This biannual event, held during the spring and fall semesters, is hosted by the Office of the Provost in collaboration with the Student Success Hub and is open to the public.
Use the menu below to view the the Spring 2025 semester's proposals!
- Nicholas Pengilly - PowerPoint 1
The SpOILs of Political Research
As we are seeing, election results have a way of influencing so many parts of our lives. In this project, we seek to formally quantify how federal election results affect natural gas futures contracts. Whether these futures contracts will increase or decrease in price can be estimated using the convenience yield, where the impacts of significant events are much clearer to see. Using election data provided by government sources and futures contracts data from Yahoo Finance and investing.com, we aim to find a correlation between the outcome of an election and changes in the convenience yield to build a buying strategy for natural gas futures.
- Trenton Wood - PowerPoint 2
A Neo-Herrenvolk Democracy: Race Vs Class in the Reconstruction Period
This project provides a unique look at the North’s failed Reconstruction of the South focusing on the broad strokes of the Johnson and Grant Administrations. Using a Marxian conflict lens and established points by W.E.B Du Bois, the standard history is interpreted to clarify why a cross-racial proletariat did not form between poor whites and newly freed slaves. Paring this with the political idea of the antebellum South being a Herrenvolk Democracy, the conflict lens can be further extrapolated to how elites prevented a cross-racial proletariat from forming. With these ideas intertwined the project discusses how the antebellum Elites manipulated poor whites into valuing their racial status more than potential economic opportunities. The manipulation of poor whites is what prevented the cross-racial working class from forming and led to the reinstatement of the old power system as a Neo-Herrenvolk Democracy. The project concludes by asserting, that the reinstatement of the previous ruling elites and the suppression of a new labor class led to the continued deferment of de jure civil rights and is partly responsible for many of the racial gaps within American Society.
- Hailey Latona - PowerPoint 3
Mathematics in the Nationality Rooms
- Tatyana Olevich - PowerPoint 4
Legal socialization across nativity status: Examining how parents discuss police with their children
Purpose: Legal socialization is the process by which individuals develop beliefs about the law and its agents, such as the police. Much of the research on legal socialization has focused on the influence of direct or vicarious experiences with the police on these beliefs. Less work has examined how parents discuss the police with their children. The current study seeks to understand how parents communicate with their children about police. In doing so, we elaborate on the relevance of instructional learning in the legal socialization process. We examine the formation of these beliefs among Hispanic individuals, the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, with a focus on differences across nativity status. Methods: Using a national sample of 1750 Hispanic adults residing in the US, Likert-type questions were asked about the frequency of discussions about how to interact with police, emphasis on the police being able to be trusted, and mentioning negative comments about police. This was measured amongst foreign-born and native-born Hispanics. A Mann-Whitney test was completed to compare the various variables. Results: The Mann-Whitney test showed only a significant difference between native born and foreign-born individuals when it came to the frequency of negative comments about police. This means that native-born parents spoke negatively about the police with their children more frequently than foreign born parents. There was no significant difference between the native- born and foreign-born parents when it came to the frequency of discussions about interacting with police or how often they mentioned that the police can be trusted. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the legal socialization literature expand to incorporate instructional learning. Continued exploration of differences in nativity status, and processes such as acculturation and assimilation, are necessary.
- Nicholas Cassano - PowerPoint 5
W.E.B. du Bois’ Double Consciousness & Reform Jewish Self-Understanding
- Ty'Mariya Moss - PowerPoint 6
Tip Your Waiters
- Carrington Bryan - Creative Showcase 1
Inwardly Celestial: An Exploration of Soul
“Inwardly Celestial” features artworks that visualize the beauty and mysticism of the cosmos by marrying astronomy with the human soul, the scientific and the spiritual. The completed pieces—two paintings and a gown—communicate themes of the human mind, body, and soul by exploring celestial themes, star-studded galaxies, and the intricate dance of cosmic entities.
- Deniz Cinemre and Gunes Cinemre - Poster 1
Live cell imaging allows a deeper understanding of myoblast fusion and muscle fiber formation
Myoblast fusion is an important step of myotube formation and myogenesis in skeletal muscles. Myoblasts result from the proliferation and differentiation of activated muscle stem cells. They fuse into myotubes in vitro or multinucleated muscle fibers in vivo through tightly controlled processes involving cell-to-cell interactions, proteins, and cell migration during embryonic development. Similar processes have been documented during muscle repair after injuries. Live cell imaging allows a more challenging but precise way to investigate the detailed mechanisms of myoblast fusion. Imaging systems show the fusion of myoblasts from various animals such as Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice both in vitro and in vivo. The signaling pathways that modulate myoblast fusion can improve understanding of myogenesis, dynamic microenvironment cues, and muscle biology under normal and disease conditions. New imaging applications can allow a deeper understanding of myogenesis, lead to more effective cell therapy for various myopathies, and potential use in other biological systems. Here, we provide a literature review of results detailing critical myoblast fusion steps and evaluate the most recent live-cell imaging techniques used to study myotube formation. We will also present our recent findings characterizing mouse and human myoblast fusion to form myotubes.
- Alex Preble - Poster 2
Pathogens Drive Accelerated Evolution in Junctional Molecules Expressed in the Skin of Fully Aquatic Mammals
Organisms that live in aquatic environments are subject to a vastly different set of environmental pressures from those on land. Indeed, mammals that transitioned to fully aquatic life, such as cetaceans and sirens, share unique adaptations that allow them to survive in the water. One underexplored facet of the ocean is the trillions of microbes which live in it, which we hypothesize have influenced the evolution of aquatic mammals. Using tests for positive selection (dn/ds ) and publicly available RNA-Seq data, we have found evidence that aquatic mammals have been locked in an “arms race” with marine microbes in the ocean since their transition to aquatic life. We observed this selection specifically in the desmosomes, junctional proteins which adhere skin cells together, which we believe are attacked by microbes which attempt to enter through the skin. Because aquatic mammals are swimming in microbes, their skin has evolved to prevent infection from occurring in the first place. This finding not only provides insight into how disease has shaped the evolution of aquatic mammals, but also into the types of diseases that aquatic mammals may be susceptible to. Diseases have been known to drive other species to extinction in the past, so understanding the types of pathogens that attack aquatic mammals may be vital for their conservation in the future.
- Ruhani Gill - Poster 3
Investigation of the Relationship between Lamina Cribrosa and Intraocular Pressure
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Loss of vision in glaucoma is due to damage to the ganglion cell axons that transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. Damage to axons starts in the optic nerve head (ONH), specifically in the lamina cribrosa (LC) region. An elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) increases the risk for the development of glaucoma; however, the mechanisms by which the damage occurs and the threshold for the IOP to become detrimental remain unknown. A leading theory is that this damage could be caused by insufficient oxygenation and blood flow in this region, and that this risk increases with elevated IOP levels causing distortion of the tissues and vessels. Thus, to understand the causes of glaucoma and developing better means to prevent and treat the disease, it is essential to also understand the effects that IOP has on the hemodynamics and oxygenation of the eye, as this relationship can provide insight into the parameters that cause the damage to the ONH. Currently it is not possible to measure LC hemodynamics and oxygenation to test this hypothesis directly. However, it is possible to use computational modeling and simulations to shed light on ONH biomechanics and how these could affect LC blood flow and oxygenation. Our goal is to characterize the vasculature of the monkey lamina cribrosa and find potential relationships between the hemodynamics and morphology parameters at normal IOP levels.
