assessed awareness, confidence, and comfort in the standing order, and asked participants to rank perceived benefits, concerns, and barriers related to implementation. Chi-Square and ANOVA analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Results: Surveys were completed by 42 pharmacists, of which the majority were not male (67%) and aged less than 40 years (67%). The majority of respondents expressed awareness of (73.8%), support for (88.1%), and confidence in utilizing (52.4%) the standing order. The primary perceived benefit was increased access to contraceptives (average rank 1.37), while the time needed to meet with patients was the top concern (average rank 2.56). The top barrier for implementation was the time required for planning, training and execution (average rank 2.27). Incidental findings found that those aged 40 years or older and those with 10 or more years of licensure ranked the benefit of preventing unintended pregnancies higher (p = 0.036, 0.022), while those aged under 40 years or those with under 10 years of licensure ranked job satisfaction higher (p = 0.027, 0.042). Conclusions: Surveyed pharmacists expressed awareness and support of the Arizona contraceptive standing order and identified barriers and facilitators for implementation.

Specific Aims: This study aims to measure the effect of remote learning practices on student mental health and engagement. Methods: This observational cohort study was performed using data generated from voluntary survey forms emailed to current Doctor of Pharmacy students at the University of Arizona. This survey collected data about participants’ experiences in online classroom environments, including academic engagement, subjective stress levels, feelings of social inclusion, and ability to collaborate with peers. Results: Surveys were completed by 113 participants (26 men, 87 women; 23% P1, 35% P2, 24% P3, 18% P4). Data from these surveys demonstrated a right skewed normal distribution for effects on subjective academic performance (53% favorable, 47% unfavorable), but demonstrated a left skew for ability to communicate with peers about coursework (36% favorable, 64% unfavorable), experience of inclusion among peers (34% favorable, 66% unfavorable), attention span (31% favorable, 69% unfavorable), and participation in class discussions (30% favorable, 70% unfavorable). Conclusion: While some students report mild positive effects, these data reveal that remote learning poses significant challenges related to mental health, participation, and academic performance. Addressing these issues may require novel techniques to improve student engagement and communication. Improving these fundamental elements of instruction should have some carryover to how students feel during class, but more attention is warranted therein to ensure any measures taken don’t result in unintended consequences to the student experience.