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The Effects of Offset Loading Training Stimulus on Neural Functionality and Body Composition
No full textThis study aimed to (1) examine the effects of offset loading (OL) training on oscillatory brain connectivity and cognitive ability in neurotypical adults and (2) compare body composition changes between offset-loaded and symmetrically loaded resistance training. Ten participants were divided into three groups: OL (n=4), active control (AC, n=4), and passive control (PC, n=2). The OL group performed asymmetrically loaded chest presses, while the AC group used a symmetrical load. The PC group received no training. The 6-week intervention included assessments at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. Neural connectivity was measured via EEG and Granger Causality, cognitive ability via the Stroop test, and body composition with DEXA scans. Stroop Effect times remained stable in the PC group (51 milliseconds to 49.5 milliseconds), while the AC group improved from 98 milliseconds to 63 milliseconds and the OL group from 90 milliseconds to 74 milliseconds. Lean mass changes were PC +234.8 g, AC +1718.45 g, OL -0.975 g. Body fat percentage changes were: PC -1.4%, AC +0.4%, OL -0.6%. These findings suggest that OL training may improve cognitive performance but does not enhance lean mass like AC training. Further research is needed to optimize OL protocols for both cognitive and physical benefits.Health and Human Performance, Department ofHonors Colleg
Comprehensive MRI Safety Assessment: Impact of Strain-Relief Loop Position, Lateral Movement, and Varying Field Strengths on RF-Induced Heating of Medical Implants
No full textMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) utilizes strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency (RF) waves to produce detailed images of human organs, tissues, and various anatomical structures. Despite its benefits, individuals with active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) and passive implantable medical devices (PIMDs) are often restricted from undergoing MRI due to potential RF interactions with the metallic components of these implants, which can lead to thermal damage to surrounding tissues. With the increasing prevalence of implants, it is essential to address factors contributing to RF-induced hazards to ensure the safety of patients. This dissertation focuses on three factors critical to the RF-induced heating hazards of implantable medical devices (IMDs). First, the impact of strain relief loop positions on RF heating of AIMDs at 1.5T MRI is studied. The AIMDs are constructed with an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and insulated leads with exposed electrodes. Surgeons often coil the leads into strain relief loops (SRLs) to accommodate extra length and reduce the risk of lead breakage. However, the positioning of these loops can significantly alter RF heating, and this study examines the mechanisms behind SRL positioning and its implications across various AIMDs and human models. The second part of this dissertation examines the impact of lateral patient movement on RF heating in AIMDs and PIMDs within wide-bore 3T MRI machines. Medical devices are typically labeled with the assumption that patients are centered laterally, but wide-bore systems allow lateral movement, which may alter labeling. Lastly, the dissertation examines the RF-induced heating behavior of PIMDs at 5T MRI, an emerging field with the recent FDA clearance for 5T MRI systems. The heating effects of PIMDs at 5T are compared with those at 1.5T and 3T, highlighting the differences in heating behavior across various field strengths. The findings of this dissertation provide valuable insights into the RF-induced heating risks of AIMDs and PIMDs across different MRI field strengths and patient positioning scenarios. By addressing key factors such as strain relief loop positioning, lateral movement in wide-bore MRI, and high-field MRI heating effects, this work contributes to the ongoing efforts to enhance MRI safety guidelines for implanted medical devices
Identifying Carcinogenic Vapor Intrusion Risk in Harris County
No full textCancer clusters are geographic areas where residents experience disproportionately high cancer rates. Despite medical advancements, marginalized communities, such as Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens in Houston, continue to face heightened cancer risks, largely due to long-standing soil contamination. Thus, certain communities like Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens should have higher rates of vapor intrusion as being definitions of cancer clusters. This is especially the case when people have different types and quality of homes. The Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) data was used for this project, to obtain the foundations of buildings: slab, crawl space, and basement, concerning the potential for vapor intrusion. Attenuation factors were mapped to assess potential extents of vapor intrusion. Our findings also suggest that high attenuation areas correspond to known cancer clusters. This continues to raise concerns about possible ongoing community exposures. It argues for the need to focus engagement on targeted interventions, further EPA testing, and vapor mitigation for long-term environmental health exposure.Honors Colleg
Optimizing the Receiving Inspection Process to Reduce Backlogs
No full textThe project sponsor is SLB, a technology company that manufactures subsea control pods, critical components for underwater oil and gas systems. We are focusing on the inspection process which is divided into five phases: Incoming Inspection, In-Process Inspection, Testing, Final Inspection, and Pre-Shipment Inspection. Each part is classified as Q1, Q2, or Q1B, determining the level and type of inspection required. This project focuses on optimizing the Incoming/Receiving Inspection phase, which has become a bottleneck, resulting in delays to production and increased costs. Workflow inefficiencies, resource constraints, and varying inspection priorities are driving these backlogs. By improving the receiving inspection process, the company aims to enhance operational efficiency, maintain product quality, and ensure timely delivery.Industrial and Systems Engineering, Department ofHonors Colleg
