Sarah Gery | UROP
Rebekah Spencer | CG
“Childcare Availability and Tenure Status of Professors”
Liam Belluche | CG
Parents from across the United States have been experiencing a large decrease in the availability of childcare. This lack of childcare has made it extremely difficult for parents to continue working, especially in high-stress or academic roles. Our research team is looking to find a correlation between the lack of childcare availability in the United States and the tenure promotion of college professors. To complete this research, our team collected tenure data from about 60 top ranked business schools across the United States. We looked for the dates in which the professors were tenured, at what university they received tenure, and their highest level position at the university where they began their career as an assistant professor. Data was compiled into spreadsheets, with about 100 professors in each school which we collected data. Data had previously been collected regarding the childcare availability for regions surrounding the universities in which we had already collected tenure data to ensure that the childcare availability is a variable that would directly influence the tenure status of the subjects we study. Following the data collection, our team completed data analysis using STATA to look for a correlation between the childcare availability and the tenure status of professors. We expect to see a direct correlation between these two variables, therefore the lack of childcare availability would be followed by a decrease in the tenure status of professors. If our hypothesis is confirmed, we would be able to better understand how the lack of childcare availability can be correlated with the success that parents reach in their professional careers. Spreading this knowledge could help others understand the significant repercussions of the lack of childcare availability in the United States.
“How Should We Be Learning?”: An Examination of the Relationship between Types of Assignments at Universities and Student Success Beyond College
Thejomayi Akkoor | UROPF
Because of the rising unemployment rates and rising competition for college admissions, it has come time to examine whether college education requirements benefit students beyond college. Anna Paulson’s research examines the types of assignments that students at different universities in Texas are required to complete and whether these assignments prepare individuals for skills that are applicable in the future through an analysis of syllabi and student transcripts. Through conducting this research, we will be able to understand whether students at more well-resourced institutions encounter more active approaches to learning (i.e. writing assignments, oral presentations, and group projects) as opposed to students at less well-resourced institutions. In order to understand the types of assignments that students are given at Texas universities, we developed a codebook of assignment types through annotating syllabi on a software called LabelStudio. Within this software, we are given a certain number of syllabi within which we highlight the different assignment descriptions and their points/percentage values under different labels (i.e. writing assignments, oral presentations, exams/tests/quizzes, homework, participation, group projects, labs). We analyzed over 2000+ syllabi per person in order to develop and validate a codebook in this first phase of the project, allowing for 48,068 syllabi to be automatically labeled using a machine learning model. The results yielded thus far reveal that English classes require far more writing than Math classes, which in turn require more tests and exams. Next steps for this research entails cross-referencing student transcripts with syllabi to understand the different approaches to learning across different institutions. We are identifying the type of work assigned at different institutions in order to understand how universities (well-resourced vs poorly resourced) differ in approaches to student learning. The next phase of this study includes examining unemployment records to identify individual success rates beyond the university. This research study will ultimately foster an understanding of how institutional policies and resources shape pedagogical practices, and how pedagogical practices in turn affect longer-term student outcomes.
2226 Midwest (net zero emission strategy for buildings)
Taylor Nguyen | UROP
This research provides a method for mitigating carbon footprints in the built-environment to counteract global challenges fueled by climate change. We propose an autonomously-controlled natural-ventilation system to replace mechanical heating and cooling units which are highly energy intensive. In 2013, the 22/26 office building was developed in Austria, this high-performance building has been self-regulating its temperature between 22 and 26 degrees celsius with natural ventilation, a method which uses openings (such as windows) to transfer air into and out of the building. Expanding upon the 22/26 research we have prototyped an autonomous climate management system designed for a single room in a residential building. This research intends to work in conjunction with a greater home energy system which is entirely carbon neutral. New areas of research will focus on integrating with a renewable energy source. Our system includes a suite of sensors (temperature, CO2, humidity) as well as weather predictions which serve as a primary data source. The focus of our analysis is the ability of our completed system to control the climate of a room over time, using the temperature, CO2, and humidity metrics as indicators of our model’s success.
2226 Midwest (net zero emission strategy for buildings)
Colin Riker | CG
A major concern in the effort to reduce energy usage globally is how to efficiently heat and cool our built environment. To reduce the energy intensity and thus the environmental impact of our homes, offices, etc. Our group is looking to see how machine learning, embedded systems, and prior passive thermal management solutions can be tied together, to more effectively manage a home’s climate control system. While many of these technologies have been used in specific control system schema, the primary novel interest is to bring all of these technologies together to work in a tightly coupled-cooperative method to maximize efficiency gains. To that end, this project focused on an active microcontroller-managed heat recovery system. The methodologies for testing are mainly through data collection of the built system and proof of concept prototypes While the specific focus of this project is on one component of the whole residential scale idea, it also provides a foundation validating the hypothesis outlined in the 22-26 Project which could then be applied much more broadly. Our built environment is more or less everywhere and considerable resources are consumed daily to manage it. Reducing that demand is the goal of the research and doing so could provide widespread good in an environmental sense.
2226 Midwest (net zero emission strategy for buildings)
Sanjit Vijay | UROPF
22/26 Midwest aims to create a novel heating/cooling system for houses by using a window opening mechanism to maintain the temperature of the house between 22 and 26 degrees celsius. This project was conducted once in Europe, and we are trying to adapt the project to the midwest climate. Additionally, while the previous project was targeted towards office buildings, we aim to create a plug-and-play solution that can be used in residential houses. Because this research was previously performed, we are using the findings from the previous research to guide our research. Additionally, we have looked into many other research sources that discuss residential environment monitoring and control systems in houses. The main focal point of the project is the window actuator, which can open and close depending on the data collected, which determines if the environment is too warm or too cold. Additionally, we are using a predictive AI model that can predict the room characteristics for the next three days. The target audience for this project are residential home owners. To collect data, we were required to configure sensors that collect temperature (degrees celsius), CO2 concentration (parts per million), and humidity (percentage) data to feed into our AI model to determine when to open and close the windows. We collected the temperature and CO2 data with a EE895 sensor and we collected the humidity with a DHT11 Temperature and Humidity sensor. We utilized a raspberry pi to collect this data, and used a python script running on the raspberry pi to collect this data. Because we are running multiple raspberry pis, we are using MQTT to communicate between raspberry pis. Additionally, we are running fans in order to ventilate the house, which the code was written for in C. For the AI aspect, we utilized the sklearn library in python.
3D Printing Custom Cannulas for Neonatal Extracorporeal Support
Megha Jacob | UROPF
Objective: Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) requires drainage and reinfusion cannulas for vascular access. However, extremely premature infants require drainage cannulas smaller than what is commercially available. 3D printing has been used to manufacture custom cannulas for patients with unique anatomies in other applications. Here we summarize a 3D printing method to produce custom cannulas with suitable dimensions and fluidic properties for right-atrium drainage in <2 kg patients. Methods: A 90 mm drainage cannula was designed on Solidworks and printed on SLA printers. It had a 50 mm 6Fr section, which expanded into a 40 mm 8Fr section that could be advanced as the infant grew. It also had a tapered tip with 16 side holes distributed up to 20 mm from the tip. The cannulas were tested in vitro by simulating an ECLS circuit consisting of a drainage cannula connected to a centrifugal pump, transducers, and flow probes. A water-glycerol mixture was used to simulate the viscosity of blood. The resulting pressure loss was measured at various flow rates up until the point of collapse. Commercial Medtronic 6Fr infusion and 8Fr drainage cannulas were used as controls. Cannulas were coated with carbosil to improve biocompatibility in anticipation of future studies. Results: The cannulas sustained an average pressure of -39 ± 2.6 mmHg at 100 mL/min and collapsed at -80 mmHg at 185.8 ± 15.1 mL/min. The 3D printed cannulas demonstrated greater resistance compared to commercial cannulas but still sustained flows of 100 mL/min. Conclusion: The 3D printed cannulas had suitable flow rates for ECLS and are of suitable geometry to perform right-atrium drainage in extremely premature infants. In the future, NO-releasing carbosil will be added to the cannulas and the biocompatibility will be assessed via in vivo tests in a piglet model.
3D Printing of Tunable Zwitterionic Photoinks
Hailey Kuncoro | UROPF
Light-based manufacturing provides multiple opportunities to manufacture functional soft materials with intricate properties at various scales. Recent innovations in manufacturing hydrogels have enabled development of new applications for metamaterials, medical devices, and soft robotics. However, there are still challenges in controlling the photochemical processes to achieve the desired properties due to limited solubility of the precursor and crosslinker molecules commonly used in 3D printing hydrogels. Zwitterionic polymers are superhydrophilic and highly soluble due to the positively and negatively charged side chains and bulk charge neutrality, allowing it to attain a wide range of compositions. In this work, sulfobetaine methacrylated molecules are used to fabricate zwitterionic hydrogels and compared with the performance of common hydrogels. The zwitterionic hydrogels are able to achieve an increased range of mechanical properties that surpass common hydrogels and photoinks. We performed in-situ photo-rheological characterization of the photoink library to characterize the kinetic parameters of the resin and define the suitable exposure values used to 3D-print the zwitterionic hydrogels. Further optimization was needed for the printing parameters due to some overcuring issues during the printing process. To achieve ideal and consistent manufacturing results, a small amount of inhibitor was added to stabilize the formulation. As a result, we have successfully developed a zwitterionic hydrogel formulation with defined ideal printing parameters that can be applied to manufacture medical devices, anti-biofouling surfaces, and small-scale robotics.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO STUDY THE INTERRELATED STEROIDOGENESIS PATHWAY IN PREGNANT SHEEP FOLLOWING EXCESS TESTOSTERONE EXPOSURE
Rehma Saeed | RS
Background: Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have higher levels of testosterone (T), leading to adverse reproductive and metabolic outcomes observed in pregnant mothers and their offspring as a result of developmental programming. Previous studies in Padmanabhan lab established a prenatal T-treated sheep model of PCOS-phenotype, a precocial model of high translational relevance (1). Two decades of work with this model have established gestational T-treatment, in addition to developing a PCOS-phenotype female offspring, perturbs the maternal milieu manifested at the level of lipidome and oxidative stress and leads to fetal increases in T and estradiol. The steroidogenic pathways involved in T programming of the offspring PCOS-phenotype are not known. Objective: To obtain a detailed assessment of steroidogenic pathways perturbed in gestational T-treated sheep to relate to perturbations seen in the offspring. Methods: Time-mated pregnant Suffolk sheep were the subjects of this study with a T group (T, 100mg T-Propionate (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) in 2mL corn oil from days 30-90 of the 147-gestation period, n=12) and the control group (C, vehicle only, n=5). On day 127.12±5.32 of gestation, plasma samples were collected prior to comprehensive steroid panel analysis using LC-MS/MS. All animals were treated in accordance with the National Research Council’s Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and were approved by the University of Michigan Animal Care and Use Committee. As steroids are interrelated and can have high multicollinearity, we used the multivariate approach to analyze all steroids simultaneously. The data was analyzed using unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) using SIMCA. Overview PCA revealed an outlier that was removed from subsequent analysis. IBM SPSS 29.0, R 12.0, and GraphPad Prism 9.0 were utilized for univariate analysis to determine the normality, collinearity, and significance of the data (t-tests). Results: Unsupervised multivariate PCA showed clear separation between the C and T group, the differences were further investigated using a score plot and a loading plot that revealed steroids from both ?5 and ?4 pathways contributed to this separation. Univariate analysis revealed four ?5 pathway steroids, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, androsterone, allopregnanolone, and androstenediol, were significantly altered in the T group (p<0.05). Conclusion: We have previously observed disruptions in steroid hormone levels on day 90 of gestation, at the end of T-treatment (1). The disruptions found in ?4 and ?5 pathways evidenced over a month (37.12±5.32 days) after cessation of T-treatment, indicative of continued disruptions in the mother’s steroid milieu during late gestation, are suggestive of their role IUGR development (2, 3, 4) and offspring PCOS-phenotype (5). As sheep are translationally relevant to humans, future clinical studies may explore if similar steroidogenesis perturbations occur in humans. References 1. Abi Salloum, B., A. Veiga-Lopez, D. H. Abbott, C. F. Burant, and V. Padmanabhan. 2015. “Developmental Programming: Exposure to Testosterone Excess Disrupts Steroidal and Metabolic Environment in Pregnant Sheep.” Endocrinology 156(6):2323–37. doi: 10.1210/en.2014-2006. 2. Steckler, Teresa, Jinrong Wang, Frank F. Bartol, Shyamal K. Roy, and Vasantha Padmanabhan. 2005. “Fetal Programming: Prenatal Testosterone Treatment Causes Intrauterine Growth Retardation, Reduces Ovarian Reserve and Increases Ovarian Follicular Recruitment.” Endocrinology 146(7):3185–93. doi: 10.1210/en.2004-1444. 3. Manikkam, Mohan, Erica J. Crespi, Douglas D. Doop, Carol Herkimer, James S. Lee, Sunkyung Yu, Morton B. Brown, Douglas L. Foster, and Vasantha Padmanabhan. 2004. “Fetal Programming: Prenatal Testosterone Excess Leads to Fetal Growth Retardation and Postnatal Catch-up Growth in Sheep.” Endocrinology 145(2):790–98. doi: 10.1210/en.2003-0478. 4. Beckett, E. M., O. Astapova, T. L. Steckler, A. Veiga-Lopez, and V. Padmanabhan. 2014. “Developmental Programing: Impact of Testosterone on Placental Differentiation.” Reproduction (Cambridge, England) 148(2):199–209. doi: 10.1530/REP-14-0055. 5. Padmanabhan, V., and A. Veiga-Lopez. 2014. “Reproduction Symposium: Developmental Programming of Reproductive and Metabolic Health.” Journal of Animal Science 92(8):3199–3210. doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-7637.
A Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation System with Closed-Loop CO2 Feedback
Rishi Tappeta | UROPF
Objective: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) systems aid patients with severe respiratory failure. While wearable systems combined with physical therapy have great impacts on patient well-being, they are limited by respiratory fluctuation specifically in patient metabolism. To account for changing patient respiration rate, we have developed an ECMO system capable of responding to patient metabolism and oxygenating at a desired rate. Methods: A Novalung, sensor array, pump, and Artificial Lung (AL) make up the servoregulated system along with ?” tubing. Exhaust gas CO2 (EGCO2) partial pressure is used as an analog for partial arterial CO2 (PaCO2). An array of mass flow controllers modulates sweep gas through the AL in real-time to achieve a desired target EGCO2 (tEGCO2). To simulate changing metabolic rates, CO2 was pumped through the conditioning lung at intervals of 0.1 SLM, 0.2 SLM, and 0.4 SLM together with 2.0 L/min as a buffer gas. This was held until the system reached steady state. Performance at 0.8 SLM of CO2 was evaluated for some setpoints although this was limited to avoid damaging to the CDI-500. First, the performance of the servoregulated system under different tEGCO2s was assessed. The system was allowed to regulate sweep gas to meet tEGCO2 of 10mmHg, 20mmHg, 30mmHg, and 40mmHg at a blood flow rate of 1.0 L/min. For a control, the system was set at 1.0 SLM fixed sweep to simulate a normal ECMO system without smart feedback being operated by a physician. Second, the performance of the system under different blood flow rates was assessed. The flow rate was set to 0.5 L/min, 1.0 L/min, 2.0 L/min, and 4.0 L/min while tEGCO2 was fixed at 20mmHg. Two controls were used, one at 1.0 SLM fixed sweep, and one with a 1:1 blood:gas flow ratio. Results: When the system was challenged with changing blood pCO2 levels in in-vitro tests, it adjusted sweep gas to converge EGCO2 with tEGCO2 within 5 min. This capability was tested across multiple blood flow rates which correspond to changes in patient heart rate, and tEGCO2 levels which correspond with a higher respiratory rate . Controls with fixed sweep demonstrated higher EGCO2 levels when challenged with higher blood flow rates and higher blood pCO2 levels. Conclusions: This servoregulated system affords patients ease of life and preservation of dignity while concurrently facilitating physical therapy. It aids both patients and healthcare professionals in that it provides greater autonomy to patients while relieving healthcare professionals of urgence for surgery.
A Fork in the Road: How Tongue Morphology Helps Snakes Navigate Diverse Habitats
Benjamin Carlson | UROPF
In order to survive in many different habitats, organisms evolve sensory organs of all different shapes and sizes that allow them to maintain a keen sense of their environment. In particular, squamate reptiles have evolved the ability to sense chemicals in the air by flicking their tongues and delivering the collected chemicals to the vomeronasal organ that sits on the roof of their mouths. Many squamates—including snakes—have forked tongues, possibly serving to improve the reptiles’ ability to detect the origin of the chemicals they collect. For this project, we investigated how the forks of snake tongues vary between arid deserts and humid rainforests. Differences in the tongue forks of the two groups would indicate sensory innovation of the snakes based on their environments, as a fork of a particular morphology may be more advantageous in arid environments, whereas a fork of a different morphology might be more advantageous in humid environments. We predicted that desert snakes would have longer forks than snakes living in tropical environments because less humid air likely carries less particles, so desert snakes may require a more forked tongue in order to improve detection of particles. We segmented the tongues of snakes living in desert and rainforest environments from 3D models of CT (computed-tomography) scans of samples from each environment. Then, we compared the modeled tongues of the two groups in order to find any differences that may exist regarding the morphology of the tongues’ forks. The preliminary results indicate that there are significant differences in the morphology of the tongue’s fork between desert and rainforest snakes. The findings of this research will lead to a greater understanding of how snakes use their forked tongues. Our results will give insight into how habitats with different climates can contribute to the evolution of sensory organs.
A More Neutrophil-Like Cell LIne
Grant Yu | UROP
The HL60 cell line was derived in 1977 from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia and has been a staple of granulocyte-related research ever since. With the use of multiple reagents, HL60 cells can be chemically induced and differentiated into neutrophil-like cells in vitro. However, the current standard of differentiating HL60 cells with only 1.3% dimethyl sulfate (DMSO) yields “neutrophils” that leave more to be desired in terms of both functionality and morphology when compared to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). We report that the differentiation process with different methods, such as adding selenium, transferrin, and insulin to DMSO, as well as beginning differentiation with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and then switching to DMSO partly through, results in cells that better resemble neutrophils. We show that the process involving ATRA produces neutrophil-like cells whose chemotaxis is on par with previous methods. Additionally, with these cells, we observe a noticeably better morphology, such as increased lobulation, increased expression of 5-lipooxygenase activating protein (FLAP) and lamin B receptor (LBR), and a decreased expression of lamin A, which are all commonly seen in PMNs. We aim to create a better protocol for HL60 differentiation into neutrophils, as most neutrophil-related research uses the HL60 cell line, and improving this procedure may benefit the accuracy and validity of future studies. Furthermore, we catch a glimpse into what pathways HL60 cells take to differentiate, giving us a better understanding of how acute myeloid leukemia affects cellular functions.
A Mouse Model of Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing
Garrett McMahon | CG
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a health issue that is increasing in prevalence globally. T2D is defined by abnormal glycemic control. Medications can improve glycemic control in patients with T2D, but such medications must be taken for the duration of the patient’s life. Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) is an experimental procedure that temporarily ablates the duodenal mucosal surface and has been shown to durably mitigate the negative metabolic effects of T2D. However, the mechanisms behind this success are unknown. We developed a mouse model of this procedure by engineering mice to express the diphtheria toxin receptor (which is not normally present in mice) in their intestinal mucosal cells. The diphtheria toxin thus ablates cells that express the receptor. In this experiment, we observed a cohort of mice that was evenly split between an experimental group that expressed the diphtheria toxin receptor, and a control group that did not. Obesity was induced in the entire cohort via a high-fat diet. After 9 weeks, the diphtheria toxin was applied. We measured the change in body mass, fat mass, lean mass for 5 weeks post treatment, and performed a mixed meal glucose tolerance test 2 weeks post treatment to assess whether the mouse model was effective.
A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Buprenorphine and Fentanyl Patch for Analgesia in Ovine Surgical Models
Josephine Anderson | UROPF
Intro: In large animal research, the need for effective pain management techniques is critical for ensuring optimal animal welfare and animal healthcare without affecting experimental data. This study aims to compare the usage of intramuscular buprenorphine, a short-term analgesic; versus a transdermal fentanyl patch analgesic placed previous to surgical incision combined with buprenorphine, and its effectiveness at producing proper analgesia. Methods: This interventional prospective study, executed from September to December 2023, employs a randomized controlled trial design. 10 healthy sheep (37.37 – 53.18 kg) underwent surgical procedure for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) via vascular access (jugular and femoral cannulation, see Figure 1) for a duration of 5 days. 7 out of 10 animals were included according to inclusion criteria and were allocated into one of two groups: 1) (n=3) Buprenorphine (0.05mg/kg IV) q 6H; and 2) (n=4) Transdermal fentanyl patch (100µg) + buprenorphine (0.05mg/kg IV) q 6H. Assessment of these two pain management techniques were recorded utilizing an objective pain score response according to standard guidelines for laboratory animals and pressure data taken; variables included: heart rate (HR) (bpm), respiratory rate (bpm), neurological alertness (can be alerted vs lethargy), appetite (presence vs absence), animal behavior seen as pain (see Figure 2), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) increase. Results: 7 animals completed 3 or more days of support. On average males required fewer additional doses of analgesics (1 ± 1) in comparison to females (2.6 ± 1.4). Male ovines also had a lower average pain score (0.34 ± 0.14) than females (0.4679 ± 0.2703). Buprenorphine alone showed lesser pain scores in comparison with the combined therapy group (see Figures 3 and 4). Buprenorphine alone also showed an overall lower redose rate needed when compared to animals that were given both analgesics (1.33 ± 0.47 vs 2.7 ± 1.7) (see Figure 5). Respiratory rate and neurological alertness do not seem to be good surrogates of better or worse analgesia states. Conclusion: The use of IV buprenorphine alone provides a better analgesia effect, in comparison with the proposed alternative. Further studies need to be performed to increase the power of these results.
