University Archives

Purpose

To characterize and compare the sagittal power profiles of 15 commercially available multifocal soft contact lenses—both monthly and daily designs—using a high-resolution NIMO device and the Visual Strehl on the Frequency Domain (VSOTF) with the goal of evaluating how add power implementation varies across brands and modalities.

Methods

The average (out of five measurements) sagittal power of each of the 15 lenses as a function of the radius was obtained with the NIMO(Lambda-X) instrument. The lens set included: Alcon (TOTAL30 and DAILIES Total1, each in High, Medium, and Low additions), Bausch & Lomb (Soflens, PureVision, and Infuse in High and Low additions), and Johnson & Johnson (Acuvue, in High, Medium, and Low additions). The corresponding Visual VSOTF through focus (257 steps between-2.00 and 6.00 diopters) of the lenses were calculated for pupil sizes ranging between 1 and 7 mm. After that, the theoretical evaluation of the 15 lenses was coupled with the low and high order aberrations of a data base of 65 eyes with pupils ranging between 2.45 mm and 6.27 mm. A total of 1080 combinations were simulated.

Results

Commercial multifocal soft contact lenses exhibit substantial variability in sagittal power distribution, add implementation strategies, and predicted optical performance across brands and replacement modalities. Monthly and daily designs from the same manufacturer often differed in the magnitude and radial extent of plus power, as well as in the smoothness or zonal nature of their profiles. These design differences produced distinct VSOTF through-focus behaviors that were highly dependent on pupil size.

When coupled with real-eye aberration data from a large sample, the lenses demonstrated considerable variation in predicted visual quality, underscoring the importance of matching lens design to individual ocular optics. Overall, the results highlight that multifocal lens performance cannot be inferred from labeled add alone; rather, true optical behavior is determined by the full power profile and its interaction with pupil size and ocular aberrations. This characterization provides a framework for guiding lens selection in both presbyopic and myopia-control applications.

Conclusions

Commercial multifocal lenses show wide variation in add distribution and VSOTF performance, strongly influenced by pupil size and ocular aberrations. These differences indicate that labeled add does not predict functional performance; instead, optimal lens selection depends on matching full optical profiles to individual ocular characteristics.

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Drosophila melanogaster is a well-established genetic model system for understanding the interplay among development, growth, and genetics. Here, we continue our work on the role of the gene Apoptosis-Inducing Factor (AIF-1) during development. Previous studies have shown that AIF-1 mutation dramatically reduced homozygous mutant clone size in a mosaic setting. Our current project is trying to understand the molecular and developmental role of AIF-1 in the fly. To investigate this, we are using imaginal disc staining and immunofluorescence to determine if any common developmental pathways are perturbed in an AIF-1 mutant background. Currently, we are using antibodies for common signaling pathways (Wg, Hh, N, Jack-Stat, Hpo, Dpp, Pas/Map k) to see if AIF-1 impacts the normal developmental signaling pattern(s).

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Estrogen receptor alpha (ERɑ) plays a key role in regulating proliferation in hormone-responsive breast cancer cells. Structurally related compound interactions with ERɑ are essential for evaluating estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the proliferation response of breast cancer cells to estradiol (E2) and evaluate ligand receptor interactions through computational analysis. Cells were cultured under estrogen-deprived conditions and treated with E2 with varying concentrations of 1 nM-30 nM. For proliferations, MCF-7 cells were plated at 1,000 cells per well, while T47D cells were plated at 2,000 cells per well. Growth characteristics and metabolic activity were measured using a fluorescence assay after four days of treatment. Fluorescence measurements demonstrated a concentration increase in cellular metabolic activity following E2 treatments, confirming estrogen response under hormone-deselected conditions. T47D cells indicated a slight increase in cell growth with the presence of the minoxidil intermediate whereas MCF-7 cells did not. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to examine ligand binding interactions with ERɑ binding pocket while taking into account the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic amino acid residues. Computational docking supported these findings by demonstrating binding interactions between ligand structure and ERɑ residues. These results validate the experimental model and the integration of the wet lab and computational work in order to assess ERɑ signaling. This combined study provides an evaluation of the biological relevance of ligand-receptor interactions when dealing with hormone-responsive cancer cells.

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Our research explores the ability of fish to perform inhibitory control, a skill that has traditionally been thought to be found only in animals with larger, more complex brains. Recent studies suggest that fish, despite having smaller brains, can complete tasks that require them to inhibit behavioral responses. As part of an international collaboration testing fish cognition, we are using a version of a detour task, called the cylinder task, to test behavioral inhibition in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). In this task, fish need to swim around a clear obstacle (a cylinder) to reach a food reward, avoiding contact with the obstacle by inhibiting the urge to swim directly toward the food. Our hypothesis is that fish can demonstrate inhibitory control, similar to other vertebrates with larger brains. We believe that different fish species will show varying abilities to perform this task, with more behaviorally complex species possibly performing better. The goal of this research is to better understand how fish brains handle this kind of cognitive task, which is usually linked to more complex nervous systems. This research could change how we view cognitive abilities in animals. If fish can perform inhibitory control tasks, it could suggest that this ability is not limited to animals with large brains and may have developed independently in different species. This simple and flexible task could help us better understand cognitive functions in animals with smaller nervous systems and expand the knowledge in the field of comparative cognition.

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The study of bacteriophages is on the rise due to their potential for medical treatment of bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect specific strains of bacteria, acquire genes in their genome that dictate the phages' structure and replicability. Bacteriophage Vivum was discovered by students at the University of Detroit Mercy, and its genome is now being annotated as part of our Bioinformatics course. Gene 14 codes for a protein known as the tape measure protein (TMP), the largest protein in a bacteriophage genome. TMP determines the length of the tail of the phage, which makes it crucial for the ability to infect host bacterium. Various bioinformatic platforms such as PhagesDB, PECAAN, and NCBI BLAST, alongside many others, aid in characterizing and annotation of this gene. In using these platforms, we have analyzed Gene 14’s position and function to better understand its role in the genome of phage Vivum. Annotating this gene will enhancee our knowledge of bacteriophages alongside their potential applications to areas such as medicine and phage evolution.

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Plastic pollution has emerged as an increasingly urgent environmental concern, yet its effects on aquatic organisms remain largely obscure. This study examined the impact of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure on olfactory function in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Fish were exposed for 28 days to either control, microplastic, or nanoplastic conditions, after which behavioral assays were conducted to evaluate responses to odorants. In the second phase of the experiment, neural activation within the olfactory epithelium was quantified following odorant exposure. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) immunostaining was used to visualize and measure recently activated olfactory sensory neurons. The number and distribution of activated neurons were compared across control, micrplastic-, and nanoplastic-exposed fish to assess potential differences in olfactory signaling. By quantifying activated cells across treatment groups, we aimed to determine whether exposure to plastic particles alters the ability of olfactory receptors to detect and respond to odorant molecules. We hypothesized that fish exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics would exhibit reduced neuronal activation relative to controls, potentially due to receptor damage or impaired odorant binding. Understanding how emerging environmental contaminants disrupt sensory systems is critical for assessing their ecological consequences. The broader objective of this study is to evaluate how plastic pollution may interfere with essential sensory processes and associated behaviors in aquatic organisms experiencing increasing anthropogenic change. 

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Background:

People with serious mental illness (SMI) have high rates of premature mortality primarily due to chronic physical health conditions. African Americans similarly face disparities in chronic physical health conditions. Consistent use of primary care (PC) is one strategy for addressing these disparities.

Present Study:

We present qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study of PC among persons with SMI in Detroit, Michigan. We compared participants who did and did not receive PC over a 6-month period to identify whether participants’ views or experiences contributed to the likelihood of receiving PC.

First, we explored participants’ experiences of care and hypothesized that people not receiving PC would report more negative experiences regarding trust, racial discrimination, and stigma related to mental illness.

Second, we explored potential group differences in patient-level factors of patient activation, health literacy, reasons to seek PC and alternatives to PC.

Method:

Participants were 23 African Americans (12 women, 11 men) with SMI and at least one chronic medical condition. Using purposive sampling, we recruited participants from the quantitative portion of our study who had (n = 16) and had not (n = 7) received PC over 6-months.

We conducted two in-person focus groups with women in December 2019 and February 2020 and individual virtual interviews with men in April and May 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We used inductive and deductive approaches for transcript analysis.

Findings:

Trust increased participants’ comfort with seeking PC, regardless of receipt of PC. Confidentiality affected trust in that many participants expressed concerns about or experienced confidentiality violations.

Participants generally denied having personally experienced racism or stigma related to mental illness in PC. 

Differences emerged between participants receiving or not receiving PC on the aforementioned patient-level factors. The differences highlight the importance of PC education for persons with SMI who are not receiving PC.

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The CDC reports yearly approximately 25,000 candidemia infections, a fungal bloodstream infection Candida albicans. This fungus forms biofilms on microbial surfaces, which are crucial for its pathogenicity. Biofilms form when yeast cell attach to a surface and then later fungal cells spread beginning the change from yeast to a filament cell. After the final step of maturation any cell that is not attached to the matrix or then released into the surrounding environment. This is precisely what causes the infections we see. This summers research focused on understanding the attachment process of Candida albicans biofilms and exploring potential drug target to inhibit this process. We looked at biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutants, using strains from the mutant library. Of particular interest was that the loss of biofilm formation in the berIA/A mutant can be restored by S. mutants, proposing a complex interaction between these two organisms.

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This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the use of magnification devices, specifically loupes, and ergonomic interventions among dental hygiene (DH) students in Michigan. A convenience sample was obtained during the Michigan Association of Dental Hygiene Educators conference, where an electronic survey was distributed via QR code to 117 active second-year hygiene students. The survey collected data on demographics, loupes usage, reasons for adoption or non-use, pain experiences, and perceptions of disadvantages related to loupes.

Results indicated that 59% of respondents used loupes, with the Galilean type being the most common. Reasons for loupes adoption included improved visualization (93%), enhanced posture (79%), and increased precision (71%). Cost (57%) and delayed access in educational programs (26%) were the primary barriers to use. Regarding disadvantages, cost (85%) and discomfort (22%) were notable concerns. Analysis revealed no statistically significant association between loupe use and age range or body pain, though 61% of respondents reported experiencing bodily pain.

Despite the lack of statistical significance, the findings suggest the potential role of loupes in addressing ergonomic challenges faced by DH students.

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In this poster, we will be promoting healthy living by discussing food security in Michigan. The central research question guiding this study is: What are the most effective strategies for reducing food insecurity in Michigan through community-driven approaches? We will define food security, explore its importance to Michigan, and discuss the various factors that influence it. By examining aspects such as local initiatives, education, and sustainable farming, we aim to demonstrate how community-driven efforts can work together to improve food access and reduce insecurity.​

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Background: Self-compassion interventions have evidence of improving positive psychology and wellness for healthcare professionals. Nurse educators are charged with supporting student wellbeing and mental health with an emphasis on sustainable strategies that combat increased levels of burnout currently facing the nursing workforce. Academic nurse leaders have been called to promote and contribute to an environment that enhances self-care behaviors and wellbeing. Addressing the mental health of nurses has become an ethical issue that must begin in the academic setting. Interventions to promote wellbeing and reduce burnout are needed to improve the health of nurses, counter workforce shortages, and support patient outcomes. Equipping nursing students with these skills within their formative educational process can effectively promote wellbeing and serve as a protective buffer against burnout.

Purpose: This poster will introduce the concept of self-compassion and its application as a tool to reduce burnout. An overview of results from a pilot study of a self-compassion program for pre-licensure and graduate nursing students will provide participants with a framework to implement a self-compassion intervention in the university setting.

Methods: The evidence-based Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities course was implemented in a synchronous online format for a sample of undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Measures of self-compassion, wellbeing, burnout and program satisfaction were assessed.

Results: The pilot study provides preliminary evidence for the use of self-compassion programs with nursing students and supports the growing body of research related to self-compassion interventions. The benefit of implementing self-compassion training and feasibility findings from the pilot program will be shared.

Implications: Implications for program replication and sustainability in the university setting and other environments will be discussed with the future goal of creating a shared philosophy and common language to promote the well-being of healthcare communities.

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This project involves the development of an autonomous ground vehicle for the 2025 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) using ROS2 as the primary framework for system integration and control. Odometry, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and GPS sensors are utilized to enable real-time localization and navigation in dynamic outdoor environments. To enhance state estimation accuracy, sensor fusion is performed using an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), which integrates multi-sensor data while compensating for individual sensor limitations such as IMU drift, GPS errors, and odometry slippage. The modular architecture of ROS2 through the robot_localization package allows for efficient data processing, inter-process communication, and autonomous decision-making. Through this approach, improvements in real-time localization, path planning, and obstacle avoidance are achieved, addressing key challenges in IGVC and contributing to advancements in autonomous ground vehicle technology. 

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Putative 2-methylcitrate dehydratase (PDH1) is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein that participates in propionate metabolism. The PDH1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is orthologous to the human gene aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1), which recent reports suggest is a regulator of immunometabolism in inflammation and infection. However, the metabolic consequences of PDH1 deletion have not yet been fully characterized.  To further explore the molecular functions of PDH1, we performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics to compare PDH1 deletion mutant yeast to BY4741 wild-type yeast. Both intracellular and extracellular metabolite extractions were performed on yeast cultures harvested at mid-log growth phase.  The yeast extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer operated in positive ionization mode. Following untargeted feature detection and alignment, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed to detect differential features between the yeast strains. Preliminary results, which suggest the mutation has multiple potential metabolic effects, will be described.

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The effectiveness of periodontal treatments relies on patient engagement, with patients actively partnering with dental professionals. Success depends upon compliance with home care and regular clinic visits. This research explores factors influencing compliance from a dynamic interplay of individual patient attributes and factors related to their experience of the clinic. The current project explores individual factors like health history to identify risk factors in non-compliance both in the home hygiene habits and office visit compliance. Periodontists perform a variety of procedures, including dental exams and implants. Patients may avoid proper hygiene and/or skip appointments due to reasons such as not fully understanding their treatments, dental anxiety, health problems, or other issues. Processes can be developed to increase compliance by minimizing the effects of such factors. For example, communication and social support can address fear resulting from innate stimuli and learned association and which then increases compliance. Patient management practices can be improved both for all patients and targeted at-risk subgroups. This project provides a foundation for developing such processes by examining patient data to provide and overview of patient characteristics and their relationship to compliance-related behaviors. Future investigations will focus on clinic-related factors that could interact with individual patient factors. The office environment and staff interactions, such as patient education and defining expectations during intake, can positively influence appointment compliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes. 

