THE EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN SUPPORT GROUP
Author: Angelina Anderson
School: Roosevelt University
Major: Biological Sciences
This research project examines the evolution of the modern medical support group as social media continues to take a more central part in support group activity...
School: Roosevelt University
Major: Biological Sciences
This research project examines the evolution of the modern medical support group as social media continues to take a more central part in support group activity...
This project aims to determine whether support groups are changing and if so if they are changing to meet a need that is not being met by the medical community, as well as looking at how that may connect to patients' emotional and physical needs. This project may help to answer if there are any gaps in the medical community for meeting the needs of patients who have conditions like Migraines.
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Determining the Toxicity of Natural Products on Caenorhabditis elegans in the Search for New Anthelmintic Drug Leads
Author: Ellen Chao
School: Northwestern University
Major: Chemistry
This project aims to discover new molecules from microbial extracts that prove toxic to C. elegans yet harmless to mammals...
School: Northwestern University
Major: Chemistry
This project aims to discover new molecules from microbial extracts that prove toxic to C. elegans yet harmless to mammals...
One promising compound has been screened against C. elegans, and while the results seem to illustrate a sensitivity to the compound in traits such as mean time of flight (animal length), this may be an artifact of the assay because the brood size (animal fertility) seemed to increase with increasing drug concentration.
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MELK Inhibition in MLL-rearranged ALL
Author: Margaret Colton
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
MLL-rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a subset of leukemia characterized by a translocation of the MLL gene and an aberrant gene expression profile...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
MLL-rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a subset of leukemia characterized by a translocation of the MLL gene and an aberrant gene expression profile...
This study investigates the efficacy of OTS167, an inhibitor of MELK, which has been shown to downregulate the expression of FLT3 in other types of leukemia. In MLL-r ALL, OTS167 diminished cell viability at clinically relevant doses, and downregulated FLT3 in a post-transcriptional manner. Knockdown of MELK by siRNA also downregulated FLT3 expression, however knockdown of FLT3 failed to show any effect on cell viability.
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EFFECTS OF MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION ON AIRWAY INFLAMMATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ASTHMA
Author: Estelle Higgins
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma are highly vulnerable to exacerbations by psychological stress and have high comorbidity with mood and anxiety disorders...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma are highly vulnerable to exacerbations by psychological stress and have high comorbidity with mood and anxiety disorders...
Given its psychological and physiological targets, Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has promise as an intervention in asthma, a disease marked by interactions between psychological and physiological symptoms. We investigated the effects of an 8-week MBSR training, relative to a wait-list control group, on the association between inflammation, chronic stress, and mood and anxiety symptoms in adults with asthma.
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ALPHA7 NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR MODULATION OF DESCENDING PAIN CONTROL PATHWAYS
Author: Emma Hovanec
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
The ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray (vlPAG) is a midbrain structure in the descending pathway that modulates chronic and acute pain...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
The ventrolateral Periaqueductal Gray (vlPAG) is a midbrain structure in the descending pathway that modulates chronic and acute pain...
Together, this data supports our hypothesis that α7-expressing GABAergic interneurons are active during nociception and inactivate via α7-nAChR activation to disinhibit glutamatergic projections to RVM and relieve pain. These findings signify the ongoing relevance of α7-nAChRs as potential non-opioid therapeutic targets for pain relief.
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WEAR-RESISTANT COATING OF COPPER FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS
Author: Yonguk Lee
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
Copper is a metal that is often used as a mold for the continuous casting where the application temperature is significantly high...
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
Copper is a metal that is often used as a mold for the continuous casting where the application temperature is significantly high...
From the inter-diffusion measurement, for N+ it was observed that about 10 atomic % of Ni was diffused into the copper substrate near the interface, after 28 days of heat treatment at 400℃. However for NC and ABNC, Ni and Co were not diffused into the Cu substrate. For better understanding, Vickers hardness test and optical microscopy for inter-diffused specimens and wear/scratch test and TEM work for coatings will be conducted in the future.
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A WALK IN THE PARK OR A DAY AT THE MALL: THE EFFECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON AFFECT AND IMPULSIVITY
Author: Jillian Bowman
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
The external physical environment has been shown to have tangible effects on our health, cognitive abilities, and our emotions...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
The external physical environment has been shown to have tangible effects on our health, cognitive abilities, and our emotions...
This study replicated previously obtained results, demonstrating that time spent in natural environments led to large increases in positive affect, and a very slight decrease in negative affect. Participants’ trait impulsivity was shown to be unrelated to the difference in their emotion scores across conditions, and only weakly correlated to their state impulsivity in each environmental condition.
