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Assessing Cognitive Performance During Dynamic Activities with Varying Insole Textures

As a User Researcher on this project, I led the investigation into how textured insoles impact cognitive performance during physical activity. My aim was to understand if enhanced sensory feedback could optimize cognitive resource allocation, particularly when attention is divided. This research has implications for improving athletic performance and potentially aiding individuals with sensory or cognitive impairments.

🤔 The Challenge

The connection between sensory feedback from our feet and higher-level cognitive functions is a fascinating area. We know that our feet constantly provide information crucial for balance and movement. The question was: Can we leverage this constant sensory input to improve cognitive processing during dynamic tasks? Specifically, how do textured insoles influence cognitive function when attention is split between a physical task and a cognitive task?

🎯 The Goal

My objective was to delve into this relationship by examining the effects of textured insoles on cognitive function during dynamic activities. The focus was on scenarios requiring divided attention, simulating real-world situations where we're often juggling physical movement with mental tasks.

🛠️ My Approach & Actions

To tackle this, I employed a rigorous user research approach:

• • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Recruited 19 participants (19 males, aged 19-28) to ensure a relevant user group for studying dynamic activities.

• • 🧪 Designed and executed a controlled lab study where each participant underwent approximately 30 minutes of testing.

• • 🎛️ Evaluated cognitive performance under four distinct insole conditions to isolate the impact of texture.

• • ✅ Ensured ethical and valid data collection by adhering to Arizona State University Institutional Review Board guidelines.

🔬 Methodology in Detail

I utilized a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data:

• 1. Gauging Perceived Roughness (Qualitative):

  • Participants used a Visual Analog Scale (VAST) to rate the perceived roughness of four different insole types. This provided valuable subjective data on the sensory experience of each insole.

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  Visual Analog Scale used to capture subjective feedback.

• 2. Measuring Cognitive Performance During Activity (Quantitative):

  • The core of the study involved a Dynamic Auditory Stroop Test (DAST). Participants ran on a track while wearing each insole type in a randomized order. During the run, they responded verbally to auditory cues ("Right" or "Left") presented through a headset. The key was whether the spoken word matched the ear it was played in (congruent) or not (incongruent). This task effectively measured cognitive processing speed and accuracy under physical stress.

  • 1. Ensuring Consistent Roughness Ratings (VAST):

    • Provided clear instructions and allowed participants to refine their ratings until satisfied.

  • 2. Managing Response Latency Variability (DAST):

    • • Analyzed data per participant to compare textured insole conditions directly to their control.

    • • Implemented a filtering process to remove outliers caused by physical exertion (e.g., gasping).

💡 Key Findings

• • My research indicated that textured insoles do indeed influence cognitive performance during dynamic activities.

• • The data suggests that this enhanced sensory feedback leads to more efficient cognitive processing.

• This study successfully shed light on the complex interplay between sensory feedback, motor control, and cognitive processing in the context of textured insoles and dynamic activities.

🏆 Impact & Conclusion

• This study successfully shed light on the complex interplay between sensory feedback, motor control, and cognitive processing in the context of textured insoles and dynamic activities.

This research provides a foundation for future exploration into optimizing footwear design for both physical and cognitive benefits.

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Development of Iron-Based Nanoparticles
for Hyperthermia

Introduction

• Developed iron-based nanoparticles (IONPs) for targeted hyperthermia treatment.

• Used a co-precipitation method to synthesize IONPs, achieving a particle size of ~11nm.

• Functionalized IONPs with hyaluronic acid (HA) to enhance biocompatibility and prevent aggregation.

• Characterized IONPs using SEM, TEM, VSM, and XRD techniques.

• Evaluated the heating effects of IONPs and HA-coated IONPs (HA-IONPs) using a radiofrequency (RF) generator.

• Created a tissue-mimicking phantom to test the RF-induced heating in a simulated biological environment.

Situation

• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and conventional treatments often have adverse side effects.

• Hyperthermia, a minimally invasive treatment using heat to destroy cancer cells, has shown promise.

• IONPs, with their biocompatibility and superparamagnetic properties, are ideal for targeted hyperthermia.

Task

• Synthesize and characterize IONPs suitable for hyperthermia applications.

• Evaluate the RF-induced heating effects of IONPs and HA-IONPs.

• Develop a tissue-mimicking phantom to simulate the biological environment for testing.

Action

• Synthesized IONPs using a co-precipitation method.

• Functionalized IONPs with HA to improve biocompatibility and prevent aggregation.

• Characterized IONPs using SEM, TEM, VSM, and XRD techniques to analyze morphology, size, magnetic properties, and crystallinity.