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The effectiveness of periodontal treatments relies on patient engagement, with patients actively partnering with dental professionals. Success depends upon compliance with home care and regular clinic visits. This research explores factors influencing compliance from a dynamic interplay of individual patient attributes and factors related to their experience of the clinic. The current project explores individual factors like health history to identify risk factors in non-compliance both in the home hygiene habits and office visit compliance. Periodontists perform a variety of procedures, including dental exams and implants. Patients may avoid proper hygiene and/or skip appointments due to reasons such as not fully understanding their treatments, dental anxiety, health problems, or other issues. Processes can be developed to increase compliance by minimizing the effects of such factors. For example, communication and social support can address fear resulting from innate stimuli and learned association and which then increases compliance. Patient management practices can be improved both for all patients and targeted at-risk subgroups. This project provides a foundation for developing such processes by examining patient data to provide and overview of patient characteristics and their relationship to compliance-related behaviors. Future investigations will focus on clinic-related factors that could interact with individual patient factors. The office environment and staff interactions, such as patient education and defining expectations during intake, can positively influence appointment compliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes. 

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During tennis training sessions, coaches typically hit dozens of balls toward players for practice. By the end of the session, players often need to stop training several minutes early to manually collect the scattered tennis balls, which reduces effective training time and interrupts the practice flow. To address this problem, this project proposes an autonomous robotic system designed to detect and collect tennis balls efficiently. The system uses an Intel RealSense D415 depth camera, which provides both RGB images and depth information to understand the 3D environment. A YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection model is applied to identify tennis balls in real time and determine their locations within the scene. Using the depth data from the camera, the system estimates the spatial coordinates of each detected ball. These coordinates are then sent to the robot, which computes an efficient path and autonomously navigates the area to collect the balls. The proposed solution aims to automate the ball collection process, reduce interruptions during training sessions, and increase overall practice efficiency through the integration of computer vision, depth sensing, and robotic path planning.

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Ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare workers is critical in medical  environments. However, due to the urgency of medical situations, healthcare professionals  may occasionally forget to wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE). This project proposes a real-time computer vision system designed to detect and track whether  medical staff are wearing the required PPE. The system utilizes You Only Look Once (YOLOv8), a state-of-the-art deep learning object detection model known for its high  accuracy and real-time performance. YOLOv8 processes camera input and detects  essential protective equipment such as masks, gloves, goggles, and other medical safety  gear. Based on predefined compliance rules, the system evaluates whether a healthcare  worker meets the required safety standards. Accordingly, it can allow or deny access to  restricted medical areas such as patient rooms or operating rooms. The proposed approach aims to improve PPE compliance in healthcare environments, reduce the need for manual  monitoring, and enhance overall infection control and workplace safety.

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Purpose: Multifocal contact lenses (MCLs), initially developed to meet the needs of presbyopic patients, are now also employed in myopia control treatments. The optical performance of MCLs, in conjunction with the eye's optical characteristics, determines the final visual outcome for the wearer. When an MCL is prescribed, the optics of the cornea's anterior surface are replaced by those of the contact lens. This study aims to assess the significance of this replacement in evaluating the overall optical quality of the combined system (Eye + MCLs).

Methods: The low and high-order aberrations of the anterior surface of the cornea, as well as the total eye aberrations, were measured in 7 subjects (14 eyes) using an OSIRIS-T (CSO) instrument. The through-focus VSOTF metric, spanning object vergences from -6.00 D to +6.00 D, was calculated for this sample while wearing MYLO lenses. This was done using a pupil segmentation method our lab recently published in Scientific Reports by Nature. Two scenarios were analyzed: one where the optical aberrations of the first corneal surface were preserved, and another where only the internal aberrations of the eye were considered. The sagittal power for the MYLO lenses used in these simulations was obtained using a NIMO (Lambda-X) device. To illustrate the impact of retaining or removing the first corneal surface aberrations, the optical quality available in front of and behind the retinal plane for 1 D and 2 D intervals was calculated for both scenarios and compared.

Results: As previously reported by other groups, corneal aberrations account for a significant portion of the eye's total aberrations. The aberrations of the cornea and the crystalline lens appear to be coupled to optimize the eye's optical quality. Introducing a new first surface with a contact lens minimizes corneal aberrations but disrupts this coupling with internal aberrations. The variations in optical quality in front of and behind the retina were found to be an order of magnitude larger between subjects than within a single subject. The primary factor driving this intersubject variability was pupil size.

Conclusions: When simulating the optical quality of multifocal contact lenses, it is best practice to include only the internal aberrations of the eye. However, the most significant difference in the optical behavior of multifocal contact lenses will be created by the distribution of sagittal power along their optical profiles. In cases where there are abrupt variations in the amount of addition as a function of the contact lens radius, such as with the MYLO lens, pupil size—not optical aberrations—will be the primary factor determining the final optical quality provided by the eye + contact lens system for any given working distance.

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Purpose: Multifocal contact lenses (MCLs), initially developed to meet the needs of presbyopic patients, are now also employed in myopia control treatments. The optical performance of MCLs, in conjunction with the eye's optical characteristics, determines the final visual outcome for the wearer. When an MCL is prescribed, the optics of the cornea's anterior surface are replaced by those of the contact lens. This study aims to assess the significance of this replacement in evaluating the overall optical quality of the combined system (Eye + MCLs).

Methods: The low and high-order aberrations of the anterior surface of the cornea, as well as the total eye aberrations, were measured in 33 subjects (66 eyes) using an OSIRIS-T (CSO) instrument. The through-focus VSOTF metric, spanning object vergences from -6.00 D to +6.00 D, was calculated for this sample while wearing MYLO lenses. This was done using a pupil segmentation method our lab recently published in Scientific Reports by Nature. Two scenarios were analyzed: one where the optical aberrations of the first corneal surface were preserved, and another where only the internal aberrations of the eye were considered. The sagittal power for the MYLO lenses used in these simulations was obtained using a NIMO (Lambda-X) device. To illustrate the impact of retaining or removing the first corneal surface aberrations, the optical quality available in front of and behind the retinal plane for 1 D and 2 D intervals was calculated for both scenarios and compared.

Results: As previously reported by other groups, corneal aberrations account for a significant portion of the eye's total aberrations. The aberrations of the cornea and the crystalline lens appear to be coupled to optimize the eye's optical quality. Introducing a new first surface with a contact lens minimizes corneal aberrations but disrupts this coupling with internal aberrations. The variations in optical quality in front of and behind the retina were found to be an order of magnitude larger between subjects than within a single subject. The primary factor driving this intersubject variability was pupil size. Monofocal lenses result in higher maximum VSOTF peak, while the MYLO lenses result in lower maximum peaks but offer a broader range of visual quality across vergences. When comparing VSOTF values at different fixed diopters monofocal lenses delivered higher peak vision compared to MYLO lenses, especially when corneal aberrations are compensated.

Conclusions: When simulating the optical quality of multifocal contact lenses, it is best practice to include only the internal aberrations of the eye. However, the most significant difference in the optical behavior of multifocal contact lenses will be created by the distribution of sagittal power along their optical profiles. In cases where there are abrupt variations in the amount of addition as a function of the contact lens radius, such as with the MYLO lens, pupil size—not optical aberrations—will be the primary factor determining the final optical quality provided by the eye + contact lens system for any given working distance.

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The purpose of this research is to come to a conclusion to determine how patients would feel about playing music during procedures and how their anxiety is affected. Anxiety can significantly affect a patient's willingness to seek care. The goal is to determine the effect music has on anxiety levels during dental procedures.

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Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria. Currently, 10^31 bacteriophages are known to exist. Bacteriophage Vivum was discovered by students at the University of Detroit Mercy, and its genome is now being annotated as part of our Bioinformatics course. Our phage Vivum was discovered in compost in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it’s genome was sent to the University of Pittsburgh Bacteriophage Institute to be sequenced. We are currently using different databases, including PECAAN, GeneMark, AND BlastP, to annotate the position and function of each gene in the phages’ genome. We decided to focus on a structural protein, capsid maturation protease, which is typically located on the left arm of the phage genome. Capsid proteins are essential for all phages, as they enclose and protect the DNA used to infect hosts. We found one of these capsid proteases in Gene 4, which was supported by Blasts from PhagesDB and NCBI as well as hits from HHPred. Research on bacteriophages is important to the development of biotechnology and healthcare treatment. By identifying these proteins and finding their functions, we hope to uncover potential applications in phage engineering and understand how gene enzymes contribute to the assembly of the capsid. This can help to open the door for modified bacteriophages or phage tools.

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Arthrobacteriophage Chicken is a bacteriophage, which is a virus that targets bacteria, using the host’s cells to replicate themselves and destroy the host cells. It was isolated from slightly dry, sandy soil collected from Los Angeles, California. Based on genomic similarity, Chicken has been classified to belong to the cluster AS1 and was isolated using the host Arthrobacter globiformis B-2979. This tells us that it has a shared evolutionary relationship and conserved genomic features among related phages. It has a temperate life cycle, where it can alternate between both the lytic and lysogenic cycles. This suggests the presence of regulatory genes involved in lysogeny, like integrases and repressors, which can be determined during annotation. The genome’s length is a total of 39,511 base pairs (bp). Its genome is now being annotated by students and faculty of the University of Detroit Mercy by employing various gene annotation tools, including PECAAN, PhagesDB, NCBI, DeepTMHMM, and HHPred Databases. These tools will allow us to compare proteins and analyze their structure in the open reading frames. Although currently we are in a preliminary process of annotating the genome of Chicken, we look forward to determining the functions of all 64 possible genes and finalizing our project. This work will contribute to the growing database of arthrobacteriophages and help to provide valuable information such as genome organization and evolutionary relationships. 

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This study asks how specific annotated genes contribute to bacteriophage replication and structural functions, and essentially, understanding why these rules are important for advancing the use of bacteriophage biology and how it can be used in future medicine and biotechnology. The research was conducted with internet software programs including PECAAN, Phamerator, SEA-Phages official function list, and the SEA-Phages Genomics guide. The function of the genes was found by comparing base pairs and amino acid sequences that existed within the databases. The genes that were analyzed were genes 1 through 3 and genes 57 through 74. Databases, including PECAAN and Phamerator provide information about characteristics of the genes and their function. In addition, guides including the SEA-Phages official function list and the SEA-Phages Genomics guide were used to define what the declared functions meant and examples of those functions in other genes.  Preliminary results suggest that genes 1–3 are likely involved in energy regulation and DNA packaging, while genes 57–74 play significant roles in DNA replication and genome processing. These findings suggest that the annotated genes contribute to essential phage life cycle processes, including replication, packaging, and host interaction. Understanding these gene functions may have broader implications for phage therapy and future research aimed at characterizing unknown proteins within bacteriophage genomes.

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This research report presents a study of cannabidiol (CBD) products completed within CHM 2250 Organic Chemistry I Lab. This report has two (2) components: my experience as a sophomore in the Fall 2023 of CHM 2250 in the lab, and as a junior in the Winter of 2024 focusing on data analysis from four semesters of student research completed in CHM 2250. In the first semester, commercially available products claiming amounts of CBD were chosen as products to assess the possible presence and properties of CBD using a variety of analytical techniques such as Beam’s test, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and advanced spectroscopy methods to study the structure, composition and properties of any molecule found. In the second semester, data from previous semesters were gathered and organized into a spreadsheet and were evaluated to show trends and insights on CBD product variability and experimental results. In addition to documenting my experiences and analysis of data, I reviewed problems encountered and obtained insights, making recommendations for enhancing experimental procedures and improving data gathering techniques during Winter 2024. During the summer of 2024, I focused on refining the course's learning outcomes,and exploring simpler and more costeffective methods to replace techniques used in CHM 2250. Overall, this report gives a picture of the research process, from hands-on experimentation to data analysis, providing valuable perspectives for the crucial need of future CBD research.

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Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, delivers cytotoxic Yop proteins to host cells, thus preventing phagocytosis and clearance by innate immune cells like neutrophils. Neutrophils are known to be a prime target for Yop delivery during in vivo infections.

Given the critical nature of this host-pathogen interaction for Yop delivery, the goal of our work is to understand the role of different bacterial and host proteins in this process. Three surface adhesins of Y. pestis can contribute to Yop delivery, Ail, Pla (plasminogen activator) and Psa (pH 6 antigen). Using a fluorescent reagent to detect Yop delivery, we find Ail, Pla and PsaA can all contribute to Yop delivery to HL-60 cells in the presence of human serum, a component added to mimic Y. pestis infections in host tissues.

Infection of the human epithelial cell line (Hep-2 cells) have a different profile regarding which adhesins play a critical role in Yop delivery, with Ail being the dominant adhesin for Yop delivery to Hep-2 cells.

Lack of Yop delivery to neutrophils by Y. pestis adhesin mutants is reflected in the ability of neutrophils to more efficiently kill the ail- and ail-pla-psaA- mutants due to their inability to inhibit phagocytosis and degranulation, two processes that allow neutrophils to kill bacteria.

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Minoxidil is commonly used to treat hair loss, but recent studies suggest it may have effects on estrogen-related pathways. Some research indicates that minoxidil could influence estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity, which plays a role in breast cancer cell growth. This study aims to explore whether minoxidil affects ERα and how it impacts breast cancer cell proliferation. To test this, we used cell proliferation assays and computational docking studies to analyze how minoxidil interacts with ERα. Our results suggest that minoxidil binds to ERα and may alter breast cancer cell growth. These findings could help us better understand minoxidil’s broader effects beyond its use in hair growth treatments.

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Solitary bees are important for functioning ecosystems because they are better pollinators than social bees (e.g., honeybees, bumble bees, et cetera), even in urban environments.  In 2020, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) established a 0.4 hectare forbs-dominated meadow in Palmer Park, Detroit, MI, to support bee biodiversity.  This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the park’s habitat restoration efforts.  Alfalfa leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata), a solitary bee species, were introduced in two locations, the forbs meadow and the regenerating prairie within the park’s disc golf course.  To assess the reproduction efforts of the leafcutter bees, reeds within bee nesting boxes were collected, to evaluate the types of plants used by M. rotundata to build cocoons.  Surprisingly, several reeds from the forb meadow contain larvae within cells created by hard septa but did without leaf-covered cocoons.  DNA barcoding with the chloroplast rbcL encoding sequences was to identify the types of plants utilized by the bees.  Preliminary results indicated that the bees preferred cutting leaves from Rhamnus sp. (buckthorn) and the hard septa were made from Apocynum sp. (dogbane).  These results suggest that the bee refuge established by USFWS did not provide all of the resources needed by leafcutter bees.  In the future, seed mixes used to create bee refuges should contain appropriate species for leaf cutting such as dogbane.