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RACIAL DISPARITIES IN ACCESS TO MORTGAGES
Author: Jenna Gonzales
School: DePaul University
Major: Social Justice
Despite the explicit prohibition of racial discrimination in the mortgage market, concerns about racial disparities in access to mortgages persist...
School: DePaul University
Major: Social Justice
Despite the explicit prohibition of racial discrimination in the mortgage market, concerns about racial disparities in access to mortgages persist...
To econometrically estimate how race is associated with mortgage access, two outcome variables are used: the probability of a loan application being denied and the interest rate of an originated loan. I find that black applicants are more likely to be denied than white applicants and that black borrowers are charged higher interest rates on originated loans than white borrowers.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY NEURAL TUBE DURING CHICK EMBRYOGENESIS
Author: Anne Havlik
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
In partnership with Dr. Timothy Sanders, MD, PhD, this study sought to further reveal the unknown mechanisms of neural tube closure in vertebrate embryos...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
In partnership with Dr. Timothy Sanders, MD, PhD, this study sought to further reveal the unknown mechanisms of neural tube closure in vertebrate embryos...
This information is useful for furthering our understanding of one of the most common birth defects in humans, neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs, posteriorly identified as spina bifida, affect the human nervous system functions in over 300,000 live births per year. This experimental paradigm will allow us to advance our understanding of NTDs as well as improve treatment strategies for patients with NTDs.
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RADIATOR ENERGY MODELLING WITH WIRELESS OPEN-SOURCE SENSORS
Author: Urwa Irfan
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
The purpose of the research is to develop an efficient, economical method of determining the energy consumption of the steam radiators in Alumni Memorial Hall...
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
The purpose of the research is to develop an efficient, economical method of determining the energy consumption of the steam radiators in Alumni Memorial Hall...
Custom printed circuit boards (PCBs) were designed and assembled to act as sensors for measuring the air temperature of rooms and the surface temperature of radiators. These sensors were installed in faculty offices in Alumni Hall, with the air temperature sensors mounted on the wall and the surface temperature sensors on the steam inlet and condensate outlet pipes of each radiator. These sensors are designed to transmit data wirelessly to a host computer.
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AORTIC SURFACE GEOMETRY AS AN INDICATOR OF SUCCESSFUL THORACIC ENDOVASCULAR AORTIC REPAIR
Author: Kameel Khabaz
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
Acute type B aortic dissections (TBAD) are a challenging clinical problem. Medical management has remained the mainstay treatment of uncomplicated TBAD for decades...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Biological Sciences
Acute type B aortic dissections (TBAD) are a challenging clinical problem. Medical management has remained the mainstay treatment of uncomplicated TBAD for decades...
With the advent of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), the role of surgery is increasing. A challenge with endovascular repairs, unlike traditional open operations, is monitoring aortic remodeling post-intervention. A global approach to measuring and characterizing aortic geometry pre- and post-TEVAR is needed. We use computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging-based meshed aortic models to calculate surface curvature and characterize aortic geometry.
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SEEING GREEN: THE INFLUENCE OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS ON RESTORING VISUAL ATTENTION
Author: Tanvi Lakhtakia
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Modern life typically involves high levels of visual attention, which can consequently become depleted and fatigued. According to Attention Restoration Theory nature can have a restorative effect on some forms of directed attention...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Modern life typically involves high levels of visual attention, which can consequently become depleted and fatigued. According to Attention Restoration Theory nature can have a restorative effect on some forms of directed attention...
The hypothesis was that participants in the Nature exposure condition would have restored visual attention and detect more changes. Conversely, participants in the Urban exposure condition would exhibit change blindness—an inability to detect images— hinting at depleted visual attention. No significant difference was found between the Nature and Urban exposure conditions [t(18) = -0.271, p = 0.605].
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ACADEMIC BUOYANCY IN CONCEPTUALLY DIFFICULT MATH LEARNING: EXPLORING STUDENTS’ SELF-DISCLOSED EMOTIONS, BELIEFS, AND PERCEPTIONS
Author: Samuela Mouzaoir
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Academic Buoyancy (AB) is defined as a student’s ability to achieve favorable outcomes despite everyday academic stressors, such as poor performance on an assessment...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Psychology
Academic Buoyancy (AB) is defined as a student’s ability to achieve favorable outcomes despite everyday academic stressors, such as poor performance on an assessment...
The study of AB is critical given that it has been shown to effectively mediate the effects of academic stress. While some measures of AB exist, none have incorporated student narratives as a means of identifying patterns of AB in classroom settings. Additionally, little research has been conducted into the specific cognitive and affective mechanisms that underlie AB, such as goal orientation (student motivation to perform well).
