Hands-on, Eyes-off Learning

Engagement. We are evolving the Anatomy and Physiology Labs into a more hands-on, interactive and engaging learning environment. Students use models, and their own bodies, to learn the location of physical anatomy structures like major muscles and bony landmarks. The poster will be a flat board-game design with four interactive steps to complete. Examples might be feeling a quarter and saying if it is on heads or tails. This builds palpation skills in learners and is a fun experience!https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/btp_expo/1120/thumbnail.jp

A Cyber-Physical System

The team was tasked with the creation of an autonomous cyber-physical system that could be continually developed as a post-capstone class by future STEM students and as a means to teach future engineering students. The strict definition of a cyber-physical system is a computation machine that networks with an embedded computer that performs a physical function. The autonomous aspect was achieved through two sonic sensors to monitor object distances in order to avoid walls and obstacles. The integrated system was based on the Intel Edison computation module. A primary goal for future addition is automation capabilities and machine learning applications

Consumption Smoothing and Labor Supply Allocation Decisions: Evidence from Tanzania

This paper tests the hypothesis that agricultural households engage in intermittent wage labor as a way to smooth consumption in the face of idiosyncratic shocks to agricultural income. Using data on agricultural households from the Tanzanian LSMS-ISA National Panel Survey and global commodity price data as a source of plausibly exogenous variation, the sensitivity of wage labor to farm income shocks is estimated. The idiosyncratic shock to post-harvest income is estimated by incorporating pre-harvest information, including local farm-gate prices as instrumented by global commodity prices. The results show that households are more likely to select into wage labor and work more hours in response to negative income shocks. Positive income shocks are shown to have a weakly negative effect on selection into wage work and hours worked. This response may help to explain the lack of an observed relationship between consumption and income shocks if wage labor can be thought of as an informal insurance mechanism which allows households to effectively smooth their consumption

Impaired thermoregulatory function during dynamic exercise in multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION: Impairments in sudomotor function during passive whole-body heating have been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the CNS that disrupts autonomic function. However, the capability of the thermoregulatory system to control body temperature during exercise has never been assessed in MS. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that thermoregulatory function is impaired in MS patients compared to healthy controls (CON) exercising at similar rates of metabolic heat production. METHODS: Sweating and skin blood flow responses were compared between 12 individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (9 females, 3 males) and 12 sex-, age-, mass- and BSA-matched healthy controls during a single bout of cycling exercise (rate of metabolic heat production: ~4.5 W/kg) for 60 min in a climate-controlled room (25 °C, 30% RH). RESULTS: Individuals with MS exhibited an attenuated increase in cumulative whole-body sweat loss after 30 min (MS: 72 ± 51; CON: 104 ± 37 g, p=0.04) and 60 min (MS: 209 ± 94; CON: 285 ± 62 g, p=0.02), as well as lower sweating thermosensitivity (MS: 0.49 ± 0.26; CON: 0.86 ± 0.30 mg/cm2/min/°C, p=0.049). Despite evidence for thermoregulatory dysfunction, there were no differences between MS and CON in esophageal or rectal temperatures at 30 or 60 min time points (p>0.05). Cutaneous vasculature responses were also not different in MS compared to CON (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, MS blunts sweating responses during exercise while cutaneous vasculature responses are preserved. Altered mechanisms of body temperature regulation in persons with MS may lead to temporary worsening of disease symptoms and limit exercise tolerance under more thermally challenging conditions.Accepted manuscrip