- Shirin Kaye - Poster 4
Reconstruction of 3D ONH Models for Axon-Centric Analysis of a Monkey Model of Glaucoma
- Sonia Borker - Poster 5
Validation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor antibodies for immunohistochemistry in fixed postmortem human brain tissues
- Alexander Madanat - Poster 6
Crush Nerve Injury Model in the Rat Sciatic Nerve: Insights into Techniques, Variability, and Recovery Dynamics
- Anjana Mahesh - Poster 7
Efficacy of Implementing a Standardized Educational Intervention for Geriatric Patients Discharged with Urinary Incontinence
- Lauren Weaver - Poster 8
Breaking the Cycle: Menstrual Inequity at the University of Pittsburgh
The menstrual cycle has long since been stigmatized, and as such, conversations surrounding accessing menstrual and reproductive care are still taboo. Despite its impact on millions of people who menstruate worldwide, this lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene education, and healthcare continues to go unaddressed. Recently, studies have begun to articulate the experiences of college-aged women concerning menstrual inequity, but few, if any, have studied this phenomenon in undergraduate students living on-campus. We began our studies by focusing on two undergraduate residence halls at the University of Pittsburgh: Litchfield Tower C, a single-room style hall with sex-segregated floors and communal bathrooms, and Holland Hall, with semi-co-ed floors and variable room types. Funded by Residence Life budget allocations, we provided menstrual products in all female communal bathrooms and tracked usage. Using quantitative and qualitative perspectives, we are better able to understand the challenges of on-campus students when accessing menstrual products and healthcare services. Recently, with the help of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI), our data collection has expanded to 12 residence halls, and currently, we are measuring data over a population of more than 6,000 undergraduate students. Our research now includes data from non-female restrooms and non-gendered spaces to address inclusiveness for LGBTQ+ communities. We hope our research can bring awareness to this issue, guide future efforts to address it at Pitt, and develop a sustainable framework for institutions nationally.
- Eliana Brenner - Poster 9
Aging and DNA damage contribute to APP accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease
- Alexandra Perazzo - Poster 10
Investigating the Roles of Lysosomal Proteins SIDT2, APH1A, and SPNS1 Through the Lens of Evolutionary Rate Covariation
Lysosomes in mammalian cells are smaller and more numerous than vacuoles are in yeast, a key evolutionary difference that influences their functions and interactions with neighboring organelles. Evolutionary Rate Covariation (ERC) suggests that organelles with functional interdependence tend to co-evolve at similar rates to maintain cellular homeostasis. This study investigates three candidate proteins implicated in lysosomal evolution and function: SIDT2, APH1A, and SPNS1. To explore their roles in lysosomal dynamics, HEK and HeLa cells were transfected and subjected to shRNA-mediated knockdown. Transfection was performed at 24, 48, and 72-hour time intervals to assess the temporal impact of these proteins on lysosomal function. The cells were then fixed and imaged using confocal microscopy. The changes in lysosomal morphology, including swelling, contact sites, and transport rates were quantified. By examining how these proteins influence lysosomal behavior, this research provides insight into cellular homeostasis, potential therapeutic agents, and how lysosomal proteins co-evolve to maintain cellular stability and function.
- Sophie Stefancic - Poster 11
Assessing Disease Impact in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis Using the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire Visual Analogue Scale (SHAQ)
- Brian Bartley - Poster 12
A novel virtual reality-based platform for kinetic visual field testing
Visual field testing has long been a standard for diagnosis of degenerative eye diseases. However, traditional methods have been associated with mechanical complication and unfavorable conditions for patients, especially those with physical or cognitive impairments. This paper presents a novel virtual reality (VR)-based solution to address the issues of traditional kinetic visual field testing, which have been plagued by patient discomfort, mechanical complication, and operator dependency. By replacing the physical equipment with digital, software-based solutions, the virtual environment has the potential to eliminate these challenges. The developed VR application uses Unity as its platform and the Varjo XR-4 Aero as its head-mounted display to replicate the Goldmann visual field test, allowing for the incorporation of advanced features such as gaze tracking. Other benefits include reducing test time through automation, increasing accessibility for patients with mobility impairments, and enabling testing from more comfortable environments such as the patient’s home. Additionally, the integration of gaze tracking allows for real-time detection of irregularities, which could ensure accurate results and reduce the likelihood of false positives or negatives. Preliminary testing demonstrates feasibility and sensitivity of the system, by comparison of results from a healthy and visually impaired patient. Despite the advantages of the virtual model, some limitations remain, including field-of-view constraints and the need for device-specific adaptations for gaze tracking. Nonetheless, the application demonstrates the potential of VR to streamline the testing procedure - with future work to focus on expanding compatibility across devices, and larger scale testing to enhance system effectiveness.
- Ivan Jing - Poster 13
Continuous personalized sequence generation system based on multi-model architecture
- Nuoya Liu - Poster 14
Continuous personalized sequence generation system based on multi-model architecture
Our CPSG-generator is a groundbreaking innovation in user experience, combining artificial intelligence with user-centric design principles. By employing a multi-model architecture, it dynamically integrates user psychological feedback, personalized narrative sequences, and content creation technologies to deliver seamless and adaptive user experiences. This technology has the potential to redefine how we interact with various digital media, including movies, novels, and games. The core innovation of the system lies in its “continuous adaptability and personalization capabilities”. By analyzing real-time user data derived from biometric feedback and user behavior, the system can predict user satisfaction and generate content that aligns closely with user preferences and emotional states. The interface design of the multi-model framework ensures scalability, enabling integration with advanced content generation tools, including but not limited to natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLM), and generative adversarial network (GAN)-based models. This technology is poised to revolutionize industries such as entertainment, education, and healthcare, offering highly personalized user experiences. For instance, game storylines could dynamically adjust based on the emotional modeling of the user, educational platforms could optimize revision and learning processes based on memory progress, and therapeutic tools could provide real-time, dynamically adaptive mental health support. This system is not merely a product but a platform for limitless innovation, leading the charge into the era of personalization. By investing in and advancing this technology, our work will lead the AI industry in taking the first steps toward creating the future of digital experiences, which is a hundreds-billion-dollar blue ocean market, ripe for exploration and investment.
- Chukwidalu Dumebi-Kachikwu - Poster 15
Exploring AI’s Potential in Predictive Analysis for Student Essay Scoring and Real-Time FeedbackExploring AI’s Potential in Predictive Analysis for Student Essay Scoring and Real-Time Feedback
- Owen Spencer - Poster 16
Adaptive Heuristics for the Max-Cut Problem: A Unified Approach
The Max-Cut problem has posed a significant challenge in the field of combinatorial optimization since its intractability was first formally proven in 1972. With a variety of applications across diverse fields, developing practical approaches to the problem is of great interest to practitioners in industry and academia alike. Researchers have turned to heuristics and approximation algorithms to produce efficient, yet inexact, solutions; however, no single approach outperforms all others in all scenarios, as each heuristic has its own situational benefits, and approximation algorithms may perform differently in practice than in theory. This project integrates the theoretically optimal Goemans-Williamson approximation algorithm into a state-of-the-art machine learning-driven “hyper-heuristic,” utilizing a Classification And Regression Trees (CART) model to dynamically select the optimal procedure for a given problem instance. These problem instances have analogues in the real world, but documentation of Max-Cut applications is scattered across dozens of sources with no central repository. To address this, I employ knowledge representation (KR) formalisms to systematically document real scenarios in which the problem can be applied and develop a framework for the exploration of future applications. This multifaceted approach to the Max-Cut problem integrates the leading theoretical and empirical methods to enhance real performance while defining structured information about applications to ensure the problem can have a meaningful impact in real settings.