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Malignant self-regard (MSR) represents a personality style defined by chronic unhappiness and depressivity, harsh self-criticism, perfectionistic striving, self-defeating tendencies, and a vulnerability to shame. Studies have found that the construct is associated with personality pathology severity. Using a large nonclinical sample (N = 2,643), an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the 52-item Malignant Self-Regard Questionnaire (MSRQ; Huprich et al., 2011) was conducted, specifying a two-factor solution consistent with the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders framework. The analysis yielded a Self-Functioning factor, consisting of items marked by maladaptive self-concept, pessimism, and shame, and an Interpersonal Functioning factor, with items characterized by interpersonal sensitivity, moralistic striving, and self-sacrificing tendencies. Convergent validity analyses found that Self-Functioning correlated negatively with self-esteem (RSES; r = –.35) and strongly with narcissistic vulnerability dimensions of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI), including contingent self-esteem (r = .68), devaluing others (r = .57), and entitlement rage (r = .43). Interpersonal Functioning, by contrast, had negligible association with self-esteem (r = –.05) but meaningful correlations with interpersonal dimensions of narcissism, including self-sacrificing self-enhancement (r = .41), exploitativeness (r = .33), and need for recognition (r = .30). This pattern suggests that Factor 1 reflects impairments in self-functioning (identity, self-direction), while Factor 2 reflects impairments in interpersonal functioning (empathy, intimacy), paralleling the DSM-5 Level of Personality Functioning (LPF) model. These findings thus suggest that the MSRQ may serve as a dimensional indicator of personality functioning severity and as a potential self-report proxy for LPF assessment, extending its utility beyond a measure.

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Collaborative Learning is an educational strategy that emphasizes active participation, mutual support, and collective problem-solving. It has been shown to foster deeper engagement and improve students’ comprehension of course material. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of a modified collaborative learning activity implemented with first-year dental students. The activity involved an individual exam followed by a group review, designed to encourage peer discussion and enhance content comprehension. After the activity, an anonymous survey will be administered to gather students' perceptions of the format. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to assess students' opinions on the approach, perceived benefits, and challenges. The goal of this study is to provide a better understanding of how collaborative learning techniques can be integrated into dental education and offer insights into how this method might be optimized to improve learning in the early stages of the dental program.

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This research examines the impact of Daylight-Saving Time (DST) transitions on traffic accidents in the United States from 2016 to 2023 using a comprehensive accident dataset. The analysis focuses on the date and time of the accident, its severity, and how it compares to traditional factors such as sunrise and sunset times, weather conditions, location history, and road features. The goal is to assess whether the shift in time correlates with an increased accident risk. A statistical analysis is conducted to determine the average accident frequency, severity levels, and contributing conditions before and after the DST transition, assuming all external factors remain constant. By examining changes in mean values and potential deviations, this research aims to provide insights into whether DST exacerbates accident risks due to circadian rhythm disruptions and altered daylight hours.

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The purpose of this study was to show the effectiveness of Arestin in improving probing depths and decreasing bleeding on probing in patients after non-surgical periodontal therapy (SRP). A total of 150 randomly selected periodontal patients from the University of Detroit Mercy Dental who had Arestin placed after non-surgical periodontal therapy were selected. Data collected included, age, gender, smoking and diabetic status, arch and tooth number, probing depth and bleeding status at each site. Probing depth and bleeding on probing were assessed prior to and after Arestin placement. Parametric data were analyzed using unpaired and paired t-tests, ANOVA and linear regression. Categorical data were analyzed with Chi-square. Significance was based on a p-value <0.05. The study found a significant reduction in probing depths overall after Arestin placement (p < 0.0001) and improvement in bleeding on probing (p<0.001). Males had significantly greater probing depth reduction than females (p =0.01). No differences were noted in probing depths by age, smoking or diabetes status (p<0.05). Arestin led to a significant reduction in bleeding on probing and improvement in probing depths, indicating substantial improvements in periodontal health. In conclusion, in this group of randomly selected patients, Arestin significantly improved probing depths among males and bleeding on probing in males and females.

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The Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI) at University of Detroit Mercy is a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to applying artificial intelligence to real-world challenges through ethical, responsible, and community-centered innovation. CAI brings together faculty leaders, researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students from diverse disciplines, including health sciences, computer science, and data science, to collaborate on applied AI projects. The center supports experiential learning opportunities for students, interdisciplinary research for faculty, and partnerships with community and industry organizations. Through initiatives such as innovation challenges, applied research collaborations, and workforce training programs, CAI promotes the development and evaluation of practical AI solutions that address real community needs. By connecting education, research, and community engagement, CAI aims to expand access to AI knowledge, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance technology-driven solutions that improve health, learning, and community wellbeing.

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Background: Dental anxiety significantly impacts oral health outcomes and care-seeking behavior. This study investigated the relationships between dental anxiety levels and demographic factors among adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) through social media platforms. Seventy participants completed the survey. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and independent t-tests to examine relationships between anxiety levels and demographic variables.

Results: The study revealed that dental procedures such as drilling and local anesthetic injections caused the highest anxiety levels (Means = 3.49 and 3.43, respectively), with females reporting significantly higher anxiety scores (Mean = 16.26) than males (Mean = 13.45, p = 0.046). 

These findings emphasize the importance of interventions tailored to reduce dental anxiety, ultimately improving patient care and promoting consistent dental attendance.

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Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) integrate authentic research into the curriculum and allow students to engage in the process of scientific discovery within a classroom setting. These experiences facilitate research exposure for many students and promote critical thinking, collaboration, and a sense of science identity by emphasizing inquiry, data analysis, and the generation and presentation of novel results. We present progress toward the development a bioanalytical chemistry CURE that we are implementing at the University of Detroit Mercy for the first time during the fall 2025 academic term. The research project will assess the viability of putative 2-methylcitrate dehydratase (PDH1)-deletion mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast in comparison to a wild-type control strain. Yeast is a simple, single-celled eukaryote that serve as an excellent model organism for a general chemistry research experience because they grow rapidly, are easy and inexpensive to culture, are nonpathogenic and classified as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) organisms. Yeast is also a widely studied model organism and shares many conserved cellular and genetic processes with higher organisms. Further, yeast are highly amenable to genetic manipulation, making them ideal for studying fundamental biological processes such as metabolism, cell division, and gene regulation. PDH1 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein that participates in propionate metabolism. The metabolic consequences of PDH1 deletion have not yet been fully characterized. To further explore the viability and overall metabolic activity of PDH1 yeast, students will perform a fluorescence-based assay to compare PDH1 deletion mutant yeast to BY4741 wild-type yeast. In the assay, the non-fluorescent dye resazurin is incubated with yeast. Living cells reduce the dye into the fluorescent compound resorufin. Preliminary results demonstrated significantly lower fluorescence in PDH1 yeast compared to wild-type yeast after incubation with resazurin. The lower fluorescence suggests that PDH1 yeast have significantly reduced cellular metabolic activity, and, therefore, reduced viability. Additional preliminary data and details regarding the design of the research experience will be described.

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Background & Purpose: Historically, personality assessments have emphasized trait-level categorical diagnoses as defined by the DSM-5, often overlooking the broader implications of personality functioning on interpersonal dynamics. According to interpersonal theory (Sullivan, 1953), a comprehensive understanding of personality requires the examination of interpersonal relationships. Dimensional models of personality seek to address this gap by incorporating interpersonal relatedness into the personality assessment framework. However, despite this advancement, there is little research on how effectively each model predicts interpersonal outcomes, particularly within clinical settings. This study bridges this gap by investigating the clinical utility of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5-BF) and the DSM-5 Levels of Personality Functioning Questionnaire (DLOPFQ) in how effectively these tools capture and predict interpersonal challenges.

Method: The sample comprised 140 outpatients (103 females, 37 males, mean age = 47.79, SD = 13.32) from Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Internal Medicine clinics. The PID-5-BF assessed the five DSM domains of personality pathology, while the DLOPFQ evaluated levels of functioning across personal and interpersonal facets. Interpersonal relatedness was measured by the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) for attachment, the Relationship Profile Test (RPT) for dependence, and the Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal Scale (RISC) for interconnectedness.

Results: The DLOPFQ and PID-5 scores supported our hypothesis and echoed interpersonal theory, demonstrating that higher levels of personality dysfunction were consistently linked to greater interpersonal difficulties. Regarding attachment, fearful-avoidance was linked to issues with intimacy and detachment, highlighting that these individuals both desire yet avoid closeness due to fear that others will hurt them. Dismissive-avoidance was marginally associated with detachment, indicating a slight pattern of emotional disengagement, though not strongly predictive of broader personality traits. As expected, those with secure attachments demonstrated healthy intimacy and a lack of emotional withdrawal. Surprisingly, anxious attachment showed no unique variance concerning the personality measures, suggesting a complex interplay not fully captured by current assessments.

Regarding dependence, destructive over-dependence was predicted by higher levels of negative affectivity and impairment in identity and self-directedness. This suggests that individuals prone to emotional distress, lacking agency, or with a poorly defined sense of self are more likely to become overly reliant on others to compensate for internal instability. Conversely, dysfunctional detachment, or the desire to maintain distance from others, was predicted by high levels of detachment and antagonistic personality traits with trends toward identity disturbances. This suggests that people who tend to avoid closeness, and those with a pattern of hostility and manipulativeness, are more likely to struggle to form and maintain close relationships. These traits also often accompany a fragmented or unstable sense of self, further complicating their interpersonal dynamics. Healthy interdependence, on the other hand, was associated with the capacity for intimacy, but issues with empathy. This indicates that individuals who value interconnectedness have close and meaningful relationships, but might not be oriented toward empathic understanding within those relationships.

Significance & Conclusion: This study provides insight into how both dimensional and categorical models can inform psychologists' understanding of attachment, dependence, and interpersonal challenges in clinical populations.

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 Problem or Purpose: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD) results from severe, repeated, and inescapable trauma often of an interpersonal nature (Karatzias & Levendosky, 2019). Research suggests that this kind of trauma exposure results in symptoms characteristic of PTSD with the addition of disturbances in self-organization (DSO), characterized by affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relational difficulties (Cloitre et al., 2018; Hyland et al., 2017). However, critics question whether the addition of DSO symptoms warrants a new diagnosis (Brewin et al., 2017), which highlights the need for further investigation into DSO symptoms.

To address these gaps, this study investigates two key research questions. First, do interpersonal cognitive distortions mediate the relationship between trauma symptoms and interpersonal regulation? This research question is consistent with core assumptions of cognitive behavioral theory which posit that trauma symptoms shape not only the processing of thoughts and emotions, but also the perceptions of and interactions with others (Beck, 1976). Secondly, does DSO moderate the relationship between PTSD and interpersonal cognitions and interpersonal emotion regulation?  

Procedure: This study is currently in the data-collection phase and is expected to conclude by December 2024. Approximately 800 participants will be recruited online via Prolific and will be asked to complete the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (ICDS) to assess unrealistic relationship expectations, interpersonal rejection, and relational misperception, and the Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ) to determine the degree one relies on others to self-regulate. Only individuals who are trauma exposed will be included in proposed analyses.

Results: We will conduct a moderated mediation path analysis using the PROCESS macro to test our hypotheses (see Figure 1) with analyses expected to be complete by the end of 2023. We first hypothesize that higher PTSD symptoms will be associated with more distorted relational cognitions, which, in turn, will lead to increased reliance on others for emotional regulation. Further, we hypothesize that higher levels of DSO will amplify the effect of PTSD on distorted cognitions and interpersonal emotion regulation.

Conclusions and Implications: This study deepens our understanding of the interpersonal impact of DSO symptoms in a sample of trauma-exposed individuals. By examining DSO as a moderator between PTSD and interpersonal cognitive distortions and emotion regulation, this study addresses ongoing debates regarding the distinctiveness and clinical importance of cPTSD. Additionally, better understanding the relational difficulties characteristic of cPTSD could inform therapeutic interventions in this population.  

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Our bacteriophages rely on specialized structural proteins to successfully infect host bacteria, yet the specific functions of many minor tail proteins remain poorly understood. This project investigates the role of a predicted minor tail protein within a bacteriophage genome to better understand its contribution to phage structure and host interaction. Understanding these proteins is important because tail components are directly involved in host recognition, attachment, and DNA delivery. To answer our research question, we used PECAAN for our genome annotations. PECAAN uses different tools such as Glimmer, GeneMark, BLASTp, and PhagesDB. We analyzed the different coding potentials, start site selection, ribosome binding site scores, and sequence homology to identify the proteins. We compared our phage to similar phages using protein alignment to help determine the function of the genes. We also ensured that our start codon is the best start codon. Some results suggest that the annotated gene encodes a conserved minor tail protein based on strong coding potential, agreement between gene prediction tools, and significant homology to known tail proteins in other bacteriophages. The gene is located within a cluster of other structural genes which indicate its role in tail assembly. Overall, the results suggest that factors like gene length, conserved domains, and where the gene is in the genome are important clues for identifying structural proteins. Overall, our research shows the importance of genome annotation in predicting protein function and contributes to a broader understanding of bacteriophage morphology. In the future, we plan to modify our annotations, investigate structural modeling, and further explore how minor tail proteins affect host specificity and how that affects phage sensitivity.

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AfroBot is an autonomous mobile robot designed to track a dark-green object using a Pixy2 camera while avoiding obstacles with Sharp™ infrared distance sensors. Using operational-amplifier signal conditioning, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) motor control, and a behavioral subsumption architecture, the robot successfully demonstrated three behaviors: cruise, track, and escape.

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Duckweed (Lemnoideae) are small floating aquatic plants native to Michigan.  Despite its diminutive size, duckweed has high net primary productivity and biomass in aquatic ecosystems because of its rapid clonal reproduction.  As a result, duckweed is used in phytoremediation strategies to mitigate nutrient pollution.  Microbial symbiosis plays an important role in plant nutrient absorption.  Most of the plant-microbe interaction studies focus on land plants.  In this study, bacteria that form symbiotic relationships with duckweed will be investigated to determine their role in nutrient uptake by aquatic plants.