A Profile of Antihypertensive Medication Use in People With Parkinson’s Disease, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder
Bianca Done | UROPF
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that can affect quality of life. One way to understand potential treatments is to look at conditions associated with PD and their causes, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Additionally, hypertension is common among people with PD, RBD, and MDD and is easily controlled with medication. In order to examine the relationship between hypertension, PD, RBD, and MDD, this study aims to create a profile of antihypertensive medication use in participants with PD, RBD, and MDD from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). Participants would visit a local Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center approximately yearly to complete a series of assessments. Participants were included in the current study who had PD, RBD, MDD, or any combination of these conditions. Participants available for analyses (n = 1734) included 56.9% females, a mean age of 69.2 years (SD = 13.7), and a mean education of 16.5 years (SD = 8.4). The majority of participants (54.9%) were white. RBD was determined by a clinician diagnosis. PD and MDD were both self-reported and determined by a clinician diagnosis. Participants self-reported demographic information and provided a medication log with the medications they were using up to two weeks prior to their visit. Participants were grouped according to their comorbid conditions: PD only, RBD only, MDD only, PD and RBD, PD and MD, RBD and MDD, and PD, RBD, and MDD. The categories of treatment were antihypertensive combination therapy, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, antiadrenergic agents, beta-adrenergic blocking agents (beta-blockers), calcium channel blocking agents, diuretics, vasodilators, and angiotensin II inhibitors. A 7-sample test for equality of proportions without continuity correction was performed in R (Version 4.3.1) to determine if there was a significant difference in the proportion of participants in each diagnostic grouping who took the various classes of medication. A Bonferoni correction was applied, and if the 7-sample test was significant at the p < 0.001 threshold, post hoc tests between groups were conducted to determine where the omnibus test difference was found. A statistically significant difference of p < 0.001 was only found for antiadrenergic agents (Table 1). The highest proportion of participants taking antiadrenergic agents were those with both PD and MDD, possibly because some of the receptors involved in both PD and MDD, such as P2Y receptors, are also involved in developing hypertension (Sunggip et al., 2017). Strengths of the current study included the wide variety of antihypertensive or blood pressure medications in the dataset. However, some of the groups were small (n < 15) and were further reduced when considering diagnostic categories. Creating a profile of medication use could be helpful for understanding what medications are most popular for people with PD based on their comorbidities and how to optimize treatment. Further study is required to understand the connection between PD, MDD, and hypertension.
A Qualitative Exploration of the Educational and Practice Experiences of Occupational Health Nurses
Amara Tariq | UROPF
Occupational health nurses (OHN) promote employee wellness by educating employees about workplace risks and providing care for workplace-related injuries or illnesses. They also advocate for changes in the workplace to protect workers when issues are identified. Through collaborative efforts within interdisciplinary programs and policy-making regarding social inequality and ethical practices in the workplace, occupational health professionals ensure workers’ needs are met while maximizing business needs. The existing body of literature about occupational health nurses describes their work roles; however, there is a gap in knowledge about their personal experiences. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively understand the professional and educational experiences of occupational health nurses. Study findings will delineate gaps in knowledge about complex interactions between multiple factors affecting the work and educational experiences of occupational health nurses. Additionally, results will potentially inform future policies and educational practices that affect the future of the occupational health nursing profession.
A Robust Method of TMD Monolayer Acquisition for Construction of Photonic Cavities
Arielle Csolkovits | CG
Monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising research candidates of light-matter interactions due to a strong exciton oscillator strength and atomically-thin dimensionality, exhibiting a range of characteristics which promote their desirable application in technological and photonics development. Despite several methods of successful TMD monolayer acquisition that have been introduced over the last several years, each process of monolayer exfoliation exhibits a set of shortcomings that produces varied results. In this study, we focused on monolayer exfoliation methods, properties of TMDs that prove their usefulness in the study of quantum optical phenomena, and introduced a new, robust method of TMD exfoliation to achieve high-quality monolayers of these materials with greater overall efficiency.
A Scoping Literature Review of Financial Insecurity and Pain
Mira Fayad | UROPF
Title: A Scoping Literature Review of Financial Insecurity and Pain Authors: Rachel Bergmans, MPH, PhD | Maedeh Veyseh, MD | Deena Aboul-Hassan | Amarah Dawkins| Nupur Shah | Mira Fayad | Gyan Farrell Caluag Introduction: Chronic pain conditions and pain interference are more common among those with lower socioeconomic status. The mechanisms that explain these health inequities remain largely unknown but structural socioeconomic disadvantages likely play a role. Financial insecurity, such as food insecurity, is a unique social risk factor that can affect health above and beyond other social determinants of health like education and income. However, the impact of financial insecurity on pain is not well established. Given the paucity of research about financial insecurity and pain, the aim of this study is to systematically assess the size and scope of available evidence concerning the association of financial insecurity with pain, including chronic pain, pain interference, and pain intensity. Methods: We developed a search strategy for PubMed and EMBASE that included keywords for financial insecurity and pain. Authors independently applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria first to the titles and abstracts and then to the full manuscript text of each remaining article. Results: Findings from this scoping literature review will provide a framework for studying social determinants of pain, highlight approaches for assessing financial insecurity status, and give insights of potential underlying mechanisms that contribute to the greater burden of chronic pain conditions and pain among those with lower socioeconomic status. Conclusions: The results of this scoping literature review will be an important reference for guiding future research that seeks to investigate the contribution of social risk factors to inequities in chronic pain conditions and pain interference.
A Single-Cell Atlas of the Rhesus Macaque Optic Nerve Head
Ally Wang | UROPF
This research project aims to identify cell types at the optic nerve head (ONH) of Indochinese rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). These cells are of interest because they likely play a role in the survival of retinal ganglion cells through the secretion of transcription factors and other support processes. Cells of the ONH region were taken from both left and right eyes of a five-year-old male macaque and prepared for multiomics analysis. Cell Ranger ARC and Loupe Browser by 10x Genomics © were used to generate a GEX UMAP plot. In order to categorize these clusters into cell types, known genetic markers from other species (human, zebrafish, mouse, chicken) were used to conduct preliminary analysis of cell types present in the macaque ONH. Several cell types were identified and were broadly consistent with what is currently known about the human ONH, though there was significant retinal contamination in the dataset. Future research should utilize ArchR to remove low-quality data and doublets, identify marker genes specific to the dataset, and read more into scATAC-seq data with integrative analysis. Establishing baseline information on ONH cell types will be helpful in determining which cells can serve as therapeutic targets for diseases such as glaucoma, which causes degeneration of retinal ganglion cells.
A strengths-based approach to broadening participation in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) – Qualitative Component
Elena Wood | UROP
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields have, historically, been dominated by a generally white male population in all different types of careers. Research (e.g., Dancy et al, 2018) has shown that underrepresented groups tend to feel a lower sense of belonging to their STEM communities, and a lower sense of belonging is related to the reduced likelihood of remaining in college and in one’s field post-graduation. Research by Beeker et al (2018) provides evidence that racial/ethnic identity can contribute to underrepresented students’ sense of belonging on campus. Furthermore, students who experience intra-classroom racism also can feel a diminished sense of belonging (e.g., Hunter &MacNear, 2023). We used qualitative methods to examine how identity and sense of place can affect minoritized students’ sense of belonging. Five STEM students who are MI-LSAMP participants were interviewed by a PhD investigator using a semi-structured set of questions regarding their sense of belonging on campus and the interactions they have within their individual communities. Two research team members independently coded the interview transcripts using pre-set codes related to sense of belonging and several descriptions of space/place. Results showed students felt a greater sense of belonging when they were in a space where there was a positive communal environment involving the people inside the space, the interactions occurring in the space, and the functionality of the space. This suggests that minoritized students feel a greater sense of belonging when they are in a space where they feel supported. In addition, some visual elements of the space (e.g., size/vastness, peacefulness) contributed to how students felt in the space. This is a trend that should be explored in subsequent research that involves a greater number of participants from diverse backgrounds.
A Study of the Connection Between ARID1A Deficiency and Resistance/Susceptibility to 6TG Induced Apoptosis
Olivia Aguirre | UROPF
ARID1A (AT-rich interaction domain 1A) is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a member of the chromatin remodeler complex SWI/SNF. Truncating mutations in this gene were linked to a predisposition to colon and endometrial cancers. Previous studies have linked ARID1A with the mismatch repair system (MMR) function, which is a group of proteins (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2) that corrects nucleotide mismatch errors in the DNA. Heterozygous mutations in the MMR genes cause a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome called Lynch syndrome. Our lab previously demonstrated that MMR deficient cells are resistant to nucleotide analog 6TG (6-thioguanine), which causes nucleotide mismatches during DNA replication. MMR proficient cells detect the mismatches produced by 6TG and induce apoptosis, while MMR deficient cells survive the treatment. We hypothesize that ARID1A deficient cells also have a resistance to 6TG. To execute this, our first objective will be to develop an ARID1A deficient cell line model. We began by using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to target and truncate exons 2 and 18 of the ARID1A endogenous locus of HAP1 cells. Then, we isolated individual cells to get clonal populations of knock-out (KO) cells. To confirm proper KO DNA was extracted, we amplified the targeted loci by PCR and sequenced it to identify presence or absence of indels. Later, ARID1A-KO confirmed HAP1 cells were tested for resistance/susceptibility to 6TG. Following these steps we aim to obtain a standard cell line for testing future ARID1A mutations that will allow for a deeper understanding on ARID1A connection to both MMR and cancer predisposition.
A Tale of Two Hillforts: Exploring the Various Roles of Prehistoric Hillforts in Kosova
Brett Stewart | CG
This poster presents the results of geospatial analysis of excavation data from two prehistoric hillforts located in Western Kosovo; Lubozhde and Syrigane. The goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the settlement and mobility of past peoples in Western Kosovo between 1400 and 800 BCE. In this poster, I focus specifically on the site-level (small-scale) analysis of excavation data to compare and contrast the sites of Lubozhde and Syrigane, to determine their use and role in the past. The expectation is that the study of small-scale human interactions that occurred at these sites will expand on the bigger picture of mobility and connectivity in the Balkans region. The methods used for this research include data entry in Excel spreadsheets, shapefile creation in ArcGIS Pro, and geospatial analyses such as Kernel Density, also conducted in ArcGIS Pro. It is expected that the analyses of the resulting shapefiles will show that the two sites differed from each other, however, no conclusions have yet been made. Additionally, these analyses are just one line of evidence of many which will be used to try to get a better understanding of these two sites in the past. Once this research is complete, the hope is that it will explain how Lubozhde and Syrigane relate to other sites in the region, allow researchers to include Kosovo in broader contexts considering settlement, mobility, and connectivity, and to fill in gaps of knowledge regarding Balkan pre-history. This research stands to benefit local Kosovar researchers, as well as Kosovar society as a whole, expanding knowledge on a long and complex cultural history.
A Virtual Reality Source-Finding Game for Learning Radiation Detection and Surveying
Fiona Lin | UROPF
DoseBusters is a virtual reality radiation protection and detection game built with the Unity engine that provides immersive real-time radiation simulations. It is designed to engage students, professionals, and the public in learning. DoseBusters tracks the player’s position while summing dose rates from nearby virtual sources. A simple one-over-r-squared point source assumption is used. Dose rates are displayed in real-time on virtual detectors, while an integrated virtual dosimeter tracks the player’s accumulated dose. After orienting the player to general VR controls and DoseBusters tools, players unfamiliar with radiation are taught radiation basics in DoseBusters’ Tutorial Laboratory. After this, most players would benefit from additional radiation detection and surveying fundamentals practice. The Dosebusters’ Source-Finding Game, presented here, addresses that need. It tasks the player with locating and identifying sources. Players must choose from a selection of radiation detectors appropriate for different scenarios. Upon loading the game, a randomization system places one or more sources within a virtual environment. This randomization provides unique detection scenarios that build upon the player’s experience and reduce repetitiveness. After locating sources, the player is asked to retrieve and safely store the sources. A player’s attempt at the game will include a numerical score which decreases with time or dose while locating and handling the sources. DoseBusters currently allows the user to locate gamma emitters with a detector that provides adjusted dose rates based on radionuclide-specific gamma dose rate constants. The detectors exhibit a simplistic response to different radiation energies and do not account for radiation types other than gamma. To increase realism, Dosebusters’ physics capabilities will be expanded to include alpha and beta radiation. A beta version of the early levels of DoseBusters’ will be available for testing this year.
A Virtual Reality Source-Finding Game for Learning Radiation Detection and Surveying
Rachel Mecca | UROPF
DoseBusters is a virtual reality radiation protection and detection game built with the Unity engine that provides immersive real-time radiation simulations. It is designed to engage students, professionals, and the public in learning. DoseBusters tracks the player’s position while summing dose rates from nearby virtual sources. A simple one-over-r-squared point source assumption is used. Dose rates are displayed in real-time on virtual detectors, while an integrated virtual dosimeter tracks the player’s accumulated dose. After orienting the player to general VR controls and DoseBusters tools, players unfamiliar with radiation are taught radiation basics in DoseBusters’ Tutorial Laboratory. After this, most players would benefit from additional radiation detection and surveying fundamentals practice. The Dosebusters’ Source-Finding Game, presented here, addresses that need. It tasks the player with locating and identifying sources. Players must choose from a selection of radiation detectors appropriate for different scenarios. Upon loading the game, a randomization system places one or more sources within a virtual environment. This randomization provides unique detection scenarios that build upon the player’s experience and reduce repetitiveness. After locating sources, the player is asked to retrieve and safely store the sources. A player’s attempt at the game will include a numerical score which decreases with time or dose while locating and handling the sources. DoseBusters currently allows the user to locate gamma emitters with a detector that provides adjusted dose rates based on radionuclide-specific gamma dose rate constants. The detectors exhibit a simplistic response to different radiation energies and do not account for radiation types other than gamma. To increase realism, Dosebusters’ physics capabilities will be expanded to include alpha and beta radiation. A beta version of the early levels of DoseBusters’ will be available for testing this year.
Accelerating natural products discovery
Linnea Verhey-Henke | RS
Accessing cyclopentachromenes in a single step
Nicolas Hernandez | CG
The optimization of a one-step reaction to access a wide scope of cyclopentachromenes is in progress to elucidate the mechanism and to improve the conditions needed. The intramolecular cyclization of a modified chromanone with a beta alkene tail yields the tricyclic product in high yields. Mechanistically, the reaction most likely proceeds through an alkyne formation from elimination of a vinyl triflate followed by an ene reaction. This research encompasses varying amounts of bases and additives used and reaction time, temperature, and conditions. The reaction scope will also be analyzed to determine how different substituting groups, both on the modified chromanone aryl ring and the alkene, will change the yield of desired product. Upon completion of this method, chemists will have facile access to numerous natural products such as applanatumols X and Y as well as nyingchinoid B, which has certain enzyme inhibiting properties.
Addressing Childhood Obesity: A Community Coalition Approach
Victoria Fouchea | UROPF
In 2012, Authority Health of Detroit instituted the MOTION Coalition to address high rates of childhood obesity in their community. This work involves a team of stakeholders representing physicians, over 30 community organizations, and researchers. These members meet quarterly to hear from speakers of various community organizations and projects. After listening to a presentation, members will ask how their own organizations can help. The benefit of a coalition is that the reach is greater than organizations working by themselves as well as diversity of professional and cultural perspectives. After a year of quarterly meetings, writing letters of advocacy for legislation, and updating members on innovations of research on childhood obesity, the MOTION Coalition holds an annual summit. Over 100 attendees listen to national and local presenters, as well as panelists representing the diversity of Detroit, and network among themselves, a valuable aspect of coalition work. Childhood obesity in Detroit and, by association, poor community health continues to be a targeted issue. The Coalition performs a community service through policy advocacy. Policy and public health changes take time. Support and work like what the Coalition does and, helps others do, is needed for any change to happen.
Addressing Data Annotation Errors and Leakage in the RVL-CDIP Document Classification Corpus
Cyrus Desai | UROPF
The RVL-CDIP dataset is commonly used for training and testing machine learning models for the task of document classification. Our previous research shows a significant amount of label noise, estimated to be between 1.6% to 16.9% depending on document category, as well as a substantial overlap between testing and training data (Larson et al., 2023). This potentially leads to document classification models that tend to classify documents incorrectly and have overinflated accuracy scores. We propose RVL-CDIP++, a version of RVL-CDIP with these errors amended. We manually labeled batches of documents in RVL-CDIP to flag label errors. Further, we used these results to train unsupervised outlier detection models, which were able to determine incorrectly-labeled documents throughout the dataset. Additionally, we computed cosine similarity scores between image embeddings of documents in the test and train datasets to identify and eliminate cases of test-train overlap. Our main contribution is RVL-CDIP++, a set of “cleaned” versions of RVL-CDIP where each version minimizes a unique issue, such as labeling errors or test-train overlap. We anticipate that state-of-the-art models will achieve higher accuracy scores due to the removal of label errors. While there may have been risk in using RVL-CDIP for benchmarking document classifiers, we anticipate that RVL-CDIP++ would be an improved benchmark for classifier models. By providing a more robust dataset with the aforementioned errors addressed, the introduction of RVIL-CDIP++ creates an opportunity for the improvement of past and future document classification models.
Addressing Data Annotation Errors and Leakage in the RVL-CDIP Document Classification Corpus
Sam Desai | UROPF
Document classification is the task of classifying documents into categories like resumes, invoices, etc.. These classifiers often use machine learning models, which need to be trained and tested on large datasets to determine their accuracy. The RVL-CDIP dataset is an industry-standard collection of documents often used for this task. However, previous research shows that the dataset contains a significant amount of labeling errors and overlap between test and train splits (Larson et al., 2023). As such, document classifiers that use this noisy dataset may not be as accurate as they are reported to be. In this paper, we manually labeled documents and used methods (e.x. outlier detection) to find and remedy errors and report error rates in each document category, which we have found to range from 1.46% to 23.5%. We also used methods (e.g. image hashing, pre-trained CNNs, local feature matching) to detect near-duplicate documents in the test and train splits. Using this analysis, we created a final dataset called RVL-CDIP++ with significantly fewer errors and duplicates, which we have tested on multiple popular document classification models (e.g. DiT, LayoutLM, BERT). This will help improve the field of document classification by providing a more accurate benchmark for comparisons between models.
Addressing Data Annotation Errors and Leakage in the RVL-CDIP Document Classification Corpus
Yixin Yuan | UROP
The RVL-CDIP corpus is a popular dataset for benchmarking image-based document classification machine learning models. However, recent prior work has estimated large amounts of label errors and duplicates between test and train splits in RVL-CDIP, which is problematic as modern machine learning models are capable of overfitting to noise and the presence of duplicate documents can inflate model performance scores. In this project, we seek to thoroughly analyze and quantify the presence of label errors and duplicates in RVL-CDIP. For label errors, we exhaustively catalog the RVL-CDIP corpus (400,000 documents) and filter out erroneously and ambiguously labeled documents. We find that label errors range between 1–25%, depending on the document category. For duplicate data, we develop and benchmark several duplicate detection algorithms incorporating both textual (e.g., string and text embedding similarity) and image (e.g., image embedding similarity and local feature matching) modalities. Finally, we release several updated versions of the RVL-CDIP dataset with label errors fixed and duplicate documents removed, and benchmark machine learning classifiers on these updated versions. Our work highlights the importance of data quality in the document understanding field, and the techniques we implement can be used beyond the RVL-CDIP dataset.