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ROLE OF HEALTH INSURANCE STATUS IN PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO MAMMOGRAPHY AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
Author: Melissa Nava
School: DePaul University
Major: Social Justice
Breast cancer represents a major health concern in African American communities. In the United States, incidence rates of breast cancer tend to be higher in White women when compared to African American women...
School: DePaul University
Major: Social Justice
Breast cancer represents a major health concern in African American communities. In the United States, incidence rates of breast cancer tend to be higher in White women when compared to African American women...
This study focuses on how the type of insurance of an individual relates to their perceived barriers in regard to breast cancer screenings. It was hypothesized that those with Medicaid would be more likely to report barriers to breast cancer screenings than those with private insurance. This study collected 255 female participants’ responses from Prince George’s county.
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LANGUAGE, IDENTITY, AND SUMMER CAMP: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Author: Anna Whitney
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Linguistics
In August of 2016, the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University published a survey of North American Jewish summer camps entitled Connection, Not Proficiency...
School: The University of Chicago
Major: Linguistics
In August of 2016, the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University published a survey of North American Jewish summer camps entitled Connection, Not Proficiency...
Groundbreaking in its area of study, the report explains the religio-cultural as well as linguistic setting of Jewish summer camps, eventually concluding that the camps tend to focus on identity-reaffirmation rather than perfectionism. As narrow as the field is when it comes to studying Jewish summer camps, my research concerns an even narrower field: indigenous language revitalization summer camps.
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USING MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES TO MODEL AND INVESTIGATE LEAKY GUT SYNDROME
Author: Jasmine Baste
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineerings
Leaky Gut Syndrome develops when the permeability of the intestine increases allowing bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream...
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineerings
Leaky Gut Syndrome develops when the permeability of the intestine increases allowing bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream...
Current methods used to investigate leaky gut are insufficient because they do not properly model the intestinal environment. Conversely, microfluidic devices are incredibly useful because the cells function better, the devices enable more efficient co-culture with other cells and bacteria, and only a small number of cells are required to obtain the results over traditional cultures.
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INVERTED PENDULUM AEROFOIL IN A FLOW-FIELD
Author: Yogi Patel
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
This project explores the dynamics of an unstable system which is a fluid dynamic equivalent to an inverted pendulum. We consider an aerofoil that can freely pitch about its trailing edge...
School: Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Engineering
This project explores the dynamics of an unstable system which is a fluid dynamic equivalent to an inverted pendulum. We consider an aerofoil that can freely pitch about its trailing edge...
The system was modelled using Theodorsen’s theory of unsteady aerodynamics. A controller is designed based on this model, which allows for the unstable system to be stabilized through heaving motion at the trailing edge. These controllers are tested on high fidelity numerical simulations to validate the viability of this approach. The feedback control was combined with an open-loop strategy to achieve a swing-up and stabilization manoeuvre.
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APPLYING MACHINE LEARNING TO ANALYZE CELL DEFORMATION IN MICROCHANNELS
Author: Daniel Spalinski
School: University of Notre Dame
Major: Physics
This project seeks to investigate whether a machine learning algorithm is capable of differentiating cancer cells by their biomechanical properties as well as identify the type of microscopy best suited for this task...
School: University of Notre Dame
Major: Physics
This project seeks to investigate whether a machine learning algorithm is capable of differentiating cancer cells by their biomechanical properties as well as identify the type of microscopy best suited for this task...
Microfluidics channels have been used to detect and analyze cell deformation that is highly dependent on cell type and health. HL-60 leukemia cell stiffness and biomechanics are known to be correlated to the stage and progression of the cancer. Microfluidics channels and visual machine learning analysis software are developed in order to detect quantify deformation in these cells.
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ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN SHALOM DELHI’S HOME-BASED CARE PROGRAM
Author: Caroline Willett
School: Wheaton College Illinois
Major: Biological Sciences
HIV/AIDS has been a significant public health issue for India since 1986. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was founded in 1992 to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in India...
School: Wheaton College Illinois
Major: Biological Sciences
HIV/AIDS has been a significant public health issue for India since 1986. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was founded in 1992 to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in India...
This study showed that patients generally are not adherent due to physical side effects or stigma. The purpose of this research project was to raise an awareness of the complications that PLWH taking ART face and to better understand why patients do not adhere to their ART regimen. Taking these factors into consideration, NGOs like Shalom Hospital can modify care protocols to better serve this marginalized population.
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