• Tested the RF-induced heating effects of IONPs and HA-IONPs using a 27 MHz RF generator.

• Created a tissue-mimicking phantom using agarose, sodium chloride, and sucrose to simulate normal and abnormal tissues.

Result

• Successfully synthesized IONPs with an average size of ~11nm.

• HA-IONPs exhibited enhanced biocompatibility and stability compared to bare IONPs.

• HA-IONPs generated a temperature increase of ~10°C under RF induction, suitable for hyperthermia applications.

• The tissue-mimicking phantom showed minimal temperature changes under RF induction, indicating the safety of the technique for surrounding healthy tissues.

Conclusion

• The project successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using IONPs for RF-induced hyperthermia.

• HA-IONPs hold potential for targeted and minimally invasive cancer treatment.

• Further research and development are needed to optimize the technique and evaluate its efficacy in pre-clinical and clinical settings.

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Conversion of Compound Microscope into Fluorescence Microscope for Bioimaging

Introduction

• Modified a compound microscope into a fluorescence microscope by adding different excitation sources and emission filters.

• Utilized various LEDs, including white, red, blue, green, and UV, as excitation sources.

• Added a smartphone camera interface for capturing images, enabling on-site analysis and diagnostics.

• Compared images obtained from the modified microscope to those from a high-end microscope, demonstrating comparable quality.

• Successfully imaged plant cells and endothelial cells stained with DAPI fluorophore dye.

• Developed a low-cost and portable fluorescence microscope suitable for educational and research purposes.

Situation

• Conventional fluorescence microscopes are expensive, limiting their accessibility in educational institutions and research labs.

• There is a need for a low-cost and portable fluorescence microscope that can provide comparable image quality to high-end microscopes.

Task

• Convert a compound microscope into a fluorescence microscope.

• Utilize different excitation sources and emission filters for imaging.

• Compare the image quality of the modified microscope with a high-end microscope.

Action

• Modified the eyepiece to hold a smartphone camera and emission filters.

• Used various LEDs and UV light as excitation sources.

• Prepared samples by staining them with DAPI fluorophore dye.

• Captured images using the smartphone camera and compared them to those from a high-end microscope.

Result

• Successfully converted a compound microscope into a fluorescence microscope.

• Achieved comparable image quality to a high-end microscope at a significantly lower cost.

• Demonstrated the feasibility of using a smartphone camera for on-site analysis and diagnostics.

• Successfully imaged plant cells and endothelial cells stained with DAPI.

Conclusion

• The project successfully developed a low-cost and portable fluorescence microscope.

• The modified microscope provides comparable image quality to high-end microscopes, making it suitable for educational and research purposes.

• The use of a smartphone camera enables on-site analysis and point-of-care diagnostics.

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Neural Data Analysis for Motor Cortex Recordings

• Preprocessed and sorted neural recordings from a microelectrode array implanted in the primary motor cortex of a macaque monkey during finger movements

• Generated event-aligned raster plots, peristimulus time histograms (PETHs), and developed criteria for decoding finger movements based on neural firing rates.

• Analyzed local field potentials (LFPs) using spectrograms and created tuning curves based on spectral power in specific time-frequency windows.

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Wearable for Accurate stress detection

• • Develop a wearable device for accurate stress detection using multiple physiological sensors and machine learning algorithms.

• • The device will measure cortisol levels, heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, and motion data to provide a comprehensive assessment of stress response.

• • The data will be processed using advanced machine learning models to classify real-time stress levels and provide personalized feedback to the user.

• • The device aims to improve stress awareness and management, potentially benefiting individuals with mental health conditions and promoting overall well-being.

Situation

• • Stress is a pervasive issue with significant impacts on mental and physical health.

• • Traditional methods for assessing stress are often subjective and unreliable.

• • There is a need for accurate and objective stress detection tools that can provide real-time feedback and facilitate personalized stress management.

Task

• • Develop a wearable device that integrates multiple physiological sensors to capture a comprehensive stress response.

• • Develop a robust data processing pipeline and machine learning algorithms to accurately classify stress levels.

• • Design a user-friendly interface to provide real-time feedback and facilitate personalized stress management.

Action

• • Develop flexible sensors for cortisol, HRV, temperature, and motion.

• • Design and fabricate a wearable device prototype.

• • Collect pilot data from individuals under various stress conditions.

• • Develop and train machine learning models for stress classification.

• • Design and implement a user interface for real-time feedback.

Challenges and Proposed Solutions

• • Accurate and reliable cortisol sensing in sweat.

• • Solution: Explore novel cortisol sensing materials and optimize sensor design for sensitivity and stability.