- Olive Samsel - Poster 17
Rural but not urban Orange Jewelweed produce more flowers under climate stress
Climate change is affecting temperature and rainfall patterns across the globe, leading to heat and drought stress for many plant species. Plants in cities are already exposed to stressors like the Urban Heat Island Effect, in which cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas. Therefore, urban plants may be more well-adjusted than rural ones to endure the effects of climate change. Using a focal plant species, Orange Jewelweed, that grows in both rural and urban areas, I asked: how does climate stress affect plant health, growth, and reproduction? I hypothesized, relative to urban plants: H1) health of rural plants will decline more, H2) rural plant growth will be more stunted, and H3a) rural plants will produce more flowers or H3b) rural plants will produce fewer flowers. I collected plants from two rural and two urban populations, induced drought and control water treatments, and grew them together in the field for six weeks. I measured the following on each plant weekly: for health, I measured photosynthesis; for growth rate, I recorded height; for reproduction, I counted flowers. I found health declined in all plants regardless of treatment or population, but growth was more population-specific. Interestingly, rural plants produced more flowers than urban plants in response to drought stress. Although drought stress reduced health in all plants, rural plants prioritized growth and flower production despite unfavorable conditions. I have shown that rural plants, unlike urban ones, are less accustomed to climate stress and react more strongly to sudden challenges such as drought.
- Michael Slipper - Poster 18
Quotas and Questions: Evaluating Gender Quotas and Women’s Political Representation in Uzbekistan from 1991-2024
This study examines the impact of gender quotas on women's political representation in Uzbekistan, focusing on both descriptive and substantive outcomes from 1991 to 2024. Uzbekistan implemented its first gender quota in 2004, requiring political parties to nominate at least 30 percent of nominated candidates must be female for parliamentary and local elections. This quota was expanded in 2019, mandating 40 percent female representation in candidate lists. Despite these measures, challenges persist, including cultural norms, systemic biases, limited female involvement in decision-making roles, and far more. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research integrates quantitative data on female representation trends and qualitative insights from credible internal and international reports. By applying analytical frameworks from various scholars, the study examines the effectiveness of gender quotas beyond mere numerical targets, delving into their impact on substantive representation. Historical context is provided through an analysis of alterations in women's political representation following the Soviet era, revealing an initial decline post-independence, followed by incremental improvements attributed to the implementation of quota policies. However, the findings reveal a paradox: while quotas enhance women's numerical presence, substantive representation remains constrained by cultural and institutional barriers, amongst others. This study underscores the necessity for gender quotas to transcend mere numbers and foster meaningful political empowerment, and calls for further research to be conducted on the effectiveness of gender quotas in Uzbekistan.
- Lauren Deaton - Poster 19
The Culturally Responsive Picture Book Tools: Process and Impacts
The Culturally Responsive Picture Book Tool, which utilizes the Caplan Scorecard was developed by Dr. Caitlin Spear and Dr. Jennifer Briggs. The tool works to evaluate picture books on various social justice factors including, Diversity & Identity, Representation and Social Justice Orientation. I joined the project in the Fall of 2023 and spent the duration of the Fall 2023 Semester being trained in how to code the books. In the Spring of 2024, I passed through reliability testing and began to individually code books, working as part of a team to code a large donation from Scholastic of books that primarily feature Latino characters and/or girls in STEAM. In the 2024-2025 school year I am helping to organize this data, create booklists, and write a paper on the process, so that the database can be utilized to direct teachers towards books that better represent their students and classrooms. A presentation for this research would include information about the process as well as the impact of the work.
- Janna Oh - Poster 20
Experimental fibrosis alters matrix-bound vesicles cargo that do not revert after histologic recovery
Climate change is affecting temperature and rainfall patterns across the globe, leading to heat and drought stress for many plant species. Plants in cities are already exposed to stressors like the Urban Heat Island Effect, in which cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas. Therefore, urban plants may be more well-adjusted than rural ones to endure the effects of climate change. Using a focal plant species, Orange Jewelweed, that grows in both rural and urban areas, I asked: how does climate stress affect plant health, growth, and reproduction? I hypothesized, relative to urban plants: H1) health of rural plants will decline more, H2) rural plant growth will be more stunted, and H3a) rural plants will produce more flowers or H3b) rural plants will produce fewer flowers. I collected plants from two rural and two urban populations, induced drought and control water treatments, and grew them together in the field for six weeks. I measured the following on each plant weekly: for health, I measured photosynthesis; for growth rate, I recorded height; for reproduction, I counted flowers. I found health declined in all plants regardless of treatment or population, but growth was more population-specific. Interestingly, rural plants produced more flowers than urban plants in response to drought stress. Although drought stress reduced health in all plants, rural plants prioritized growth and flower production despite unfavorable conditions. I have shown that rural plants, unlike urban ones, are less accustomed to climate stress and react more strongly to sudden challenges such as drought.
- Sarah Hurst - Poster 21
Relationship Between Timing and Type of Exertion Therapy and Concussion Recovery
- Alayna Stoneking - Poster 22
Medical Professionals Outlook on Implementing Physical Activity (PA) in Primary Care Practice
Physical activity (PA) recommendations are not currently being met within the adult population, leading to poor health outcomes. Awareness of PA intervention before adverse medical events, including remote or body-worn monitoring device use, is relatively known but lacks standardized system use in primary care. This may be due to unidentifiable barriers preventing adequate mediation between medical professionals and patients. Structured health professional interviews were examined in four primary domains: clinical physical activity advice, knowledge of activity tracker clinical application, utility, and acceptability of output data. We interviewed UPMC primary care physicians (n=3) and other primary care clinical staff members (n=3); consisting of a nurse, nurse practitioner, and a medical assistant. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via ZOOM and electronically recorded and transcribed. A team of 3 coders pulled quotes from each interview within each domain. I then identified major concepts across interviews for each domain, supported by quotes. The results of this work will supplement the coding completed by the existing coding group. The benefits of PA and overall disease prevention are recognized by health professionals. Time constraints during office visits and perceived patient barriers including limited time, finances, pain, and patients’ detachment from monitor output were highlighted in the structured interviews. Recommendations included implementation of more patient accountability, goal setting, monitor systems, additional pre-visit questionnaires, and higher levels of healthcare data organization to increase PA communication. Results of this study will provide qualitative data about time limited office visits, social and financial burdens relating to PA application in primary care.