               A metabarcoding study of giant duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza) has shown that bacteria in the Rhizobiaceae preferentially accumulate in the plant biofilm.   To study these bacteria, a semi-selective medium was used to isolate putative members of the Lemnoideae.  Three duckweed species (Limna minor, S. polyrhiza, and Wolffia columbiana) were collected from the Lake Saint Clair watershed and homogenized.  Exudate was plated on Yeast Extract Mannitol (YEM) medium supplemented with calcofluor white and Congo red.   Bacterial colonies that were fluorescent (putative Rhizobium sp.) or red (putative Agrobacterium sp.) were isolated.  Their identity was confirmed by sequencing the 16S rRNA encoding PCR amplicons.  The following Rhizobiaceae bacteria have been isolated: Agrobacterium sp., Rhizobium sp., and Peteryoungia sp.  Their genomes will be sequenced to help elucidate the role these bacteria play in aquatic plant – bacterial interactions.

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Sulfonated polyether (ether) ketone (sPEEK) membranes are potential candidates for proton-transfer membranes in hydrogen fuel cells, but they degrade due to reactions with hydroxy radicals. This study uses M062X hybrid density functional calculations to explore the reactivity of sPEEK with OH radicals and H radicals in a water environment. In fuel cells, OH, H, and OOH radicals are present, with OH radicals believed to particularly contribute to degradation of sPEEK. In this investigation, reactions of sPEEK with OH and H and OOH radicals were analyzed. One type of reaction studied was abstraction of hydrogen atoms from sPEEK by OH radicals. The thermodynamics and barriers to these reactions are computed. The thermodynamics of other reactions involving the reaction of OOH, OH and H with the SO3H group were also studied.

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This poster will present a mechanism in which OH adds to a sPEEK model molecule, followed by protonation of the sulfonyl group, which then eliminates as a sulfurous acid molecule. 

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The duodenum, as the first part of the small intestine, is crucial in the complex process of digestion and nutritional absorption. This organ is vital in breaking down ingested food, which aids in the digestion of essential nutrients into the bloodstream. The duodenum is distinguished by its various morphological and physiological properties, including the duodenal papilla, which links to both the pancreas and the gallbladder, controlling the release of digestion enzymes and bile. Furthermore, the duodenum is distinguishable by its short length. The duodenum is in the abdominal cavity, specifically the upper abdomen, which lies distal to the stomach as the small intestine's first part. The pyloric sphincter, a muscle valve that functions as a critical step in the digestive process, separates the duodenum from the stomach. Over a seven-year study involving 89 cadavers, our research aimed to determine the measurements of the distance between the pylorus and the major papilla and the distance between the minor papilla and the major papilla. The study confirmed the anticipated 8 cm distance from the pylorus to the major duodenal papilla, consistent with prior observations. However, the 2 cm distance between the major and minor duodenal papilla is notably shorter than commonly documented in textbooks and journals. This research offers valuable insights into the precise measurements of duodenal structures. Grasping the measurements between the pylorus and the major papilla, as well as the distance between the minor papilla and the major papilla, is not only indispensable for precise medical practice but also for advancing our knowledge, improving patient care, and promoting early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

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Derived from my thesis paper, my poster will reflect its analysis and findings of how the media frames head injuries and trauma within the National Football League. Through an examination of 30 articles, media frames involving head injuries and trauma within the NFL will be determined as well as their influence. Within the examination, I will explain the conclusions and define the themes found throughout all articles. The importance of these frames will be identified, and the influence found throughout all articles will be explained. Overall, the poster will highlight my thesis paper, emphasizing how the media frames head injuries and head trauma within the NFL while explaining my analysis processes.  

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 Cannabidiol (CBD) is a prominent non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. It ranks just behind delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in terms of prevalence (Grinspoon, 2018; Atakan, 2012). CBD is becoming more known for its potential therapeutic properties, particularly its anxiolytic effects, which refer to its ability to reduce anxiety. This compound interacts with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain, which may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. In this study, an in vivo experiment was conducted to assess the anxiolytic effects of CBD-stressed Sprague-Dawley male and female rats. Rats were first chronically stressed to increase depression-like and anxiety-like behavior and then administered either CBD or the vehicle, pharmaceutical-grade sesame oil. Their behavior was then observed and analyzed in several behavioral tests designed to evaluate anxiety-like behavior, such as the elevated plus maze and open field test. Although results are not yet available, it is anticipated that the data will demonstrate a significant decrease in anxiety-like behavior among the rats that received CBD compared to those given the vehicle. These findings would support the hypothesis that CBD has potential as a therapeutic agent for anxiety. Future research should further explore the therapeutic effects of CBD and its potential in reducing anxiety, stress, and related conditions.

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The purpose of this project is to investigate dental hygiene students’ willingness to pursue additional education to become dental therapists (DTs) and expand their roles to perform preventative and basic restorative procedures such as simple extractions, treatment planning, fillings, etc. The study aims to evaluate whether increased awareness of the DT role influences students’ interest in returning to school, with the larger goal of informing dental educators and policymakers about how to support workforce development and expand access to oral healthcare. The study took place at Oakland university for the Michigan Association of Dental Hygiene Education (MADHE) annual meeting conference on November 14 2025 there were 400 students in attendance at the meeting 225 participated in the survey.

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Fungal infections, particularly those caused by Candida albicans, represent a growing clinical concern due to limited antifungal treatments and their association with systemic diseases. In the oral cavity, fungal infections are increasingly relevant with the rise of artificial dental devices and biofilm-associated infections. Traditional in vitro models, such as catheter-based assays, fail to accurately represent oral environments, showing the need for more relevant studies. This project investigates the genetic factors involved in biofilm formation between Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans, a key contributor to dental caries. Specifically, we examine the role of C. albicans cell wall and kinase-related genes in co-biofilm development. Using a mutant library, individual gene disruptions are screened to determine their impact on biofilm formation and stability. Weekly assays evaluate multiple mutants, followed by quantitative analysis of biofilm growth and structure. Identifying genes essential for co-biofilm formation may show therapeutic targets for preventing fungal-bacterial interactions associated with oral disease. This research aims to improve our understanding of fungal contributions to dental pathology and support the development of more effective antifungal strategies.

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Reno-Vation is an adaptive reuse project located at Livernois Ave. on the University of Detroit Mercy’s Campus. The project addresses the question of how to bring a sense of belonging to the campus, not only for students but also faculty, staff and, surrounding neighborhood community members. The design interventions center around solving the current lack of fresh and nutritious food availability on and off campus for these communities, as well as the lack of indoor and outdoor gathering, work, and study spaces for commuter students and community members to feel welcome through effective design strategies. The final design houses a main market hall which introduces a flexible space with a permanent student kitchen space and fresh food market available for student and community use, with a surrounding landscape that invites students, staff and members of the community on all faces of the building to come together through the redefining of the UDM Campus threshold.

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Safe collaboration between humans and machines remains a central challenge across industrial, healthcare, and domestic environments. From workshop tools to service robots, humans continue to face risks when working near moving or rotating mechanisms. Addressing these hazards requires intelligent systems capable of perceiving human presence, understanding object geometry, and enforcing safety boundaries in real time. This work presents an AI-driven safety framework that unites computer vision, depth sensing, and intelligent control to enable safe coexistence between humans and machines. Two complementary applications are demonstrated: a drill press safety system and a robotic tool handover system. Both utilize an Intel RealSense D415 depth camera and a custom-trained YOLO (You Only Look Once) segmentation model to detect and localize human hands, tools, and machine components. In the drill press implementation, it verifies the presence of hold-down clamps before operation and automatically disables power through a relay interface whenever a hand enters the defined danger zone. In the robotic handover implementation, the YOLO model segments each object (knives and screwdrivers are used in the demonstration system) into safe, pick, and sharp zones. The robot interprets this segmentation to plan grasp points, adjust orientation, and hand objects safely, ensuring dangerous regions face away from the user. Beyond drill presses and robot handoffs, this framework can be applied to multiple other applications. Together, these applications demonstrate how AI perception and real-time control can foster safer, context-aware interaction between humans and machines.

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As part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design course, this project develops the perception subsystem for a Level-5 autonomous ground vehicle competing in the International Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) Auto-Navigation Challenge. The perception subsystem detects lane boundaries, identifies obstacles, and classifies terrain to provide the vehicle with real-time environmental awareness. The design process began with a needs and metrics matrix derived from customer and competition requirements, which were translated into engineering objectives including detection accuracy, environmental adaptability, and real-time processing performance. The system integrates multiple sensing modalities, including camera-based vision and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors. Visual perception is performed using an Intel RealSense D456 depth camera, which provides synchronized red–green–blue (RGB) and depth information. Lane boundaries are detected using the You Only Look Once Panoptic version 2 (YOLOPv2) architecture, where only the lane-line segmentation head is used to extract lane boundary information from camera images. The depth and camera calibration information from the RealSense sensor are converted into three-dimensional spatial coordinates (x, y, z), enabling the perception system to estimate the positions of points in the environment relative to the vehicle. Obstacle detection is performed using You Only Look Once version 11 (YOLOv11) applied to the RGB images, and the detected obstacles are associated with the corresponding spatial coordinates obtained from the camera. These obstacle positions are then compared and confirmed using LiDAR measurements, improving the reliability of object localization and environmental perception. All perception modules are implemented within the Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2) framework, where sensor streams, detection outputs, and spatial information are processed and shared across system nodes. The resulting perception pipeline enables the vehicle to continuously detect lane boundaries, recognize obstacles, and interpret the surrounding environment in real time to support autonomous navigation within the IGVC competition environment.

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Heat transfer experiments can be considered somewhat unexciting, since they do not involve what students consider to be usual in a chemistry class, meaning phenomena such as color changes or the formation of precipitates.  We have however found a means by which heat transfer can be measured and observed, using nothing more than rubber tubing, a thermocouple, and beakers of hot or cold water.  The experiments thus require little outlay for materials, and can be performed by students in high schools, and even junior high schools.  This seminar will discuss these heat transfer experiments, and will show links to the Michigan Science Standards / Next Generation Science Standards.

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Metals chemistry comes to life when low-melting alloys are made and used in the teaching laboratory.  Elemental metals such as tin, bismuth, indium, and alloys such as Wood’s metal and Onion’s metal, can teach a great deal about physical states of matter and chemical bonding.  This seminar will discuss these, will make connections between metals chemistry and art, and will show links to the Michigan Science Standards / Next Generation Science Standards.

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We are interested in creating molecules that are candidates for removing metal ions from water – essentially molecules that can clean polluted water.  We have found a method that uses no solvent, and is thus both inexpensive and green.  The method produces a series of syrupy or waxy materials that have proven to be reactive with ions such as silver (I), using silver (I) nitrate.  This presentation will discuss how to make this series of molecules, and will show links to the Michigan Science Standards / Next Generation Science Standards.

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Urban environments must be supportive of people’s ability to use public spaces and public transit, towards equity and accessibility of resources (job hubs, services, and amenities). Several studies have approached urban mobility with focus on the movement of people, and there are established measure of correlation between a number of variables, such as aesthetics, vegetation, and maintenance levels, and how mobility is supported. Overall, there is a broad agreement in the field that sustainable mobility must include public and multimodal transit that recenter the street around people and not cars (Holden, Gilpin, & Banister, 2019).

The focus of this study was conducting exploratory research in the North End neighborhood in Detroit to understand how the general public move within and through the neighborhood, and what aspects of the built environment and of the transportation system correlate with patterns of higher and lower mobility. Additionally, the study also included a comparison between the current North End Framework plan documents and outcomes of engagement efforts conducted by the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, and current conditions on the ground.

Immersive and inductive methods were primarily used to provide a situated understandings regarding existing conditions and levels of mobility, understood through the level of use of place and conditions of the transportation systems. The overall intent was to uncover patterns of use and possible correlations between characteristics of the urban environment and of the transportation system, including streets, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and bus routes, and the levels of mobility. Methods included: 1) mapping of the existing urban environment via ArcGIS base maps and on-site observations to validate and update information; 2) Photographic documentation of the neighborhood, with focus on sidewalks and bus stops; 3) Level of use in situ observations; and bus rides. Finally mapping and photography was used to compare proposed strategies included in the North End Framework Plan, community responses from engagement, and current conditions.

Findings were interpreted through various established models and strategies for improved urban mobility derived from the literature (e.g., Bartolini, 2020). A varied level of maintenance of the sidewalks was detected, as well as an overall low level of use with areas closer to Woodward with higher levels of use. The analysis of the bus stops, bus rides and sidewalks revealed the lack of bus shelters and security issues related to high speed of busses through the neighborhood. A DIY bench intervention was found, located at the intersection of two bus routes. This is a testimony to bottom -up self-organizing of people in the neighborhood. Finally, the mapping of outcomes from engagement and the comparison with strategies from the North End Framework Plan revealed a misalignment between the emphasis on cultural branding and commercial corridors and concerns (in particular about a new residential development) and views by the community, as well as their voiced hopes for increased programmed green spaces, including a dog park.  Results support the identification of interventions rooted in situated understandings to better support mobility and mobility justice. Additional research involving engagement with the community and an ethnographic approach is necessary to complement the data analysis with current perceptions and priorities of residents.

Bertolini, L. (2020) From “streets for traffic” to “streets for people”: can street experiments transform urban mobility? Transport Reviews, 40:6, 734-753, DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2020.1761907

Holden, E., Gilpin, G., & Banister, D. (2019). Sustainable mobility at thirty. Sustainability, 11(7), 1965.

Lofland, L. (1998). The public realm: Exploring the city’s quintessential social territory. London: Taylor and Francis.

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TBD ( still working with PI) 

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This presentation is based on the note I am writing for law review.  My presentation addresses the current human traffic crisis and its intersection with transnational criminal organizations, particually foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).  One way human trafficking and FTOs intersect is through domestic networks that provide material support to the FTOs in furtherance of their operations.  These networks facilitate human trafficking operations by offering critical services such as transportation, lodging, documentation falsification, enabling traffickers to operate with greater efficiency and reach.  Such support not only aids in the exploitation of victims but also generates significant revenue for FTOs, further empowering their operations and undermining national security.  

At the U.S.-Mexico border, Latin American Drug Cartels (“LADCs”) and other transnational organizations traffic and smuggle individuals into the U.S. using deception, coercion, and brutal force.  Their operations are fueled by extensive domestic networks—both entities and individuals—that enable the trafficking operations through financial support, forged documentation, and exploitation of legal loopholes.  Because the most lucrative stage of trafficking takes place at the destination and distribution points, traffickers have increasingly become suppliers, enablers, and users taking ownership of the businesses that exploit trafficking victims.  These businesses are not limited to agriculture, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, landscaping, and strip clubs. While domestic networks may not be directly affiliated with an LADC or a transnational organization, they provide lodging, transportation, and other services that materially support cartels or transnational organizations in furtherance of human trafficking and smuggling operations.   

