Measuring Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization with POLARBEAR

POLARBEAR is a dedicated cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiment located in the Atacama desert in Chile. The CMB is electromagnetic radiation that originated from the early universe. Studying this remnant of the Big Bang allows us to learn about the early universe and how it expanded to what we see today. Observing the CMB polarization shows certain patterns on the sky, called E-modes and B-modes. E-modes arise naturally from Thomson scattering in a heterogeneous plasma. When the universe was young, it was composed of a hot plasma of baryons and electrons. Photons interacted with this plasma through Thomson scattering, in which electromagnetic radiation undergoes an elastic scattering with a charged free particle. As the universe expanded this plasma cooled, allowing electrons and protons to combine to form hydrogen. The photons were then free to traverse the universe, making up the CMB. B-modes, however, can only be created from gravitational lensing or gravitational waves arising from cosmic inflation. The POLARBEAR project was designed to search for this weak B-mode signal from cosmic inflation. Measuring this signal would provide direct evidence of inflation and a better understanding of the mechanism and energy scale of inflation. Upgrades are currently ongoing to increase sensitivity and frequency coverage. These upgrades will result in three telescopes, forming the POLARBEAR-2/Simons Array. The Simons Array will cover 95 GHz, 150 GHz, and 220 GHz frequency bands, allowing greater control of foregrounds

Kayla Mitchell, Senior Art Exhibition Portfolio

This is a portfolio of work shown in the Bush Art Center Galleries at St. Norbert College from April 8th through May 3rd, 2019. This work includes a series of four illustrations.https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/artportfolios/1031/thumbnail.jp

WALKING WITH AND WITHOUT HIGH HEELS ON A DECLINED SURFACE

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate body segment ROMs while walking with and without high heels on flat and declined surfaces. Eight healthy, active, female college students (BH: 1.67 ± .08 m, BW: 57.8 ± 7.03 kg) were recruited in the study. The participants randomly performed three trials of walking on level ground and a declined surface in both high heels and tennis shoes using 2D motion analysis. Results indicated that the ROMs were significantly decreased on a declined slope, regardless of the type of shoes. Considering shoe types, the body segments’ ROMs were reduced during the high heels conditions except for the trunk segment for both surfaces. This enhanced control of locomotion during decline and/or high-heeled walking

Promoting Education Abroad

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1055/thumbnail.jp

Physiological Responses to Speed-Matched Running on Non-Motorized Assault AirRunner versus Traditional Treadmills in Active Females: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 1262-1273, 2022. Treadmills are utilized as a training tool to improve aerobic fitness, but precise understanding of intensity and the corresponding physiological strain is critical for optimizing exercise prescription and associated adaptations. Running on non-motorized, curved treadmills may result in greater oxygen uptake (VO2), increased heart rate (HR), and increased rating of perceived exertion (RPE) compared to traditional motorized treadmills. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological responses on non-motorized versus traditional motorized treadmills during speed-matched running. Participants were 4 college-aged, recreationally active females. HR, VO2, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and RPE were monitored during 3 speed-matched stages of incremental exercise in two conditions: the non-motorized Assault AirRunner and a traditional motorized treadmill, as well as for 5 minutes post-exercise. VO2, RER, and HR were greater in the Assault condition (ESVO2 = 0.998, ESRER = 0.839, ESHR = 0.972, p \u3c 0.05). While not significant between groups, RPE showed a greater increase with increasing speeds in the Assault condition (ES = 0.728), as did RER (ES = 0.800, p \u3c 0.05). Cumulative excess-post exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) during a five-minute period post-exercise was also greater in the Assault condition, and HR and RER remained higher five minutes post-exercise in the Assault condition (ESEPOC = 0.738, ESHR = 1.600, ESRER = 2.075, p \u3c 0.05). The Assault AirRunner elicited greater physiological responses (VO2, carbohydrate usage, and HR) in response to speed-matched running in comparison to a traditional motorized treadmill in active college-aged females. Collectively, aerobic exercise conducted on the Assault AirRunner has a greater physiological and perceived intensity and need to be taken into consideration when designing and implementing training programs or testing

Strategies for Recruiting Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Community-Based Research: Lessons from Canada