Addressing Poor Mental Health and Substance Misuse Among Workers in Michigan During Covid-19 and Beyond
Meyer Cusnir | UROPF
Background: Due to high stress in the workplace, hotel workers are at unique risk for mental health and substance use concerns. COVID-19 further exacerbated these workers’ risk, particularly for guest room attendants (GRAs) who bore the brunt of exposure to infection from guests and rooms. Purpose: This study will examine the effects of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry in Michigan for the purpose of understanding worker experiences, particularly their mental health and substance use behaviors Method: This project is part of a larger mixed methods sequential design study. This specific presentation focuses specifically on the qualitative interview data. We contacted individuals who completed the survey data and had indicated interest in being contacted for the interviews. We conducted individual interviews via Zoom. Each individual interview lasted up to 45 minutes. Results: The study is still ongoing. To date, we interviewed ten hotel workers representing multiple job categories. Data analysis for these ten participants is underway. For the research symposium day, I will discuss these workers’ mental health outcomes, substance use frequency, and quantity, and how those changed after COVID-19. I will also report any differences between the room cleaners and the other hotel workers. Broader themes across these interviews will be generated to describe these workers’ experiences. Conclusion: The findings from this project will help guide future interventions with targeted resources to support hotel workers’ mental health and substance use. Using a community-based approach, we will share our findings with the local labor union and our community advisory board members to discuss implications and next steps. With this information, we may influence organizational policy and contract negations to affect changes to adjust to the harsh reality the workers endured because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to face in the future.
Addressing Water Insecurity: A Gender Perspective on SACMEX Policies in Mexico City
Frida Salgado | CG
Mexico City has experienced many water issues relating to water scarcity, unequal access, and infrastructure challenges for decades. The city’s water authority, SACMEX (Sistema de Aguas de la Ciudad de México), coordinates water services for approximately 10 million people while also dealing with the challenges of damaged hydraulic infrastructure, underfunding and budget cuts, and new leadership every six years (Collins, 2020). This study aims to understand if there is a gap between women’s experiences of water insecurity and public policy goals in Mexico City. I propose that SACMEX’s public policy framework often fails to adequately meet the identified water needs of women in Mexico City. Women’s experiences with water insecurity were gauged using interview questionnaires from the 400 recruited women in Mexico City’s borough of Iztapalapa. Public policy goals in Mexico City were obtained from a previous study on SACMEX workers who focus on damaged hydraulic infrastructure (Coss-Corzo, 2022). Water insecurity is a new challenge to which governments and humans are learning to respond to. This study contributes to understanding the intersections of water management, public policy, and gender dynamics in the broader discourse on sustainable urban development and resource governance.
Advanced Optical Clearing Strategies for Immunofluorescence Imaging of Neural Networks in Hydrogelled Mouse Brains
Hedi Liu | UROP
Neural network imaging is a critical aspect of neural studies, particularly for delving into the intricate connectivity within intact mouse brains. However, the light-scattering properties inherent in brain tissues present challenges to imaging depth, necessitating the use of optical clearing techniques for a thorough analysis. To address this challenge, we employ innovative chemical and biological strategies to minimize refractive index mismatches between lipid-rich mouse brain tissue and the imaging sample solution. Our experimental gel framework, designed to support the entire mouse brain, encompasses several essential steps, including mouse perfusion, tissue permeabilization, protein cross-linking, whole-brain gelation, and enzyme-assisted delipidation, all aimed at optimizing the clearing of brain tissue. The clarity of the entire mouse brain depends significantly on precise control over the selection of gel monomer and crosslinker, as well as the detergent participation during the clearing process. By extending immunofluorescence imaging depths to millimeters and achieving comprehensive coverage of the entire mouse brain, in conjunction with automated microscopy and advanced imaging processing tools, we anticipate achieving unparalleled resolution and scalability in tracking and reconstructing neuronal networks.
Advancing Metabolomics Analysis: Introducing a Shiny App for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Lena Perry | UROP
Metabolites are very small molecules which result from metabolism. Analyzing them has proven important for diagnosing and treating diseases. Something called metabolomics analysis. Our app, MetabolonR, aims to make this valuable process more accessible to researchers who don’t have programming knowledge to produce the necessary graphs and analyses. This type of software has been created before, but our app adds unique functionalities like identifying sources of variation. MetabolonR, runs data through an analysis pipeline. To create it, we first gathered some data on kidney disease from a previous study. Along the way we used this to test the app. Next, in a Jupyter Notebook we coded the multiple tests that are often run on metabolomics data. We used this code to implement our Shiny app. We were able to reproduce the results both in the app and another Jupyter Notebook. The analysis pipeline of the app results in accurately cleaning data and producing a Principal Component Analysis plot, sources of variation graphs, and a Volcano plot to aid in biomarker discovery. Biomarker discovery helps identify and create treatments for diseases. We know that this tool is incredibly necessary and works for the many people who run into this problem. A previously tedious task can be completed quickly and by more people. MetabolonR will most immediately help the researchers in the field get through their procedures faster, which will eventually help all people. With drug development and testing happening more efficiently, more can be created and more people can be helped and healed.
Advancing the assessment of shoulder kinematics
Harshil Patel | UROPF
Abstract Title: Assessing a Wearable Technology’s Ability to Detect Shoulder Movement Type in Abstract Here (200-300 words): The complex anatomy of the shoulder makes it difficult to measure its movement. In particular, it is difficult to measure the movement of the glenohumeral joint, which acts as a ball and socket joint. Measuring the movement of the glenohumeral joint is vital for monitoring shoulder pain, injury, and recovery. Thus, this study assesses an engineered sensor system for improved monitoring of internal and external glenohumeral rotation. Seventeen healthy individuals who are 18 or older participated in this study. They wore a shoulder patch with embedded strain gauges that conformed to the shape of the shoulder. All performed an experimental protocol consisting of five internal and five external rotation trials. Upon an initial data analysis, the sensor found distinct differences in the movement patterns of participants as they performed prescribed movements that resulted in either internal or external shoulder rotation. This suggests that the movement of shoulder muscles under the shoulder patch can be measured with this new wearable sensor. Ultimately, the study strived to develop a new wearable technology that detected internal and external shoulder movements that could also be used when a patient is at home. More data analysis needs to be done to form more definite conclusions. Future work regarding cost, deployment, and clinical use in diagnosing shoulder issues needs to be done performed as well.
Age Effects on Emotional Reactions Following Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Disclosure
Kayla Drifka | UROP
Dementia, characterized by cognitive decline affecting the ability to do everyday activities, poses a significant health challenge. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, involves the accumulation of abnormal amyloid and tau proteins, which are measured using positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Elevated amyloid is the key indicator that AD brain changes are present. Early detection of this disease provides individuals with the opportunity to plan for the future and make informed decisions. Although prior research has found that most participants do not experience new or worsening mood or anxiety disorders following biomarker disclosure, few studies have examined predictive factors for positive or negative emotional reactions, such as patient characteristics like age at biomarker disclosure. This study aims to investigate emotional reactions after learning positive PET amyloid biomarker status among 49 participants 55 years of age and older with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Dementia Alzheimer’s Type (DAT) ??as a function of age. Emotional reactions were assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale – Short Form (PANAS-SF) and and Impact of Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease (INI-AD) given at baseline (before disclosure), immediately post-disclosure, and 6-week post-disclosure. PANAS and INI-AD scores will be compared across 2 age groups: 55-70 years and 71+, utilizing the assessments for amyloid-positive participants. Analysis focused on data collected immediately following disclosure and at 1-week post-disclosure. We hypothesize that participants within the ages of 55-70 will display a more negative affect than their older counterparts of 71+. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the data did not support the notion that younger participants exhibit higher distress levels. The analysis revealed no significant overall difference in psychological reactions for both immediate (F4,36 = 0.622, p =.650) and 1-week (F4,35 = 1.050, p =.396) post disclosure, however, there was an overall medium effect size between groups (immediate: ?p2=.065; 1-week: ?p2=.107). In summary, there were small, non-significant effects of age for both measures of PANAS and INI-AD. Despite the absence of significant effects of age on psychological measures, these findings emphasize the importance of further research replication with larger sample sizes and diverse study populations. Such endeavors can provide insights into who may be more likely to have negative reactions after learning positive AD biomarker results, allowing for clinicians completing disclosure to better prepare and support these patients. By understanding participants’ reactions and the age at which disclosure occurs, this research has the potential to enhance patient care and contribute to the broader understanding of the impact of biomarker disclosure.
AI Autocomplete: Simulating Life Experiences to Boost Policy Support
Adrian Ngan | UROP
We have developed an AI-powered text editor that allows users to immerse themselves in counterfactual life experiences by autocompleting diary entries as though the user had lived through those situations. For future experiments, participants will write about a typical day – with half using our editor that simulates falling into medical debt, while the other half does not experience that simulation. We aim to investigate whether this immersive experience increases support for policies like universal healthcare. However, as preliminary steps, we have conducted user studies to evaluate the usability and user satisfaction with our interface, in order to guide further refinements to the system.
AI Guided Laser Processing of Human Stem Cell Derived Cardiac Cells
Andrew Zupancic | UROP
AI is quickly rising to prominence within the cultural, business, and engineering spheres, but perhaps the most impressive area of possibility lies within cell culturing and purification. Specifically, an AI was recently completed with the purpose of purifying human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The process of purification is often the bottleneck of experiments and different drug trials. John Hopkins for instance, needs 1 million cells for a single test and a total of 24 million for a full experiment. Using the AI, unwanted cells are observed, recorded, and subsequently destroyed via the precise Kataoka laser machine. This method reduces months of work to just 2 hours. Not only does it improve upon the initial time requirement, but the industry standard involves starving the unwanted cells via the zero glucose and abundant lactate composition of the purification media. This method is proven to damage the cardiomyocytes, leaving them with disease-indicating genes and arrhythmias. The AI + laser purification, however, hopes to leave the cells with no unnecessary damage. This groundbreaking technology, although promising based on initial results, requires further testing to gauge its effectiveness, safety, and viability. Using the 19-9-11 CM control hiPSC line, a comparison can be drawn between the old purification method versus new AI purification. This cell line will be tested for yield, viability, and thawing effectiveness. The AI gives the cell percentage of wanted cells in conjunction with a cell count, can effectively display the yield of the purification. Additionally, the laser-purified cells will be tested via PCR to ascertain whether or not they possess the Pro-BNP or NPPA genes, which are indicators of cardiomyocyte stress or damage. If proven effective, this method could revolutionize the cell culturing pipeline and increase the viable cells for experimentation. Additionally, these laser-processed cells will be used to form 3D human Cardiac tissues.
Alterations in the brain, muscle, liver, macrophage, and adipocyte status of PTEN transgenic mice
Leanne Mercier | UROP
Aging is associated with alterations of lipid metabolism. A previous study conducted an in-depth analysis of the proteome changes using seven slow-aging mouse models: GHRKO mice, Snell dwarf mice, four drug treatments (rapamycin, acarbose, canagliflozin, and 17a-estradiol), and caloric restriction. In that study, as common processes intensified by multiple interventions, patterns of protein changes in the liver increasingly implicated lipid metabolism, such as via acetyl-CoA carboxylases (ACACA) and fatty acid synthase (FASN). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the link between lipid metabolism and aging remain incompletely understood. ChREBP is a key lipogenic transcription factor responsible for the induction of gene encoding enzymes involved in fatty acid and triacylglyceride synthesis. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that ChREBP transcription factors play important roles in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. In this study, we interrogated whether and how ChREBP regulates liver lipid metabolism in conjunction with aging. We hypothesized that alterations in ChREBP underline the development of lipid metabolism in slow-aging mice. In addition, decreased lipogenesis in the liver is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, expression of ChREBP and some target genes encoding enzymes of lipid synthesis and oxidation (ex: ACACA and FASN) decreased in the liver of slow-aging mice. Our findings suggest that ChREBP plays a key role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in the liver of the slow-aging mice model. Our results provide proteins and biological mechanisms related to enhancing longevity that can inform research on therapeutic approaches to promote healthy aging.
Alterations in the brain, muscle, liver, macrophage, and adipocyte status of PTEN transgenic mice
Alexander Voorhees | UROP
This research aims to investigate alterations in multiple tissues of PTEN transgenic mice (Ptentg mice), known for exhibiting enhanced energy expenditure, reduced adiposity, improved insulin sensitivity, and an extended lifespan in response to high-fat feeding and various interventions. The study focuses on deciphering changes in the brain, muscle, liver, macrophage, and adipocyte status present in Ptentg mice. Notably, similar alterations have been observed in models with mutations (Ames, Snell, GHR-KO, or PAPPA-KO), caloric restriction (CR), and treatment with rapamycin (Rapa), acarbose (Aca), 17aE2, and canagliflozin (Cana). The identified physiological changes include increased uncoupling protein UCP1 in brown and white adipose tissue, shifts in fat-associated macrophage subsets (reducing inflammatory cytokine production), elevated muscle fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) and its cleavage product, irisin (influencing fat cell differentiation), enhanced hepatic GPLD1 production, and elevated hippocampal BDNF and DCX indicative of neurogenesis. The research hypothesizes that Ptentg mice also exhibit a distinct set of changes across multiple tissues, determined by western blot and protein analysis. Furthermore, this study delves into inflammation status in the liver, bone marrow, spleen, lung, and lymph nodes of slow-aging mice. Chronic inflammation associated with aging is examined through the lenses of molecular and cellular inflammation. Molecular inflammation, primarily orchestrated by the NF-?B signaling pathway, involves the upregulation of proinflammatory genes (TNF-a/ß, ILs, and adhesion molecules). Cellular inflammation manifests as M1/M2 macrophage polarization, contributing to age-related chronic conditions. The research investigates M1/M2 polarization, along with levels of TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1ß, CRP, and serum amyloid A in various tissues of slow-aging mice models subjected to mutations, caloric restriction, and interventions like rapamycin, acarbose, 17aE2, and canagliflozin. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide insights into the intricate interplay between genetic, dietary, and pharmacological interventions in modulating inflammation during the aging process for slow-aging mice; its results may be applicable to other models.
An artificial membrane lung for CO2 removal
Claire Reimer | UROPF
This project is dedicated to the development of a hollow fiber artificial lung specifically sized and optimized to offer CO2 ventilation support for adults, including U.S. veterans, grappling with COPD and other chronic or acute respiratory conditions. Named the CO2 Removal Artificial Lung (CORAL), this portable device is specifically designed to operate without the need for an external blood pump. Catering to the needs of U.S. veterans and others facing respiratory challenges, CORAL aims to be a compact and effective solution. By prioritizing portability and efficiency, CORAL seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals, especially U.S. veterans, dealing with respiratory issues. This advancement represents a significant step forward in providing an efficient and accessible means of CO2 removal without the constraints associated with external blood pump dependency.
An evaluation of a circulating tumor cell-based Device (TriNetraTM-Breast) for breast cancer screening in women aged 40 and above.
Kimberly Duran | UROP
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women in the United States. The mammogram has been accepted as an early-stage breast cancer detector across the world. However, It is often an invasive and time-consuming process for patients. Furthermore, it lacks the flexibility to be easily utilized even in underdeveloped nations. The TriNetraTM-Breast test is a circulating tumor cell-based test and preliminary studies detected a high sensitivity rate for breast cancer detection. The purpose of this study is to test the performance of the Trinertra-Breast test as a reliable and safe early-stage breast cancer detector for women ages 40 and above in comparison to other cancer screeners such as mammograms. Eligible participants are 40 + years of age with no prior history of cancer and obtaining a mammogram or breast biopsy due to suspicious findings on mammography. All participants have to sign informed consent after a review of study design. Eligible and registered patients donate a blood sample. The mammogram/biopsy results are to be used to evaluate the clinical status of the participant, along with a follow-up every 6 months for one year. The testing of the blood sample is conducted by investigators blinded to the clinical information. The blood results will be correlated later with clinical data. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values will be determined. TriNetraTM-Breast has the potential of being established as a reliable breast cancer detection tool and may lead to an easier cancer screening option on a global scale.
An evaluation of a circulating tumor cell-based Device (TriNetraTM-Breast) for breast cancer screening in women aged 40 and above.
Sara Garcia | UROPF
While progress has been made in the cancer screening process, many women still face challenges in their efforts to be diagnosed early with breast cancer. Mammograms are uncomfortable and involve radiation exposure and, as a result, many women put off getting this test, and do not receive screening for early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms are not available in rural and underserved areas and are not easily accessible. Without screening, there is a risk of not finding cancer until it is already in its later stages, and the chance of cure is reduced.
An evaluation of a circulating tumor cell-based Device (TriNetraTM-Breast) for breast cancer screening in women aged 40 and above.
Braylon Taylor | UROP
While progress has been made in the cancer screening process, many women still face challenges in their efforts to be diagnosed early with breast cancer. Mammograms are uncomfortable and involve radiation exposure and, as a result, many women put off getting this test, and do not receive screening for early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms are not available in rural and underserved areas and are not easily accessible. Without screening, there is a risk of not finding cancer until it is already in its later stages, and the chance of cure is reduced. This study is collecting blood samples from women aged 40 and above who are presenting for a mammogram. Follow-ups are conducted by contacting the patient as to their cancer diagnosis (or lack thereof) every 6 months for a maximum of one year. The primary objective of this study is to confirm the clinical accuracy of the TriNetra-Breast device for detecting breast cancer. We hope that the TriNetra blood-based cancer screening test will prove effective in detecting cancer with a blood test that is convenient and widely applicable. This will allow the implementation of TriNetra into everyday medicine, especially for use on high-risk patients, who would otherwise be subjected to harmful radiation exposure from mammograms. Thus, early diagnoses will become more widely applicable and improve the chances of survival for women at risk for breast cancer
Analysis and Categorization of Lake Erie Heterotrophic Bacteria
Morgan Gilboe | UROPF
Harmful algal blooms (HABs), primarily composed of the cyanobacteria Microcystis, are a perennial component of the Lake Erie ecosystem. Within these Microcystis blooms is an assortment of other bacteria, including heterotrophic bacterial species known to interact with Microcystis. These bacteria act as helpers to Microcystis, reducing environmental stress through the consumption of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which has been shown to enable the promoted growth of toxic strains of Microcystis. We are only just beginning to understand the full interactions between these blooms and all the bacteria that reside within them, and the potential implications for bloom severity and toxicity. To further expand the collection of bacterial isolates available for laboratory study, heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from samples of the 2023 summer bloom in Western Lake Erie. We used several strategies to identify and characterize these cultures, including sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, Gram staining, and catalase assays. From this analysis, new strains were identified and added to the lab’s repository of Lake Erie heterotrophs. The identification of these new strains will continue to broaden the overall understanding of heterotrophic bacteria in Lake Erie, and enable future research on the potential interactions between Microcystis and associated heterotrophic bacteria, including the impact on Microcystis toxicity.
Analysis of Anatomy 503- Human Dissection Course Notes
Gabrielle Warra | CG
The focus of this academic article is to understand the qualitative metrics that can be derived from the newly developed Anatomy 503 course taught at the University of Michigan. This 500-level course is meant for undergraduate and graduate students with adequate knowledge of anatomy who are interested in getting “hands-on” experience by dissecting the entirety of an anatomical donor. The course is divided into five blocks, each containing four to six labs; each lab focuses on a different part of the body. After every block, students have a practical exam in which they have to identify tagged structures on the anatomical donors. Furthermore, educational dynamics can be derived from these exams and correlated with students’ prepared notes to effectively determine which way of notetaking benefits the student the most. Surveys based on preparedness and overall enjoyment of the course given to students helps to understand the true functionality of the course. Comparing various resources, such as student applications, notes, homework, surveys, etc allows for statistical analysis of the course to be made. This data can then be used by professors and faculty to enhance the course in any way necessary for students to gain the most from it.
Analysis of Eyelid Blinking Motion using Digital Image Correlation
Gabriel Maglione | UROPF
This study presents a novel technique to analyze motion data measured on the surface of the eyelid during the blinking process. A point tracking analysis technique known as digital image correlation was performed using GOM Correlate as the analysis software. A Matlab script was developed to analyze the data and to characterize the displacements, velocities, and accelerations associated with eyelid motion. A robust method for measuring the time duration of each blink was also developed. Data from both spontaneous and reflex blinks were studied. Due to noise in the data generated during the collection and analysis procedures, a variety of data manipulation strategies were studied for filtering, smoothing, and generalizing the data. Visualization of the data using the developed code allows for clear understanding of the blink characteristics and provides insight to numerical differences between blink types. This algorithm is an efficient and consistent analysis method for the study of eyelid kinematics during blinking.