On February 20, 2025, eight transnational organizations were desiganted as FTOs.  Among these organizations, the State Department designated MS-13 and Trens de Aragua along with six Mexican cartels: Cartels Unidos, Cartel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel), La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cartel del Noreste, and Cartel de Sinaloa.  These six Mexican cartels not only control significant territories in Mexico but also exert considerable influence and “are heavily involved in the smuggling and trafficking of people across the border.”

Ultimitely, this presentation will identify the implications and benefits of such designations and their impact on domestic human trafficking opertaions.  

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Bacteriophages are a diverse topic that remains largely undiscovered in biology. Bacteriophages have been found to have significant health benefits through phage therapy. Through phage, antibiotic resistant bacteria can be specifically reached and terminated. The discovery of the health benefits of bacteriophages helps understand why the demand for bacteriophages has exponentially increased. Khan1 is a recently discovered bacteriophage found by the University of Detroit Mercy. By studying Khan1, the traits discovered could be used to understand other phages in the subcluster B1. The genome of mycobacteriophage Khan1 was annotated using bioinformatics tools that included Glimmer, GeneMark, NCBI BLASTp, HHPred, PhagesDB, DeepTMHMM, and CDD that were all used within the PECAAN platform. Each gene was analyzed for different coding potential, accurate start site selection, and gene validity to help to form multiple lines of evidence. By utilizing these tools, it was discovered that genes 44-48 code for DNA binding structures and functions. These genes encoded proteins that were identified through HHPred and CDD that allowed DNA to bind to specific sequences. Genes 81-96 code for hypothetical proteins that lacked a nonfunctional domain despite having strong sequence conservation. Understanding the traits these genes code allowed for the use of synteny in future research of subcluster B1 bacteriophages to better predict the functions of genes as they are discovered.

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This study investigated how high school architecture can better support the wellbeing of high school communities that have experienced a school shooting, and it questioned whether current trauma-informed design frameworks adequately address the collective needs of school shooting survivors. School shootings have become a persistent condition within the United States, with 330 school shooting incidents occurring in K–12 schools in 2024 and 229 in 2025 (K-12 School Shooting Database). While trauma-informed care and design have recently been introduced into educational environments to support safety and healing, existing frameworks largely focus on individual wellbeing rather than the shared trauma experienced by entire school communities after a mass shooting.  

This investigation is focused around four main questions. The first being what design principles guide trauma-informed design, and what are the limitations of such approach regarding trauma-informed design for high school users that have experienced a school shooting? The second question is how can designers retrofit or rebuild high schools to promote wellbeing for high school students and staff that have experienced a school shooting. The next question is what are the preventative design measures that designers can use to limit the number of mass shootings that happen in high schools in the United States. The final question that this investigation will answer is how can designers appropriately work with a trauma impacted community to retrofit or redesign their high school.  A timeline of high school impacts in the United States since 1950 was created, coded analysis of previously conducted interviews with school shooting survivors; interviews with educational design experts; comparative case studies of three high schools evaluated using the Trauma-Informed Design Society’s TiDEvalK12 toolkit; a new version of the TiDEvalK12 toolkit was created for designers and educators to use after a mass shooting; and more methods were conducted to understand school shooting survivors' needs to design high schools that promote collective healing and wellbeing.  

Findings uncovered that current trauma-informed design frameworks prioritize individual recovery while overlooking survivors’ shared need for collective healing, connection, and advocacy within their school environments. The investigation proposes that high school design following a school shooting must integrate opportunities for collective healing, flexible learning environments, and surveilled flow safety strategies, contributing to a more comprehensive design framework that supports both individual wellbeing and collective healing. 

Works Cited

Database, K-12 School Shooting. “12 School Shooting Database.” K, k12ssdb.org/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.  

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Food insecurity and rising food prices are growing concerns in Detroit, making innovative and cost-effective farming solutions more urgent than ever. Aeroponics, a soil-free farming method that delivers nutrients through mist, has the potential to reduce water usage, accelerate plant growth, and enable year-round farming, offering a scalable solution for urban agriculture. However, successful implementation depends on both technical training and economic viability.

This study examines the need for specialized training to equip urban farmers with the skills required to manage aeroponic systems effectively. Additionally, it explores the economic challenges and opportunities, including startup costs, operational expenses, potential revenue, and the impact of rising food prices on the financial sustainability of aeroponics.

Our findings emphasize that while aeroponics can increase food access and create jobs, education and financial literacy will be key in making it a scalable, profitable, and sustainable urban farming model in Detroit and beyond.

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Yersinia pestis, the pathogen responsible for plague, evades the complement Membrane Attack Complex (MAC), through utilization of its adhesion protein Ail. Ail recruits the host complement regulatory protein Factor H (FH) present in serum, to the pathogen surface. FH is then able to recruit the protein Factor I (FI) which, along with FH, is able to cleave complement protein C3b into inactive iC3b, preventing formation of the MAC. Ail recruits FH by binding to short consensus repeats (SCRs) 5-7 (there are 20 SCRs within FH) and upon recruitment to the bacterial surface, FH is degraded by the Y. pestis protease Pla, but FH still associates with the bacterial cell surface after degradation. We sought to define which terminus of FH is cleaved off of the protein once it becomes associated with the bacterial surface and if the remaining FH fragment can recruit FI. Using monoclonal antibodies directed towards either the N-terminus or C-terminus of FH, we showed the C-terminus of FH is cleaved off by Pla. In vitro, in the absence of Y. pestis, this cleaved form of FH can bring FI and C3b together to generate iC3b. However, when pre-cleaved FH bound to an Ail+ strain lacking Pla (Dpla, to prevent further cleavage), FH could no longer facilitate iC3b generation. These data suggest loss of the C-terminal SCR19-20 C3b-binding site in FH renders Ail-bound FH unable to facilitate FI-mediated cleavage of C3b to iC3b. Thus, the ability of Ail to prevent MAC formation may be due to alternative modes of MAC inhibition, such as preventing C5b-C9 recruitment through Ail binding to vitronectin, or potentially by Ail directly inhibiting C9 polymerization in the membrane of Y. pestis. Future experiments will explore these possibilities.

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Welcome to VLAB Detroit, a new business incubator in the heart of Rivertown where emerging innovators can thrive. The form, program, and building shell was derived from three drivers; engaging pedestrian traffic from the Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut, optimizing space usage, and showcasing a multi-zone terrace that caters to each season’s climate.

We began our process with site visits, followed by pedestrian, vehicular, and climate analyses to inform our preliminary spatial planning. These analyses aided us in understanding how to add to the character of the Rivertown district and create an extension for community interaction.

The following phase focused on incorporating our initial ideas into a functioning infrastructure that boasts high-performing building systems, technologies, and design. Understanding the climate and community interaction allowed us to integrate PV/T panels and a fresh façade approach to passively combat glare.

We utilized cove.tool, a location-specific simulation software, which aided us in obtaining a sustainable target through building systems, materiality, and form. Cove.tool allowed us to be continuously focused on creating a decarbonized future though our design.

One of our key drivers was engaging pedestrian traffic from the Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut, and we are proud to showcase that we achieved this goal by creating a “hub” through a cantilevered sheltered entrance, and a terrace with skyline and water views. There are many opportunities for the public to engage with their community and their city.

The design of VLAB embraces the spirit of the Rivertown neighbourhood and its future framework plan. Exemplifying functionality, comfort and sustainability, VLAB proves to be the solution to modern workplace needs.

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The renovation of Reno Hall at the University of Detroit Mercy reimagines a historic campus building as a mixed-use, intergenerational living environment for graduate students and seniors. The project introduces a range of housing typologies, including studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, designed to support both affordability and diverse living needs. Emphasis is placed on accessibility and adaptability, with senior units incorporating universal design strategies such as wider doorways, while student units provide flexible layouts that accommodate both living and academic work. Shared amenities, including lounges and a central courtyard, are integrated to promote social interaction and community building across age groups. By combining inclusive design with a multi-generational program, the project expands campus housing options while fostering meaningful connections between residents, establishing a supportive and vibrant residential community.

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This thesis investigates the development of an engagement process between architects and caregivers to inform residential design decisions. While existing research in environmental design and autism-focused architecture acknowledges the impact of the built environment on well-being, current frameworks often overlook the lived expertise of caregivers and the relational dynamics between caregiver and care recipient. This study addresses that gap by asking how architectural processes can better integrate caregiver knowledge. It also asks how engagement strategies can translate complex behavioral, sensory, and emotional needs into spatial design decisions.

Using a mixed-method approach including caregiver shadowing with photo documentation, survey analysis, and thematic synthesis, this research identifies key temporal, spatial, emotional, and behavioral patterns that shape daily experiences. Findings reveal that caregiving is highly dependent on spatial organization. Findings also show that stress is concentrated in transitional zones and in environments lacking sensory control or adaptability. Additionally, caregivers report a lack of representation in design processes and a need for more collaborative, informed engagement with designers.

In response, this thesis proposes a structured engagement framework that positions caregivers as active participants in the design process, bridging the gap between lived experience and architectural practice. The research advances a more inclusive and responsive design methodology, with potential implications not only for autism-specific housing but for broader care-based residential environments.

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As generative artificial intelligence (AI) has increased in accessibility, higher education has been reshaped regarding students’ writing practices. Students now frequently use AI not only to help in the writing process, but to generate the writing itself. While there are benefits to AI usage in higher education, university faculty have been facing challenges when it comes to academic integrity. The goal of this study is to analyze the patterns of generative AI uses among undergraduate and graduate students at our university. By collecting qualitative and quantitative data, writing center consultants aim to better understand the role of AI in student motivation, and how to navigate these trends. The results of this study will influence a change in our policy, and university writing centers will adapt to these processes. This poster will highlight the results of the study.

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Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) includes core post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms plus disturbances in self-organization (DSO), yet debate continues over whether it is sufficiently distinct from existing diagnostic categories to be considered a separate diagnosis. This study examines the interpersonal characteristics of PTSD, cPTSD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and level of personality functioning (LPFS) using the interpersonal circumplex. A trauma-exposed sample of 554 adults completed measures of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5, ITQ-PTSD), DSO symptoms (ITQ-DSO), personality pathology symptoms (BSL-23 and LPFS) and interpersonal functioning on the problems and values surfaces. Both the PCL-5 and ITQ-PTSD scales demonstrated similar interpersonal profiles, as did DSO and LPFS (but not BPD). PTSD and BPD symptoms were characterized by cold-dominant interpersonal problems, cold values, and high interpersonal distress. DSO and LPFS symptoms, on the other hand, were characterized by cold-submissive problems and cold/cold-submissive values. Moreover, DSO was associated with significantly higher distress than PTSD but lower distress than BPD. Results provide evidence for DSO as a distinct interpersonal construct from PTSD and BPD and indicate that there is substantial overlap in the interpersonal characteristics associated with DSO and LPFS. These findings support the diagnostic validity of a cPTSD category and suggest that dimensional approaches to personality assessment can enhance differential diagnosis and inform trauma-focused interventions.

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The study investigated the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) severity, depression symptoms, resilience, and the Strong Black Woman (SBW) Schema in Black women. This study examined the complex interplay between intimate partner violence (IPV) severity, depression symptoms, resilience, and the Strong Black Woman (SBW) Schema among Black women survivors. The research investigated how IPV severity relates to resilience and depressive symptoms, and how the SBW Schema moderates these relationships. Results revealed significant moderated mediation effects, demonstrating that the SBW Schema plays a critical role in understanding Black women's experiences of trauma and mental health. Specifically, the study found that IPV severity was negatively associated with resilience, and higher resilience was linked to fewer depressive symptoms. The SBW Schema moderated these associations, with the effects becoming more pronounced at higher levels of schema endorsement. Results suggest that the moderation effect emerges primarily among individuals with lower SBW Schema endorsement. This research aims to provides a nuanced understanding of sociocultural and emotional dynamics affecting Black women, with implications for effective interventions and support mechanisms. By examining IPV severity, resilience, depression symptoms, and the SBW Schema, the study hopes to contribute to culturally responsive trauma literature by providing insights into the nuanced sociocultural dynamics affecting Black women's mental health and suggesting more targeted therapeutic approaches.

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The Entrepreneurship Association (EA) has successfully launched the EA Café, a non-profit student-run coffee cart, at the University of Detroit Mercy. The EA Café was launched to fulfill the need for quality, conveniently available, and reasonably priced coffee and refreshments on campus. This business venture allows students to learn about entrepreneurship and gain work experience while positively contributing to campus life. The EA Café was launched after a successful proof of concept through funding awarded to the EA as an inaugural recipient of the Titan Innovation Fund. This funding allowed us to meaningfully invest in our business venture and purchase essential equipment, items, and materials. We collaborated with the Mechanical Engineering Capstone class to build a coffee cart to meet the needs of the EA Café. These improvements allowed the EA Café to operate professionally and efficiently. After just one year of launching our venture, the EA Café became profitable and we were able to donate our profits to the Center for Social Entrepreneurship on campus to help fund educational opportunities and loans for local entrepreneurs in the city of Detroit. The EA Café is now open twice a week and is a vendor at many of the major events on campus. 

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Interpersonal complementarity, the tendency for individuals to respond in specific, patterned ways to others’ behavior, is a cornerstone of functional relationships. According to Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory (CIIT), agentic complementarity occurs with dominance evokes submission and vice versa, and communal complementarity occurs when warmth evokes warmth and coldness evokes coldness. To better understand complementarity, past studies have examined these patterns within specific relational contexts (e.g., family, therapeutic alliances). However, it is unclear whether these findings generalize to other relationships. The current study, then, investigates whether two universal partner characteristics, closeness and respect, moderate perceptions of complementarity in real-world interactions. A sample of 97 undergraduates rated self and other agency and communion and perceived closeness and respect after each significant social interaction lasting more than three minutes. Using multilevel modeling, we examined whether and how closeness and respect influence agentic and communal complementarity. Strong complementarity emerged: partner dominance predicted lower self-dominance (γ = -.34, p < .001); partner warmth predicted higher self-warmth (γ = .58, p < .001). However, moderation by closeness and respect was minimal. For agency, neither moderator was significant. For communion, both moderators reached significance but accounted for <1% of variance. Between-person effects showed perceptual consistency: individuals who viewed others as more agentic/communal reported higher self-agency/communion. Findings suggest complementarity functions as a default social script, warranting investigation of other potential moderators (e.g., gender, shared goals, personality pathology).