• • Effective sensor fusion and machine learning model development.

• • Solution: Investigate advanced machine learning techniques and optimize feature extraction for robust stress classification.

• • User-friendly interface design for personalized feedback.

• • Solution: Conduct user experience (UX) research and design an intuitive interface that provides clear and actionable stress insights.

Result (Expected)

• • A functional wearable device prototype capable of accurately detecting stress levels in real-time.

• • A robust data processing pipeline and machine learning model for personalized stress classification.

• • A user-friendly interface that provides real-time feedback and facilitates stress management.

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3D-Printed Gold Nanoparticle (AuNP) for Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) Based Detection for Biosensing Application.

• • This project utilizes gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for biosensing, focusing on integrating them with 3D printing technology.

• • Contrasts 3D printing with conventional thin-film technologies, which are labor-intensive and require high temperatures and controlled environments.

• • 3D printing offers precise control over shape, geometry, and thickness, making it a user-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative.

• • AuNPs are chosen for their stability, biocompatibility, and ease of surface functionalization, especially in localized surface plasmon-based biosensors.

• • Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based biosensors rely on changes in the dielectric properties of the local environment, enhancing sensitivity.

• • The project involves establishing 3D printing fundamentals, exploring various Au salts and polymer ligands to optimize the process.

• • Characterization of 3D-printed thin films involves ellipsometry, AFM, and SEM measurements, with post-deposition annealing and O2 plasma treatment to enhance film quality and sensitivity.

• • The functionalized thin film will be used for dsDNA detection using LSPR sensing to demonstrate proof of concept.

Situation

• • Conventional thin-film technologies are labor-intensive, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly.

• • There is a need for a low-cost, environmentally friendly, and user-friendly alternative for producing high-quality thin films.

• • AuNPs have exceptional properties for biosensing applications, including stability, biocompatibility, and ease of surface functionalization.

Task

• • Develop a novel 3D printing setup and method for high-throughput, low-cost fabrication of complex structures and thin films.

• • Develop a reliable method for the mass-scale 3D printing of AuNP-based thin films.

• • Develop an effective method for the functionalization of 3D-printed AuNP-based thin films.

• • Establish the optical setup for LSPR sensing and demonstrate its reliability.

• • Demonstrate the LSPR sensing reliability by detecting dsDNA using functionalized 3D-printed AuNP-based thin films.

Action

• • Establish the fundamentals of 3D printing, focusing on metal precursors, neutral polymer ligands, and reducing agents.

• • Explore various Au(I/II/III) salts and polymer ligands to optimize the 3D printing process.

• • Characterize the 3D-printed thin films using ellipsometry, AFM, and SEM measurements.

• • Perform post-deposition annealing and O2 plasma treatment to enhance film quality and sensitivity.

• • Functionalize the 3D-printed AuNP-based thin films using a biotin-streptavidin conjugate.

• • Establish the optical setup for LSPR sensing and demonstrate its reliability for dsDNA detection.

Result

• • Successfully developed a novel 3D printing setup and method for fabricating AuNP-based thin films.

• • Achieved mass-scale 3D printing of AuNP-based thin films with high reliability and consistency.

• • Developed an effective method for functionalizing 3D-printed AuNP-based thin films using a biotin-streptavidin conjugate.

• • Successfully established the optical setup for LSPR sensing and demonstrated its reliability for dsDNA detection.

Conclusion

• • The project successfully developed a new, low-cost, high-throughput platform for LSPR-based biosensing applications.

• • This platform has the potential to serve as a point-of-care diagnostic tool for various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and infectious diseases.

• • The project's success promises to revolutionize biosensing through innovative 3D printing technology.

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Natural Killer Cells Incubated With Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Prostate Cancer

• • Prostate cancer remains a significant global health burden, necessitating novel targeted therapies.

• • This project proposes combining natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy with hyaluronic acid (HA)-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) for targeted prostate cancer treatment.

• • NK cells possess inherent tumor-homing and cytotoxic properties.

• • HA offers tumor-targeting capabilities by binding to CD44, overexpressed on prostate cancer cells.

• • SPIONS provide magnetic targeting and hyperthermia potential.

• • This strategy aims to create a synergistic and effective therapeutic approach by combining these elements.

Situation

• • Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

• • Current treatments have limitations, including side effects and the development of resistance.

• • NK cell immunotherapy holds promise but faces challenges in tumor infiltration and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Task

• • Synthesize and characterize HA-SPIONs.

• • Evaluate their targeting of NK cells in vitro.

• • Assess the in vivo tumor-targeting and therapeutic efficacy of HA-SPION-labeled NK cells in prostate cancer models.