- Angel Cramer - Poster 23
Italian (and) American Fascism: The Interwar Politics of Pittsburgh’s Italian American Prominenti, 1930-1941
- Noah Blayney, Aashrit Cunchala, Sam Rupik, Chris Sidarous, and Brendan White - Poster 24
Optimizing Base-Stealing Decisions for the Pittsburgh Pirates: A Data-Driven Approach
Base stealing is an important element of baseball strategy as it affects run production and overall team performance. With recent MLB rule changes that directly impact the running game, our project uses advanced analytics and machine learning to optimize steal attempts for the Pittsburgh Pirates. By analyzing key factors such as player speed, pitcher tendencies, catcher arm strength, and game situations, our goal is to develop a predictive model that will provide in-game recommendations. This tool will help coaches and players make data-driven decisions, maximizing steal success rates and overall efficiency on the basepaths.
- Kloee Connelly and Jake Zheng - Poster 25
Investigating the Effect of Zinc on the Intracellular pH of Sperm
Upon mating, mammalian sperm cannot fertilize an egg, even when they come into direct contact with one another. This is because the sperm need to first spend time in the female reproductive tract, where they undergo a series of biochemical and biophysical processes required for them to gain the capacity to fertilize; these processes are collectively referred to as capacitation and take place in the time between mating and fertilization. It is also known that sperm encounter high concentrations of extracellular zinc at both the beginning and the end of capacitation. At mating, sperm are combined with seminal fluid, which contains an unusually high concentration of zinc (around 1-3 mM, which is about 100 times greater than the amount of zinc found in other parts of the body). On top of that, the sperm also come into contact with roughly 300 μM when approaching fertilized eggs, which prevents polyspermy from occurring. However, exactly how zinc affects the physiology of the sperm has not been fully elucidated. Our project seeks to investigate how the presence of zinc might alter the intracellular pH of mammalian sperm in both capacitated and non-capacitated conditions.
- Bowen "Bobby" Ye - Poster 26
Pathway to Future School Bus Design: Insights from Children, Parents and School Bus Drivers
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation with the advent of technologies like electrification, connectivity, and automation. How could these innovations redefine school buses, enhancing their safety and reliability for children? Throughout the interviews with 13 children, 10 parents, and 8 school bus drivers, we provide an in-depth look at their evaluations of current school buses, their thoughts on incorporating emerging technologies, and their suggestions for addressing future needs and challenges. Our study uncovers the harmony and conflicts in the needs of various stakeholders and their compromises between different technical features. We propose a framework that blends human-centered and technology-centered approaches to pinpoint potential design directions. Future designs must equalize technical efficiency with the psychological needs of multi-stakeholders during different stages of technology adoption. This research aims to lay the groundwork for the gradual technological evolution of school buses in the era of smart transportation.
- Aditi Choudhary - Poster 27
Comparing a Microprocessor to the Brain: Exploring Knowledge, Intelligence, and Consciousness in an Age of Artificial Intelligence
Brains and microprocessors, while seemingly distinct, share a profound complexity that challenges our understanding of both. In "Could a Neuroscientist Understand a Microprocessor?" by Eric Jonas and Konrad Paul Kording, this complexity is explored through a comparative analysis, raising questions about knowledge, complexity, and the relationship between humans and machines. The authors challenge the common analogy of brains as nature's computers, highlighting the struggle neuroscientists face in comprehending systems like microprocessors, despite their similar composition of billions of interconnected components. Jonas and Kording argue that the limitations of current neuroscience frameworks hinder a deep understanding of brain function, suggesting that methodologies from computer science could enhance the field. Their critique extends to fundamental philosophical debates about consciousness and intelligence, questioning what the difficulties in understanding complex systems reveal about the nature of knowledge. This essay dissects these limitations and their impact on our understanding of brain processes, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach to intelligence that encompasses both biological and artificial systems. By embracing the parallels between brains and microprocessors, we can advance a more comprehensive understanding of both.
- Paul McPartland - Poster 28
Thermophoretic effects on the removal of neutron poisons in nuclear thermal rocket fuel rods
This study modeled the production and spread of neutron poisons, such as Xenon-135, throughout the fuel of a High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR). Neutron poisons are a danger to the effective use of NTRs for long term space flight, as they can reduce the reactivity of the reactor to a point where it is unable to start, until the poison decays or is removed. The study investigated the potential use of a thermophoretic force to remove the neutron poisons from the fuel. The computational approach determined that the thermophoretic force was not strong enough to make a worthwhile effect on the concentrations of the neutron poisons in the fuel, but was able to make an effective model for the buildup of poison throughout the fuel cell.
- Max Ehrlich - Poster 29
Analysis of the relationship between combat operations, bombing, and economic activity during the Cambodian Civil War
The Cambodia Civil War was a relatively unknown conflict that occurred during the United States’ participation in the Vietnam War. Between 1970 to 1975, a savage war took place between the pro-US government and communist insurgents. Historians and mappers have often overlooked generating visual media for this conflict due to the overshadowing of the neighboring war. To better understand the relationship between battles and their locations during this civil war, I will use datasets generated by the Department of Defense that include firefight reports, close air support data, and strategic bombing records in order to better understand the nuances of this conflict. I will analyze these data points relative to their region, nearby cities, and proximity to major roadways and rivers. Based on what I know, I expect tactical bombing (non-B-52 aircraft sorties) and firefights to be near the national highways and near the Mekong river, the two major transport links in the country at the time. Furthermore, I expect most of the B-52 strikes to be located in the eastern/northeastern areas in the country targeting the Viet Cong supply lines. Major roads and rivers also are closely linked to population distribution and economic activity, so it is expected to have an increase in battles in and around these areas as compared to more rural locations.
- Priya Vishnoi - Poster 30
Investigating the environmental impact of inhalers in the UPMC Hospital System
The study investigates the environmental footprint from inhalers within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hospital System and highlights the critical connection between respiratory health and climate change. Inhalers are one of the biggest contributors to the emission of greenhouse gas due to the use of metered-dose inhalers that apply hydrofluoroalkanes with a global warming potential of over 1,000 times that of carbon dioxide; thus, there is a dire need for sustainable interventions to take place in order to reduce this impact.Our analysis of prescription patterns over six years revealed that MDIs accounted for approximately 60% of inhaler prescriptions, emphasizing the need for healthcare systems to reconsider inhaler use in light of their environmental footprint.. Using data from UPMC's medication use database and procurement records, quantification of inhaler use and carbon emissions associated with inhalers were discovered-more shockingly trending more heavily towards reliance on MDIs. The study advocates for the adoption of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which produce 95% fewer carbon emissions, as a more environmentally friendly alternative.The aim of this research paper is to help raise awareness and motivate several changes in the medical world and work effectively for patient care with concern for the sustainability of the environment by healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients. Other potential future investigations include the calculation of the carbon footprint for inhaler medicines, enabling the highlighting of lower-emission alternatives and contributing to the development of more sustainable healthcare.