Keywords: interpersonal complementarity, ecological momentary assessment, interpersonal theory

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Depression is highly comorbid with personality pathology, yet the underlying personality mechanism that explains this robust association remains a central question. Malignant self-regard (MSR), a personality construct comprised of chronic unhappiness and dysphoria, perfectionism, self-criticism, and hypersensitivity to criticism. is theorized to be a core vulnerability factor (Huprich, Kuribayashi, & Voytenko, 2024). This study investigates the hypothesis that MSR is an underlying personality risk factor that enhances the association between diverse forms of personality pathology and depressive symptoms. We analyzed data from a non-clinical sample (N = 2643). Zero-order and partial correlations were computed to assess the relationships between measures of personality pathology (e.g., Pathological Narcissism Inventory [PNI] scales, Depressive Personality Disorder Inventory [DPDI]), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), both before and after statistically controlling for the variance attributable to MSR. The results  support the hypothesis that MSR mediates the relationship of depression with many pathological personality constructs. a mediating role for MSR. Zero-order correlations showed significant associations between personality pathology variables and BDI scores. After partialing out MSR, these correlations were substantially attenuated and, in several key cases, reduced to non-significance. This indicates that the shared variance between these personality constructs and depression is largely accounted for by MSR. Findings provide preliminary evidence that MSR acts as a general latent factor through which various personality disturbances confer risk for depression. Targeting MSR in therapeutic interventions may be effective in addressing the depressive symptoms commonly observed in patients with personality pathology. 

Keywords: Malignant Self-Regard, Depression, Personality Pathology

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As part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design course, the Navigation and Controls team is designing three subsystems that are critical to achieving Level 5 autonomy (fully autonomous, no user required) for Megatron, a ground-based vehicle competing in the 2026 International Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) AutoNav Challenge. The subsystems are an artificial potential field planner, e-stop embedded system, and motor control embedded system. The autonomous robot detects and avoids obstacles while smoothly navigating to predefined GPS locations. Sensor data from LiDAR, GPS, and on-board camera modules will be used to generate efficient routes and regulate movement. This ensures robot stability and responsiveness via a closed loop control system. Main research topics include the development and optimization of algorithms responsible for path planning, trajectory tracking, and motion control. The creation of a needs-metrics matrix derived from customer needs kicked off the design process. These metrics translate into engineering requirements that guide the development of the navigation and control subsystem. For autonomous path planning, an artificial potential field algorithm was developed. As a safety measure, an e-stop circuit is being developed. For robot motion regulation, two proportional integral derivative (PID) motor control algorithms were implemented in simulation and then implemented and verified experimentally with a microcontroller, motor driver, and brushed direct-current motor. The Robotic Operating System 2 (ROS2) middleware is used to implement the planner and high-level e-stop and control algorithms, and embedded C is used to implement the low-level e-stop and controller logic. Key steps taken towards completion include the needs–metrics matrix, identification of measurable performance goals from the engineering requirements, and selection of planner and control algorithms. Next steps include hardware and algorithm tuning, subsystem integration and final system testing.

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A gravel road detection pipeline called StoneScope is presented for identifying forested gravel roads in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) applications. The method focuses on classical computer vision techniques rather than neural networks in order to reduce computational cost and improve explainability. The approach is implemented in MATLAB using standard image processing operations. It combines hue- and texture-based segmentation with morphology-based refinement to isolate the gravel road surface and generate a consistent road mask. Development and evaluation were performed using multiple types of driving video, including scenes with strong shadows, curved roads, and varying lighting conditions. The resulting segmentation produces a gravel road surface mask that can be used for subsequent perception or navigation tasks in rural environments. The work demonstrates that classical image processing methods remain effective for challenging off-road segmentation problems.

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Dental materials are continuously improving with advancements in digital dentistry and 3D-printing technologies. Since dental materials undergo multiple stresses, exploring their mechanical properties is essential before clinical use. Our previous study determined there was no statistically significant difference found between 3D-printed denture base material thicknesses of 2.5 and 3.5 mm, so this study compares the transverse strength of different 3D-printing orientations with samples 2.5 mm thick. 

Objective: This study aimed to compare the transverse strength of a 3D-printed 2.5 mm-thick denture base material across three printing orientations. 

Methods: Thirty 3D-printed specimens (Formlabs denture base resin, Formlabs Inc., MA, USA), 50 mm x 25 mm x 2.5 mm, were fabricated using a low-force stereolithography (LFS) technology (Formlabs Form 3/Form 3B) at 0°, 45°, and 90° printing orientations, with autogenerated supports following manufacturer recommendations for washing and curing cycles. All specimens were finished, polished, and standardized with an electronic caliper (Kynup, LF04, Zheijang, China). The specimens were subjected to a three-point flexural test using an Instron universal testing machine (Instron 5565, Instron Corp), loading at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min until failure. A one-way ANOVA was performed, followed by Welch’s ANOVA as a robustness check due to borderline variance heterogeneity. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. 

Results: Specimens printed at 90° showed the highest mean flexural strength (123.57 ± 13.39 MPa), followed by those printed at 0° (88.61 ± 27.06 MPa). The 45° orientation had the lowest mean flexural strength (76.82 ± 22.20 MPa) and the greatest variability. Orientation accounted for a small to moderate proportion of variance based on effect size analysis (η² = 0.069). However, no statistically significant differences were detected among groups by one-way ANOVA (p = 0.381) or Welch’s ANOVA (p = 0.497). 
Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference observed between the transverse strengths of the 0°, 45°, and 90°. Clinically, these findings suggest that a 2.5 mm-thick 3D-printed denture base demonstrates adequate mechanical strength across all orientations and that clinicians and dental technicians can select a printing orientation based on practical considerations without increasing the risk of flexural failure.

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Our research focuses on Khan1: a bacteriophage with a wide variety of genes, each with a unique function. This poster will focus on gene groups 7-25 Khan1. Genes 7-25 are real protein coding genes. Some genes have known, assigned functions, while others do not have a known function. Usually, the early genes of phage genomes code proteins that function in host cell takeover, which is a crucial step of infection, or they may code for structural aspects of the phage. To determine the function of genes, we used platforms such as PECAAN, BLASTp, HHPRED, and PhagesDB. These platforms helped us discover start codons, coding potential, structure, conserved domains, and essential information to hypothesize a function. Some of the functions we identified in the bacteriophage genome included portal proteins, major capsid pentamer proteins, and capsid maturation proteins, all of which are important structural parts of the virus. These proteins help form the phage head and play major roles in packaging, protecting, and releasing the viral DNA. These are very important steps in host cell takeovers. As for future research, altering the start codons for the unknown genes may help determine a potential function and conduct more information about Khan1. Learning the phage genome helps researchers predict how effective it may be against specific bacterial strains and what effects it could have on a host. Understanding the genome also makes it easier to identify useful genes, rule out harmful traits, and decide whether the phage is a strong candidate for therapeutic use.

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This project focuses on developing an AI‑supported assistant to help a freelance presentation designer and small creative services business manage daily operations more efficiently. Although the work itself is creative, the core challenges are operational. The client struggles with fragmented information spread across multiple platforms, repetitive administrative tasks, and the mental load of constantly deciding what to prioritize. Important details such as contracts, invoices, timelines, and communication threads are stored in different apps and emails, making it easy to overlook deadlines or lose track of project requirements.  These responsibilities create decision fatigue and reduce the time she can dedicate to actual design work.

The goal of this project is to outline an AI assistant that centralizes information, automates repetitive tasks, reduces cognitive load, and provides smart guidance on what to prioritize. By supporting tasks such as organizing client details, drafting emails, summarizing project requests, checking for design errors, and helping with scheduling and financial tracking, the assistant would allow the client to focus more on creative work and less on administrative burden. This solution aims to improve efficiency, reduce mental strain, and create a more streamlined operational system for freelance professionals.

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  Group inclusivity refers to an environmental characteristic of groups which reflects the degree to which they are welcoming, safe, and open for various people to freely engage. Understanding inclusivity requires examining how individuals perceive and interpret the social cues that define group norms. While organizations and institutions often attempt to establish inclusive environments, individuals may interpret these signals differently based on their own experiences, cultural backgrounds, and psychological dispositions. Following a review of the literature, a model is proposed and ideas for future research outlined. A key element for future research is to investigate how emerging adults evaluate inclusive and exclusionary cues within social environments and how these perceptions influence their interpretation of group norms and social belonging. Expectations surrounding inclusivity are shaped by both environmental norms and individual factors as loci of influence. These factors shape how individuals interpret communication between members of a given group. Perceived inclusivity impacts how we establish ourselves within a social hierarchy and impress these norms onto others who divert from what is acceptable based on the group norms. In this review, we look at the dimensionality of inclusivity, placing it in the context of exclusivity and intentionality. Future research questions should investigate how emerging adults navigate inclusivity in group spaces – specifically, inclusivity spaces where the unspoken and spoken rules define the acceptability of language, behavior, and physicality. Three questions are of key importance. First, does a given environment contain identifiable inclusive norms? Second, does higher salience of inclusivity reduce the likelihood of existing, or perceived micro aggressions? Third, how do socio-cultural factors impact perception of norms and expectations within different environments? To answer these questions, participants can evaluate defined scenarios and provide their own influences and perceptions to what extent that they would feel a need to navigate these spaces. In addressing these questions, future research aims to clarify how inclusivity functions by examining how supportive or exclusionary features of a space influence a person’s perception of norms, social standing, and if inclusivity affects an individual’s sense of belonging within the existing structure of the group.

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Growing evidence suggests that mindfulness interventions facilitate emotion regulation. Neuroimaging studies implicate the frontoparietal cortex (FPC) in this. We introduce an EEG case study of mindfulness in an individual (DD) who has had encephalomalacia of the right FPC, since 1984. DD is a 40-year-old female presenting with cortical scarring around F8/F4, C4/T4, and P4/T6.  She experiences body tensing events, migraines, atypical seizures, and syncopal events. DD's emotion regulation ability will be quantified by the DIFFICULTIES IN EMOTION REGULATION QUESTIONAIRE. Utilizing a single case design, EEG will be recorded in four phases per session: Baseline, Mild Stressor, Mindfulness Intervention, Post-task Resting. The UNSOLVABLE ANAGRAM TASK, and the TRIER MENTAL CHALLENGE TEST will serve as mild stressors. The mindfulness intervention is based on a short-term mindfulness practice.  Single case analyses (e.g., percentage of non-overlapping data points across phases) will be utilized to determine possible effects of mindfulness intervention. We expect only DD’s healthy left FPC to demonstrate typical shifts in brain oscillations across the phases (e.g. increase in alpha power with mindfulness). Typical shifts will be validated using an age-matched healthy female. DD’s rare case allows us to assess the purported importance of FPC to emotion regulation.

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As climate change accelerates, environmental challenges and our conventional building methods often fail to provide affordable and sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities. The primary objective of this research is to identify and analyze innovative, low-cost materials that not only reduce construction expenses but also improve the durability and sustainability of structures. Through a comparative analysis of various materials and buildings this study will evaluate their performance in the local Detroit area. The expected outcome is a comprehensive framework that allows architects and clients to make data-informed decisions, ultimately trying to simply reduce the carbon emissions in the construction process, while ensuring economic viability. This work aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable architecture and climate-adaptive design utilizing sustainable materials to new construction projects.

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One of the most prominent abilities needed in architectural education is creative thinking and problem-solving skills for the modernized world. In architectural education creativity and innovation are exciting aspects for many aspiring students but there is a distinct mystery and disconnect concerning what creativity is and how it can be encouraged and supported among students. Relying on the background of creative scholars like Ken Robinson, Tim Brown, and George Land and educational scholars like John Dewey and David Kolb the basis for this research was conducted. Creativity in this research is defined as, “to imagine and explore, to bring forth new ideas or products in a generative way with thoughtful consideration that connects to human experience.” This investigation focuses on developing a theoretical educational model for an experience-based creative education. In architectural education, it can easily be pinpointed where evidence of creative behavior happens frequently, being the architectural studio. The design studio is often prioritized and valued as more important or prestigious leaving other classes overlooked. This occurs for many reasons, but a primary one is that they typically exhibit a different pedagogy focus in theory and rote-based learning. This study asserts that creative studio pedagogy can serve as the basis for all architectural education. Therefore understanding what makes the studio a conduit for this behavior and what can be improved and critiqued is vital. 

This investigation seeks to understand how creativity can be guided and supported in an architectural college education. Further, this study looks to evaluate how creative studio pedagogy can be integrated and fostered within all architectural educational classes by evaluating and analyzing the studio environment. The methodology utilized in this research included interviews with students, professors, and those in similar professions, observations of student behaviors, and activities in the classroom. A creative workshop was curated in which students utilized creative thinking with a hands-on activity and a final methodology was a studio curriculum analysis of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development. The findings from this study show that architecture students are typically drawn to the more kinesthetic methods of learning (ie.., learning by doing, while physically active). Additionally, it was found that creative behavior is often associated with process-driven iterative productions, which are influenced by peer interactions and experiential opportunities such as workshops and field trips. In a continually shifting world with unknowns and speculations about the future, opportunities to be creative are critical to an innovative society.

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Bacteriophage is a virus that targets bacteria, using the host’s cells to replicate itself. Bacteriophage Vivum was discovered by students at the University of Detroit Mercy, and its genome is now being annotated as part of our Bioinformatics course. It was isolated from a soil sample collected from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Vivum belongs to the Siphoviridae family in cluster F and was isolated using the host Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. By employing various gene annotation tools, including PECAAN, Phamerator, PhagesDB, and NCBI databases, we identified that gene 18 encodes a minor tail protein. PhagesDB indicates that while some of the top hits had unknown functions, most of the phages has similarly structured minor tail proteins in their genome. Additionally, the 489 members of the pham and the NCBI BLASTp tool revealed that the top 100 sequences had their function as minor tail protein. The phage minor tail protein is involved in the assembly of the tail of the bacteriophage, which helps host recognition. We have analyzed this gene’s position and function to better understand its role in the genome of phage Vivum.

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FRAMEWORK is a forward-thinking Innovation Center that merges technology, sustainability, and collaboration to support innovators in Detroit’s Rivertown neighborhood. To accomplish this, the project is designed with four main drivers: resilience, intrigue, interconnect, and immerse. Research methodologies that were conducted via iterative testing, case studies, and contextual analysis were integral to the success of the project.  