Reducing communication barriers for deaf and hard of hearing patients
No full textDeaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) patients face many communication barriers when receiving healthcare, leading to poor patient satisfaction (Tannenbaum-Baruchi et al., 2025). There is a lack of education and exposure to the DHH population in healthcare provider training programs that have contributed to this problem. In fact, a study reveals that 60.05% of health care workers reported that communication is a barrier when it comes to caring for DHH patients, demonstrating the need for proper education and training (Tannenbaum-Baruchi et al., 2025). This poses a significant issue because DHH patients are significantly more likely to report miscommunication, misunderstandings, and unsatisfactory healthcare interactions (Weerapol & Leelakanok, 2024). The goal is to focus on requiring healthcare providers’ education and training programs to improve patient satisfaction in the DHH patient population (Morisod et al., 2022).Nursing, Andy and Barbara Gessner College o
Emotion Tracking Using Facial Analysis and ML for Stress Management
No full textThis research explores the development of an application that utilizes facial scanning and machine learning to analyze emotions, with a focus on detecting stress levels in real-time. Inspired by observations of students struggling with stress during coding exercises and exams, this project aims to provide a non-intrusive solution that monitors emotional states and suggests personalized interventions to help users manage stress effectively. The system employs a machine learning model trained on diverse datasets of facial expressions, leveraging convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for feature extraction and classification. Advanced computer vision techniques are used for real-time emotion analysis, identifying micro-expressions and subtle facial muscle movements associated with stress. A small-scale user study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Participants reported that the emotion detection was accurate, and the intervention suggestions were helpful in reducing stress. Results suggest an overall accuracy of 85% in detecting emotions, with specific success in distinguishing stress-related states. Future improvements include expanding the dataset for better demographic representation, integrating multimodal inputs such as voice tone and physiological data, and developing personalized recommendations based on user behavior over time. This project demonstrates the potential for emotion tracking technology to enhance mental well-being in educational and professional settings.Computer Science, Department ofHonors Colleg
Methods for Evaluating the Effects of 2D and 3D Culture Environment on Macrophage Response to Mycobacterium Infection
No full textMacrophages are critical to the formation of infection- and non-infection-associated immune structures such as cancer spheroids, pathogen-, and non-pathogen-associated granulomas, contributing to the spatiotemporal and chemical immune response and eventual outcome of disease. While well established in cancer immunology, the prevalence of using three-dimensional (3D) cultures to characterize later-stage structural immune response in pathogen-associated granulomas continues to increase, generating valuable insights for empirical and computational analysis. To enable integration of data from 3D in vitro studies with the vast bibliome of standard two-dimensional (2D) tissue culture data, methods that determine concordance between 2D and 3D immune response need to be established. Focusing on macrophage migration and oxidative species production, we develop experimental and computational methods to enable concurrent spatiotemporal and biochemical characterization of 2D versus 3D macrophage–mycobacterium interaction. We integrate standard biological sampling methods, time-lapse confocal imaging, and 4D quantitative image analysis to develop a 3D ex vivo model of Mycobacterium smegmatis infection using bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) embedded in reconstituted basement membrane (RBM). Comparing features of 2D to 3D macrophage response that contribute to control and resolution of bacteria infection, we determined that macrophages in 3D environments increased production of reactive species, motility, and differed in cellular volume. Results demonstrate a viable and extensible approach for comparison of 2D and 3D datasets and concurrent biochemical plus spatiotemporal characterization of initial macrophage structural response during infection
Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy Alone: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Behalf of TROGSS—The Robotic Global Surgical Society