Mechanisms of pattern formation during T cell adhesion

T cells form intriguing patterns during adhesion to antigen-presenting cells. The patterns at the cell-cell contact zone are composed of two types of domains, which either contain short TCR/MHCp receptor-ligand complexes or the longer LFA-1/ICAM-1 complexes. The final pattern consists of a central TCR/MHCp domain surrounded by a ring-shaped LFA-1/ICAM-1 domain, while the characteristic pattern formed at intermediate times is inverted with TCR/MHCp complexes at the periphery of the contact zone and LFA-1/ICAM-1 complexes in the center. In this article, we present a statistical-mechanical model of cell adhesion and propose a novel mechanism for the T cell pattern formation. Our mechanism for the formation of the intermediate inverted pattern is based (i) on the initial nucleation of numerous TCR/MHCp microdomains, and (ii) on the diffusion of free receptors and ligands into the contact zone. Due to this inward diffusion, TCR/MHCp microdomains at the rim of the contact zone grow faster and form an intermediate peripheral ring for sufficiently large TCR/MHCp concentrations. In agreement with experiments, we find that the formation of the final pattern with a central TCR/MHCp domain requires active cytoskeletal transport processes. Without active transport, the intermediate inverted pattern seems to be metastable in our model, which might explain patterns observed during natural killer (NK) cell adhesion. At smaller TCR/MHCp complex concentrations, we observe a different regime of pattern formation with intermediate multifocal TCR/MHCp patterns which resemble experimental patterns found during thymozyte adhesion.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Modeling perfusion at small scale using ambr15TM

Reaching cell densities higher than 80 million with the minimum possible perfusion rates is a goal for an increasing proportion of processes developed by biopharmaceutical companies. With the goal of fulfilling the industry needs for better commercial and customized perfusion media, SAFC evaluated different small-scale perfusion models to achieve an efficient work flow that can accommodate perfusion systems. SAFC successfully uses an optimized work flow for the development of media and feeds for fed-batch cell culture that integrates high-throughput screening, statistical tools and bench-top bioreactor scale studies. In this model, 96-deep well plates are used for the initial high throughput screening, followed by further development in spin tubes or shake flasks. At this time, there is no commercially available cell separation device that can be used for scales of 30mL or lower. The application of the 96-deep well plate or spin tubes model for perfusion showed to have severe limitations, specifically when trying to optimize processes to extremely low cell specific perfusion rates (CSPR). In order to develop media that can sustain the desired high densities and productivity at the desired low CSPRs, we needed a representative model that provided enough throughput to apply our statistical analysis. With this goal, we evaluated an alternative small scale model using the automation and process control offered by the ambr15TM. In this work, we show how ambr15TM fits in the work flow for perfusion media development and its comparability to bioreactor perfusion at high cell densities using ATF

T cell receptor antagonism interferes with MHC clustering and integrin patterning during immunological synapse formation

T cell activation by nonself peptide–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigenic complexes can be blocked by particular sequence variants in a process termed T cell receptor antagonism. The inhibition mechanism is not understood, although such variants are encountered in viral infections and may aid immune evasion. Here, we study the effect of antagonist peptides on immunological synapse formation by T cells. This cellular communication process features early integrin engagement and T cell motility arrest, referred to as the “stop signal.” We find that synapses formed on membranes presenting antagonist–agonist complexes display reduced MHC density, which leads to reduced T cell proliferation that is not overcome by the costimulatory ligands CD48 and B7-1. Most T cells fail to arrest and crawl slowly with a dense ICAM-1 crescent at the leading edge. Similar aberrant patterns of LFA-1/ICAM-1 engagement in live T–B couples correlate with reduced calcium flux and IL-2 secretion. Hence, antagonist peptides selectively disable MHC clustering and the stop signal, whereas LFA-1 valency up-regulation occurs normally

Outside, Looking In: A Dissertation on Mindful Walking and How Green Exercise Affects State Mindfulness and Connectedness to Nature

INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness, green exercise, and connectedness to nature are increasingly popular topics among academics and the public. These three topics overlap in the underexplored area called mindful green exercise. Mindful green exercise is a blend of mindful exercise and green exercise. Mindful exercise is physical exercise during which people pay attention on purpose without judgment to each new present moment. The person applies an accepting awareness to internal phenomena (thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations) and external phenomena (objects and events in the environment). Green exercise is exercise performed outdoors in natural environments. Despite its name, green exercise does not only occur in green natural environments. Studies have investigated the effects of mindful exercise and green exercise only modestly and without investigating possible interactions between the two types of exercise. Early evidence suggests that each type may independently improve mental and cardiovascular health in various populations. However, not all the evidence points to this conclusion, and the relationships among mindfulness, green exercise, and connectedness to nature are obscure. Additionally, practical barriers limit the broader appeal of mindful exercise and green exercise in the United States. The greatest barriers to participation are preconceived notions, unfamiliarity with mindful exercises, and many green exercises being vigorous. Considering the obscurity and barriers, the author conducted the present dissertation to achieve one overall purpose and three specific aims. The overall purpose was to expand what is known about mindful exercise and green exercise and how to measure state mindfulness and connectedness to nature. The first specific aim was to determine the effects of meditative and mindful walking on mental and cardiovascular health (Study 1). Studying meditative and mindful walking is essential because they have been researched less than the more popular qigong, tai chi, and yoga. Moreover, walking is a familiar and low-intensity exercise. Consequently, meditative and mindful walking are probably more accessible and appealing than qigong, tai chi, and yoga in the United States. The second and third specific aims were to determine the effects of sitting and walking in green space on state mindfulness (Study 2) and connectedness to nature (Study 3), respectively. Another part of Studies 2 and 3 was testing the concurrent validity and 24-hour test-retest reliability of novel measures of state mindfulness and connectedness to nature. For mindfulness, the Visual Analog Scale-Mindfulness (VAS-M) and State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA) were tested against the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) as the criterion (Study 2). For connectedness to nature, the Visual Analog Scale-Nature (VAS-N) was tested against the Love and Care for Nature Scale (LCN) as the criterion (Study 3). The last part of Study 3 was determining whether state mindfulness and connectedness to nature are associated with each other during green exercise (Study 3). METHODS: The first specific aim was achieved in Study 1 by conducting a systematic review without a meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The second and third specific aims in Studies 2 and 3, respectively, were achieved by conducting randomized crossover studies. The studies had convenience samples comprised of faculty, students, and community members of two universities in the Western United States. RESULTS: The systematic review revealed that meditative and mindful walking significantly improve mental and cardiovascular health outcomes. However, it is unclear whether the improvements are clinically meaningful. The evidence comes from a small group of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a high risk of bias and from studies that were uncontrolled and non-randomized. The studies had a high degree of heterogeneity among their populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, settings, and study designs. This heterogeneity precluded a meta-analysis and relegated the studies to a narrative synthesis. The present dissertation’s studies showed that acute sitting and walking in green space significantly increased state mindfulness and connectedness to nature. The dissertation offers initial evidence that support the concurrent validity of the VAS-M with the SMS. The VAS-M and SMS scores increased similarly, but the correlations had wide 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The dissertation also offers evidence that support the concurrent validity of the SMS-PA with the SMS after green exercise. The VAS-M and SMS-PA scores correlated significantly, strongly, and positively. There was no evidence to support the test-retest reliability of the SMS before or after sitting or walking. There was evidence to support the test- retest reliability of the VAS-M and SMS-PA after walking. For connectedness to nature, there was evidence to support the concurrent validity of the VAS-N with the LCN before and after sitting and walking. No evidence was found to support the test-retest reliability of the LCN and VAS-N before or after sitting or walking. State mindfulness and connectedness to nature correlated significantly, moderately, and positively after sitting and walking. CONCLUSIONS: Meditative and mindful walking are promising types of mindful exercises because they improve mental and cardiovascular health outcomes, sometimes better than active control treatments (i.e., non-mindful, traditional walking). Meditative and mindful walking interventions in the literature vary starkly, and clear descriptions of the interventions are sparse. Well-defined interventions are needed so that robust RCTs can investigate them further to corroborate or contradict the original findings. After generating a critical mass of RCTs, researchers should conduct meta-analyses on specific interventions in specific populations. Such meta-analyses will determine if the population-specific interventions improve outcomes statistically and clinically better than control conditions. At a minimum, a handful of robust meta-analyses are required before recommending specific meditative and mindful walking interventions in physical activity guidelines. New RCTs and meta-analyses should also investigate the effects of green exercise on state mindfulness, connectedness to nature, and health. The present dissertation showed that 10 minutes of sitting and 10 minutes of non-mindful, traditional walking in green space increased state mindfulness and connectedness to nature acutely. It is unclear how long the increases lasted or whether they affected the participants’ mental or cardiovascular health. Other studies have shown that mindfulness practices and green exercise independently improve mental and cardiovascular health. Advisable next steps in the research are 1) clarifying the relationship between state mindfulness and connectedness to nature, and 2) determining the effects of acute sitting and walking in green space on mental and cardiovascular health outcomes. When conducting studies on these topics, researchers should deliberate on how to measure state mindfulness and connectedness to nature. In the context of the present dissertation, the SMS and LCN (the criterion measures) did not appear to be test-retest reliable across approximately 24 hours. There was evidence to support the concurrent validity of the VAS-M and SMS-PA with the SMS. There was also evidence to support the test-retest reliability of both the VAS-M and SMS-PA after walking. While the evidence supported the concurrent validity of the VAS-N with the LCN, neither scale appeared to be test-retest reliable across approximately 24 hours. Researchers should investigate the criterion and novel measures further before trusting them to be valid and reliable