To create a resilient building, the climate and orientation of the site must be heavily considered. Detroit has a mixed climate which includes extremely cold winters and warmer summers, and research anticipates the climate to become even warmer. One of the key systems utilized in FRAMEWORK as a response to the climate is solar gain: optimizing the south sun in the winter while reducing it in the summer. This response also goes together with natural daylighting strategies. FRAMEWORK’s location at the intersection of Atwater Street and Dequindre Cut creates hybrid-facing boundaries, so iterative testing was conducted with simulation software which investigated both window placement and shading device dimensions. Each facade shows a different iteration which responds best to its orientation. Then, materiality enhances performance: interior concrete pathways absorb glare and store thermal energy, while LUXWALL Enthermal Plus glazing reduces heat transfer year-round. 

As the Detroit Rivertown is moving to be pedestrian-focused, FRAMEWORK responds to this intention by intriguing the surrounding, walking population. The facades of the building should not intimidate but appear approachable and inviting. Case studies were conducted followed by a series of iterations of massing, program, and facade design. The project utilizes a massing that connects to the Dequindre Cut via rooftop courtyards which scales down the size of the building. Programming and facade iterations revealed a very accessible—visually and physically—ground floor promoted engagement with the pedestrian-active Dequindre Cut on the west-most boundary.   

As the Detroit Rivertown is moving to be pedestrian-focused, FRAMEWORK responds to this intention by intriguing the surrounding, walking population. The facades of the building should not intimidate but appear approachable and inviting. Case studies and context analyses were conducted, followed by a series of iterations of massing, program, and facade design. As an incubator space, the program has been established to promote cross-circulation and collaboration for various groups and purposes. The project utilizes a massing that connects to the Dequindre Cut via rooftop courtyards, scaling down the size of the building. Programming and facade iterations revealed a highly accessible—visually and physically—ground floor that promotes engagement with the pedestrian-active Dequindre Cut along the west-most boundary. 

The final product is a building with structural efficiency while providing an adaptable environment. FRAMEWORK is where startups, researchers, and established industry professionals can exchange knowledge, leverage shared resources, and engage with government entities to address critical challenges in the building sector. Research on contemporary high-performance architecture, contextually aware projects, and low-carbon building strategies has informed every design decision, ensuring a space that prioritizes sustainability, productivity, and social interaction. 

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Commercial corridors play an important role in any city by creating business opportunities, attracting people, and serving as cultural centers for the community. A key part of these corridors is their cultural identity, which makes them stand out and helps people connect with these spaces on a personal level. This thesis looks at the cultural aspects of commercial corridors, focusing on how they contribute to the economic and population growth of these areas, especially in Southeast Michigan. The main questions guiding this research are: why is it important to keep the cultural identity of commercial corridors, and what are the main elements of a successful commercial corridor? Research for this study was done through a mix of site visits, surveys, and observations to identify cultural elements and see how they affect the success of these cultural centers. The result was a booklet to help others study commercial corridors. Findings show that keeping cultural identity helps both economic growth and community involvement, and that balancing development with cultural preservation is key to creating successful corridors. This work provides insights for anyone involved in designing or updating these spaces, highlighting the importance of blending economic, cultural, and design factors to ensure long-term success.

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Simulation-based training, is an integral component of nursing education (Campbell & Daley, 2018). Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students are provided the vital information about the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) to provide meaningful care to their patients and meet related competencies in their program. For this project we implemented an interprofessional health equity simulation to evaluate FNP students’ knowledge and competency related to the impacts of the SDoH on health outcomes. During the simulation FNP students were exposed to the realities faced by individuals with income insecurities, issues with access to healthcare, interactions with          community agencies/healthcare systems and other inequities impacting health and outcomes.

A pre/post survey, interventional design was used.  As part of the FNP student coursework, students were required to come to campus to be active participants in the health equity simulation. Students received  pre-simulation information, completed a pre-survey, and then had a pre-brief before the simulation began. Each student randomly selected a badge that included their assigned role in a family unit for the simulation. The simulation took one hour to complete. After the simulation, students completed a post-survey and participated in a faculty-led, structured, reflection and debrief session that included a gallery walk. Data analysis is in progress and will be reported for both quantitative and qualitative data.

Realistic and validated simulation opportunities will better prepare FNP students to provide equitable care for actual patients in clinical settings and is supported by NONPF and AACN for educating FNPs. Providing FNP students with opportunities to understand how the SDoH effect  patients’ access to healthcare and ultimately health outcomes, is in congruence with the mission of UDM and the MSON to provide quality, culturally sensitive, equitable health care to diverse populations within an urban context.

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The relationship between a community and their built environment are essential to foster a prosperous growth. The physical development of neighborhoods has a vital impact on the people within its boundaries. Residents in the vicinity of the University of Detroit Mercy have been longing for a landmark representative of their neighborhood. On the corner of McNichols and Livernois, lies 16921, a space currently barren and bleak. However, this adaptive reuse project aims to serve as a unifying purpose for community members and students alike, creating a greater connection between campus and community. The resurgence of the building across the campus will provide a space for conversing among peers and promote learning in a comfortable environment for people of all ages to thrive in.

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The spaces we inhabit are expressive of individual and collective identity. This thesis investigation recenters our priorities as designers to foster a sense of belonging, achieving the full potential of human dwelling. The comprehensive goal of this study is to advocate for a human centered design approach. Through collective narratives and stories from individuals a visual representation is created, resulting in the development of an architectural and experiential case study. This design tool will then be a resource for future design initiatives on public dwelling. This thesis investigation explores how semi-public physical space molds to a personal collective identity. By conducting this research, it dives into understanding how to design unified places for a multitude of individuals. The implemented research methods were forms of felicitation through public engagement. The activities invited participants to merge the gap between everyday habits and the physical fabric by sharing their unique perspective on dwelling spaces they inhabit. The outcome of the collective engagement studies proposes a model for a human centered design approach. When applying this framework throughout the design process it will strengthen the selected community and longevity of the space itself. The findings of this thesis reveal a unified perspective on belonging, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between human behavior and the spatial realm through the experience of dwelling. This research highlights how architecture shapes and reflects cultural identity, demonstrating the vital role of human-centered design in fostering meaningful spaces and long-term community resilience.

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Stomata are pores on leaf surfaces that regulate gas exchange by allowing carbon dioxide to enter while releasing water vapor and oxygen. Environmental factors, including elevation, could influence the behavior of the stomata by affecting its light exposure, humidity, and temperature. Our study tested the hypothesis that elevations on a single chestnut tree affect the % of stomata open. We collected 20 leaves in total, 10 from the higher elevation, and 10 from the lower elevation of the tree. A thin layer of nail polish was applied to the surface of the leaf to create a peel which was then placed on a labeled slide under the microscope. The slides were labeled H for high elevation and L for low elevation. Under the microscope, we measured stomatal density and the percentage of open stomata for each sample.  Leaves from the lower elevation of the tree showed a greater stomatal density and a higher percentage of open stomata compared to those in higher elevation. The average stomatal density for high elevation was 258.7 while the average for low elevation was 202.5. The percentage of open stomata was 23% in high elevation and 31% in low elevation. These results show us that leaves in the lower elevation have more open stomata to maximize gas exchange in areas with greater humidity and shade. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis that elevation affects stomatal opening.  

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In this age of Industry 4.0, technological changes are happening at an exponential pace. While industry is adapting, the academic world remains mired in the legacy of the second industrial revolution characterized by mass production, standardization, and process efficiency whereas the need of the day is flexibility, personalization, adaptability, and inclusivity. Published research clearly shows the following trends in STEM (and particularly in engineering): 1) The demand for STEM jobs will continue to outpace the supply of STEM workers, 2) It is difficult to predict when and what type of new STEM careers will emerge in the near future, and 3) Over time, systemic racism and structural deficiencies in the educational ecosystem resulted in the exclusion of African Americans, women, and other minority groups from engineering.

Last year this group received a Titan innovation Fund Award to develop and launch a pilot program to build a path through the engineering ecosystem that is diverse, nurturing, equitable, and inclusive with the following objectives:

• Include students who struggle or are shut out by the current system.
• Ensure all who wish to study and practice engineering can be successful.
• Transform the engineering program/college to a “student-ready” philosophy, rather than expecting all students to be “college-ready.”
• Replace punitive assessment schemes with growth focused assessment.
• Create a new pathway to “weave students in” rather than “weed them out.”
• Train engineers to be life-long learners.

This presentation will focus on the status of this project and the progress we have made.   

(“This project is made possible in part by the Titan Innovation Fund”.)

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This paper will discuss the relationship between the Black Church, colonialism, and LGBTQ+ identities. My interest in exploring this topic stems from my observation of anti-queer rhetoric in the Black community, from my belief that it is important to acknowledge and understand that the experiences of certain groups (Black Americans, for example) are never monolithic, and that to create social progress it is important to explore how intersectional identities (such as those between race, religion, sexuality, and gender) interact with oppressive systems. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2021, only 62 percent of Black Americans believed that homosexuality should be accepted by society. Furthermore, in 2023, the Pew Research Center reported that Black Americans were extremely split in their viewpoints about transgender issues, with 29 percent of Black Americans believing that society has gone too far in accepting transgender people and 36 percent reporting that society has not gone far enough. Furthermore, 41 percent of Black Americans reported that the views on transgender people are changing at the right speed in the U.S., and 34 percent say they are changing too quickly. This paper contends that, although the ideologies of the Black Church in America uphold anti-queer beliefs, these ideologies were imparted upon the Black community via colonialism. I will support my contention through a historical and sociological lens, I will put Mohamed and Cox’s statistics into context, utilizing Elnaiem’s work to explore pre-colonial “queer” African identities alongside Tobin and Moon’s work, which explores how sacramental shame and respectability politics play into the Black Church’s anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. 

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This study investigated the presence and level of alexithymia and examined the relationship between alexithymia and affect recognition abilities after acquired brain injury (ABI), accounting separately for etiology due to stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Neurologically-healthy adults (NHA; n = 99) and adults with moderate to severe ABI (TBI; n = 63; stroke n = 56) participated. Main measures included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) and Multicultural Facial Emotion Perception Test (MFEPT). ABI groups endorsed greater alexithymia than NHA, but TBI and stroke subgroups did not significantly differ. Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that TAS-20 subscales Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF) and Externally-oriented Thinking (EOT), but not Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), added unique value to predicting objective affect recognition (MFEPT) after accounting for age, face recognition ability, and general cognitive function. Moreover, the relationship between alexithymia and affect recognition was moderated by group: DIF and DDF were inversely related to MFEPT only for adults with ABI. EOT was inversely related to affect recognition for all three groups. Adults with ABI experience alexithymia more frequently and intensely than neurologically-healthy adults, and this impairment may partly underlie struggles with affective processing frequently observed in these individuals on experimental tasks and in real-world interactions.  

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Modern vehicles rely on multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs), yet updating their firmware typically requires physical access—making maintenance slow, costly, and impractical for remote systems. This project presents a low-cost, open-source Over-The-Air (OTA) update system that enables secure, remote firmware updates for Arduino-based ECUs using a Raspberry Pi as a centralized server.

The system integrates remote network access, user authentication, firmware validation, and ECU flashing into a unified architecture. Users connect through a web interface to upload Intel HEX firmware files, which are verified using SHA-256 hashing to ensure integrity before deployment. A Flask-based backend manages secure login, version tracking, and communication between the user and connected ECUs. Once validated, firmware is transmitted from the Raspberry Pi to target devices via USB, with real-time logging and status feedback provided to the user.

By combining security, accessibility, and scalability, this system demonstrates a practical solution for remote firmware management in automotive and embedded systems, reducing downtime while improving reliability and user control.

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A local community coalition (previously funded by the Drug-Free Communities Support Program within the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), in partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy, gathered youth perceptions regarding teen alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and prescription drug use. As part of a community needs assessment, focus groups were conducted at local high schools with 9th, 10th, and 12th graders. The purpose of this research was to uncover general trends in the youth's perception of drug use in their communities, listening for the terminology that they would naturally use in interactions with each other. The groups (58 participants in total) with parental permission were briefed on confidentiality and the sensitivity of the subject matter before providing qualitative responses on 29 different questions. Audio recordings, transcriptions, and notes of the responses were codified and analyzed to draw conclusions. Results showed that students experience low difficulty accessing nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana.  Youth provided popular accesses methods, perceived peer use of substances, and perceived reasons for use of each drug. Youth also provided ideas for prevention, intervention, and support strategies. These included early conversations about health consequences, acceptance rather than punitive measures in response to usage, and anonymous helplines for struggling students.

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AI-Powered Learning Innovations at the CHP Center for Augmenting Intelligence in Urban Health (CAI-UH)

The University of Detroit Mercy’s Center for Augmenting Intelligence in Urban Health (CAI-UH) is a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing human-centered and equitable artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across health sciences, education, and community health. In alignment with this mission, faculty and students within the College of Health Professions are developing and piloting a range of AI-integrated educational tools aimed at enhancing student competencies and preparing future health professionals for an AI-enabled practice environment.

This poster presents findings from an ongoing initiative that integrates generative AI tools into undergraduate and graduate health professions curricula. These projects include AI-driven clinical simulations, intelligent tutoring and exam preparation tools, mental health and health promotion chatbots, policy communication assistants, and AI-supported literature review and curriculum design tools.

Preliminary findings suggest that intentional AI integration enhances critical thinking, clinical reasoning, professional communication, and student confidence. Additionally, early results indicate potential benefits for curriculum alignment and the development of evidence-based practice skills.

This work reflects a broader institutional commitment to responsible, student-centered AI adoption and positions the University of Detroit Mercy as a model for purposeful AI integration in health professions education.

Sarah Dukhan, MD; Phillip Olla, PhD; Sara Gifford, DNP, RN, AGCNS-BC

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CSACE (brief) Abstract  

Opening sentence  

The intent of this research is to identify and develop effective outdoor play strategies that can be integrated into the design of early childhood education environments to support holistic child development, enhance engagement and performance in school, and strengthen long-term learning retention. 

Brief background  

Research in education and environmental psychology shows that children learn through embodied, experiential interaction with their surroundings rather than passive instruction (Bilton). Despite this knowledge, most schools remain organized around indoor classrooms and technology-based learning, while studies on nature-deficit disorder and declining outdoor activity suggest reduced exposure to outdoor environments can limit focus, collaboration, and environmental awareness. 

Questions 

This investigation asks: 

• What design strategies can shape outdoor play environments that support the development of children ages 2–9 in Detroit? 

• How can outdoor play be designed as an active educational tool within Detroit’s public-school environments? 

• How can outdoor play environments support safety, accessibility, and equity in Detroit public schools? 

Methods  

This investigation combines literature review, historical analysis, field observation, and case study research. Field studies of five Detroit parks mapped children’s movement patterns, activity zones, materials, and cultural markers, while a historical timeline of playground evolution and a case study of the Detroit Schools examined how outdoor play can function as an integrated learning environment. 