Objectives: This study sought to describe the recruitment of women living with HIV (WLWH) into the community-based Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), because women are underrepresented in HIV research. Methods: There were 1,424 WLWH were enrolled from British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec, who completed detailed questionnaires administered by peer research associates (PRAs; WLWH with research training). During screening, participants were asked: “How did you hear about the study?” We describe recruitment strategies by subpopulation and offer reflections on challenges and successes. Results: Of 1,131 participants with complete data, 40% identified as White, 33% African/Caribbean/Black, and 19% Indigenous. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range, 37–51) and 4% identified as trans women. Overall, 35% were recruited through PRAs/peers, 34% clinics, and 19% AIDS service organizations (ASOs). PRAs/peers were the predominant recruitment method in Ontario (49%), compared with clinics in British Columbia (40%), and Québec (43%). Nationally, PRAs/peers were more successful in recruiting WLWH commonly considered to be “harder to reach” (e.g., women identifying as trans, using drugs, not receiving HIV care). Clinics were more effective in recruiting younger women (16–29 years) and women not using ASOs. Recruitment challenges centered on engaging these harder to reach women. Successes included hiring PRAs who built participant trust, linking with clinics to reach women isolated from HIV communities, involving outreach workers to engage street-involved women, and disseminating study information to diverse stakeholders. Conclusions: Having multiple approaches, engaging a diverse team of PRAs, ensuring flexibility, and cultivating reciprocal relationships with community stakeholders were key to recruiting a diverse and representative sample of WLWH

Development of a TB vaccine trial site in Africa and lessons from the Ebola experience

Tuberculosis is the deadliest infection of our time. In contrast, about 11,000 people died of Ebola between 2014 and 2016. Despite this manifest difference in mortality, there is now a vaccine licensed in the United States and by the European Medicines Agency, with up to 100% efficacy against Ebola. The developments that led to the trialing of the Ebola vaccine were historic and unprecedented. The single licensed TB vaccine (BCG) has limited efficacy. There is a dire need for a more efficacious TB vaccine. To deploy such vaccines, trials are needed in sites that combine high disease incidence and research infrastructure. We describe our twelve-year experience building a TB vaccine trial site in contrast to the process in the recent Ebola outbreak. There are additional differences. Relative to the Ebola pipeline, TB vaccines have fewer trials and a paucity of government and industry led trials. While pathogens have varying levels of difficulty in the development of new vaccine candidates, there yet appears to be greater interest in funding and coordinating Ebola interventions. TB is a global threat that requires similar concerted effort for elimination

Estimating the annual risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among adolescents in Western Kenya in preparation for TB vaccine trials

Background: Adolescents are a prime target group for tuberculosis (TB) vaccine trials that include prevention of infection (POI). The BCG vaccine is given at birth and does not prevent TB infection. TB infection, a critical endpoint for POI vaccine trials would need to be documented to estimate sample sizes in target populations. Methods: Adolescents aged 12-18 years of age were enrolled in an area under continuous demographic surveillance. A tuberculin skin test (TST) survey was conducted as part of a study on TB prevalence and incidence. All adolescents got TSTs at enrolment and returned after 72 h for reading. A TST of ≥10 mm if HIV negative or ≥ 5 mm if HIV positive, was considered positive. Results: Of 4808 adolescents returning for TST readings (96% of those enrolled), mean age was 14.4 (SD 1.9), 4518(94%) were enrolled in school and 21(0.4%) gave a previous history of tuberculosis. Among adolescents with TST reactivity, the mean TST induration was 13.2 mm (SD 5.4). The overall prevalence of latent TB infection was 1544/4808 (32.1, 95% CI 29.2-35.1) with a corresponding annual risk of TB infection (ARTI) of 2.6% (95% CI 2.2-3.1). Risk factors for a positive TST included being male (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2,1.5), history of having a household TB contact (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2,1.8), having a BCG scar (OR 1.5,95% CI 1.2,1.8), living in a rural area (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1,1.9), and being out of school (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4,2.3). Conclusion: We conclude that the high TB transmission rates we found in this study, suggest that adolescents in this region may be an appropriate target group for TB vaccine trials including TB vaccine trials aiming to prevent infection