Fatigue behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer dowels

An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the fatigue performance of two different glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowel systems. The diameter and spacing of the first GFRP dowel system was based on the current design standard for steel dowels and consisted of 1.5-inch diameter GFRP dowels spaced at 12 inches on center. The second GFRP dowel system, which consisted of 1.5-inch diameter GFRP dowels spaced at 6 inches on center, was determined to be equivalent in load transfer capacity to that of the steel dowel system currently recommended for 12-inch thick concrete highway pavements. Each dowel system was installed in a full-scale laboratory pavement slab and subject to fatigue loading. Each pavement slab constructed and tested was 6 feet wide by 12 feet long by 12 inches thick and contained an 1/8-inch transverse joint at midlength. Fatigue loading consisted of 5 million cycles of a 9,000-pound wheel load. A simulated subgrade consisting of six simply supported steel beams was used to support the slabs during testing. Based on the results of this research along with the results from the research of others, a preliminary design guideline for the incorporation of GFRP dowels within contraction joints of concrete highway pavements was developed

Comparison of Portable Metabolic Devices during Walking, Jogging, and Running

Oxygen uptake measurements enable performance professionals, clinicians, and scientists to quantify energy expenditure and aerobic work capacity for various purposes. Devices that accurately detect the composition of expired gases and changes in oxygen uptake, open new possibilities in research methodology and accessibility. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the O2 uptake measurements of the VO2 Master Pro (VM) to the Cosmed K5 (K5) during walking, jogging, and running in field and lab conditions. METHODS: Twelve proficient runners, with a current 10k pace \u3c 5:19 min/km, performed 3 matched intervals at 3 different speeds (4.82, 8.05, 11.27 kph) on a treadmill and on an outdoor track while expired gasses were measured. Each interval was 10 minutes and data from minutes 6-9 were averaged for comparisons. An airflow test was performed on both devices by forcing air through the devices using a 3 L syringe timed to a metronome at 15, 25, and 35 strokes/min. RESULTS: During walking intervals, the VM did not report data for the majority of participants, and therefore were excluded from analysis. Jogging and running measurements were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison test to analyze pairwise comparisons. The indoor running analysis revealed significant differences in VO2 (3017 vs. 1880 ml/min), VE (71 vs 57 ml/min), and TV (1.89 vs 1.56 L) between the K5 and VM respectively (p \u3c .023). Outdoor analysis revealed a significant difference between devices in VO2, VE­, and TV (p \u3c .035). The airflow test also demonstrated significant differences between the devices in VE and TV (p \u3c .001). Neither the jogging nor running analysis showed a significant difference in FeO2 or HR (p \u3e .16). CONCLUSION: We concluded that there were significant discrepancies between the K5 and the VM due to differences in TV measurement