Action

• • Synthesize HA-SPIONs using co-precipitation of iron salts and coat with HA using EDC/NHS chemistry.

• • Optimize HA density on SPIONs for maximum CD44 binding.

• • Characterize HA-SPIONs using DLS, TEM, ICP-MS, and VSM.

• • Isolate NK cells from healthy donors and prostate cancer patients.

• • Assess HA-SPION binding, uptake, and effects on NK cell viability, phenotype, and function.

• • Establish subcutaneous and orthotopic prostate tumor models in mice.

• • Inject HA-SPION-labeled or unlabeled NK cells and apply an external magnetic field.

• • Monitor NK cell biodistribution and tumor infiltration using MRI and flow cytometry.

• • Assess tumor growth and metastasis using bioluminescence imaging and histology.

• • Evaluate survival and toxicity in treated mice.

Result

• • Successfully synthesized HA-SPIONs with optimal size, HA density, and magnetic properties.

• • HA-SPION-labeled NK cells exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells in vitro.

• • In vivo studies demonstrated enhanced tumor homing and retention of HA-SPION-labeled NK cells.

• • Targeted NK cell therapy resulted in improved tumor suppression, reduced metastasis, and prolonged survival.

Conclusion

• • The project successfully developed a novel approach combining NK cell immunotherapy with HA-functionalized SPIONS for targeted prostate cancer therapy.

• • This strategy has the potential to overcome limitations of current treatments and improve patient outcomes.

• • The findings may have broader implications for treating other cancers where CD44 is overexpressed.

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Development of Microfluidic Devices for Studying Organ Transplant Rejection

• • Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure, but long-term graft survival remains a challenge due to complex immune-mediated rejection processes.

• • Understanding the intricate interactions between recipient immune cells and donor cells is crucial for developing effective immunosuppressive therapies.

• • Current in vitro methods often fail to capture the dynamic nature of these interactions and the influence of the microenvironment.

• • This project proposes the development of a novel microfluidic device that mimics the capillary-like microenvironment, allowing real-time monitoring of immune cell-donor cell interactions in a physiologically relevant setting.

• • The device will feature an endothelial cell-lined lumen surrounded by a layer of donor cells, enabling the infusion of recipient immune cells and the introduction of immunosuppressive drugs to study their effects on cellular interactions.

Situation

• • Organ transplantation is a life-saving intervention for patients with end-stage organ failure, but long-term success is hindered by immune-mediated rejection.

• • There is a pressing need for targeted strategies to prevent rejection and enhance graft survival.

• • Conventional in vitro methods fail to capture the dynamic nature of immune cell interactions and the impact of the microenvironment.

• • Animal models, while offering valuable insights, do not always accurately mimic human physiology and immunology.

• • Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating complex biological processes, providing precise control over the cellular microenvironment and enabling real-time visualization of cell-cell interactions.

Task

• • Develop a novel microfluidic device that replicates the vascularized microenvironment of a transplanted organ.

• • Study immune cell-donor cell interactions in a physiologically relevant context.

• • Allow real-time monitoring of dynamic cellular interactions and assessing immunosuppressive drug effects.

• • Gain insights into the mechanisms underlying transplant rejection and contribute to developing targeted immunomodulatory strategies to reduce rejection and improve long-term graft survival.

Action

• • Design and fabricate a microfluidic device with a central lumen lined with endothelial cells and a surrounding layer of donor cells.

• • Seed primary human endothelial cells and donor cells in the device to create a physiologically relevant microenvironment.

• • Infuse recipient immune cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) through the lumen to study their interactions with donor cells.

• • Introduce immunosuppressive drugs into the device to investigate their effects on cellular interactions and graft survival.

• • Monitor cellular interactions in real-time using live-cell imaging techniques.

• • Analyze the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on cell-cell interactions and the overall cellular microenvironment.

Result

• • Successfully developed a microfluidic device that mimics the vascularized microenvironment of a transplanted organ.

• • Achieved real-time monitoring of immune cell-donor cell interactions in a physiologically relevant setting.

• • Gained insights into the dynamic cellular processes involved in transplant rejection.

• • Evaluated the effects of immunosuppressive drugs on cellular interactions and the microenvironment.

• • Identified potential therapeutic targets and approaches for controlling organ rejection.

Conclusion

• • The project successfully developed a novel microfluidic platform for studying immune cell interactions in organ transplantation.

• • The device provides a valuable tool for investigating transplant rejection mechanisms and facilitating the development of targeted immunomodulatory approaches.

• • The insights gained from this study contribute to improving long-term graft survival and benefiting patients in need of organ transplants.