The design and characterization of a next generation microfluidic device for in vitro modeling of bilayer tissue constructs

Advanced tissue culture platforms harness microfabrication techniques and properties of biocompatible materials to create tunable and physiologically-relevant microenvironments. Traditional in vitro tissue models are restricted to flat, static culture plates, which allow for high-throughput experimentation but do not support physiological tissue function. Early research investigates cell response to physiological mechanical cues[1–3], but these devices are largely confined to materials like PDMS[4] or have too low throughput for industry use. The next generation of platforms will combine mechanical cues and integrated sensing with materials that are biologically inert and compatible with high throughput assays and large scale manufacturing, while remaining in an industry-standard footprint. This work represents the design, process development, manufacturing, and characterization of such a system. A microfluidic device manufacturing process was developed to translate the Draper PDMS bilayer microfluidic device[5–7] into a next generation system entirely made of hard plastic. Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and polycarbonate thermoplastics were characterized and chosen for their compatibility with drug development applications and large scale manufacturing processes. Hot embossing and thermal bonding procedures were developed that resulted in minimal feature deformation and a robust bond between material layers. Integrated electrical sensors were fabricated in microfluidic channels to quantify transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in real time. The sensor design and complex trace routing were demonstrated to be continuous, conductive and fully integrated in the next generation system. The culmination of these design decisions resulted in a hard plastic, bilayer microfluidic device with integrated sensors that is compatible with the industry-standard footprint suited for applications in drug development and disease modeling

Creative and collaborative reflective thinking to support policy deliberation and decision making

Background: Co-creation in policymaking is of increasing interest to national governments, and designers play a significant role in its introduction. Aims and objectives: We discuss instances from our fieldwork that demonstrated how UK Policy Lab used design methods to gain insight into the design-oriented methods introduced to policymakers’ practices, and how these may influence conventional policy design processes. Methods: This paper reports on the learnings from a two-month participant observation at UK Policy Lab conducted in early 2019. Findings: We found that, beyond human-centred and future-oriented practices, the designers working at this unit appropriate design as a reflective practice for the context of policymaking. We discuss how the use of visual and creative methods of design are utilised by policy designers to facilitate co-creative reflective practices, and how these make a valuable contribution to policymaking practices in UK Government. Discussion and conclusions: As deliberation and decision making is influenced both by what is thought about as well as who is doing the thinking, reflective practices allow notions and assumptions to be unpicked. Moreover, when done as a group activity, reflection leads to a co-production of a deepened understanding of policy challenges.Consequently, we argue, the reflective practices introduced by Policy Lab are an essential contribution to developing a co-creation tradition in evidence-informed policymaking processes Key messages Beyond human-centred and future-oriented methods, UK Policy Lab appropriates design as a reflective practice, to contribute to policymaking by supporting deliberation and decision making. Creative and visual methods from design enable collaborative policymaking processes, as they externalise thinking and surface overlaps and differences among policymakers’ perspectives. We argue that design can support the reflective practice of policymakers, highlighting explicit and implicit frames structuring decision making

A Landslide of Emotion

What do eating a burger, listening to Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, and understanding musical theory all have to do with each other? Attend our presentation and find out. We will be walking through the different sections of Queen\u27s iconic song and relating them to the intricate world musical form through an informative burger diagram. Even if you have never worked with musical form or aren\u27t familiar with music theory, we hope that after attending our presentation, you will walk away with a bit more knowledge in this field and if anything, a greater love for the band Queen

Bearings House: Community Reintegration Project

Research poster documenting the following project: Long Creek Youth Development Center offers a variety of activities, an education, mentorship, and structure for Bearings House residents. In addition to those programs, we hoped through building a relationship with residents we could identify their occupational interests and assist in their transition to life in the community. We strived to support residents through their transition to Bearings House and give them an opportunity to further explore their interests as well as expose them to new occupations they may have not previously participated in order to help as they reintegrate into the community.https://dune.une.edu/cecespring2020/1010/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 9, 2008

Biden and Palin Hold Their Ground in 2008 Debate • Pimps Up, Ho\u27s Down: Hip-Hop Music and Modern Women • Indian Temple Stampede Kills Hundreds, Injures Others • Hollywood Mourns Legend Paul Newman • Earth Shattering Stock Market Fall Shakes Nation • Spotlight on Sally Rousse: Dance Artistry at its Finest • Ursinus in Tuebingen Students Travel to Berlin, Munich • Introducing the Gender Wage Gap • Opinions: Democratic and Republican Extremes at Ursinus College; Zack\u27s Dining: Why Wait? • Women\u27s Rugby in for Incredible Season • UC Men\u27s Rugby: Sport with Quickly Growing Popularityhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1771/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 11, 2008

Republican National Convention Rallies Supporters • Studies Show Half of College Students Contemplate Suicide • Start of New Now on View Art Film Festival • Science, Strife and Speculation of Hurricane Season \u2708 • UC Senior Implements First Ever Bike Share Program • Cinematic Guild Brings Creative Filmography to Campus • Introducing Cassandra Aguilar • The Grizzly Catches Up with Dean Nolan • Celebrating Herencia Latina Fall Events • Molly Maguire\u27s: A Bit O\u27 Irish Spirit • UC Women\u27s Soccer Fights for Another Strong Season • Football\u27s New Motto: No Interceptions, No Exceptionshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1767/thumbnail.jp

Dignidad, Poder, Resistencia // Dignity, Power, Resistance

First To Go Abroad is a partnership between the Loyola Marymount University First To Go Program, LMU Study Abroad, and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), which seeks to increase study abroad opportunities for first-generation college students. In May 2017, fifteen first-gen students and two first-gen faculty mentors traveled together to Santiago, Dominican Republic, where they spent ten days exploring the country and learning about the local cultures, customs, and histories of the people who call the DR home. Travel is a privilege not all students have the same access to; for some students, this trip was the first time out of the United States. Like the first-generation college experience, the experience of international travel is marked by daily encounters with new spaces, people, and cultural practices that can be at once overwhelming and inspiring. This was a topic of exploration throughout the trip and the subject of the pages contained in this volume. The narratives published here are the product of a cross-institutional writing workshop, where students from LMU and the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra worked together to draft essays documenting their encounters with change that have pushed boundaries, broken down borders, and generated personal growth. We hope our readers around the world will appreciate these works, which showcase the transformative power of creative and collaborative global encounters

The Grizzly, October 23, 2008

Professors\u27 Performance to Jazz Up Your Friday Night • Cafe Nia Event Brings Spirit of Poetry to Homecoming • Active Minds to Spread Mental Health Awareness at UC • Safe to Use Internet to Play Doctor? • UC Popularity Growing Steadily • Stand Up: STAND Rallies Ursinus Students for Darfur • Another Night of Artistry in Philadelphia • Omega Chi Blood Drive Takes the UC Campus by Storm, Highest Turnout Yet • Alpha Paintball Company: Fun for the Whole Family • Assassins Players Still on the Lookout • Opinions: GSA Members Call for Respect; Breakaway Presents Ten Minute Play Festival, Take Two • Senior Spotlight: Lisa Clark, Senior Women\u27s Soccer Playerhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1772/thumbnail.jp