Analysis of Neuroprotective Mechanisms for TBI in Drosophila model
Andrew Kil | UROPF
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality, constituting approximately 30% of all injury-related deaths in the United States (Taylor et al. 2017). After initial injury, TBI patients undergo lasting neurodegeneration (secondary injury), but due to the complexity of TBI mechanisms, treatments have stalled (Katzenberger et al. 2013). Nearly 75% of human genes have a fly ortholog, making Drosophila melanogaster an ideal model organism (Buhlman et al. 2021). The Allada lab seeks to identify candidate genes and pathways in a novel Drosophila model of TBI by delivering an estimated force of 8.8 Newton to a fly head using the dCHI system, being highly replicable (van Alphen et al. 2022). TRAP-seq analysis shows 500 genes underwent TBI-induced changes in gene expression. Using RNA interference methods, we knocked down these individual genes and evaluated the 150 most promising candidates. We crossed the males of RNAi lines to Repo-Gal4 females. The F1 males were collected and subjected to TBI. TBI flies were then tested for 24h mortality, climbing activity, and sleep. For sleep analysis, 16 F1 males were loaded in behavioral tubes of the DAM system, which recorded sleep behavior for 12 days in a 5LD:7DD cycle. Non-dCHI (sham) flies were used as controls. The TBI-induced flies showed greater mortality, reduced climbing activity, and decreased sleep behavior compared to sham flies. After screening the 150 candidate genes, we identified 25 genes significantly reducing mortality, 5 genes improving climbing activity, and 5 genes increasing sleep behavior. After conducting validation experiments on these genes using secondary RNAi lines, we found that 7 candidate genes significantly reduced 24h mortality, while 0 candidate genes were found to have improved climbing activity or sleep behavior. These results will inform future testing of FDA-approved drugs on the Drosophila model, providing positive social benefits.
Analysis of Psychotropic Medications in Suicidal Ideation and Attempt Among Transition Aged Adolescent and Young Adults
Mubashshir Bhuiyan | UROP
Suicide, among the leading causes of death in the United States, continues to remain an understudied public health concern with over 50,000 individuals who died by suicide in America in 2023 alone. Due to the variety in risk and protective factors that may play a role in suicide thoughts and behavior, greater research is needed to pinpoint and recognize such factors to inform prevention efforts. However, the transitional age between pediatry and adulthood lacks research and context behind suicide risk whereas the majority of academic literature lies in those two groups. As described in the STAR Lab purpose statement, this research aims to examine relationships between demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, service utilization, and suicidality (ideation, plan, and attempt) among adolescents and young adults in transitional ages (14-29 yrs of age). The study utilizes EMERSE, an electronic medical record searching tool, to examine medical charts of individuals aged 14-29 who presented to Michigan Medicine after making a suicide attempt. The data from charts are collected, coded, analyzed, and disseminated in SPSS. Analyses will help identify correlations between psychotropic medications that the patient is diagnosed with prior to the attempt along with their length of stay at Michigan Medicine. Whether or not a patient is prescribed psychotropic medication, the number of prescribed medications, and the categories of prescribed medications are all categories that are investigated for significant correlations to length of stay at Michigan Medicine. Preliminary findings show that patients who went to inpatient care, those who were taking a greater number of prescribed medications had significantly longer length of stay. While analyses are currently ongoing, there is potential for greater understandings to be gained regarding the transitional age phase that is being studied and the lack of previous literature leaves many vulnerable to risk and limited approaches to suicide prevention.
Analyzing Anxiety and Alcohol Abuse as Predictors of Dementia
Sarah Klemmer | UROPF
The global frequency of dementia has tripled since 1990 and is also expected to almost triple again by 2050. Therefore, understanding modifiable risk factors for dementia is critical. Anxiety, a common disorder, can cause cognitive impairment. Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with severe cognitive issues but appropriate alcohol use (AU) may help prevent cognitive decline and dementia (Mewton et al., 2023). However, the link between alcohol use and anxiety as a risk factor for dementia is understudied. Data in this study comes from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC). The data includes the first visit to an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) for each subject (n = 13,621). The majority of subjects report being female (57.03%), white (78.5%), with at least 16 years of education (68.5%), and between the age of 30 and 59 (75.3%). Subjects self-reported their demographic characteristics (sex, race, education, age) and health history including history with dementia, anxiety, and AU. Participants were divided into three groups based on their AU mild (once/week or less), moderate (multiple drinks/week) and abstained (no AU in the past three months). We used a stepwise logistic regression to predict a clinical diagnosis of dementia from anxiety, AU, and demographic characteristics. Results from the final model of the stepwise logistic regression suggest that anxiety is highly associated with dementia such that higher anxiety predicts dementia and that alcohol use (both low-moderate and moderate-high are negatively associated. Results from earlier steps are displayed in Table 1. Limited research exists regarding the relationship between dementia and anxiety, with a noticeable lack of research focusing on the co-occurrence of anxiety and alcohol use within dementia. It was found that when occurring in the presence of anxiety, the protective factor of alcohol use is attenuated, and alcohol use worsens the likelihood of dementia onset. Some limitations of this study include a cross-sectional analysis. Longitudinal analyses should be used to fully explore the relationship between state anxiety, trait anxiety, AU, and changes in cognitive impairment.
Analyzing Similarities in Mind’s and Machine’s Language Comprehension
Gabriel Mora | UROP
Despite the importance of the human brain and how it processes language, we know relatively little about how that processing works internally. One way to tackle this issue is to compare the properties of computational models for language from natural language processing (NLP) to signals recorded by brain measurements used in neurolinguistics such as electroencephalography (EEG). In this project, we analyze the similarities between EEG signals recorded from 33 participants, and 12 layers of GPT-2 embeddings, both from listening to one chapter of Alice in Wonderland. We developed a pipeline using Python MNE to enable this analysis. This pipeline begins by cleaning and preprocessing raw EEG signals and tokenizing them word by word. Then, we perform representational similarity analysis to create representational similarity matrices across the 2130 different words from the chapter using cosine distance to capture word to word correlation from the EEG data, while focusing on lexical/content words. We additionally compute the language comprehension activations in GPT-2 on the same word set, and build representational similarity matrices for each layer of GPT-2. We use these matrices to analyze similarities and differences both across subjects and between GPT-2 and human processing. This is done by comparing the time points at which EEG signals become most closely related to the GPT2 embeddings. This will show whether there are structures or patterns in human language processing that can be simulated and mathematically quantified by artificial intelligence and neural networks, which may help with some questions surrounding whether minds are entirely, partially, or not at all imitated.
Animation project and translational research workshop
Ivy Holub-Sanchez | UROP
This research presentation is focused on the issue of online harassment and harm faced by Black women and femmes on social media, told in the form of a docu-animation called For Black Femmes. The research approach is an exhibition during the Digital Institute’s XRXF exhibit, which will take place from March 24- April 14, 2024, where the docu-animation For Black Femmes will debut. The research methodology includes a literature review of socially impactful films and film festivals and a project coordinating a Zoom workshop on April 1 on behind the making of For Black Femmes. Additionally, the research methodology included, supporting the curation of a digital art exhibit. the research shines a light on the harassment and bias perpetrated against Black women and femme artists in supposed “safe spaces” on social media platforms. Instead of a traditional conclusion, this study aims to educate those who might be uninformed about these ongoing issues, potentially reading to a reduction in discriminatory behaviors and contributing to broader anti-racism efforts. Drawing attention to the ubiquity of racism in America, both online and offline, the social benefit stemming from this research lies in providing a platform to Black women and femme artist.
Aortic Annular Enlargement During Aortic Valve Replacement
Vincent Aethaniel Maribao | RS
Patient Prosthesis Mismatch (PPM) is a problem that can occur after Aortic Valve replacement (AVR) surgery. This can occur when the bioprosthetic or mechanical aortic valve is too small compared to the patient’s original valve. To fix this, doctors can implant a larger prosthesis and utilize different techniques to do so. One method is called the Y-incision technique, which was developed in August 2020. Studies have shown it’s a safe and effective way to enlarge a patient’s native aortic annulus and implant a larger prosthetic aortic valve. This study aims to compare the results of the Y-incision technique to traditional annular enlargement techniques, using hemodynamics and survival as key outcomes.
Application of image processing tools for the characterization of fiber-reinforced composite materials
Antonio Mejia | UROPF
Researchers have searched for ways to accurately predict the properties of composites, highly versatile materials, in an attempt to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of these materials for a wide range of industries. Industries that depend on composite materials, like aerospace, are making an effort to increasingly utilize computational tools to predict the material and structural performance and reduce trial-error physical testing. Predictiveness is crucial during aircraft design since modern airplanes are composed of up to 50% composite materials. The goal of the virtual testing principle is to conduct a small number of physical tests for material characterization and model validation, i.e. obtaining input parameters for the computational model. Our research has followed this path, mainly focusing on building a software tool that, given the inherent parameters of a composite, can predict mechanical properties. The first tool we developed is to obtain the fiber-to-matrix ratio in a composite by using image processing methods. The second tool utilizes machine learning methods such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to automate the digital image correlation (DIC) process, which computes the strain field of the specimen.
Aquatic Food Webs & The Traits That Drive Them
Samuel Foulks | UROP
In this project we gathered information on various fish species’ physical and behavioral traits (size, habitat, diet) from various taxonomy databases. The fish we chose to focus on were all freshwater fish that are observed at the UMBS. These species showcase the wide array of trait diversity among Michigan fish. We documented all this information in a spreadsheet. The goal is to use the data to then predict possible fish interactions. This will be done by modeling interactions on a graph with axes corresponding to various traits, to assess how well traits predict the species’ interactions. This will help us identify the species’ niche, and allow us to find gaps in the niches within and among species. As we map out these interactions and the respective traits of consumers and resource, we can attempt to identify species’ niche, and apply this information to discovering why species do or do not interact with other species, and if this would change under differing circumstances like climate change or habitat loss. Gaps in species’ niches may indicate that we are missing interactions in our food web or explanatory traits that predict the interactions we have recorded. This project is a first, exploratory step in uncovering them.
Art & Resistance theme semester residency
Anna Zheng | UROPF
Despite the vast media attention to Chinese culture and society today, little is known about the perspective of Chinese contemporary evolution from the diverse ethnic minority culture in China. Ethnic minority culture reflects a diverse viewpoint on societal topics that often is stigmatized or lost in society. This research focuses on developing insights from in-residence artists Jay Peng Zhang and Terry Tsang King-fai, who come from Miao and Taoist culture. Zhang’s and Tsang’s reflect the boundaries of self-identity and cultural representation within their art and performances. Further analysis was developed from qualitative research of east asian minority cultures and cultural adaptations within contemporary art. Through the understanding of Jay’s and Terry’s development of work from their ethnic culture and the ethnic culture itself, the result challenged perspective to controversial ideas in societal values and religious practices. Given the nature of the research is subjective to analytical and in person research, there are limited findings within the scale of cultural adaptations within Chinese contemporary art. However, the further understandings within contemporary art in relation to minorities add nuance to our understanding of Chinese culture as a whole of diversity ideas and perceptions. This study is part of a growing focus on the value of art in challenging dominant impressions within society.
Arterial Pressure Analysis in a Swine Model of CPR
Sarah Taft | UROP
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with an overall mortality rate of 90%. However, previous cardiac arrest studies have failed to translate to clinical trials because of the lack of clinically relevant large-animal cardiac arrest models. In order to navigate these issues, this study uses data from the ongoing development of a swine model of neuroprotection in cardiac arrest to create a tool for the analysis of systolic and diastolic pressures during mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In particular, diastolic pressure is an important measurement in CPR because of its relation to coronary perfusion pressure. During mechanical CPR, devices, such as the LUCAS, create negative pressure in the vessels. This causes current pressure monitors to detect the local minimum value, the negative pressure, as the diastolic pressure instead of the true value. The main focus of this study is to correct this error through the development of a neural network that accurately measures diastolic pressure during mechanical CPR. This is achieved through the creation of a short-term swine cardiac arrest model. To begin, female and male swine were randomized by block: split into groups of male and female, and randomly assigned to 0 minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes of ventricular fibrillation. Then, they were subjected to anesthesia, intubation, instrumentation, and baseline sampling. Ventricular fibrillation was then induced for the previously assigned duration. Then, they received mechanical CPR interrupted by defibrillations every 2 minutes until the subject achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). During CPR and the following post-ROSC 24-hour monitoring period, pressure measurements were collected in order to compile data for the development of the algorithm. Following the monitoring period, the data is manually labeled and used to train the model. Currently, the study is in the development phase, which means data is actively being collected. Preliminary results show minimal differences in performance between model architectures for a given task: compression diastolic and systolic pressure values or spontaneous diastolic and systolic pressure values. Overall, in the future, the study hopes to further develop and validate a tool for the analysis of arterial pressure values and mechanical CPR quality.
Artificial Intelligence Methods for Medical Predictions Utilizing Electronic Health Records
Tyler Nowak | CG
The increasing number of cardiovascular diseases globally necessitated the development of more efficient and effective diagnostic tools. The early detection of pulmonary embolism remains a challenging yet vital step in improving patient treatment and management. In response to this challenge, our project employs rule-based interpretable machine learning methods applied to electronic health records data from Michigan Medicine. The aim is to develop an early-warning model for identifying patients at risk of pulmonary embolism. This project involves comparing these interpretable models with traditional machine learning counterparts, using a suite of evaluation metrics including accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, recall, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC), and Area Under the Precision-Recall Curve (AUPRC). Additionally, the project will extract and analyze clinical rules learned by the models, thereby outlining the risk profile of patients and enabling more focused intervention strategies.
Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Performance: How effective is AI?
Andy Li | UROP
The process of analyzing clinical papers and extracting their data sets is a rather prolonged and redundant task. The aim of the project is to construct an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that effectively analyzes clinical papers and extracts their data sets. Clinical Papers were selected on the following criteria: the paper was published after 2005; the study contained a minimum of 20 individuals who had diabetes mellitus and underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). Extraction of the data sets from the Clinical papers were manually conducted and by way of utilizing Microsoft co-pilot’s AI. The primary outcome of interest from the clinical papers was the remission of diabetes mellitus. The extractions performed by the AI were compared to human extractors for 14 data set categories.The comparison of the extraction indicates that the AI performed well on data that were qualitatively measured whereas the AI did not perform as well on quantitative data sets. Data such as inclusion and exclusion criteria were consistently extracted by the AI. Numerical data such as age was not consistently extracted by the AI. Values such as standard deviation, and median of the data would sometimes be falsely created by the AI. Based on the results of the project, AI’s can be reliably used for extracting data that does not require further extrapolations. Conversely, data that requires further extrapolation is more challenging for the AI. Further research will be needed to best determine the effectiveness of AI in data extraction. The development of AI will lead to the eventual goal of creating a shortcut in extracting data, thus, making a time consuming task a quick one
Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Performance: How effective is AI?
Sydney Ng | UROP
Large-scale AI applications are trained on massive amounts of data in order to generate human-like responses to a variety of questions. The goals set forth by this project involves reading clinical papers with the assistance of AI applications such as Microsoft Edge’s Co-Pilot to more efficiently extract data. Specifically, the data extracted comes from scientific research papers on diabetes and bariatric surgery. Rather than absolute findings and results from the project, major results of the study involve the gain of knowledge by students in understanding the outline of medical papers and the language that is utilized, while also gaining experience in applying AI programs to assist with more tedious tasks in research such as data extraction. Completing the data extraction of the medical papers in the goal of training the aforementioned AI will prove vital in creating a shortcut in extracting data thus making a time consuming task a quick one.
Ascorbic Acid as an Intervention for Sepsis in Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Systems
Joanne Jung | RS
Sepsis is a major complication that arises with patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems and is broadly seen in patients requiring longer periods of time under ECLS. Microorganisms cultured on patients under ECLS demonstrate extensive methods of resistance, needing the use of multiple combinations of antibiotic therapies to achieve optimal outcomes. Ascorbic acid has emerged as a novel coadjuvant in achieving bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects in antibiotic regimes. This research aims to test the efficacy of ascorbic acid at diminishing bacterial growth in an in-vitro model. A prospective, experimental study was performed between September 2023 and March 2024. A 150 mL perfusate consisting of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and plasma was collected from donor animals under anesthesia. The perfusate was placed in a previously sterilized in-vitro ECLS model (Figure 1). Bacterial loads of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (106 CFU/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (106 CFU/mL) were introduced to the system at hour 0. The bacterial-loaded perfusate behavior was followed for twelve hours, and interventions were added in two groups (Group A. Control, no intervention (NI); Group B. Ascorbic acid 10mg/mL; n=3 per group). Data collected: arterial blood gases (ABGs), activated clotting time (ACT). Cultures were collected q6h, and blood chemistry was collected q12h. Four in-vitro studies were completed successfully. Two experiments were incomplete due to high levels of hemolysis and coagulation in-system. Acid base variables (pH, pCO2, bicarbonate, lactate), blood chemistry, and electrolytes were maintained within ideal parameters throughout the experiments. ACTs were sustained above ECMO targets. Addition of ascorbic acid demonstrated diminishing bacterial growth over experimental time in the in-vitro system in comparison with the NI group (NI= H0: 35500 ±21920, H6: 137500 ±130814, H12: 1460000 ±1895046.174 CFU/mL; vs AA= H0: 7850 ±5869; H6: 5150 ±4031; H12: 2800 ±2263 CFU/mL) (Figure 2). Ascorbic acid shows potential to be used as a coadjuvant to antibiotics in an ECLS system in in-vitro models. Further studies need to be done to potentiate relevancy in clinical in-vivo models. For the abstract with Figure 1 and Figure 2 included, refer to this link: https://shorturl.at/giowT.
Asian American Activist Responses to Anti-Asian Racism in Chicago
Brianna Nguyen | UROPF
This project investigates how Asian American activists in Chicago addressed anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using oral history interviews with ten activists, we explore how Asian Americans in the Chicago area worked with Asian American community organizations to combat anti-Asian racism through social and political means. These findings reveal the diverse forms of anti-racism activism and political participation of Asian Americans, which may have implications for Asian Americans and the U.S. more broadly.
Assess the role of ACOD1 and Itaconate in promoting fusion protein-driven cancers
Ruhi Gulati | UROP
The purpose of this study is to understand how the protein, ACOD1, and the metabolite it produces known as itaconate drives ZFTA-RELA fusion-driven pediatric brain tumors as well as characterize their role in driving other oncogenic fusion protein-driven cancers, like prostate cancers which are driven by ERG-TMPRSS2 gene fusion. A western blot, including a BCA assay, was conducted to determine ZFTA-RELA and ERG-TMPRSS2 fusion protein expression upon the addition of an ACOD1 inhibitor called dimethyl citraconate. Our findings displayed that tumor cells treated with dimethyl citraconate showed a reduction in protein levels of both ZFTA-RELA and ERG-TMPRSS2 fusion levels. This study therefore has implications for future drug development for targeting ACOD1 in diverse cancers that are driven by oncogenic fusion proteins.
Assessing Adolescent and Young Adult Use of Smartphone Apps in Vaping Cessation
Maxwell Angel | UROPF
Much research has been conducted on clinical and behavioral interventions for cessation of tobacco/nicotine usage. Still, little research has been done on a growing method for nicotine usage cessation: smartphone apps. This study examines whether using a smartphone app is a popular and effective option for cessation. Specifically this study will provide new information on the use of smartphone apps for the cessation of electronic nicotine product (ENP) usage. It will provide new knowledge about the use of one method of ENP cessation that will be valuable within the field of nicotine addiction treatment. This study will analyze the public-use data files from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The PATH Study is a longitudinal cohort study, beginning in 2013, that interviews 32,000 adults and 13,000 youths in the US on tobacco use behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. We propose to use univariate and bivariate statistical analyses to examine the research questions. Specifically, the present study hypothesizes that 1) of the PATH Study participants who answered yes to having used a smartphone app for ENP cessation, it will have a modest impact on discontinuing use of ENPs, 2) using smartphone apps for cessation will be more frequent among the younger (ages 12-17 and 18-24) age groups, and 3) smartphone app use will be more effective for females, those of high socioeconomic status, and among those who are white (versus non-white). Our findings would allow those in the nicotine treatment field to understand better the popularity and effectiveness of smartphone app use for encouraging ENP cessation. This also may lead to being able to generalize about the use of smartphone apps in addiction treatment more broadly. Clinicians attempting to aid nicotine-dependent individuals would benefit from the conclusions this study will produce.
Assessing Adolescent and Young Adult Use of Smartphone Apps in Vaping Cessation
Nicole Beeman | UROP
Much research has been conducted on clinical and behavioral interventions for cessation of tobacco/nicotine usage. Still, little research has been done on a growing method for nicotine usage cessation: smartphone apps. This study examines whether using a smartphone app is a popular and effective option for cessation. Specifically this study will provide new information on the use of smartphone apps for the cessation of electronic nicotine product (ENP) usage. It will provide new knowledge about the use of one method of ENP cessation that will be valuable within the field of nicotine addiction treatment. This study will analyze the public-use data files from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The PATH Study is a longitudinal cohort study, beginning in 2013, that interviews 32,000 adults and 13,000 youths in the US on tobacco use behavior, attitudes, and beliefs. We propose to use univariate and bivariate statistical analyses to examine the research questions. Specifically, the present study hypothesizes that 1) of the PATH Study participants who answered yes to having used a smartphone app for ENP cessation, it will have a modest impact on discontinuing use of ENPs, 2) using smartphone apps for cessation will be more frequent among the younger (ages 12-17 and 18-24) age groups, and 3) smartphone app use will be more effective for females, those of high socioeconomic status, and among those who are white (versus non-white). Our findings would allow those in the nicotine treatment field to understand better the popularity and effectiveness of smartphone app use for encouraging ENP cessation. This also may lead to being able to generalize about the use of smartphone apps in addiction treatment more broadly. Clinicians attempting to aid nicotine-dependent individuals would benefit from the conclusions this study will produce.