No full textBackground: Single-Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S) has been reported as both a safe and effective surgical procedure. However, these findings have not been directly compared to those of more established and less complex procedures, such as Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), which remains the most commonly performed technique in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS). Objective: This study aimed to assess and contrast the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between patients who underwent SADI-S and those who underwent SG. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed and registered under PROSPERO with the ID CRD42024532504. A comprehensive search strategy was executed on 15 April 2024, covering PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct from the first reports to March 2024. The search strategy incorporated relevant keywords, including: “SADI-S” OR “Single Anastomosis Duodenal-Ileal bypass” and “Sleeve Gastrectomy”. We included studies comparing adult patients (≥18 years old) undergoing SADI-S and SG, reporting at least one clinical outcome of interest. Results: Five studies published between 2019 and 2023, comprising 3593 patients, were included. Of these, 461 patients (12.8%) underwent SADI-S, while 3132 (87.2%) underwent SG. The mean patient age was 42.96 years, with 89.6% female participants. Patients undergoing SADI-S had a significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) than those undergoing SG (Mean: 49.73 ± 8.10 vs. 45.64 ± 7.84; Mean Difference [MD]: 3.83, 95% CI: 0.52–7.14; p = 0.02) and an increased risk of hypertension (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04–1.84; p = 0.03). SADI-S also resulted in longer operative times (125.63 ± 51.91 min vs. 49.67 ± 26.07 min; MD: 65.97 min, 95% CI: 61.71–70.25; p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (2.30 ± 2.76 days vs. 1.21 ± 0.81 days; MD: 1.03 days, 95% CI: 0.70–1.37; p < 0.001). Moreover, patients who underwent SADI-S demonstrated a significantly higher risk of postoperative complications, such as readmissions and reinterventions (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.15–4.67; p < 0.001), and experienced greater excess weight loss (MD: 12.42%, 95% CI: 0.92–23.92; p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding age, sex, or the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Conclusions: SADI-S appears to be a promising surgical technique for facilitating substantial weight loss in individuals with severe obesity. Given the higher risk of postoperative complications associated with SADI-S, careful evaluation and personalized decision-making for patient selection and education are essential to optimize clinical and safety outcomes
Perceived Discrimination, Adult Attachment, and Mental Health Symptoms in Formerly Incarcerated Women
No full textIncarcerated women suffer numerous mental health problems, self-reporting high rates of anxiety, depression, and personality problems. Additionally, since individual differences in attachment are associated with various mental health outcomes, attachment becomes a salient construct for understanding psychopathology among formerly incarcerated populations. Many racial and ethnic minoritized groups are disproportionately represented in the U.S. criminal justice system, and in the U.S., both overt and covert, everyday forms of racial/ethnic discrimination towards minoritized groups have been related to negative mental health outcomes. In the service of understanding and reducing mental health problems for at-risk youth, it is imperative to understand variables that are associated with psychopathology in incarcerated mothers. This study aims to (1) evaluate the association between perceived ethnic discrimination and mental health problems in formerly incarcerated mothers; (2) analyze the moderating effects of self-reported attachment style on the relation between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes. N = 95 formerly incarcerated mothers completed self-report measures of psychological symptoms and severity (SCL-R-90), attachment security (RQ), and different dimensions of perceived ethnic discrimination (PEDQ-CVB). Results indicate that individuals at high levels of fearful attachment have a stronger relationship between discrimination and psychopathology than individuals at low levels. Findings could contribute to the development of attachment-based interventions that address an individual's negative perception of self and/or others. Specifically, interventions should be designed in the context of incarcerated or formerly incarcerated environments, for mothers, in which to date results and applications are scarce.Psychology, Department ofHonors Colleg
A Comparison of Control Methods for Spacecraft Maneuvering With Run Time Assurance
No full textIn the vast subject of aerospace systems, safety is a critical factor in mission completion within the controls field. Controllers designed using data-based approaches like artificial intelligence must uphold the same levels of safety expected from modern controllers, such as Linear Quadratic Regulators. This is accomplished with the application of Run Time Assurance, which ensures the system states will remain within a predefined safe set of values, no matter the potentially dangerous control actions from the primary controller. This research compares control approaches for a deputy spacecraft conducting proximity operations to safely egress from near a chief spacecraft to a predefined relative parking orbit. This trajectory is described in a linearized relative motion reference frame and is calculated from a variety of modern control methods: Linear Quadratic Regulation, Linear Quadratic Integration, and Linear Quadratic Tracking. The initial conditions are chosen to force an unsafe trajectory to demonstrate how the use of Run Time Assurance ensures the system remains within the set of safe states. The two Run Time Assurance methods utilized are an active set invariance filter and a switching backup controller, both of which use a control barrier function to determine the safe set of values for the affected outputs with differing approaches of implementation. Three different scenarios are investigated to prove the safety bounds are not violated, each with a new situation addressed complete with new specific initial conditions. The results demonstrate that each modern controller is fully capable of implementing Run Time Assurance methods, while displaying varying levels of success based on the calculation-based values of the summation of control output and the rendezvous time