Application of a Dynamic Tracer Kinetic Model to Optimize the Frame Rate for Improved Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Humans
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a common ophthalmological condition that is caused as a side effect of Diabetes. DR does not show early onset of symptoms, however, if left untreated it can lead to permanent loss of vision. Early detection of the preclinical signs of the disease can be critical in identifying patients that will most likely progress into DR and prevent vision impairment…
Venmo: The Fine Line Between Economic and Social Capital
This thesis explores the blurring lines between economic and social capital by scaffolding off of interdisciplinary scholarship to construct a quantitative and qualitative case study analysis of tweets from the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement with relation to Venmo. Economic capital is redefined outside a standard economic and financial lens to accommodate individual standpoint(s), attempting to mold the term to fit a more social justice context…
The Immediate Effects of Musical Engagement on Spatial-Reasoning Skills
The “Mozart Effect” was first reported in 1993 when Rauscher et al. demonstrated that 10 minutes of exposure to a Mozart piano sonata temporarily enhanced performance on a spatial-reasoning task. Schellenberg et al. suggested that the Mozart Effect may be attributed to heightened states of arousal and mood which could explain the enhanced task performance…
Picturing Java (Wo)man: Visual Reconstruction of Colonial Paleoanthropology
The question of man’s origin has plagued philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals alike for centuries. After Charles Darwin’s revolutionary Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871) were published, fossil discoveries became paramount in establishing the connection between humans and earlier life forms. However, despite decades of progress,
The Effect of COVID-19 on Pregnancies and Their Outcomes
Physiologic changes during pregnancy alters ways in which the body responds to infectious and inflammatory insults. In this study, we aimed to describe the symptoms and clinical presentation of pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID-19, a novel virus characterized by respiratory, inflammatory, and vascular complications. Understanding how COVID-19 manifests in high risk black pregnant patients can help inform the medical management of this vulnerable, understudied population…
Noncommutative Quantum Calculus
Calculus is the main mathematical tool in classical physics. One of the central problems in modern physics is how to combine the microscopic description of nature (given by Quantum mechanics) with macroscopic (classical physics). From the mathematical point of view, variables in classical physics commute with each other (meaning ab=ba), but in the quantum world, variables are not commutative (ab≠ba)…
Exploring the Closet: Reconceptualizing Machismo through Masculinity
Machismo has been treated by a lot of literature as a negative component of Latinx masculinity, rarely attempting to understand the holistic effect of its cultural implications on gender or queer individuals. This study utilizes past literature focused on reconceptualizing hegemonic masculinity, hybrid masculinity, and homomasculinity with the aim to create a framework to reconceptualize the cultural value of machismo, within U.S. born, queer Latinx sons of immigrants…
Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Engraftment of Human Cord Blood Monocytes in a Humanized Mouse Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is often characterized by chronic lung injury secondary to high levels of oxygen during the neonatal period. Previous studies have demonstrated that administration of human cord blood (CB) monocytes results in decreased alveolar damage due to hyperoxia exposure but fail to demonstrate engraftment of these cells in the lungs of the animal model. We hypothesize that administration of human CB monocytes in MISTRG humanized mice ameliorate the BPD-like phenotype after hyperoxia exposure…
Sex-Dependent Behavioral Changes in a Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
According to the CDC, the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the US has been consistently increasing. Animal models for neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD indicate that several factors contribute to disease severity including genetics, prenatal infections and sex. However, most studies using animal models have focused only on males, assuming females are simply attenuated males…
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Rates of Health Care Worker Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout
Existing research from prior pandemics suggests that the COVID-19 crisis will likely have a substantial adverse impact on the well-being of health care workers (HCW) [1]. But the effect of COVID-19 on rates of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout in HCW has not been fully examined. The objective of this study is to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted STS and burnout rates in HCW and how these rates are affected by number of COVID+ cases, job type, departmental exposure to COVID+ patients, and confidence in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use…
Who has the Power? A Semiotic Analysis of Chicago’s Chinatown Linguistic Landscape
As previously demonstrated by the work of Lou (2016) and Gorter (2006), the “linguistic landscape,” the network of signage and displayed text can give insight into the cultural dynamics within an area. From this basis, I hypothesize that Chicago’s Chinatown will similarly illustrate decisions on what signs are created, who can read them, and for whom they serve that can reflect the decision making power of the residing group…
The Detection of Systemic Disease Risk Based on Microbiome Analysis and LAMP Technology Using a Portable Device, the LifeSmile
The LifeSmile oral microbiome diagnostic device is proposed to assess systemic disease risk from the comfort of your home. Roughly 700 resident microorganisms inhabit the oral cavity and are influenced by diet, immune health, and gender. Recent studies indicate these bacteria are safe at low levels, but they become a danger to human health at high levels…
Language Revitalization in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
The revitalization of endangered languages is both deeply personal and political, as language subjugation is directly linked to intentional efforts by colonizing powers to suppress and eradicate indigenous culture and dismantle local collective identity. Many studies have been conducted on how to promote endangered languages, but few evaluate the effectiveness of the movements and explore the underlying determinants of success, particularly how the relationship between minority language speakers and the colonizing powers may affect these movements…