Assessing and Improving the Health of Low Income Detroit Residents
Shravya Ghantasala | UROPF
Detroit has a poverty rate of roughly 30%, nearly three times higher than the national average. As a result, many Detroit residents are at risk of eviction and houselessness. To better understand the impacts of living in HUD buildings, this study covers health and well-being assessments of senior residents across 8 Detroit HUD buildings. Using a UM-developed assessment tool, interviewers connected with residents to learn more about their health status, satisfaction with the building, and overall well-being. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, we could better understand and break down the interview data to advocate for building improvements effectively. Upon data analysis, it is apparent that over 3/4 of the interviewed residents experience high blood pressure, which is exacerbated by stress. Further reinforcing this finding, many buildings don’t have an on-site security guard or consistently monitored security cameras, which can amplify chronic stress, exacerbating health issues.
Assessing Angle-Dependent Ultrasound Imaging of the Urethra in Female Incontinence
Sara Garcia | UROPF
Urinary incontinence is a condition that involves the involuntary leakage of urine. Despite the thousands of women who experience incontinence, little is known about the role urethral function itself plays. The aim of this study is to evaluate the urethra tissue quality accounting for the angle between the urethra to the ultrasound beam. Ten different ultrasound videos during the valsalva maneuver were analyzed from different human subjects, ranging from the ages of 22 to 75. By calculating the angles of the urethra and ultrasound beam using python and segmentation, a connection was found between degradation of urethra tissue as a function of age. In part of this analysis, the automatically identified angles by python were compared to angles manually calculated to demonstrate the accuracy of the angles. The preliminary results suggest that the average error between the measurement to the code was below 8 degrees. The results of comparing the angles calculated by python to the manually created angles support our hypothesis that the code is able to accurately measure the angles from the urethra and ultrasound beam. The findings of this research project will enable operator-independent assessment of ultrasound imaging of urethra tissue and its connection to incontinence, and hopefully lead to further research to find a solution to incontinence.This research will also allow for medical professionals to gain a better understanding of the cause of incontinence in women and could lead to potential methods to help combat this issue.
Assessing plant and microbial responses to common invasive species management strategies
Allie Jameson | UROPF
Our research seeks to determine how the soil legacies of chemical treatments used to manage the invasive grass species Phragmites australis affect the germination of native plant species relative to the time of treatment. We are also examining the extent to which the soil microbial legacy of Phragmites may impact the native plant germination years after removal. This is being accomplished through a series of plant germination trials measured via factors such as biomass, species richness, and overall plant health. Initial results from the herbicide focused trials show a significant difference in the herbicide’s effect over time relative to the control. The trials pertaining to the microbial legacy effect are still ongoing and do not have displayable data at this time.
Assessing policy interventions in a pandemic: lessons learned and opportunities for improvement
Varad Chapalgaonkar | UROPF
This is a systematic review of public policy interventions to mitigate the burden and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Health Policy Ref Center, and Embase databases for studies exploring the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation policies in the United States published through October 2023. The search strategy includes cohort studies, modeling studies, and other works that use a data-based framework for evaluating policies while excluding narratives, editorials, or op-ed pieces. After removing duplicates, a total of 13,693 articles were identified for title/abstract screening by two independent reviewers. A third reviewer will settle disagreements between these two reviewers. Those articles classified as “Yes” or “Maybe” based on their titles/abstracts will advance for full-text review. After the full-text review, we will extract data and tabulate the data sources, measures, and policy types found in the set. A special focus will be given to the design, implementation, and effectiveness of policies for reducing spread and mortality. These findings will help characterize the existing evidence related to the effectiveness of specific non-pharmaceutical interventions in mitigating disease burden and transmission–an important consideration for responding to future pandemics.
Assessing the influence of informative visual input on neuronal selectivity in superior temporal cortex with naturalistic stimuli
Connor Adams | UROP
Effective spoken communication requires listeners to accurately decode auditory speech content. Multisensory processing can enhance auditory speech intelligibility. This research examines the influence of visual information on the neural mechanisms of auditory speech perception. Our main hypothesis is that visual information facilitates speech processing by increasing neuronal response selectivity in the auditory cortex. To study neural responses to multimodal speech stimuli, electrocorticography (ECoG) was used to record high-gamma local-field potentials in intractable epilepsy patients while they watched naturalistic audiovisual movies derived from the Human Connectome Project (HCP; Cutting et.al, 2014). To assess multisensory phoneme-related neuronal responses to naturalistic stimuli, HCP movies were annotated for phoneme events and the visibility of speaker and non-speaker faces. All electrodes were assessed for speech responsiveness, upon which only responsive contacts were included in selectivity analyses. To quantify response selectivity at single contacts for audiovisual and audio-only stimuli, we calculated unimodal and multimodal phoneme selectivity index vectors (PSI; Mesgarani et al., 2014). The entropy of each PSI vector was used to assess overall neuronal response selectivity at each contact.
Assessing the influence of informative visual input on neuronal selectivity in superior temporal cortex with naturalistic stimuli
Zhijing Zhang | UROPF
Effective spoken communication requires listeners to accurately decode auditory speech content. Multisensory processing can enhance auditory speech intelligibility. This research examines the influence of visual information on the neural mechanisms of auditory speech perception. Our main hypothesis is that visual information facilitates speech processing by increasing neuronal response selectivity in the auditory cortex. To study neural responses to multimodal speech stimuli, electrocorticography (ECoG) was used to record high-gamma local-field potentials in intractable epilepsy patients while they watched naturalistic audiovisual movies derived from the Human Connectome Project (HCP; Cutting et.al, 2014). To assess multisensory phoneme-related neuronal responses to naturalistic stimuli, HCP movies were annotated for phoneme events and the visibility of speaker and non-speaker faces. All electrodes were assessed for speech responsiveness, upon which only responsive contacts were included in selectivity analyses. To quantify response selectivity at single contacts for audiovisual and audio-only stimuli, we calculated unimodal and multimodal phoneme selectivity index vectors (PSI; Mesgarani et al., 2014). The entropy of each PSI vector was used to assess overall neuronal response selectivity at each contact.
Assessing the Needs and Research Priorities of Individuals with Differences of Sex Development
Kacie Sieradski | UROP
Background: Differences of Sex Development (DSD) or Intersex conditions are a category of medical conditions that affect genital appearance and/or reproductive function. Individuals with DSD experience a number of concerns as a result of their condition, including surgery, sexual functioning, and social stigma. Ideally, there should be high correspondence between patient and family needs, healthcare services provided, and research used by patients, families, and healthcare providers to help make informed clinical management decisions. However, in DSD, this is not always the case. There have been previous studies on DSD and related conditions, but many of these studies did not lead to updated care or negated the social implications of living with DSD. Objectives: The aim of this project is to assess needs (e.g., medical, educational, social…) and research priorities among those with a DSD condition, parents of children with a DSD condition, and advocacy leaders. Methods: A survey of patient and parent needs and research priorities was developed and revised through an iterative process of seeking and incorporating feedback from DSD patient and family support and advocacy organization (SAO) leadership. After revisions were completed, links to the web-based survey were provided to each organization’s leadership for distribution to their membership. This project is ongoing; data analyses include responses from SAOs who have distributed the survey to their membership and focus on two survey items related to (1) challenges participants or their children experience related to their condition and (2) research priorities. Results: Of seven identified SAOs, 3 completed all revisions and distributed surveys to their membership, 2 are in process of providing final feedback & approval for distribution, 1 is in the early stages with initial contacts being made, and 1 is not yet contacted. A total of 216 participants, including 151 with MRKH, 37 parents, 1 other from SAO-1; 6 individuals with CAH and 13 parents of individuals with CAH from SAO-2; and 6 adults with a DSD from SAO-3 have completed the survey. Among individuals with MRKH from SAO-1 “fertility and sexual function” (n=132, 87%) was the most frequently reported challenge and “mental health and psychosocial support” was the most desired research focus. As reported by parents of those with MRKH, “mental health concerns” (n= 26, 70%) was most frequently reported on behalf of their children and “medical care and treatment options” research was prioritized. For those from SAO-2, “access to appropriate medical care” was the most frequently reported challenge by those with CAH (n=4, 67%) and by parents of those with CAH (n=8, 62%); “medical care and treatment options” research was prioritized by both. Among adults with DSD (varied diagnoses) from SAO-3, “fertility and sexual function” (n=6, 100%) was the most frequently reported challenge and “medical care and treatment options” and “support for decision-making” tied as their most desired research focus. Conclusions: Although there was some variation across organizations and between parents and those with various conditions, responses emphasizing mental and physical health, decision-making, support, and relationships were common. Overall, this research will benefit individuals, especially young people, with DSD by providing greater awareness about DSD and using our results to improve our current standards of care. We anticipate our conclusions will help frame future research and guide resource development efforts.
Assessing transcriptional and functional impacts of RFX6 disruption in human beta cell lines
Miranda Jefferds | UROPF
Type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a condition in which your body has insulin resistance, lack of insulin, and/or high blood sugar. It affects much of the population and susceptibility to this disease is significantly impacted by your genetic makeup. I aim to identify novel genes that are crucial for insulin production and glucose regulation while also expanding on what we already know about the pathways and processes that are involved in T2D. For this project, I have focused on the transcription factor gene RFX6, which is known to cause monogenic, early life forms of diabetes. Because this gene plays a large role in the processes that can lead to T2D, I hypothesize that knocking it out will yield many phenotypic changes. To accomplish this, I designed guide RNAs targeting this gene, cloned them into plasmids that we used to generate lentivirus. I infected the human beta cell lines EndoC-BH1 and EndoC-BH3 with these viruses to generate cells with modified or knocked out RFX6. I performed genotyping PCR and sent products for sequencing to see changes in sequences and target regions between the WT and KO lines. I also used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to see gene expression profiles in both sets of cells and then tested these modified lines through a variety of assays. This included RNA-seq to see gene expression changes throughout the entire genome, Western blots to examine protein expression of RFX6, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) to discern if the cells will respond normally to an induced increase in glucose by secreting insulin. I plan to relate these results to the bigger picture of identifying how we can mitigate diabetes – if we can figure out which gene mutations lead to having Type II diabetes, gene modifying drugs or therapies can be created to try to reverse the growing onset of diabetes.
Association between Labor Policy and Midlife Health Outcomes
Anjali Kota | UROPF
Despite the U.S. spending more on healthcare than any other country in the world, the country’s midlife health still lags far behind compared to high-income European countries. This study examines the factors that contribute to the disparity in public health between countries, states, and counties with a particular focus on place-specific contextual factors. Specifically, research is geared towards the extent to which disability and cognitive outcomes are attributable to state-specific factors among older working-age adults (aged 55-64). My specific research within this scope lies on the state-level contextual factors. In particular, I examine Economic and Labor policy factors, including federal and state minimum wage adjusted to the 2021 value. The raw data has been accessed through the State Policy and Politics database through the Center for Aging and Policy Studies at Syracuse University. My research activities include data management, organization, visualization, and documentation. Preliminary results data visualized from a line graph, box plot, and maps display the following results: almost all states set their minimum wage at the federal minimum at $9.73 (2021 value) in 1980, which diverged in subsequent years after 2000. As of 2020, the highest minimum wage is $14.13 (2021 value) in Washington state and the lowest minimum wage is $7.59 (2021 value) in 21 different states such as Wisconsin and Georgia. The federal minimum wage as of 2020 was $7.58 (2021 value). Utilizing the minimum wage data, the next steps are to investigate the extent to which the state minimum wage is associated with midlife health outcomes of residents. In the future, this project’s findings may inform Economic and Labor policy to improve public health.
Association Between Pain Severity and Anxiety with Indicators of Socioeconomic Status Among Individuals with Chronic Pain
Hannah Dalinka | UROPF
Pain and anxiety frequently co-occur and both have been linked to lower socioeconomic status. However, it is unclear how pain severity and anxiety may be independently or synergistically associated with objective and subjective indicators of socioeconomic status. We utilized data from the Pain and Social Experiences Project (PASE), which aims to better understand the association between chronic pain and social experiences, to evaluate this question. We hypothesized that individuals with both high pain severity and anxiety would report the lowest levels of subjective socioeconomic status compared to individuals low in both or only one dimension. Results are pending. The findings may provide important information about structural inequalities facing individuals with chronic pain.
Assumptions of Physics
Phillip Kaufman | UROPF
Despite many physicists pursuing a theory of everything in the hopes of finding one theory that describes the world we live in, few people are concerned with constructing physics based on assumptions, in a similar vein to the way in which the field of mathematics is built on a number of different foundational axioms. This project aims to determine these foundational assumptions and give the field of physics, along with science in general, a stronger foundation with a sturdier mathematical basis while also establishing deeper connections between different fields of knowledge, such as math, science, and philosophy. To this end, Assumptions of Physics employs two approaches. The first, “reverse physics,” utilizes our current understanding of physics to derive the assumptions they are built on to discern the foundational assumptions required to construct the entirety of classical mechanics. The second, “physical mathematics,” aims to derive mathematics in a manner that can be physically justified, which has been used to describe verifiable statements, experimental domains, domain relationships, properties, and quantities. These discoveries allow individuals to better understand the fields of physics and math, with work currently being done to derive the foundational assumptions on which quantum mechanics and relativistic mechanics are built, along with the mathematical framework required to do so. Understanding these foundational assumptions in physics, along with deriving mathematics in a way that is physically meaningful, will allow physicists and mathematicians to better understand why physical systems exhibit certain behaviors and how these behaviors are related to each other.
Astrophysics and Cosmology from the cross-correlation between Cosmic Infrared Background and Cosmic Microwave Background
Andrew Hope | UROPF
Dusty star-forming galaxies emit a lot of photons in the infrared wavelengths that form the Cosmic Infrared Background (CIB). The CIB map, therefore, indicates the large-scale distribution of young blue galaxies as it is galactic dust that determines how the map forms. Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is the most ancient light in our Universe, with these photons travelling all the way from the last opaque surface of the big bang up to our telescopes. These photons, on their way, interact with matter along the direction of observation, via both gravitational and electromagnetic forces. By cross-correlating the CIB and CMB maps, we can extract a wealth of tomographic information on star formation history, growth of structure, etc. To analyze these maps, we look at their respective Temperature Power Spectrums, graphs showing the amount of radiation collected in various angular spans of the sky.
Auditory Adaptations: Investigating Inner Ear Morphology in Desert vs. Rainforest Snakes
Karen Wang | CG
A central question in ecology concerns the factors driving morphological adaptations to diverse habitats. By studying the sensory morphology of snakes, which have evolved to inhabit a wide range of environments, we aim to deepen our understanding of the forces behind these evolutionary changes. This study examined the inner ear structures of snakes and their correlation with diverse environmental habitats, specifically in desert versus rainforest habitats. Using preserved museum specimens, we used CT (computed tomography) scans to generate detailed 3D models for morphological analysis. We measured ear volume and vestibule length, width, and height, and then analyzed each variable using genetic comparative methods. Results broadly indicate no significant morphological differences between inner ears of desert and rainforest snakes. However, when incorporating an extended dataset from previous studies, a significant difference in ear volume was found, particularly between fossorial and arboreal species. The exclusion of arboreal and aquatic snakes in a subsequent analysis also highlighted a significant difference between ear volumes of terrestrial desert and rainforest snakes, where rainforest snake ears were relatively larger. This may be because ears are more useful for hearing and balance in the rainforest’s more complex, 3D environment. This research contributes to the understanding of sensory organ adaptation in snakes, suggesting that while species relatedness predicts some morphological similarities, specific ecological niches may drive the evolution of morphological differences.
Auditory grouping in human perception of pitch and timing cues
Deborah Fu | UROPF
Auditory features such as pitch, space, and onset timing serve as cues for grouping sequential sounds as part of an auditory object or stream. These spectrotemporal cues interact perceptually such that changes in one feature dimension can distort judgments within other dimensions. One known auditory illusion is the Kappa Effect, whereby larger pitch changes lead to the perception of larger inter-onset time intervals among sequential tones. The present study consist of two experiments that aim to 1) test the prevailing auditory motion hypothesis against a competing perceptual grouping hypothesis to explanation the auditory kappa effect and 2) establish novel kappa effects for spatial location. In both experiments, participants heard 3-sound rhythms with the first and third sounds having fixed timing and pitch, or spatial separation. The second (target) sound varied in timing and one other feature. Participants made rhythmic judgments by responding “short-long” if the target was perceived to be closer in time to the first sound or “long-short” if the target was closer to the third. Experiment 1 manipulated the predictability of single-pitch contours and Experiment 2 manipulated spatial trajectories. Results of experiment 1 show a kappa effect even when pitch contours are unpredictable and results of experiment 2 establish an auditory spatial kappa effect. Both experiments will be discussed in terms of support for each hypothesis and the generalizability of kappa effects across auditory features. These results inform our understanding of how listeners use different auditory features to group events and form perceptual objects and streams.
Augmentation of BMP Signaling in CNCCs Leads to Ectopic Cartilage Formation through elevated Gata 6 Expression
Shean Jiang | UROPF
Cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes. CNCCs originate at the neural folds and undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) transition and migrate into the pharyngeal arches found on the ventral embryo surface of mice. Mesenchymal cells have the ability to migrate dorsolaterally and differentiate into cartilage, bone, and connective tissues of the face. However, the understanding of how CNCCs determine their differentiation lineage is limited. From previous research, we know that enhanced BMP signaling in NCCs develops ectopic cartilage at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) in P0-caACVR1 mutant mouse line. The data suggests that BMP signaling alters CNCCs towards chondrogenesis, instead of prompting chondrogenesis in already committed cells. In this study, we hypothesize that enhanced BMP signaling in CNCCs develops ectopic cartilage through cell fate switching at E10.5, and this study intends to uncover the mechanisms of cell fate specification towards a chondrogenic fate. The mechanism of cell fate determination can be caused by a change in chromatin structure of lineage specific genes. Single-cell ATAC sequencing using CNCCs from the first branchial arch of control and mutant mice at E10.5 revealed that the chromatin region of Sox6 (a gene expressed in chondrocyte) is more accessible in mutants than controls. Other chromatin regions, Sp7 (osteoblasts), Zfp423 (adipocytes), and Pax7 (myocytes) were less accessible in mutants. There was a GATA binding motif frequently found in opened chromatin regions in the genome of mutant mice, including the Sox6 region. The GATA family is known to control cell fate by chromatin modifications. Further gene expression analysis demonstrated that Sox9-positive ectopic chondroprogenitor cells in mutant mice expressed GATA binding protein 6 (GATA 6) and Sox6.
Barriers Impacting the Mental Health of the Detroit Disability Community
Rand Alsaman | UROPF
A study was conducted to explore the struggles the disability community faces and its impact on their mental health. Past data shows that people with disabilities experience more mental distress compared to people without disabilities so researching this issue along with the resources available to them can help identify necessary changes that can be made to improve their quality of life. To explore this topic, I have interviewed three mental health professionals in the Detroit area who all have experience working with adults with disabilities. The interview contained seven questions regarding their own experiences working with their patients and the trends they have seen. My data concludes a significant barrier adults with disabilities seeking mental health treatment face is a lack of case managers. Case managers are crucial in supporting adults with disabilities so this shortage has been observed to have negative consequences on the disability community including causing delays in their progress and reducing their ability to live as independently as possible. The interviewees further discussed how a lack of transportation, good support system, and community integration, along with the limitations of Medicaid have played a role in their mental health. These results can open up possibilities for more research on the importance of case management as a resource and lead to solutions like creating incentives encouraging people to take on this field and stay in it. This data can additionally open up room for reviewing the programs put in place (such as Medicaid and transportation) as well as possibly creating projects that focus on building the disability community’s support starting with educating those without disabilities. Solving these barriers can help give those with disabilities the life they deserve by improving their overall health making these crucial problems worth solving.
Benchmark machine learning models for the inverse design of nanophotonic structures
Charles Sager | UROP
Thin-film structures are structures comprising various layers of different materials with thickness in the order of magnitude of nanometers, and they are widely used in filters, absorbers, photovoltaic cooling, and various other applications. Inverse design is a critical technique that can enable these applications, which seeks to use algorithms to optimize the structure and achieve desired optical performance. Recently, many machine learning (ML)-based methods have been proposed to deal with inverse design, however, it is still unknown which model performs best on this problem. Here, we aim to solve this problem by establishing a benchmark work to evaluate and compare multiple different machine learning models applied to multilayer thin-film optics inverse design, including Variational Auto-Encoders, Generative Adversarial Networks, Mixture Density Networks, and Tandem Networks. The evaluation will focus on three critical criteria, including accuracy, diversity, and robustness. To do this, we first collect the training dataset through transfer matrix method simulations and then implement and train these ML models. Finally, we analyze the results to identify the optimal model that exhibits the best performance using different evaluation metrics.