- Haddy Obeid - Poster 31
Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on Neurobehavioral Outcomes in Male and Female Mice
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in psychological health (PH) disorders. While males more frequently experience TBI1, the sex-specific prevalence of PH diagnosis post-injury is unknown.Thus, injury and sex-specific neurobehavioral outcome assessments are needed with experimental TBI models to characterize clinically relevant symptom profiles. A comprehensive neurobehavioral paradigm was used in both sexes to evaluate preclinical behavioral correlates of PH disorders after TBI. Adult male and female (n=48/sex) mice received either controlled cortical impact (CCI; 6.0±0.2 m/s, 2mm depth) or sham surgery. Assessed behaviors include activity, anxiety [open field (OF); 7-days post-injury (dpi)], [social interaction; (SI; 15dpi)], anhedonia [sucrose splash (SST (17dpi)] and fear learning/memory [fear conditioning/extinction; (21-23dpi)]. Data were scored by ANY-maze and analyzed using a two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Sex-specific CCI effects were not observed; however, CCI induced behavioral deficits. CCI mice were more active than shams with increased anxiety-like behaviors, such as decreased open zone time (OF). CCI disinhibited SI, meaning unfamiliar mouse interactions increased. Anhedonia was not impacted by CCI (grooming; SST). Decreased fear conditioning freezing time for CCI females suggests impaired fear learning/memory compared to CCI males and shams. Females had increased activity and more anxiety/depressive-like behaviors. There were neither sex differences in SI nor shams in fear learning/memory. These behavioral outcomes provide important context for addressing sex-specific effects of TBI. To employ a precision medicine approach and develop targeted TBI interventions for both men and women, further studies evaluating sex-specific neuropathology, immunology and neurorecovery are needed.
- Amaya Aranda - Poster 32
Physical Activity is Not Associated with Cognitive Outcomes in APOE ε4 Carriers
- Anya Benedict - Poster 33
Cardiac Dysfunction in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
- Elinor Case - Poster 34
The calcium ion channel: an essential element in the movement of your body
- Bindu Chunduri - Poster 35
Objectively Measured Sleep Duration is Not Associated with Visuospatial Abilities in a Sample of Older Adults
Lack of sleep impacts activity in the parietal lobe and connectivity with the visual cortex, which can affect visuospatial tasks. This study's objective is to determine whether sleep duration is associated with visuospatial functioning. Data were analyzed from the CHAMP Lab’s Fitbit study at the University of Pittsburgh’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) from February - October 2024. Participants (n = 67, 74.+7 years, 60% women) were eligible if they had a non-dementia diagnosis, were able to undergo a PET scan, and had completed an ADRC clinical visit in the past year. Participants wore a Fitbit Inspire 3 for one consecutive week, and the average sleep duration was calculated. Linear regressions were used to examine the associations between sleep duration and visuospatial functioning, adjusting for age, sex, race, and education. On average, the sleep duration of the sample is 406.04 ± 72.15 minutes. There was not a significant association between sleep duration and visuospatial outcomes, in both the Block Design test (β = 0.11, p = 0.32) and Benson Figure Copy test (β = 0.04, p = 0.78). However, the relationships trended in the right direction; as sleep duration increased, so did cognitive performance. In this sample, we found that an average sleep duration was not significantly associated with visuospatial skills. Some evidence suggests that the associations between sleep duration and cognition may be curvilinear (shorter or longer sleep relates to worse outcomes). Future research could include analyzing sleep disturbances to see how sleep continuity impacts visuospatial skills.
- Samuel Cohan - Poster 36
In-Cage Training: an Effective Measure for Visual Restoration?
Visual restoration is a growing field of research in neuro-ophthalmology, as novel research aims to find methods to partially or completely restore visual capacities in primates. However, it is critical to have the means to measure potential changes in visual capabilities over time. In conjunction with the Byrne Lab, the Mayo Lab has made substantial progress in finding ways to measure visual restoration. Through the use of a tablet and interactive tasks, we can better measure visual restoration in non-human primate subjects. In this poster, I will explain the motivation and implementation of these tasks, and how a liquid reward dispensing system was constructed to facilitate learning in macaque monkeys. By capitalizing on these advances, monkeys are able to perform these tasks and receive a juice reward for accurate completion in their home enclosure with minimal intervention by the experimenter. Tasks adapt to the success of the subjects, as the stimuli become more or less recognizable relative to the black background. To compile extensive data, we have constructed an online database that can remotely measure subject interaction and performance in each task. The ultimate goals of the in-cage training apparatus is to both provide learning and enrichment for non-human primate subjects and to provide evidence that visual restoration efforts done may improve the subjects’ visual capacities.
- Ariela Etingof - Poster 37
The effect of C-terminal phosphorylation on NR2A subunit-containing NMDA receptor channel kinetics
Synaptic plasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire neuronal circuitry, is essential for learning and memory. A key player in this process is the NMDA receptor channel protein, which allows neurons to encode and process information. Given that NMDA receptor dysfunction is linked to neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characterizing NMDA receptor-dependent mechanisms which underlie memory encoding is essential to understanding the pathophysiology of these disorders. This research investigates how phosphorylation of the C-terminus of the NR2A subunit in NMDA receptors influences their function and effect on synaptic plasticity. Prior studies suggest that reduced expression of a protein called Neurogranin, encoded by a schizophrenia risk gene, is associated with hypophosphorylation of NR2A. To investigate how hypophosphorylation of NR2A affects NMDA receptor channel properties, electrophysiological recordings were acquired from transgenic human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells in co-culture with mouse primary neurons. HEK cells were engineered to express NR2A mutants that mimic different states of phosphorylation of NR2A and post-synaptic proteins which facilitate the formation of artificial synapses between neurons and transgenic HEK cells. Preliminary whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings revealed that HEK cells expressing an NR2A mutant mimicking the hypophosphorylated state of NR2A exhibited faster channel kinetics compared to wild-type NR2A. This result indicates that phosphorylation of NR2A modulates NMDA receptor function by prolonging its response to synaptic input, suggesting that deficits in NMDA receptor signaling observed in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and ASD may be associated with dysfunction of pathways that phosphorylate NR2A.
- Peyton Fenza - Poster 38
Inhibition of NMDA Receptors by Intracellularly-Applied Drug
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are a type of excitatory ligand-gated ion channels found at most excitatory synapses in the brain. NMDAR hyperactivity been implicated in a wide range of neurological diseases. Hyperactivity can be alleviated by NMDAR channel blocking drugs, such as MK-801, which block the flow of ions by binding to the ion channel formed by the NMDAR. Understanding channel blockers and the mechanisms by which they inhibit NMDARs is crucial for their potential therapeutic uses. Channel blocking drugs were previously understood to function solely through “traditional block,” where the drug inhibits ion flow through NMDARs by directly binding to the pore from the extracellular solution. The Johnson laboratory has described another mechanism of inhibition for NMDAR channel blocking drugs in which they can travel from within the plasma membrane through a fenestration in the NMDAR into the pore. This is referred to as membrane to channel inhibition (MCI) and has been described with extracellularly applied channel blocking drugs. We hypothesize that intracellularly applied channel blocking drugs inhibit NMDARs via MCI. Intracellularly applied MK-801 (iMK-801) has been used extensively as an experimental method to inhibit NMDARs; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We used whole-cell electrophysiological recordings from tsA201 cells transfected to express NMDARs in conjunction with site-directed mutagenesis to investigate whether iMK-801 acts through MCI. Determining the mechanism of NMDAR inhibition by iMK-801 will help us better understand a widely used experimental method, and the mechanism of action of drugs important in the treatment of NMDAR-related pathologies.