Benchmarking machine learning models for the inverse design of nanophotonic structures
Lorenzo Lupano | UROP
Thin-film structures are structures comprising various layers of different materials with thickness in the order of magnitude of nanometers, and they are widely used in filters, absorbers, photovoltaic cooling, and various other applications. Inverse design is a critical technique that can enable these applications, which seeks to use algorithms to optimize the structure and achieve desired optical performance. Recently, many machine learning (ML)-based methods have been proposed to deal with inverse design, however, it is still unknown which model performs best on this problem. Here, we aim to solve this problem by establishing a benchmark work to evaluate and compare multiple different machine learning models applied to multilayer thin-film optics inverse design, including Variational Auto-Encoders, Generative Adversarial Networks, Mixture Density Networks, and Tandem Networks. The evaluation will focus on three critical criteria, including accuracy, diversity, and robustness. To do this, we first collect the training dataset through transfer matrix method simulations and then implement and train these ML models. Finally, we analyze the results to identify the optimal model that exhibits the best performance using different evaluation metrics.
Benchmarking of GPT-4 model in the context of Parsons Problem
Tsubasa Okada | UROPF
The emergence of generative AI has drastically evolved the platform for computer science (CS) education. One of the important, ubiquitous techniques used in this field is the Parsons Problem, the programming exercise that presents the learner with blocks of code to arrange, instead of constructing the code from scratch. This technique has continually evolved with new methods and extensions proposed and implemented; one such extension is called the “distractor,” which involves the intentional inclusion of incorrect code block, imposing the learners to encounter common mistakes in programming and further the ability to distinguish irrelevant pieces of code. While numerous propositions have been made to incorporate generative AI in computer science education, we propose a new scheme: the employment of generative AI in generating “distractors” as well as other important components in the context of Parsons Problems. Through means of prompt engineering, we develop an effective prompt used in the development of the algorithm that utilizes the GPT-4 model, benchmarking the performance based on appropriate automatic assessment criteria. We then conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the congregated score table, comparable based on initial conditions such as the programming exercise topic.
Biosocial Investigations into Health Equity
Ridhi Sharma | UROPF
Your neighborhood significantly affects your health and well-being. Access to physical activities (e.g., walkable streets, parks, gyms), social spaces (restaurants, cafes), and cognitive stimulation (libraries, museums) are some neighborhood factors that impact health. The Biosocial Investigations into Health and Equity research project explores the role of neighborhood data in enhancing our understanding of health equity. Our approach involves compiling and analyzing datasets that encompass various social factors influencing health. Examples of areas we specifically investigate include the influence of parks on health, the role of neighborhood poverty, and the potential health implications of historically redlined neighborhoods. Through extensive literature reviews, data retrieval, and codebook analysis, we organize and synthesize relevant information, contributing to a comprehensive update of the National Neighborhood Data Archive. For this project, we will be creating new datasets that will further facilitate investigations into the role of the neighborhood environment in health. These datasets will include: measures of fatal police encounters, a measure of how LGBTQ-friendly the neighborhood policy environment is, and how many high-risk businesses for respiratory pathogen transmission in a neighborhood. By making this organized data available, our study aims to facilitate further research, enabling researchers to delve into the relationships between neighborhood characteristics and health outcomes. This collaborative effort seeks to advance the ongoing exploration of how diverse factors within neighborhoods can significantly impact individual and community health.
Bivalirudin as a Direct Thrombin Inhibitor in a Surface Coating
Tridib Chakraborty | UROPF
Bivalirudin as a Direct Thrombin Inhibitor in a Polymer Surface Coating T Chakraborty; M Caudill; R Kauffman , BS ; M Stein , BS ; J Hill , MS ; A Burde , PhD ; G Lautner , PhD ; RH Bartlett , MD ; A Rojas – Pena , MD ; O Lautner – Csorba , PhD Objective : Direct Thrombin Inhibitors (DTI) such as Argatroban (Arg) or Bivalirudin (Bival) are frequently used systemically in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as substitutes for heparin anticoagulation. Our laboratory has demonstrated the successful use of Arg in surfaces of extracorporeal circuits (ECCs). These circuits are designed to avoid the use of systemic anticoagulation and mitigate clotting and excess bleeding during ECLS. This study evaluates the viability of coating surfaces with Bival as an alternative to Arg by analyzing its thrombin inhibition capacity (TIC) in vitro. Methods: An isocyanate linker was used to immobilize Bival to the polymer CarboSil® and after precipitating the product with hexane and washing away the free linker, the substance was re-dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF ). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to ensure proper bonding of Bival to CarboSil® via the isocyanate functional group. DTI functionality of the Bival/CarboSil® polymer was tested in vitro using an antithrombin chromogenic assay to measure product cleavage by thrombin into remaining peptides and free p – p-nitroanilide, as the chromophore. The absorbance difference was measured by a microplate reader at 405 nm and was used to evaluate its efficacy. The viability of the Bival coating on an extracorporeal circuit (ECC) was also assessed in an acute in vivo model. Results: FTIR data showed a decrease in the peak size (at 2250 cm -1 ) for the isocyanate group, demonstrating Bival bound to the linker and polymer. The antithrombin assay showed that the TIC for immobilized Bival was 1.0 µM/L which is ca. 2.5 times higher than previously reported Arg (TIC= 0.4 µM/L). These concentrations were evaluated using a standard curve with a range from 0 to 1 µM, where 1 µM means the highest thrombin inhibition. No significant clot formation was observed in the ECC after the 4 h-long model of thrombogenicity in rabbits. Conclusion: We report the first use of a novel surface-bound coating with Bivalirudin and demonstrate its high efficacy and feasibility for the potential prevention of thrombus formation in extracorporeal polymer surfaces. Future docking and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies may be performed to learn about the molecule’s unique binding and biological capabilities. Tridib Chakraborty, undergraduate student; General Surgery, ECLS Laboratory B552 MSRBII, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; chakratc; 734 – 615 – 5357; Faculty mentor: Orsolya Lautner – Csorba, PhD
Black Women in Popular Culture
Lyric Okoro | UROPF
Why is the Beyhive such an ardent fan base and what makes fans invest heavily in artists like Beyoncé? Why was the Tory Lanez trial (for shooting Megan Thee Stallion) such a heated and contentious issue on social media platforms? For many in black communities, black women celebrities are figures of empowerment, and their impacts have helped black women understand their place in the world. Their presence can instill positivity and pride into black identity, yet one of their biggest obstacles towards proper representation is misogynoir. In this project, I am examining how black men on social media platforms engage in criticism towards black women in popular culture. This criticism takes place in such a public manner on spaces and forums for a particular reason: to uphold white patriarchy by asserting misogynoir. This study looks into the influence that the Moynihan Report has on black men’s criticisms towards black women in places of power. The negative reaction towards women like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion for exhibiting strength, sexual and bodily autonomy, and financial independence can be best understood by looking towards the foundation presented to society in the Moynihan Report. This report has shaped how Americans view black womanhood, and in turn works to assert contradictory fulfilling archetypes prompted by white patriarchy that not only black men, but all critics in public spaces view and accuse these black women of upholding. On the other side, are the writings of Black feminists who’ve spearheaded their own movement against the sexism within black nationalism and the racism within white feminism. These critics have offered a robust critique of Moynihan’s message, and advocated for other frameworks to be used in analyzing Black women’s public images.
Black Women’s Experiences of Racism During Communication in Prenatal Care
Ashley Odunuga | CG
In the United States, non-Hispanic Black women experience 3.1 times higher maternal mortality rates and 1.6 times higher preterm birth rates compared to non-Hispanic White women. One of the main contributing factors to these disproportionate rates is structural racism, physician’s implicit bias, and variations in the quality of healthcare administered to Black patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of communication-based racism between Black women and maternity care providers during prenatal care. Seventeen Black women were interviewed as a part of a mixed-methods study. They were asked about their prenatal care and personal experiences of racism during patient-provider communication at prenatal care visits. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed in order to identify common themes in their care. Despite reporting no experiences of racism, some participants were aware of the racism that occurs in prenatal care. Other participants discussed feeling victimized or uncomfortable due to actions, communication, or lack thereof by the provider that presented as covert or overt racism. This study deepens our understanding of patient-physician communication during prenatal care and how racism is experienced in this setting. Prenatal care providers may benefit from more training about expressions of racism during prenatal care.
BMP Signaling and Mechanical Loading Collaborate to Alter the Structure of Osteocytes, Bone Mass Regulatory Cells
Sara Plante | UROP
This study is a continuation of previous work done to determine the role bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays in endogenic bone formation and resorption. It has been discovered that BMP is crucial in regulating bone mass through the RANKL-OPG pathway and control of Wnt signaling through the protein sclerostin. Furthermore, BMP receptor 1A (BMPR1A) disruption improves biomechanical properties. Interestingly, Bmpr1a knockout mice responded to mechanical loading to increase bone mass to a higher degree than that of wild-type mice. In this project, we are analyzing the change in the structure of osteocytes due to mechanical loading and loss of BMP signaling, as it is believed that osteocytes release sclerostin and have a regulatory purpose on bone remodeling. We are using a mouse model with six different experimental groups: wild-type and BMPR1A conditional knock-out (cKO) mice at nine weeks old, then at twelve weeks old without exercise, and at twelve weeks old with 3-weeks of exercise starting at nine weeks. By comparing the genetic control group (wild-type) to the mutant group, and by comparing the non-exercise group to the exercised group, we can analyze the individual effects that BMP and mechanical loading have on osteocyte structure, along with their combined effects. We use Focused Ion Beam-Transparent Electron Microscopy (FIB-TEM) to collect 2-dimensional (2D) images of osteocytes from each group and utilize the software program Amira to convert these 2D images into 3D models. Our current hypothesis is that osteocytes in the mutant cKO mice have a rounder shape compared to the elongated osteocytes in the wild-type mice, as this is what can be concluded from the 2D images previously analyzed. By using the Amira software, we hope to find that this hypothesis holds in 3D. This research has implications for treating bone disorders and fractures. By further understanding the regulation of bone structure by interactions between BMP and mechano-loading, we can use these regulation pathways to develop or improve treatments for bone diseases and defects affecting the population.
BMP Signaling and Mechano-signaling Crosstalk in Osteocytes
Noah Mahnke | CG
Bone homeostasis is significantly impacted by both growth factor signaling and mechanical loading. Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling is crucial for bone development and maintenance, with BMPs commonly referred to as bone inducers. However, it has been shown that disruption of BMP signaling in osteoblasts can lead to increased bone mass by suppressing osteoclastogenesis, contrary to the traditional understanding of BMPs as bone inducers. Furthermore, mechanical loading has been observed to increase bone mass in mice with osteoblast-specific knockout (cKO) of Bmpr1a, the gene encoding type 1 receptors of BMPs, compared to control mice. The skeleton is an active organ that continuously undergoes remodeling in response to mechanical stress, with osteoblasts laying down bone and osteoclasts absorbing bone. Evidence suggests that mechanical stress promotes osteoblast proliferation. Osteocytes, derived from osteoblasts, are considered to be the primary sensors of mechanical loading. There is a consensus that osteocyte morphology is linked to its ability to sense mechanical stimuli, with round osteocytes being more sensitive than flat osteocytes. Additionally, BMP signaling influences the maturation process of osteocytes. The mechanisms underlying the amplified effect of mechanical loading on bone mass in Bmpr1a cKO mice are not fully understood. This study aims to elucidate how BMP signaling interacts with mechanical loading to influence osteocyte activity. To achieve this, we will utilize transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images to analyze osteocyte morphology in exercised and unexercised Bmpr1a cKO and control mice.
BMP Signaling and Mechano-signaling Crosstalk in Osteocytes
Jay More | CG
Bone homeostasis is significantly impacted by both growth factor signaling and mechanical loading. Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling is crucial for bone development and maintenance, with BMPs commonly referred to as bone inducers. However, it has been shown that disruption of BMP signaling in osteoblasts can lead to increased bone mass by suppressing osteoclastogenesis, contrary to the traditional understanding of BMPs as bone inducers. Furthermore, mechanical loading has been observed to increase bone mass in mice with osteoblast-specific knockout (cKO) of Bmpr1a, the gene encoding type 1 receptors of BMPs, compared to control mice. The skeleton is an active organ that continuously undergoes remodeling in response to mechanical stress, with osteoblasts laying down bone and osteoclasts absorbing bone. Evidence suggests that mechanical stress promotes osteoblast proliferation. Osteocytes, derived from osteoblasts, are considered to be the primary sensors of mechanical loading. There is a consensus that osteocyte morphology is linked to its ability to sense mechanical stimuli, with round osteocytes being more sensitive than flat osteocytes. Additionally, BMP signaling influences the maturation process of osteocytes. The mechanisms underlying the amplified effect of mechanical loading on bone mass in Bmpr1a cKO mice are not fully understood. This study aims to elucidate how BMP signaling interacts with mechanical loading to influence osteocyte activity. To achieve this, we will utilize transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images to analyze osteocyte morphology in exercised and unexercised Bmpr1a cKO and control mice.
Body-Machine Interfaces: The Impact of Mapping on Assistive Device Control
Lilly Richards | UROP
Survivors of severe neurological injuries often have impaired motor control and require assistive devices to perform day-to-day activities. Body-machine interfaces, or BoMIs, allow these individuals to control assistive devices (e.g., robotic arms) with their residual motor control using wearable sensors. However, it is unclear how different mappings between sensors and body movements affect an individual’s ability to learn and control assistive devices. For example, BoMIs are often controlled by the user’s trunk/shoulder motion, which can create a nonintuitive mapping between body and robot movements. Further, individuals will frequently don and doff the sensors in their daily lives, and because these sensors are position-sensitive, individuals will need to frequently adapt to new mappings. Here we studied how changing the mapping between body movements and assistive device control affects motor learning in healthy participants in order to advance rehabilitation methods for individuals with neurological disorders. In this experiment, IMU sensors were attached to a human subject’s shoulders, and they were asked to use their trunk and shoulder movements to control a virtual robotic arm on a screen in front of them. Participants learned the task either with an intuitive mapping (moving the trunk left or right will move the robot left or right) or with a nonintuitive mapping (moving the trunk left or right will move the robot forward or back). Transfer tests were performed by assessing their ability to perform the task in the opposite, mirrored mapping. This mirrored mapping was meant to represent the largest possible change in mapping. Data collection is ongoing, however, pilot results indicate that participants improve their ability to control the robot using both mappings, but make smaller improvements with the nonintuitive mapping.
Brain-Computer Interface Calibration Innovations
Dhruv Dighrasker | UROP
The University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface (UM-DBI) Laboratory is leading the development of a groundbreaking Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) to revolutionize communication for individuals with severe motor and vocal impairments. Leveraging an open-source software platform, [1] BCI2000, UM-DBI’s innovation includes a custom P300 Classifier. The [2] P300 classifier is a signal processing tool that can be used to interpret Electroencephalography (EEG) data by recognizing positive deflections that occur approximately 300 milliseconds after the presentation of a relevant stimulus. The cost and setup time of P300 BCIs, however, are strongly linked to the number of channels, or electrodes, used. UM-DBI’s custom variant is designed to optimize electrode selection, allowing us to artificially limit the maximum number of electrodes that can be used. Over the past few months, several features have been added to the P300 classifier GUI to help with this very goal. The GUI’s details page now displays both the number of channels and a list of each channel used. This information reveals which locations were selected as important even when the number of electrodes that can be used is not restricted.. The details page also outputs several statistical values regarding the scores associated with target (relevant stimuli) and non-target (irrelevant stimuli) that offer insight into the accuracy of the sample data that the classifier is reading. By pioneering a more efficient and adaptive P300 Classifier, UM-DBI Laboratory is broadening the horizons of independence and interaction for the underserved population. [1] https://www.bci2000.org/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page [2] https://www.bci2000.org/mediawiki/index.php/User_Reference:P300Classifier
Brand Iconicity- Uncovering Characteristics Associated with Iconic Brands
Yushen Dong | UROPF
This study investigates brand iconicity and its influence on consumer purchase intentions, emphasizing the effectiveness of iconicity advertising. It identifies five key dimensions of brand iconicity—symbolism, instant recognizability, wide esteem, timelessness, and distinctiveness—and explores their impact on marketing outcomes. Findings reveal that iconic brands enhance consumer awareness and appeal, especially when paired with celebrity endorsements, and are more likely to be chosen by consumers due to their unique attributes. Additionally, consumers are willing to pay premium prices for iconic brands, highlighting the economic benefits of achieving iconic status. However, the impact on brand trust and resistance to negative information was minimal. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how brand iconicity influences consumer behavior and offers insights for leveraging iconicity in marketing strategies.
Breaking the Boundaries of Tissue-Culture Regeneration with Kalanchoe
Preston Polczynski | UROP
Plant bioengineering currently faces challenges with tissue-culture regeneration, limiting its potential for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. The plant Kalanchoe laetivirens (Kl) reproduces rapidly by growing hundreds of clonal plantlets along leaf margins, giving it the common name “Mother of Thousands.” Kalanchoe is a genus with >100 unique species belonging to the Crassulaceae family of succulents that possess the specialized photosynthesis mode of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). This increases water-use efficiency in arid environments, facilitating drought tolerance and minimizing maintenance needs. These characteristics provide a unique opportunity to explore Kl applications in biotechnology. Manipulation of parental leaves bypasses conventional tissue culture-based transformation to produce genetically modified plants. Agrobacterium-mediated delivery of recombinant proteins into parental leaves allows for stem cell incorporation and an unlimited supply of transgenic plants. In this study, the reporter gene GUS was transiently expressed in leaf tissue through vacuum infiltration. The highly efficient Agrobacterium strains were identified by monitoring tissue expression after infiltration. Successful transient expression provides a foundational approach for the development of a transformation protocol to explore the regenerative capabilities of Kalanchoe.
Bridging the Translational Gap in Sepsis Research with an Innovative Porcine Model
Samantha Loan | UROP
The comprehension of sepsis progression and its physiological implications remains elusive, largely due to inadequate models that effectively mirror human bodily reactions. To mitigate model disparities, the introduction of large animal models possesses the capability to encapsulate data pertaining to the multifaceted systemic impacts of sepsis. The goal of this specific project is to study the pathophysiological basis of sepsis using a previously established model (Tiba et. al., 2020). The study aims to measure when and how various organ systems decline during sepsis. For the sepsis model, swine models were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and surgically instrumented for continuous hemodynamic and serial blood sampling (Tiba, et al). Surgical instrumentation is initiated with a laparotomy to access various organ systems. Lines are placed in a combination of veins and arteries for continuous vital monitoring and blood samples. The animals were introduced to a uropathic pathogen strain of E. coli through direct infusion into the renal parenchyma, beginning a 24 hour monitoring period. Post monitoring period, tissue samples are taken during necropsy for sectioning and the animal is euthanized. As this project is still in progress, results have not yet been obtained and conclusions have not been reached. The sepsis project will add to the big picture of emergency medicine research because it will create a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis. The model aids in deepening our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying infection-induced multi-organ dysfunction and failure. Its application holds promise for bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical practice in sepsis research, refining resuscitation methods, and assessing potential treatments.
Brightmoor Artisans Collective Farmstead Incubator Project
Natalia Boldt | UROPF
Brightmoor is a predominantly African American populated neighborhood, with 78% of the population below the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed) threshold, which is the minimum average income that a household needs to afford housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and a smartphone plan, plus taxes. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping create an equitable, sustainable and local economy based on healthy, locally grown and crafted products in Brightmoor, Brightmoor Artisans Collective (BAC) has been working to increase the rates of owner occupied homes and income. This will be done through the Brightmoor Incubator Project whose goal is to facilitate the establishment of BIPOC owned microenterprise farmsteads for commercial food production in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood. This project is intended to address the neighborhood challenges of blighted properties & unauthorized dumping, food insecurity, and barriers to land acquisition and economic development in Brightmoor. The section of the project that was completed for this research project was to evaluate and compile information on land plots that BAC could acquire to create a land trust. A land trust is when a legal entity takes ownership of a property in order to manage it for the property owner, which aids in land affordability and community control. Along with this, information on the needs of Brightmoor were compiled for grant writers. This work has allowed for the next step in the process of this project to begin, the formation of a community governance committee. The purpose of the committee is to establish requirements and regulations for the project and make decisions that represent the best interests of the community in partnership with BAC.