- Srinidhi Gopalan - Poster 39
Gonadectomy effects on microglial morphology in the prelimbic and orbitofrontal cortex in males and females
- Macie Hakim - Poster 40
Changes in closed- and open-loop basal ganglia circuits with the primary motor cortex in the Parkinsonian nonhuman primate
- Maryam Ismail - Poster 41
Examining the Impact of Vicarious Racial Trauma and Violence on Adolescent Vigilance and Depression through TikTok
- Bella Patel - Poster 42
Covert and Overt Influences of Reward, Salience, and Attention on Primate Visual Behavior
Humans and non-human primates (NHPs) use a combination of overt saccades and covert attention to explore their visual environment. Control of both saccades and attention is influenced by reward value, physical salience, and spatial expectations but how these factors interact remains incompletely understood. Characterizing how these factors jointly shape behavior would reveal whether their integration follows a fixed hierarchy or shows context-dependent flexibility, constraining models of information flow between reward processing, attention, and oculomotor circuits. To test this, each day two monkeys (Macaca mulatta) performed both a “memory-guided saccade” task manipulating reward value and salience, and a cued orientation change detection task manipulating the locus of attention. We measured how saccade metrics were modulated by salience and reward, and how change detection was modulated by attention allocation. We found salience affected saccadic end-point error, while reward value affected reaction times. We also found that cued orientation changes were detected more reliably than uncued. To determine whether reward, salience, and spatial expectations might rely on a common neuronal substrate, we examined whether their behavioral effects correlated across sessions. Surprisingly, we found no consistent relationship between the behavioral effects of reward, salience, and spatial expectation (cueing). Although these factors likely influence common neural circuits within the primate brain, our findings suggest they can independently guide orienting behaviors. The behavioral independence of these factors raises important questions about their neural implementation, setting the stage for future studies to reveal how the primate brain maintains separate processing channels within shared attentional and oculomotor circuits.
- Rory Rayer - Poster 43
Booktok’s Impact on the Publishing Industry
The “BookTok” trend on social media has had an impact on marketing and sales in the publishing industry. Research suggests that the “Book Tok” trend’s growth is related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased it use of the app and in turn the hashtag #BookTok. By analyzing sales and publishing companies, this research highlights specific impacts this trend has had on book sales. The data has been gathered from various sources such as previous research findings and case studies, as well as sales data. Although there has been previous research findings on “Booktok” impact on book sales there has been a lack of research regarding its long term impact on sales. One major finding has been that Booktok has become a key factor in book discovery including the reemergence of blacklisted books such as The Song of Achilles by Madelne Miller. This study aims to address the gap in this research by focusing on this trend’s impact on sales and marketing.
- Alec Sciutto - Poster 44
Neurochemical monitoring of glutamate content in hippocampal CA1 region of FusOLcKO hypermyelinating mice
Oligodendrocytes play an important role in maintaining the integrity of neuronal circuits. Our lab has generated a hypermyelinating mouse by conditionally knocking out Fused in Sarcoma (Fus) in oligodendrocytes (FusOLcKO). Electrophysiological recordings from microelectrodes implanted through the visual cortex to the CA1 subregion of FusOLcKO mice show sustained neuronal activity in CA1 of the FusOLcKO vs. wild type (WT). While these data suggest a critical role of oligodendrocytes in maintaining neuronal signaling in the hippocampus, the excitatory tone of this firing remains unknown. To address this, custom made microelectrodes were acutely implanted through the visual cortex and the underlying hippocampus to measure glutamate content at three locations, putative dorsal (d)CA1, putative medial (m)CA1 and putative ventral (v)CA1. Glutamate concentration in (d)CA1 was higher in the FusOLcKO vs. WT mice. The increased glutamate content is consistent with the enhanced neural activity in CA1. Interestingly, the glutamate concentration decreased from dorsal to ventral CA1 in both genotypes, suggesting a spatially regulated glutamate production. We hypothesize that this increase in detected glutamate is due to an increase in synaptic density in the CA1 of FusOLcKO mice. Ongoing experiments will assess the neuroanatomical basis for the observed gradient of glutamate by using an antibody to IgG to mark the probe tract in brain sections. This information will be used to assess the cellular environment of the recording sites by staining for glial activity markers GFAP and Iba1. Lastly, this study will quantify excitatory synaptic density in recorded regions using antibodies to excitatory presynaptic (vGLUT1) and postsynaptic (PSD95) proteins. These data will better characterize the interaction between myelin integrity and excitatory neurotransmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which is important in diseases where hippocampal synapse degradation is a prevalent pathology.
- Riya Sharma - Poster 45
Bleeding Risk and Transfusion Approach to Manage Postpartum Hemorrhage Assessed in a Microfluidic Device
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), affects 14 million women annually and is associated with anemia. This study aims to evaluate hemorrhage risk in vitro utilizing an anemia model and therapeutic interventions, such as cell salvage with autologous red blood cells, that may help guide resuscitation strategies. Citrated blood was collected from healthy females. To mimic anemia, 50% hematocrit (HCT) was induced via centrifugation to remove RBCs and supplemented with autologous plasma. Manipulation (100% HCT) controls were also assessed. Complete blood counts (CBC) and thromboelastography (TEG) were conducted. Blood loss and occlusion time (OT) were evaluated in a microfluidic device with constant pressure at initial arterial wall shear rate of 5000 s -1 . Simulated transfusion with cell salvage and lactated ringer’s (LR) in the anemia model were evaluated (1:5 RBC or LR:anemia v/v). CBC results showed significant differences between the 100% and 50% HCT samples (p<0.0001) in RBC count, hemoglobin, and HCT. No clinically meaningful differences were detected by TEG. Microfluidic experiments demonstrated increased blood loss and significantly increased OT (p = 0.0093) with 50% HCT versus 100% HCT. In vitro simulation of cell salvage and LR treatment both increased blood loss in the anemia model compared to controls. Reduced HCT anemia model recapitulated increased bleeding in a microfluidic device that may be observed postpartum, whereas TEG did not detect consistent differences. Future studies will evaluate additional intervention strategies and patient samples in microfluidics, which may accurately predict bleeding outcomes and inform on improved resuscitation strategies.
- Manogna Tatapudi - Poster 46
TRPV1-positive primary afferents mediate pelvic tactile allodynia in endometriosis- and uterine VEGF-associated mouse models of chronic pelvic pain
Endometriosis (EM) impacts roughly 10% of reproductive-age women globally. EM lesions are infiltrated with mast cells (MCs) and are densely innervated. We used a non-invasive mouse model of EM to test the hypothesis that MCs and primary afferent neurons contribute to EM-associated pelvic pain. C57BL/6J donor mice (6 weeks old) received a subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (10µg), and 4 days later, each uterine horn was excised and placed in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and minced. Recipient mice received an intraperitoneal injection of either HBSS (500µl; “Shams”) or HBSS+ donor mice minced uterine horn (500µl; “EM mice”). Our results revealed that VEGF-expressing MCs are adjacent to CGRP+ afferents in the uterine tissue of EM mice but not Sham controls. Next, we suprapubically applied von Frey filaments to assess mechanical hypersensitivity after ablation of TRPV1-expressing sensory neurons with intrathecal (i.t.) capsaicin (CAP; 1µg) or resiniferatoxin (RTX; 25ng). In Shams, neither vehicle, CAP, nor RTX changed mechanical thresholds. In EM mice, CAP or RTX but not saline reversed hypersensitivity (p<0.05). Follow-up studies demonstrated that intrauterine VEGF dose-dependently induced pelvic tactile allodynia in non-EM mice; thus, we investigated the effect of afferent ablation in this model. RTX but not vehicle reversed VEGF-induced hypersensitivity (p<0.05). In summary, our data demonstrate that 1) VEGF-expressing MCs are adjacent to peptidergic afferents in EM, and 2) TRPV1-expressing primary afferent neurons contribute to EM-associated and VEGF-induced pelvic tactile allodynia.
- Bethany Yang - Poster 47
Celastrol as a Neuroprotective Agent: Attenuating Neuroinflammation Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders, and Celastrol has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in human and rodent models. While its effects on ischemic brain injury are known, its impact on traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced neuroinflammation remains unexplored. This study hypothesized that Celastrol would attenuate neuroinflammatory markers post-TBI. Rodents (n = 31) were randomly assigned to Injury+Drug (ID), Injury+Vehicle (IV), Sham+Drug (SD), or Sham+Vehicle (SV) groups. Cognitive outcomes were assessed via the Morris Water Maze (MWM), and neuroinflammation was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. One-way ANOVA on MWM data showed a significant group effect (F = 380, p < 0.001). Injured groups performed worse than the sham+vehicle group, but no significant difference was found between ID and IV (p = 0.978), suggesting Celastrol did not improve spatial memory. Immunohistochemical analysis of GFAP and IBA1 staining showed significant group differences (p < 0.001). Post hoc tests revealed differences between injury and sham groups (p < 0.05), but no significance between ID and IV, except in the ipsilateral cortex stained for IBA1 (p = 0.01). The lack of significance elsewhere may be due to the small sample size or methodological limitations. These findings suggest Celastrol may reduce neuroinflammatory marker expression post-TBI, particularly in the cortex. Further studies are needed to validate its therapeutic potential.
- Thomas Bender - Poster 48
In-cage training system for behavioral neuroscience in non-human primates
Behavioral neuroscience relies on the assumption that subjects perform and behave naturally during experiments. However, experimental conditions often induce stress through restricted freedom, social isolation, or removal from familiar environments, potentially impairing performance. To address these challenges, we are developing a portable cage-mounting training system for Non-Human Primates (NHPs). This system enables behavioral data collection and performance-dependent reward delivery for visual tasks within the animals’ cages, facilitates training for younger NHPs not eligible for traditional studies, and allows remote monitoring to reduce the need for constant experimenter presence. By supporting tasks requiring visual detection or discrimination and engagement of cognitive functions including attention and working memory, the system offers flexibility and reduced stressors in training. While it lacks features present in traditional training setups, such as ability for neurophysiological recording and eye tracking, it shows great promise as a supplemental or alternative training method. This presentation will demonstrate the system's design and functionality, discuss initial design and implementation challenges, and highlight its potential to transform NHP behavioral research methodologies.
- Zena Jalloh - Poster 49
Testing putative downstream targets of ALK1 in zebrafish
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder characterized by the development of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). HHT is caused by mutations in genes that encode proteins in the activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) signaling pathway. ALK1 activity alters transcription, but the group of genes regulated is unknown. Based on preliminary RNA-seq data from human HHT iPSC-ECs, we tested putative target genes to determine whether they are regulated by ALK1 in vivo. To this end, I performed in situ hybridization on wildtype and alk1 mutant zebrafish embryos at 36- and 48-hours post-fertilization (pre- and post-AVM development). Cldn5b was upregulated in alk1 zebrafish mutants, which aligned with our preliminary iPSC-EC data. Seven genes exhibited strong neural expression patterns, while three were not expressed during our time point of interest. This calls into question the relevance of using iPSC-ECs as a predictor of gene expression in vivo.
- Zac Lindquist - Poster 50
Androgen Receptors Contribute to Sex Differences in the Contribution of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase to Chronic Postsurgical Pain
Pain is reported more frequently in women than men, and the past decade has witnessed an explosion of research on the relationship between sex and pain. We previously reported, in a model of latent sensitization (LS), that males but not females recruit spinal protein kinase A (PKA) to maintain chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) (Basu et al., 2021). To investigate downstream intracellular signaling pathways beyond PKA, we performed plantar incision in C57BL/6 mice, waited 3-weeks for hypersensitivity to resolve, and then conducted behavioral pharmacology experiments. We report that pharmacological blockade of Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) prevented KOR antagonist LY2456302 (10 µg, i.t.)-induced hypersensitivity in males; however, females only recruited Rap1. We hypothesized that androgen receptors (ARs) contribute to the sex differences that we observed in the contribution of ERK to LS. To test this, we administered the AR agonist testosterone enanthate (TE, 10 µg, intrathecal, i.t.) in female mice. We found that preadministration of the ERK inhibitor SCH772984 (10 µg / 5µL, i.t.) prevented LY2456302-induced reinstatement of mechanical hypersensitivity. Next, we administered the AR antagonist, flutamide (50 mg/kg, subcutaneous) in male mice and found that flutamide blocked the ability of SCH to prevent LY2456302-induced reinstatement. We conclude that endogenous testosterone facilitates the ERK signaling component of CPSP and can be mimicked in females with exogenous testosterone. These data promote ARs as a target for the development of novel analgesics for CPSP, particularly in men.
- Cameran Thompson - Poster 51
Sex Differences in Fixational Eye Movements Following Concussion
Concussion affects millions of individuals across the U.S. annually but challenges with identification mean that approximately one third of concussions are undiagnosed. Fixational eye movements (FEMs), small motions of the eye that occur during periods of stable when gaze is maintained on a fixed target, might provide an objective alternative to current symptom-based approaches. Preliminary work has shown that fixational saccades are larger following a concussion but the generalizability of these findings across the sexes has not been systemically investigated. Further, there has been little investigation on the effects of concussion on fixational saccade direction. In this study, data from our previous study was utilized to analyze FEMs while adolescents with concussion and age- and sex-matched healthy controls fixated the center or corner of the TSLO imaging raster. An objective velocity-based algorithm was used to detect fixational saccades. Concussion patients made larger fixational saccades than controls but only on the center task. Interestingly, females made significantly larger fixational saccades than males on this task irrespective of injury group, whereas no significant difference was found on the corner task. Furthermore, females made significantly fewer horizontal and significantly more oblique fixational saccades than males on the corner task, highlighting the importance of controlling for task- and sex-specific differences when assessing the utility of FEMs as a biomarker for diagnosing concussion. By using a more objective measure of concussions, physicians will have the ability to more accurately predict recovery time and ensure a safe return to sports.