Buffering Adolescent Stress with Physical Activity: A Role for Intermittent Exercise
Maya Stier | UROP
Background: Chronic stress is becoming more prevalent among adolescents, leading to an increase in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Between 2017 and 2021, rates of depression and anxiety have doubled, with chronic stress playing a significant role in exacerbating these conditions. Exercise is a well-established strategy for building resilience and therefore could help adolescents manage stress. However, it is unclear which type of exercise (continuous vs intermittent) optimally buffers adolescent stress. Purpose: This study will directly compare the immediate effects of continuous and intermittent exercise on physiological and emotional stress reactivity and recovery following exposure to a psychosocial laboratory stressor. Methods: A sample of adolescents ages 12-19 will be recruited to participate in the Stress Buffering Research Study where they will be randomized to a continuous exercise condition (five hours of sitting interrupted by one 20-minute exercise bout) or intermittent exercise condition (five hours of sitting interrupted by five four-minute intermittent exercise bouts). Follow exercise, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) will be administered. Physiological stress reactivity and recovery will be measured via salivary cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure, before, during, and after exercise and the TSST. Emotional stress reactivity and recovery will be measured via a visual analog scale through the condition day. Expected Results: A key aspect of a healthy physiological system is its capacity to adapt to unpredictable stressors. Therefore, we hypothesize that intermittent exercise can serve as such a stimulus and will reduce physiological and emotional stress reactivity and recovery to a greater extent than continuous exercise. Implications: The findings of this study will help inform future interventions to support stress reduction and emotion regulation in adolescent populations using the most efficacious dose of exercise. Such interventions could help build adolescent resilience to combat the growing mental health crisis in the United States.
Building a No-blade, Fish-friendly, Portable Hydrokinetic Energy Harvester: Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and animations
Landon Fee | UROP
The world’s bodies of water have the potential to be a large source of clean and renewable energy production for the world. However, many of our current methods for harvesting hydrokinetic energy are inefficient or extremely bad for the local ecosystem. The research conducted here develops a more efficient and fish-friendly hydrokinetic energy generator by mimicking the synergistic dynamics of fish in schools without the complexity of its kinematics. The device being developed is called VIVACE Converter. It harnesses horizontal marine hydrokinetic (MHK) energy available in rivers, ocean currents and tides. The underlying physical phenomena are vortex induced vibrations (VIV) and galloping. They are investigated using oscillating cylinders on springs in flowing water. Data from past experiments are used to compare simulations run in OpenFOAM and visualizations in ParaFOAM. The actual phenomena are very complex and the CFD visualizations are analyzed to understand the interactions between cylinders, turbulent wakes, boundary layers, shear layers, and von Kármán vortices. The experiments were conducted in the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab) of UofM, with three cylinders together moving in flow induced oscillations (FIO). The parameters that were changed between experiments include flow velocity, spring stiffness, cylinder spacing, damping ratio, and mass. The results of the experiments show that the pattern of the cylinders that generates the most energy matches the movement of fish. The energy harvester is able to mimic fish kinematics without the need to recreate complex fish dynamics. The cylinders move about 20%-40% faster than the flow, thus presenting no danger for fish.
Building a No-blade, Fish-friendly, Portable Hydrokinetic Energy Harvester: Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and animations
Kevin Mathews | CG
Renewable energy sources currently exhibit significant space and power inefficiency, with wind turbines, for instance, being over 10,000 times less space-efficient than burning gas/oil. The current state of hydrokinetic power also exhibits other major issues, one major issue being the detriment that they bring to the habitats they are placed in; on average, 22% of the fish that pass through traditional hydro turbines are killed. The VIVACE hydrokinetic generator aims to combat this by using a new form of renewable energy by harvesting the kinetic energy of river currents and tidal waves. To generate power, each generator has several vertical linearly-moving mechanisms (which will be referred to as cylinders for brevity) in close configuration. Currents cause the first cylinder to oscillate, which creates disturbances and also causes the following cylinders to oscillate, creating mechanical energy. Our project plans to further study the VIVACE mechanism and optimize its energy generation by modeling the system using computational fluid dynamics, then presenting the simulations analytically and comparing the data with real-life test cases to test the efficacy of different configurations of the mechanism. Our goal this semester was to look at the motion of two cylinders in synergy to determine the most energy-efficient velocity and spacing configuration, and why energy efficiency goes down when the flow rate hits 0.9 m/s by using CFD software. If these generators are optimized by cost and energy generation, they could spearhead a new era of renewable energy where power generation and space efficiency start catching up to nonrenewable sources of energy, making our planet a greener and safer place to live.
Building a No-blade, Fish-friendly, Portable Hydrokinetic Energy Harvester: Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and animations
David Ren | UROPF
Renewable energy sources currently exhibit significant space and power inefficiency, with wind turbines, for instance, being over 10,000 times less space-efficient than burning gas/oil. The current state of hydrokinetic power also exhibits other major issues, one major issue being the detriment that they bring to the habitats they are placed in; on average, 22% of the fish that pass through traditional hydro turbines are killed. The VIVACE hydrokinetic generator aims to combat this by using a new form of renewable energy by harvesting the kinetic energy of river currents and tidal waves. To generate power, each generator has several vertical linearly-moving mechanisms (which will be referred to as cylinders for brevity) in close configuration. Currents cause the first cylinder to oscillate, which creates disturbances and also causes the following cylinders to oscillate, creating mechanical energy. Our project plans to further study the VIVACE mechanism and optimize its energy generation by modeling the system using computational fluid dynamics, then presenting the simulations analytically and comparing the data with real-life test cases to test the efficacy of different configurations of the mechanism. Our goal this semester was to look at the motion of two cylinders in synergy to determine the most energy-efficient velocity and spacing configuration, and why energy efficiency goes down when the flow rate hits 0.9 m/s by using CFD software. If these generators are optimized by cost and energy generation, they could spearhead a new era of renewable energy where power generation and space efficiency start catching up to nonrenewable sources of energy, making our planet a greener and safer place to live.
Building a No-blade, Fish-friendly, Portable Hydrokinetic Energy Harvester: Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and animations
Larrance Xing | UROPF
Flow-induced oscillation (FIO) is a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) phenomenon in which the body motion and the excitation from the fluid couple together to affect each other. Bodies with blunt cross sections develop periodic vortical wakes, often leading to catastrophic results. The vast majority of modern day hydrokinetic energy harvesters rely on mechanisms which are overly location dependent and pose severe environmental problems, such as turbines which slice up fish or dams which ruin habitats. In recent years, the VIVACE converter has been developed to control FIOs and harness the vast amount of hydrokinetic energy contained in horizontal currents while mitigating the location-dependency and environmental issues of other mechanisms. This study seeks to determine the parameters which optimize the VIVACE converter and expand upon the findings of studies correlating efficient power generation with fish undulation patterns. To do so, this study simulated fluid flow across the VIVACE converter using OpenFOAM Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Software for parameters matching those utilized in University of Michigan’s Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Laboratory. To decrease run-time, a thin cross section of the cylinder was used in the simulations rather than the whole cylinder. The results were animated using Paraview, then analyzed frame by frame and compared to experimental data yielded by the MRE Lab in order to understand the fluid dynamic phenomena (vortex interactions, bistabilities, etc.) which resulted in changes in efficiency. Understanding the fluid dynamic phenomena then allowed for determining parameters which can better harness the energy of the flow, furthering the process of optimizing VIVACE. Ultimately, the importance of this study cannot be understated, as it brings us one step closer to achieving a sustainable energy future for communities worldwide.
Building Capacity to Prevent Suicide in Michigan’s Department of Corrections.
Sammy Dubaisi | UROPF
Individuals who are incarcerated are at elevated risk for suicide yet are often under-served. Michigan’s statewide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded program Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men (PRISMM) intentionally targets this vulnerable population via workforce training and protocol development to reduce suicide rates within Michigan’s Department of Corrections (MDOC). As part of an initiative to improve clinical care, behavioral health professionals at MDOC were offered the opportunity to participate in Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) trainings. In an initial study, 33 certified mental health professionals, supervisors, and leaders from the Michigan Department of Corrections participated in AMSR training. Following training, participants completed an online survey aimed at assessing the impact of the training and identifying challenges to its implementation within correctional settings. Qualitative data were analyzed using an inductive approach to qualitative content analysis to explore participants’ learning experiences, perceived challenges in implementing the training within a corrections setting, and to establish a foundational understanding for systemic improvements. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge aimed at improving suicide prevention within correctional settings which serve high numbers of individuals at risk for suicide.
Building Pluralistic Artificial Intelligence
Prisha Agnihotri | UROP
Our study addresses a critical issue facing Large Language Models (Large Language Models) today: inherent biases. Large Language Models are often trained on widely used datasets that may reflect or amplify societal biases. We propose an innovative solution to reduce these biases by integrating multiple explicitly biased Large Language Model agents, similar to the structure of democratic systems. Each person, or “agent” in this case, weighs in on a certain issue, leading to appropriate conflict resolution to build a concrete solution. By chaining these agents together, our approach mirrors the diverse viewpoints of a democratic society. We believe that constructing a system that simulates the perspectives of different people—rather than relying on a single language model—will foster a more nuanced and deliberative interaction, through use of nationally representative simulated personas. This method aims to create a more balanced and equitable representation of knowledge and opinions, potentially leading to more impartial and unbiased outcomes in Large Language Model applications.
Building Power & Coordinating Community-Based Public Policy Advocacy
Emery Bahna | UROP
In Detroit—a community with a long history of racial and ethnic diversity—structural racism and unjust governmental policies and practices have resulted in a lack of affordable housing, an inequitable property tax system, frequent evictions, and blight. These issues are contributing to population loss, and nonprofit organizations are calling on local and state officials to advance policies that promote community development and revitalize Detroit’s vibrant neighborhoods. Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), a nonprofit organization serving all of Detroit’s neighborhoods, advocates for public policies and resources that advance the work of other nonprofits, resident-led groups, and community organizations in Detroit who pursue community organizing, land use planning, physical development, and additional activities meant to stabilize the quality of life in the city. As a dependable resource on various policy issues, CDAD engages with its members, community partners, and local government to advocate for policies, principles, and infrastructure that build the power and effectiveness of community development and help ensure equitable development that prioritizes the needs of all Detroit residents and neighborhoods. To advance CDAD’s policy priorities related to community development, we drafted and disseminated informational materials about the Land Value Tax proposal to CDAD members and partners, refreshed the annual Policy Agenda by analyzing and synthesizing member survey data and supporting policy discussions during CDAD Caucus Meetings and member only meetings, and updated descriptions of CDAD policy priorities by drafting one-pagers for each topic. All of these tasks were completed based on the opinions and aspirations of CDAD’s many dues-paying members and Detroit residents, and they all reveal how CDAD gathers, uses, and disseminates information to community members, other organizations, and policymakers about the organization’s policy priorities and the importance of equitable development in Detroit.
Building Python Interface for Legacy Olympus BX53 Microscope Environment
Alexandria Balde | UROPF
Confocal fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool for biological applications, producing high-contrast images with spatial precision in 3D. This effect is achieved by filtering light through a pinhole placed at the image’s focal point. To take advantage of this increased resolution, automated mechanical controls are required. Obtaining computer control of scientific-grade microscopes has been increasingly accessible through the widely-used open-source management system, Micro-Manager, which works with a myriad of microscopes. However, there are still some limitations in compatible devices and thus their systems cannot be controlled using Micro-Manager. One such microscope is the Olympus BX53. This paper will present controls for this microscope model. We gain serial-communication directly with the filter wheels, illumination controls, and cameras in both systems. In favor of mechanized components, we retrofit the Olympus’ default camera and LED. The integration of LED controls should also allow for more image acquisition with different fluorescence indicators allowing for multiple investigations of cellular processes in one cycle. The delivery of images should be organized and effective for the user even remotely. We anticipate that the finalized product should be an interface that is intuitive not only for our current lab applications, but for outside benefactors who also want to customize the specified microscopes. Our integration can also serve as a template for adapting those microscopes to MicroManager, thus strengthening their accessibility and documentation.
Burnout and Whole Health
Lola Rodriguez | UROP
Veterans Whole Health adopts a holistic healthcare approach, prioritizing the comprehensive well-being of veterans, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, as outlined in The Passport to Whole Health. In our study, research students conducted a Personal Health Inventory Survey, each selecting a facet of Whole Health for further exploration. Our aim was to develop a thorough survey to assess key factors influencing overall health across a diverse population. We focused on the impact of burnout on mental health, recognizing its significance in overall well-being. Drawing from published research and the Passport to Whole Health, we designed a 38-question survey, with each category of Whole Health represented by 4-6 questions. After distributing the survey nationwide and incorporating participant feedback, we collected 167 responses. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using RStudio, employing chi-square tests, paired t-tests, and correlation analyses. Our findings revealed significant correlations between affirmations and gratitude, shedding light on their role in mitigating burnout. This study aims to aid healthcare providers and individuals in adopting holistic health assessments, facilitating effective interventions. By addressing various aspects of Whole Health, we anticipate promoting healthier lifestyles, enhancing mental well-being, and fostering a culture of wellness and support. Due to the results of this research, a fellow student and I decided to make a podcast, “Whole Health and Blissful Being”, educating the public and students about the 8 aspects of Whole Health and how they can implement these practices in their life to improve their overall well-being. Our podcast is focused on burnout prevention in college students, and what everyday practices and lifestyles can help deter burnout.
Can A Child Be Physically-Aggressive And Good At The Same Time?
Sofia Guevara | UROPF
Prior research has shown that children view villains to be more likely to have a propensity for inner goodness than heroes are to have inner badness (Umschied et al., 2023). However, little is known about how children conceptualize other children who engage in such aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, are aggressive children conceptualized as having the potential for inner goodness inwardly good, like the villains, and does this propensity depend on the reason a particular child has for engaging in aggressive behavior? To answer this question, we interviewed children, ages 7-13, on Zoom about their opinions on how inwardly good or bad a physically aggressive fictional peer is, with reasons for bullying varying across characters. For the purposes of this poster, I chose to focus on characters who were described as either having something bad going on at home or as not being a nice kid and wanting to be mean. The results aren’t finalized yet, but based on what we have collected, we have found that the physically aggressive child with something bad at home is perceived as being more inwardly good than the child who is described as not a nice kid who wants to be mean. By replacing villains with more human-like characters, this study adds more nuance to our current understanding of how children conceptualize antisocial agents. Such findings will aid in our understanding of how children process bullying, along with approaches teachers and other caregivers could take to have more effective and impactful conversations with children about peer-to-peer bullying.
Can ESL Learners Accurately Reject Nonwords with Derivational Morphology?
Yuwen Zhou | CG
The current research is about derivational morphology, a process by which a new word is formed from an existing word. For example, the suffix “hood” can be attached to the stem word “neighbor” to form “neighborhood”. However, there is no such word as “schoolhood”. Past studies have shown that when the frequencies of use for the suffix and the stem are both high, it is more difficult for people to reject a nonword, even if the frequency of use for the whole word is 0. For example, it will be harder for people to reject “workist” because the frequencies of the stem “work” and the suffix “ist” are both very high. The current study concerns the second language acquisition of English words with derivational morphology. English-as-a-second-language (ESL) learners should learn about the meaning of stems and suffixes as well as which combinations of stems and suffixes form real words and which do not. We hypothesize that ESL learners will also be slower to reject the nonwords with higher stem and suffix frequencies. For the study, we recruited two groups of participants, one is ESL college students in China, and the other is native English speakers from the University of Michigan. Both groups were partitioned into three conditions: familiarity rating condition, word/nonword lexical decision condition 1, and word/nonword lexical decision condition 2. For the familiarity rating condition, we asked the participants to complete a Likert scale rating for each word. For the word/nonword lexical decision conditions, every participant’s accuracy and reaction time for each lexical decision were recorded.
Cancer risk prediction and prevention among older adults
Elle Chen | UROP
Use EHR and survey data to develop and validate cancer risk prediction models and explore clinical practice on preventative cancer care. Our findings will build the foundation for the development of individualized cancer preventive care programs to support patient self-management and improve the quality of cancer care.
Cancer treatment and genetic testing: survey-based research into population trends
Saptarshi Deb | UROPF
Prescribing drugs in medical oncology significantly influences patient outcomes and quality of life. However, this process encounters numerous clinical, socioeconomic, and systemic barriers, leading to disparities in patient access to treatments. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap by examining the decision-making dynamics of medical oncologists and the challenges impacting patient care.
Cancer treatment and genetic testing: survey-based research into population trends
Woroud Rammal | UROP
Prescribing drugs in medical oncology significantly influences patient outcomes and quality of life. However, this process encounters numerous clinical, socioeconomic, and systemic barriers, leading to disparities in patient access to treatments. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap by examining the decision-making dynamics of medical oncologists and the challenges impacting patient care.
Capillary interactions of microdisks at fluid-fluid interfaces
Huron Tu | UROPF
A recent point of interest within interfacial science has been the creation of large, multi-tiered systems of mutually interacting particles mimicking the hierarchical structure and complex functions of multicellular life. The design and construction of such macroscopic systems rely upon capillarity-induced self-assembly interactions between microparticles at fluid-fluid interfaces to form the lowest tier of the system. Owing to their relative mathematical simplicity and ease of manufacture, disk-shaped microparticles have been serving as useful objects of study and elements of self-assembled structures. However, due to a lack of published data, the dynamics of inter-particle interactions between these “microdisks” on flat interfaces are not well-understood at this scale. Herein, we present capillary interaction profiles at the air-water interface of microdisks, created via soft lithography from photocurable polymers. We propose models of the forces between these particles that align with the attractions we observe between them and reflect the proposition that the most influential forces at this scale are capillary. Our results help advance understanding of these small-scale forces that will aid future engineering of such systems, including complex sensors, non-static optical lenses, and energy-harvesting devices.
Cardiac recovery after ischemic injury
Matthew Nho | UROPF
Myocardial infarction (MI) results in permanent tissue loss and scar formation due to a cardiac immune response triggered by ischemic injury. Repairing the damaged heart after MI is the ultimate objective in cardiovascular research. We utilize Acomys mice, known for their unique systemic tissue regenerative capacity, to investigate the mechanisms behind their enhanced cardiac repair. We hypothesize that Acomys macrophages promote myocardial preservation after MI by releasing protective factors that contribute to their regenerative potential. Bone marrow cells were isolated from the bones of 8-week-old Acomys and Mus species. After sacrifice, the bones were surgically removed and mechanically cleared of muscle and tendon. Marrow was aspirated from bones by flushing with sterile PBS through a 26-gauge syringe. Red blood cells were lysed and the remaining cells were plated and grown for six days in DMEM supplemented with L929 media. After six days in culture, bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) were plated and allowed to settle for 24h before activation with IFN-? and LPS for 24h. Supernatant was collected and assayed for inflammatory markers using the ELISA technique. Transcriptional profiling of Acomys macrophages identified factors that facilitate regeneration (unpublished data). Our findings reveal distinct inflammatory phenotypes in Acomys macrophages not observed in Mus. In conclusion, our study provides insight into the role of macrophages in regenerative species, shedding light on strategies to enhance cardiac repair and regeneration in Acomys following MI. Understanding the mechanisms governing macrophage-mediated tissue remodeling is crucial to bridging the knowledge gap between regenerative medicine and clinical medicine.
Case Study Analysis Long-term Re-usability of Calibration Files for a Brain-computer Interface
Sriyan Madugula | UROPF
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable direct communication between the brain and external devices, and a particular application of them is being developed by the University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface (UM-DBI) Laboratory to help people with disabilities handle technology. The BCI interprets brain activity in response to flashes of keys and shows whether a flash of a particular group of keys contains the key that the user wants to type. As the BCIs are still under development, a study was undertaken to test the long-term stability of the calibration data used to set up the BCI for a particular user. Hundreds of data files were indexed in an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet detailed aspects of BCI calibration and testing data from 2008 to 2023, such as the sample rate, electrodes, the amount of data available, and the type of stimuli used. Files containing usable data were noted. This information can be used to package the data for future analysis through the data packaging program. For our preliminary analysis, we will plot brain activity through the P300 classifier, which is a specific BCI UM-DBI uses. We plan on plotting brain activity for training data spaced out on 2-5 year intervals to analyze their differences. We expect to finish this portion of the analysis by the end of the term, but a more thorough analysis of the long-term stability of the calibration data remains to be done
Centering Cultural Context to Enhance Maternal Mental Health in Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Shelby Hopson | UROP
Women living in Ecuador face various challenges when they take on motherhood, many of which result from the environment around them and lead to an increase in mental health issues. Although the population is aware of these problems, a lack of resources has prevented them from fixing them or analyzing what the problems stem from. This research seeks to understand what specific social issues in Ecuador are most impactful on the mental health of mothers through direct questioning of the mothers and assorted healthcare workers in Ecuador in order to get to the root of these recognized issues. The transcripts of these interviews were divided among the research team to be coded for salient patterns. Working in pairs, code sheets were developed and merged to create a master code sheet encompassing the major themes found in the forty transcripts. From the transcripts, ten main themes were chosen to characterize motherhood and mental health in Ecuador. These themes include strong family values, feelings of suffering, mental health, religious beliefs and influence, high value on formal education, pregnancy health challenges, drug and alcohol involvement, poverty, contraception, and teen pregnancy. These results suggest a strong correlation between the variety of social and community issues in Ecuador with the high rates of maternal depression, which aligns with the original project hypothesis. We plan to use these themes to design an intervention program for the Esmeraldas region of Ecuador to reduce these social issues and promote mental health awareness. The general citizens and especially the mothers who live in the Esmeraldas region of Ecuador benefit from this research as it intends to lead to programs in Ecuador that promote the importance and prevalence of mental healthcare.