- Brandi Ramcoobeer- Poster 52
Nanoscale Organization of Transmitter Release Sites at the Mammalian NMJ
Synaptic transmission facilitates neuron communication regulated by the protein complexes and mechanisms underlying active zones (AZs) which are conserved and work to dock synaptic vesicles, recruit voltage-gated channels (VGCCs), and tether these vesicles and channels at the mouse neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Calcium plays an essential role in this process, as when VGCCs open, Ca2+ binds to AZ proteins permitting vesicle docking and subsequent neurotransmitter release. AZs, and VGCCs, permit information transfer essential for memory, movement, and sensory perception. The AZ can be used to determine the health of synapses whose function can be interrupted due to neuromuscular diseases, so an avenue to understanding neuromuscular disease pathology is to investigate VGCCs properties, including the number of VGCCs per active zone. There are rough estimates of how many VGCCs are present at the active zone, however, the exact number is not known. To investigate the number of VGCCs, we utilized DNA PAINT super-resolution microscopy, finding that there are a small number (~1-6 VGCCs) at each AZ. Additional presynaptic calcium imaging, intracellular recordings and computer modeling suggests that calcium ions from a single VGCC is able to trigger a synaptic vesicle fusion event at the mouse NMJ. Investigating how many VGCCs are present will contribute to a better understanding of the AZ and how VGCCs play a significant role in the spatiotemporal calcium ion dynamics, controlling the probability of vesicle fusion and plasticity of neurotransmitter release.
- Naiya Patel - Poster 53
Race and a History of Preeclampsia Influence Circulating Neuroinflammatory Biomarker Levels in Women
- Hannah Alex - Poster 54
The Association of GDF15 and Treatment-Induced Nausea in Women with Breast Cancer
- Hope Karnes - Poster 55
Genomic Predictors of Pain in Women following Surgery for Breast Cancer
- Corin Winikoff - Poster 56
An introduction to some special numbers in combinatorics
- Megan Hammer - Poster 57
Investigating Depression as a Mechanism for Loss of Control Eating
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) and Loss of Control (LOC) eating are typically associated with a response to negative emotions and have been known to predict unfavorable psychological outcomes, especially when symptoms are persistent over time. Researchers conducted a mixed methods study using data from an existing database belonging to the Behavioral Investigations of Children’s and Teens’ Eating Laboratory. Several regressions were run to establish relationships between various depressive symptoms, LOC eating, and gender differences. Ultimately, a statistically significant difference was found in depressive symptoms of children experiencing LOC such that increased depressive symptoms reported correlated to LOC. Further, inflated anhedonia scores were statistically significant in children experiencing LOC. There was no indication that severity of depressive symptoms defined by a researcher-determined categorization system played a role in LOC eating, or that gender was associated with LOC. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 19-21 to inform the quantitative analyses in participants more emotionally cognizant of their eating habits. Interviews revealed themes relating to: Social environment and contagiousness, responses to emotions, productivity, body image, avoidance of tasks, and access to food. Integrated findings complemented current literature, but did not align with previously established gender differences. Further research should aim to explain this outcome. Continued research should expand upon emotional regulation methods and their pertinence to LOC eating, and consequently, BED. Deconstructing the mechanisms that underlie LOC eating in children will allow for the development of proactive therapeutic techniques, and result in increased favorable psychological outcomes for symptomatic children.
- Noah Pearce - Poster 58
Anxiety and Depression as Predictors of General Life Functioning in Adolescents with ADHD
- Emily Wang - Poster 59
Situation Priming
The N400 is a marker of semantic processing, and is sensitive to semantic retrieval, although whether it is sensitive to integration effects has been the subject of debate. Semantic retrieval is the process of activating the semantic information related to a word, while semantic integration is the process of incorporating that semantic information into the context of the preceding text. This study aimed to test whether the N400 indexes semantic integration by having participants read two-sentence stories where the effortful processing came from a disruption of the situation model and not a difference in semantic priming strength. In these stories, the first sentence contained a priming word, and the second sentence contained a target word that was either semantically consistent or semantically inconsistent within the situation described. The N400 was larger for the disrupted stories, supporting the idea that the N400 is sensitive to semantic integration.
- Ilana Kersh - Poster 60
An investigation of comorbidities: An analysis of symptoms, quality of life, and poor health outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis and hypertension
Using a previously existing dataset, this study examined 182 individuals with knee Osteoarthritis (OA) and hypertension to better understand the effects of symptoms and additional comorbidities on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A literature review, a correlational descriptive design, the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (with both Physical and Mental domains), a comorbidity questionnaire, a demographic questionnaire, and statistical analyses, were used to examine the HRQoL, specific comorbidity patterns, symptomology, and demographic implications among individuals with OA and comorbid illnesses. Comorbidities of bone fractures (n=61), depression (n=58), and anxiety (n=48), and symptoms of joint pain (n=164), back pain (n=98), and fatigue (n=91) were most prevalent. Bone fractures (p=0.009) and anxiety (p=0.031) significantly impacted PCS; anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p<0.001) significantly affected MCS. Joint pain (p=0.011), back pain (p=0.041), and fatigue (p<0.001) significantly impacted PCS; back pain (p=0.022) and fatigue (p<0.001) significantly affected MCS. Scheffe post hoc tests revealed that both anxiety and depression combined had significantly lower MCS (p<0.001), while those with sleep issues and fatigue combined had significantly lower PCS (p<0.001). Increasing number of comorbidities significantly decreased PCS (p<0.001) and MCS (p=0.001). ANOVA tests highlighted that Non-whites reported lower MCS compared to Whites (p=0.040) Women vs men (p=0.036) and those with income < $50,000 vs. income ≥ $50,000 (p=0.002) had lower PCS. This study highlights the effect of comorbidities on HRQoL, emphasizing the need to address both physical and mental health, while also considering social determinants of health.
- Lisa Shibata - Poster 61
Influence of Endothelial Cells on Skeletal Muscle Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Co-Culture Systems
Endothelial cells play a crucial role in supporting skeletal muscle function through paracrine signaling and vascularization. While studies suggest endothelial cells enhance muscle cell survival and differentiation, their direct effects on muscle morphology remain unclear. This study investigates how endothelial cells influence skeletal muscle cells in a co-culture system. Microscopy, live cell imaging, and differentiation assays assess changes in muscle cell proliferation and maturation (differentiation). To date, we have found that co-culture of muscle and endothelial cells, or culture with conditioned media from endothelial cells supports or enhances muscle cell proliferation. Ongoing studies are examining if co-culture conditions will promote enhanced muscle differentiation and organization compared to monocultures. We expect this to provide insights into cellular interactions relevant to muscle regeneration and tissue engineering applications.
- Abigail Reilly - Poster 62
Effects of Vitamin B6 on Muscle Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
The body’s ability to regenerate muscle is vital to achieving and maintaining numerous biological functions. In order for the body to reproduce muscle cells for growth and strength, the growth environment must provide appropriate conditions, such as an ideal temperature and adequate nutrients. This study aimed to observe the effects of the nutritional environment, specifically the impact of vitamin B6 on muscle stem cell growth rates and their ability to differentiate. In early phase in vitro experiments, cultured muscle stem cells have been treated with a solution of vitamin B6 and left to grow, then compared with cell growth rates and differentiation of samples not treated with B6. So far, results have shown promises of significant differences in differentiation and growth rate between treatment and control groups. Greater knowledge of the effect of vitamin B6 on the regeneration of muscle cells could have vast impacts on future treatments for muscular disorders and could provide a more thorough understanding of how nutritional environment affects cell growth.
- Inessa Kiefer - Poster 63
The Impact of Social Media: Improving Library Program Attendance