Central nervous system control of energy balance
Tabitha Johnson | UROPF
The effect of Glp1R rescue in GPR10-expressing neurons on feeding and body weight regulation. Obesity is a risk factor in developing serious health conditions, but treatment options are limited. One current treatment is Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor(Glp1R) agonists (e.g.liraglutide). However, adverse effects from agonists targeting whole body Glp1Rs makes it harder for patients to follow treatment. The area postrema(AP) has the highest percentage of liraglutide-activated neurons in the hindbrain, suggesting that this region is critical for Glp1R agonist actions. However, AP Glp1R neurons are heterogenous. Identifying which subpopulation of AP Glp1R neurons might be responsible for the anorexic actions of Glp1R agonists may help us develop targeted therapies. By use of recombinase technology, our lab is doing genetic re-activation studies to assess AP Glp1R subpopulations. One of the subpopulations, G-protein coupled receptor 10(GPR10) expressing neurons, are implicated in body weight regulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that the specific re-activation of Glp1R in GPR10 neurons rescues the liraglutide-induced anorexia. To test this hypothesis, we used genetically modified mice that are either expressing Glp1R, lacking Glp1R, or expressing Glp1R only in GPR10 neurons. To determine whether rescuing Glp1R expression in GPR10 neurons is sufficient to restore liraglutide-induced activation in the AP, we applied cFos immunostaining and microscopy on brain samples from liraglutide or saline injected mice. We found that rescuing Glp1R expression in GPR10 neurons partially restores normal activation patterns in the AP. This data partially supports our hypothesis. In the future, we will study the feeding behavior of these groups to observe the effects of the Glp1R reactivation in GPR10 neurons. In conclusion, we found that rescuing Glp1R expression in GPR10 neurons partially restores the response to liraglutide in the AP and further studies are needed to determine behavioral effects of this rescue. If there is a potential obesity treatment found without adverse effects, it would ease the ability to follow treatment and more patients would be successful.
Ceramic Glaze Archive and Library
Nora Meadows | UROP
The Ceramic Glaze Archive and Library is a physical archive of the research that has been conducted by students in the class Ceramic Materials Research and Experimentation at the Stamps School of Art & Design over the past three years. In this class, students learned basic concepts in glaze chemistry, the role of silica, alumina, alkaline metal fluxes, alkaline earth fluxes and colorants. Using an excel calculator developed by Matt Katz, students learned to manipulate the chemistry of a glaze by viewing the ingredients from the perspective of the Unity Molecular Formula. The calculator includes a graphing function that maps the level of silica (x axis) to the level of alumina (y axis) in a glaze onto Herman Stull’s map. This relationship predicts the melt of a glaze identifying if it is likely to be matt, gloss or under fired. Additionally, the calculator contains a map that predicts the boron needs of a stable glaze based on its fired temperature. Using the Katz Calculator students modified a gloss cone 10 glaze by substituting different alkaline metal and alkaline earth fluxes while maintaining the overall flux ratio and silica and alumina levels. These substitutions to the glaze recipe illustrate how the underlying chemistry of the fluxes affects appearance of a glaze and the color response from the oxides, carbonates and commercial stains. The goal of the project was to make glaze chemistry more digestible and readily available to students. To accomplish this, we created visual aids in the form of test tiles mounted onto boards to either be displayed or filed into a physical archive. We paired the visuals with written analyses of how different base materials interact with colorants to change the appearance of a glaze. We envision these materials being used as a teaching tool during classes in the studio, as well as a resource for students to continue their research of glaze chemistry.
Ceramic Glaze Archive and Library
Jay Petrowski | UROP
The Ceramic Glaze Archive and Library is a physical archive of the research that has been conducted by students in the class Ceramic Materials Research and Experimentation at the Stamps School of Art & Design over the past three years. In this class, students learned basic concepts in glaze chemistry, the role of silica, alumina, alkaline metal fluxes, alkaline earth fluxes and colorants. Using an excel calculator developed by Matt Katz, students learned to manipulate the chemistry of a glaze by viewing the ingredients from the perspective of the Unity Molecular Formula. The calculator includes a graphing function that maps the level of silica (x axis) to the level of alumina (y axis) in a glaze onto Herman Stull’s map. This relationship predicts the melt of a glaze identifying if it is likely to be matt, gloss or under fired. Additionally, the calculator contains a map that predicts the boron needs of a stable glaze based on its fired temperature. Using the Katz Calculator students modified a gloss cone 10 glaze by substituting different alkaline metal and alkaline earth fluxes while maintaining the overall flux ratio and silica and alumina levels. These substitutions to the glaze recipe illustrate how the underlying chemistry of the fluxes affects appearance of a glaze and the color response from the oxides, carbonates and commercial stains. The goal of the project was to make glaze chemistry more digestible and readily available to students. To accomplish this, we created visual aids in the form of test tiles mounted onto boards to either be displayed or filed into a physical archive. We paired the visuals with written analyses of how different base materials interact with colorants to change the appearance of a glaze. We envision these materials being used as a teaching tool during classes in the studio, as well as a resource for students to continue their research of glaze chemistry.
Cervical Spine Clearance in the Obtunded Trauma Patient
Anya Aubuchon | UROP
Cervical spine collars (c-collars) are a vital tool for the immobilization and clinical management of pediatric trauma patients. There is a need for prompt clearance of patients without CSI to avoid iatrogenic complications, properly identify clinically significant injuries, and avoid unnecessary radiation. Current guidelines for c-collar clearance in pediatric patients call for the use of physical exam, conventional radiography, or multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). Normal MDCT findings must be reproduced by physical exam or MRI for clearance of the collar. Given technological advances in MDCT scans, MRI is now unlikely to locate unstable cervical spine injuries when MDCT findings are normal. Given the need for prompt C-collar clearance and change in adult C-collar clearance guidelines, this study aims to determine whether an MRI is necessary for obtunded pediatric patients who have a concern for a possible neck injury, cannot be clinically cleared, and have a normal MDCT of their cervical spine. This study is a retrospective chart review analyzing the Michigan Medicine EMR of pediatric trauma patients admitted to Michigan Medicine between 1/1/2014-12/31/2022 with a cervical spine collar in place who underwent subsequent clearance or surgical intervention. The most common mechanism of injury found was motor vehicle crash. The majority of patients had a MDCT C-Spine completed. The majority of patients did not have a MRI C-Spine completed. The study is ongoing; therefore, a concrete conclusion regarding whether an MRI is necessary for obtunded pediatric patients has not yet been reached. However, initial review shows that MDCT imaging is sufficient to determine c-spine clearance without the need for further MRI imaging in an obtunded patient.
Characterization of a bi-directional promoter in Treponema denticola
Elodie Malherbe | UROPF
T. denticola is an oral spirochete that plays a role in periodontal disease. Expression of the T. denticola dentilisin protease operon is controlled by a bi-directional promoter (P-prcB / P-yvrC). The PrcB promoter drives expression of the dentilisin protease operon and the YvrC promoter drives expression an iron uptake system. Since these promoters overlap, we are interested in seeing how expression of these genes change under different conditions. To investigate these two promoters, we used plasmids that contained either PrcB or YvrC promoter driving expression of the Bs2 fluorescent protein. We transformed T. denticola 35405 and protease mutant P0760 with the plasmids. We plan to assay the transformed strains in a plate reader to quantify fluorescence. We expect the transformants with the different promoters to have different results in the different host strains. In our transformation process, we found that the PrcB promoter as annotated did not yield Bs2 expression. We designed PrcB promoter plasmids with extended sequences (21 or 30 bp) consistent with alternate PrcB start sites. These new plasmids resulted in successful expression of Bs2 fluorescence, suggesting that the annotation of the PrcB gene and itspromoter need to be updated.
Characterization of novel human osteoblast effector EPDR1 gene in murine cell models relevant for bone biology
Natalie Rovaldi | UROPF
EPDR1 was recently identified as a novel human osteoblast effector gene using functional genomics approach1,2. Further works have shown that knock-down of EPDR1 in human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (hMSC) biases the cells towards adipocytic lineage and enhances expression of inflammatory marker genes during osteoblastogenic differentiation. Although the loss of Epdr1 is associated with decreased osteoblastic gene markers in murine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC), it is currently unknown how Epdr1 gene expression is regulated during BMSC differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes. A series of experiments have been conducted to explore the expression pattern of Epdr1 gene in BMSC during differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) were harvested from the long bones (tibia and femur) and were induced to differentiate into osteoblastic and adipogenic cells over the span of eight to ten days. RNA from these cells were isolated at various lengths of time and reverse-transcribed into DNA, and marker genes for osteoblast and adipocytes were amplified using PCR. Our preliminary data suggests a modest increase of Epdr1 during the osteoblastic differentiation of murine BMSC whereas the expression of Epdr1 decreased as the cells differentiated into adipocytes. Since Epdr1 is a secreted protein, we additionally aim to evaluate osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation of BMSC in the presence of recombinant EPDR1. In next steps of these experiments, mouse preosteoblast and preadipocyte cell lines will be cultured and differentiated into osteoblast and adipocytes, and genetic manipulation techniques utilizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) will be utilized to understand the molecular implications of loss of Epdr1 function into cell differentiation models. Completion of these experiments would allow us to therapeutically intervene Epdr1 for maintenance of bone mineral density in pathological conditions and osteoporotic conditions in vivo using genetic mouse models.
Characterization of the Resistances of Nanopore Electroporation Devices
Guanren Tao | UROPF
Electroporation is an efficient transfection method used to deliver nucleic acids, proteins, and other molecules into cultured cells, widely applied in biomedical research and clinical applications. However, in research aimed at developing new electroporation-based tools that are both highly efficient in transfection and maintain high cell viability, accurately measuring the resistance of electroporation devices made from Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and understanding the impact of different device constructions on resistance becomes a technical challenge. In this study, we will use a potentiostat’s Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, along with a circuit composed of a waveform generator and an oscilloscope, to measure different electroporation devices varying in diameter, cross-section, and with or without membranes. The resistance values are determined by analyzing the Nyquist plots generated by the potentiostat and calculating from the voltage measured across a 100 ohm resistor and the total circuit voltage using the oscilloscope. Conclusions are drawn by comparing the predicted resistance values with those measured by both methods and by comparing the resistance differences between devices with different constructions. The realization of this study will aid in adjusting and optimizing electroporation parameters for more precise and efficient experiments and provide a theoretical basis for designing electroporation devices with high transfection efficiency and less cellular damage.
Characterizing the functional impacts of HNF1B disruption in human beta cell lines
Gabriella Bloss | UROP
This study investigates the functional impact of disrupting the transcription factor (TF) hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 beta (HNF1B). This TF is associated with the development of early-onset diabetes, also known as maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). MODY encompasses rare forms of diabetes caused by mutations in specific genes, one of which is HNF1B. I designed CRISPR guide RNAs (gRNAs) to specifically target the DNA binding domain of my target gene. I then cloned these gRNAs into lentiCRISPRv2 plasmid backbones, transformed bacteria, and used them to generate two different lentiCRISPR viruses. I infected two types of immortalized human beta cell lines, EndoC-BH1 (BH1) and EndoC-BH3 (BH3), with each virus separately and in combination to create six knockout lines and two wild-type lines. After the cells underwent antibiotic selection to enrich for edited cells, I performed several tests to confirm the success of the editing. These tests included genotyping PCR and Sanger sequencing, qPCR, and RNA-sequencing. For genotyping PCR, I ran a gel which showed differences in sequencing between the knockout and wild-type lines. We sent these PCR products for Sanger sequencing to gain a better idea of the extent and success of these edits. Then, I conducted qPCR to examine gene expression, comparing the knockout lines to the wild type. The test revealed decreased gene expression in the BH3 lines but surprisingly increased gene expression in the BH1 lines. Using the combined data from Sanger sequencing and qPCR to select suitable lines, we generated whole-transcriptome RNA-seq libraries for the wild-type and double knockout lines on both backgrounds. Once we confirm the success of the lentiCRISPRv2 viruses in knocking out HNF1B, these cell lines can serve as models for patients with this specific subset of MODY to understand the full implications of this specific mutation on the development and progression of diabetes.
Characterizing the Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Bone Microarchitecture and Metabolism
Yun Hsuan Hsu | CG
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) manifests when kidneys lose their function of filtering waste from blood. One major clinical impact is chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), where patients with end-stage CKD present with elevated fracture risk and poor bone quality. Our research aims to investigate how CKD causes poor bone microarchitecture and strength using mouse models and µCT analysis. By understanding these mechanisms, therapies can be developed to restore bone function. To induce CKD, Black6 mice were given a diet of 0.2% adenine for 4 weeks prior to tissue and bone harvest. The physical changes of the trabecular and cortical bone were assessed by collecting 3D images of the tibia through µCT scanning. The images were analyzed in XQuartz, a software designed to run graphical applications on remote servers to measure variables such as cortical thickness, bone volume ratio (BV/TV), and bone mineral density (BMD). Preliminary results have found that there was a 30% decrease in cortical thickness and 10% decrease in bone volume ratio in CKD induced mice. The changes to serum and urine composition were also determined through various biochemical assays, identifying hallmarks of CKD progression, including high serum phosphate and FGF23 levels. Future research will aim to investigate the changes in bone microarchitecture induced by CKD as well as the alteration of mitochondrial metabolism in mice.
Characterizing the metabolism of healthy and diseased bone
Ruchir Sriram | UROPF
It is known in the medical and scientific community that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) negatively impacts bone health in humans. A person who has CKD is more likely to have fractures, and these fractures also take longer to heal. However, little is known about the biological mechanisms that cause poorer bone function due to CKD. This study aims to explore how CKD impacts bone function and metabolism by using mouse models. Biochemical assays of the urine and serum of CKD-induced mice compared to those of healthy mice were performed and analyzed to assess kidney function. Metabolic tracing experiments have been performed on the bone of CKD-induced mice. Preliminary results show that the TCA cycle, and potentially mitochondrial function, are altered in multiple organs, including the bone, in CKD-induced mice against healthy mice controls. Further experiments using histological staining will confirm the results obtained through the assays and tracing. Cell culture will also be performed in-vitro with osteoblasts exposed to high phosphate to study how the osteoblast cell will change on a molecular level in response to the phosphate. The results from this study will have significant implications for developing bone therapies to help people with CKD and weak bones.
Characterizing the Nonlinear Fracture Behavior of Carbon Fiber Composite Laminates
Josiah Jungkuntz | UROPF
Carbon fiber composites have become increasingly popular in the material science community over the last few decades. Strong and durable, yet extremely lightweight, these substances have nearly limitless potential, especially within the world of aerospace structures. Research on the behavior of varying material types and stacking sequences subjected to tensile testing has already been presented in the literature to some extent, but further investigation will prove extremely valuable. Furthermore, previous studies have not studied the effect of transverse cracks (matrix failure) on the failure behavior of the specimen. This study aims to obtain and analyze the nonlinear stress-strain responses of three material systems (IM7/8552, T800S/2511, and T800S/3900), and six different stacking sequences. Each stacking sequence has one of two forms: [Theta_2/-Theta_2]s, (“4D-ply”), or [Theta/-Theta]2s (“8-ply”). Theta refers to the angle at which the ply is oriented with respect to the x axis (loading direction) and has values of 30°, 45°, or 60°. For each combination “dog bone” specimens with a width of approximately 12.5 mm at the gage section were manufactured via prepreg layup. The specimens were then subjected to tension using a Shore Western Tensile Tester. A Nikon camera directly faced the front side of the specimens and was set to take photos every two seconds during the test. A microscope attached to a custom mount captured video of the edge of each specimen. Stress data was captured by the machine’s internal data acquisition system while strain data was obtained from analyzing the camera images via GOM Correlate. This allowed for the plotting of stress-strain curves as well as detailed side imaging at several different stages of the test. The data analysis revealed that the Theta = 30° specimens tended to be strongest, followed by the 45° specimens, followed by the 60° specimens. In addition, 8-ply specimens were significantly stronger than 4D-ply specimens.
Characterizing the Nonlinear Fracture Behavior of Carbon Fiber Composite Laminates
Tyler Vandevoorde | CG
Carbon fiber composites have become increasingly popular in the material science community over the last few decades. Strong and durable, yet extremely lightweight, these substances have nearly limitless potential, especially within the world of aerospace structures. Research on the behavior of varying material types and stacking sequences subjected to tensile testing has already been presented in the literature to some extent, but further investigation will prove extremely valuable. Furthermore, previous studies have not studied the effect of transverse cracks (matrix failure) on the failure behavior of the specimen. This study aims to obtain and analyze the nonlinear stress-strain responses of three material systems (IM7/8552, T800S/2511, and T800S/3900), and six different stacking sequences. Each stacking sequence has one of two forms: [Theta_2/-Theta_2]s, (“4D-ply”), or [Theta/-Theta]2s (“8-ply”). Theta refers to the angle at which the ply is oriented with respect to the x axis (loading direction) and has values of 30°, 45°, or 60°. For each combination “dog bone” specimens with a width of approximately 12.5 mm at the gage section were manufactured via prepreg layup. The specimens were then subjected to tension using a Shore Western Tensile Tester. A Nikon camera directly faced the front side of the specimens and was set to take photos every two seconds during the test. A microscope attached to a custom mount captured video of the edge of each specimen. Stress data was captured by the machine’s internal data acquisition system while strain data was obtained from analyzing the camera images via GOM Correlate. This allowed for the plotting of stress-strain curves as well as detailed side imaging at several different stages of the test. The data analysis revealed that the Theta = 30° specimens tended to be strongest, followed by the 45° specimens, followed by the 60° specimens. In addition, 8-ply specimens were significantly stronger than 4D-ply specimens.
Characterizing the Role of Hindbrain Rxfp1 and Vglut3 Expressing Neurons in the Control of Appetite
Addison Colaianne | UROP
The brainstem contains a structure named the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) that is the core of appetite control and satiation signaling. Through prior single nucleus RNA-sequencing of the DVC, the Myers lab has identified DVC neuron populations likely involved in appetite and metabolism. Findings indicate that Cck, which was previously used to mark neurons that mediate the aversive suppression of food intake, maps to multiple snRNA-seq-defined nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) populations including the novel Rxfp1 and Vglut3 neuron populations. This project investigates these Rxfp1 and Vglut3 expressing neuron populations in the NTS of the DVC and aims to characterize the role of these populations in the control of appetite. To characterize the function of these neurons, we will stimulate them using a chemogenetic activation model and silence the neurons using a tetrodotoxin synaptic silencing model. Specifically, using these models we will conduct FOS immunoreactivity studies in response to fasted and refed feeding conditions, acute and chronic food intake studies, conditioned taste aversion, and tracing studies. Ultimately, these studies will define NTS neuron populations that contribute to the long-term control of energy balance and identify the NTS population(s) that mediate aversive responses, thereby revealing salient neuron populations to target for the non-aversive treatment of obesity.
CHD7 AND SOX2 COOPERATE TO REGULATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COCHLEA
Derek Bukowski | UROPF
CHD7 AND SOX2 COOPERATE TO REGULATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COCHLEA Derek Bukowski1, Jingxia Gao2, Jennifer Skidmore2, Donna Martin2,3 1UROP from College of Literature, Science, and Arts, 2Department of Pediatrics, 3Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan CHD7, a chromatin remodeler, is highly expressed in the developing ear. Pathogenic variants in CHD7 are the cause of CHARGE syndrome, which causes ear malformations as well as other symptoms. Sox2, a pioneer transcription factor, is one of the first genes to be activated in the cells that will become the neurosensory elements of the ear. These neurosensory elements are critical to detect sound as well as maintain balance. Sox2 is additionally expressed after the ear has been fully developed, suggesting it plays a role in both formation and maintenance of the ear. It is crucial that we develop an understanding of the effects of these genes to develop potential treatments in the future. Understanding the effects of these genes can also allow for further research of potential interactions between these genes in other organs. The proteins produced by both Chd7 and Sox2 are known to have direct interactions in neural stem cells. However, whether Chd7 and Sox2 interact in the developing inner ear is unknown. Our research showed that Chd7 and Sox2 are co-expressed in the developing otocyst and ganglion. In the otocyst of E10.5 embryos, Sox2 expression is dependent on Chd7 whereas Chd7 expression is independent of Sox2. Double heterozygous (Chd7Gt/+;Sox2CreER/+) mice exhibit early postnatal death and severe developmental defects in both their vestibular and auditory structures, including shortened cochleae. It is unclear whether the basal or apical part of the cochlea or both are underdeveloped. Since the cochlea has a tonotopic structure, the frequencies of sound that are affected are directly related to which part of the cochlea is underdeveloped. To test this, we synthesized in-situ probes for the basally expressed gene Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) and apically expressed gene Follistatin (Fst). We showed that both in-situ probes label mRNAs in the ear, and will proceed to directly compare their expression in wild type vs. double heterozygous (Chd7Gt/+;Sox2CreER/+) mice to further understand the effects of Chd7 and Sox2 interactions.