Findings 

Findings reveal that outdoor environments support children’s cognitive, social, and physical development by encouraging exploration, imagination, and sensory learning. These results suggest that integrating outdoor play into school design can strengthen engagement, support child development, and expand learning beyond the traditional classrooms.  

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Stomatal Differences in Green  and Discolored Chestnut Leaves

Adam El-Awar, Harsha Sonawane, Laith Al-Qawasmi, Reshela Bulgareci, Mohammed Bleible, and Dr. Eva Nyutu.

Green leaves, rich in chlorophyll, are typically more efficient at photosynthesis and maintain active stomatal function for optimal gas exchange. In contrast, discolored leaves (such as yellowing or browning leaves) often indicate pigment degradation or stress, which can reduce photosynthetic activity and lead to partial or complete stomatal closure to conserve water. High temperatures can cause leaf discoloration and affect stomatal density, often resulting in yellowing or browning due to stress and the denaturation of photosynthetic pigments. The objective of this study was to compare stomatal characteristics between green and discolored chestnut leaves. We hypothesized that green leaves would have more abundant and larger stomata, with a higher percentage of open stomata than discolored leaves. An epidermal peel technique was used to measure stomatal density, stomatal length, and the percentage of open stomata in 10 green and 10 discolored leaves. Results showed that the average percentage of open stomata in green leaves was significantly greater than that in discolored leaves (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mean stomatal density or stomatal length between the two groups (P > 0.05). Healthy leaves tend to have a higher proportion of open stomata, which facilitates efficient gas exchange necessary for optimal photosynthesis and transpiration. In contrast, stressed or discolored leaves often exhibit a reduced percentage of open stomata as a protective response to minimize water loss. This research contributes to a better understanding of plant health indicators and optimal growth conditions based on stomatal behavior.

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Traditional grading systems rely on points and percentages that can heighten students’ stress and narrow students’ focus on genuine learning. Alternative Grading Systems (AGS) challenge these models by emphasizing student growth, reflection, and learning [1-5]. AGS may use a multitude of frameworks, such as pass/no pass, token systems, and opportunities for reassessments, to promote deeperunderstanding of the material.​

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TENN is a student-led, community-driven food justice program rooted in relationship-building, mutual learning, and sustained engagement. Through initiatives such as Produce Deliveries, Community Meals, Game Nights, Immersion Days, Garden Parties, and more, we connect with Detroit residents to listen intentionally, and collaborate in addressing food justice challenges together.

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This project focuses on questions of belonging on the University of Detroit Mercy campus, considering several potential sites of intervention and building on ongoing contemporary conversations. The designers developed the following proposal with hopes of strengthening on and off-campus relationships and supporting an equitable and inclusive campus experience. Early exploration of belonging definitions, campus and neighborhood research, site analysis, community engagement conversations, and program development scaffold this proposal. A physical model of the campus further enhances the process. The project is energized by guest modules focused on public-interest design processes, site analysis, and landscape performance, as well as the complementary code course. On and off campus, guests further contribute to the dialog.

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Minoxidil, a potassium channel opener first introduced as an antihypertensive, is now widely prescribed to stimulate hair growth. In oncology, it has gained increasing use as a supportive therapy for breast cancer patients experiencing alopecia induced by chemotherapy or endocrine treatments such as Tamoxifen. Although Minoxidil is widely used, its molecular activity in hormone-responsive cells remains unclear. Because it has been shown to influence androgen receptor signaling, we aim to determine whether Minoxidil similarly impacts the estrogen–estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) pathway. This project will investigate how Tamoxifen affects the estrogenic activity of Minoxidil in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer cells. Cells were maintained under hormone-deprived conditions and treated with estradiol, Tamoxifen, and a combination of Tamoxifen with Minoxidil. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the Alamar Blue assay to determine whether Tamoxifen reverses the proliferative effects of Minoxidil. A tryptophan emission assay will be performed to determine whether Minoxidil induces conformational changes in ERα; any fluorescence shift would indicate direct structural engagement with the receptor, supporting a mechanism of action involving ERα interaction As low-dose oral Minoxidil becomes widely prescribed to improve quality of life for patients coping with treatment-related hair loss, it is essential to ensure that its use does not compromise the effectiveness of hormone-directed therapy. The significance of this study lies in broadening our understanding of how Minoxidil operates at the molecular level. By examining its interaction with the estrogen receptor in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, we aim to uncover mechanisms beyond its known role as a potassium channel opener.

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Public Defender clients are widely known to be highly vulnerable to chronic, untreated, or inadequately treated mental health problems. Public defenders’ offices have addressed these issues with some success. However, attempts to investigate further the mental health of public defender clients have been sparsely conducted in the United States. This project was designed to correct the national knowledge gap regarding the mental health of a population legally defended by public defenders. 

Kalamazoo Defender (KDI) is a public defender office in Kalamazoo County, Michigan serving individuals involved in the criminal justice system. KDI utilizes an online platform, known as Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS), to assess clients’ mental health. In a pilot study of 50 individuals, KDI screened for major mental health disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Psychosis, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Mania/Hypomania, and Substance Use Disorder) by utilizing Computerized Adaptive Testing for Mental Health (CAT-MH; Gibbons & deGruy, 2019). The CIAS assessment also includes the Levels of Personality Functioning Scale Brief Form (LPFS-BF; Hutsebaut et al., 2016) to measure severity of an individual's personality pathology. 

The first aim of this pilot study was to report the severity of major psychiatric disorders in a public defender population. The second aim was to calculate the mean, standard deviation, and range of scores for LPFS-BF assessed total and subscale scores. The third aim was to assess LPFS-BF construct validity by assessing correlations of LPFS-BF total and subscale scores with the severity ratings of each assessed disorder. It was hypothesized that LPFS total and subscale scores will be significantly correlated with severity ratings in each assessed disorder. Results identified slightly over half of the individuals assessed reported no or mild symptoms within each disorder category apart from anxiety and depression, in which severity ratings were higher for over half of the sample. Sixty percent of the sample met criteria for a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis. Additionally, results indicated that overall personality functioning was correlated with other psychiatric symptoms (rs ranged between .34 and .80, p<.001). An independent samples t-test of individuals who were or were not diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) found more impairment in total overall personality functioning, as well as poorer functioning in the self and interpersonal domains in those in the MDD group (ds ranged between 1.48 and 1.85). 

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Gendered racial microaggressions (GRM) have harmful effects on Black women’s health, but resilience, or the ability to bounce back from such stressors, is a rarely studied outcome. Emotion regulation difficulties are associated with both increased experiences of GRM and lower resilience and may partially explain the relation between these constructs. However, little research has examined these dynamics specifically among Black women. The Strong Black Woman (SBW) Schema is theorized to strengthen resilience in the face of gendered racial discrimination but has been associated with reduced self-care and greater emotion regulation difficulties. It has also been shown to moderate the relation between GRM and adverse outcomes. The present study examined emotion regulation difficulties as a mediator between GRM and resilience, as well as the SBW Schema as a moderator of this relation and that between GRM and emotion regulation difficulties, in a community sample of Black women (N=429; Mage=33.28). Results supported emotion regulation difficulties as a significant mediator, but the SBW Schema did not moderate the associations, and the overall moderated mediation was non-significant. However, serial mediation analyses revealed that both emotion regulation difficulties and the SBW Schema explained the relation between GRM and resilience, as increased GRM experiences were associated with greater difficulties in emotion regulation, which were in turn associated with greater endorsement of the SBW Schema, which was finally associated with lower resilience. Findings suggest interventions targeting emotion regulation difficulties, as well as Black women’s relationship with the SBW Schema, may strengthen resilience in the face of GRM.

Key words: Gendered racial microaggressions, resilience, Strong Black Women Schema

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Putative 2-methylcitrate dehydratase (PDH1) is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein that participates in propionate metabolism. The PDH1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is orthologous to the human gene aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1), which recent reports suggest is a regulator of immunometabolism in inflammation and infection. However, the metabolic consequences of PDH1 deletion have not yet been fully characterized. To further explore the molecular functions of PDH1, we performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics to compare PDH1 deletion mutant yeast to BY4741 wild-type yeast. Both intracellular and extracellular metabolite extractions were performed on yeast cultures harvested at mid-log growth phase. The yeast extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer operated in positive ionization mode. Following untargeted feature detection and alignment, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed to detect differential features between the yeast strains. Putative compound identification was performed by matching accurate mass to literature databases. Preliminary results, which suggest the mutation has multiple potential metabolic effects, will be described.

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Reno Hall, formerly a men’s dormitory, is currently being used for private offices, classrooms, counseling, and the drama textiles workshop. This building, while outdated and forgotten, still contains the history and culture of campus. Past students look back on Reno fondly as their home during their education, whereas now, most students have never set foot inside. The students and faculty currently using Reno Hall wish for a more comfortable and lively environment and to feel connected to the campus. Located on the Southwest corner of Detroit Mercy’s campus, Reno Hall has a close connection to the existing residence halls, as well as the opportunity to connect to the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Connections between Livernois and Puritan avenues can be developed to encourage campus/community collaboration.

This adaptive reuse will convert Reno Hall into a on campus community hub for both students and neighbors. Introducing the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a wellness center utilizing the student’s majors (Law, Dental, Social Work...), as well as a variety of spaces for anyone to use for study/play/collaborate/rest. These services will have been requested by community members and students. To further encourage the connection between on/off campus opening the entrance on Livernois and well as the renovation of LOT B will be addressed in this proposal. Transforming LOT B into a space with proper food vendor popups, water management, and direct green connections from Livernois to Reno Hall.

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Background: V. parvula (Vp) and S. mutans (Sm) cooperate within biofilms to cause dental caries. V. parvula metabolizes lactic acid produced by S. mutans to propionic and acetic acids. This leads to enhanced overall biofilm health while maintaining a demineralizing pH of ~pH=5. V. parvula relies upon the lactate utilization operon, lutABC, to deacidify S. mutans biofilms.

Objectives: To metabolize lactate to pyruvate (on the way to propionate and acetate) under anaerobic conditions, V. parvula uses a series of iron-sulfur cluster proteins, LutABC, that can transfer electrons and allow for the generation of ATP. Our goal is to define the terminal electron acceptor in the V. parvula LutABC system, since oxygen is not available.

Methods: Biofilms of Sm (ATCC 25175) alone or in combination with Vp (ATCC 10790) were grown in artificial saliva + 0.5% sucrose +/- nitrate. 4.3mM nitrate or 5mM fumarate (another terminal electron acceptor of anaerobes) was added back to artificial saliva lacking nitrate to determine if nitrate was required for biofilm deacidification. The health of Sm + Vp biofilms was assessed by LIVE/DEAD staining.

Results: Biofilms of Sm + Vp grown in the absence of nitrate were no longer able to deacidify Sm biofilms, and resembled biofilms of Sm alone and a Vp lutABC mutant. Addition of nitrate or fumarate back to artificial saliva restored deacidification, indicating nitrate or fumarate can serve as terminal electron acceptors in the LutABC system. LIVE/DEAD imaging also indicated nitrate plays a role in LutABC-dependent biofilm health in mixed Sm + Vp biofilms.

Conclusions: Under anaerobic conditions, V. parvula uses nitrate or fumarate to deacidify S. mutans biofilms. This process relies on the LutABC system. Future studies will explore polymicrobial biofilms including other species that can utilize and deplete nitrate, perhaps impacting the role of Vp in Sm biofilm deacidification.

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This study examines the relationship between parents’ implicit and explicit racial attitudes and those of their children. Drawing on theories of social learning and early social cognition, the project investigates whether and how parental attitudes are associated with children’s implicit biases (e.g., automatic associations) and explicit attitudes (e.g., stated preferences). By assessing both parents and children using developmentally appropriate measures, this research aims to shed light on potential pathways through which racial biases are transmitted across generations. The findings may have important implications for understanding the early development of social bias and informing interventions that target both family and broader social contexts.

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According to a study by Hicks et al. (2020) involving Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans who use tobacco, the findings showed they generally recognized negative health risks of smoking but had misconceptions about nicotine. Veterans in this sample believed nicotine was the primary cause of cancer and lacked the understanding of nicotine replacement therapies to help with quitting tobacco. The purpose of this research served to determine tobacco use among veterans and the prevalence of tobacco cessation education received among the veteran population ages 18-50 years old to aid clinicians in better delivery of educational materials.

A 10-question survey was conducted through Qualtrics that included eight multiple choice questions and 2 select all that apply with an option for a fill in the blank box for other comments. The survey was distributed through a QR code posted on social media streams such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook as well as sending a link to potential willing participants. Results are based off of 81 responses via QR code on social media. Out of those responses there were 48 viable and 33 excluded responses (12 active duty, 6 out of age range, 12 incomplete, and 3 incorrect responses to control question). Results found a prevalence of tobacco use among the veteran population across all branches. Findings show that 70% of the 48 viable responses never received tobacco cessation materials during or following service and 50% of the 48 viable responses started using tobacco during time of service. In conclusion, the research displays a gap in knowledge about cessation and suggests for improved cessation education efforts among the veteran population.

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Acts of terrorism are used by organizations and governments to forcefully and violently fight for an end goal. Understanding realism as an international theory, it can be argued that the concept and acts of terrorism defend and negate realism. A realist would argue that conflicts like terrorism are natural in human nature. Nation-states are in a constant state of war, where individual leaders and nations fight for their benefit. However, realist theories are challenged by terrorist organizations through their goals and international deterrence. This study examines realism as an international relations theory in an attempt to explain terrorism in different parts of the world. Using qualitative research techniques, an analysis of different tenets of realism and the extent to which they can account for the acts of terrorism across the globe. Although terrorist organizations display a constant state of war, terrorism also challenges realist theories. Realism challenges the notion that states are primary actors in terrorism and that terrorism solely desires violent ends. 

This study also highlights how viewing the world only through a realist lens overlooks the work of individuals such as Francoise Rudetzki and organizations such as SOS Attentats, which attempt to improve the lives of terrorist victims. This paper calls for a legally binding international definition of terrorism and for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to be empowered to address these acts. These alterations to the international government will increase the chances for the ICC to punish terrorists for violating international law while maintaining the safety and humanity of citizens around the globe.  

Key terms: Terrorism, Realism, United States, France, Uruguay, International Criminal Court

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In the current digital age, users of mobile software are constantly at risk of compromising their personal information. Whether users are aware or not, their devices are tracking every movement, and software developers design features to cater to their user interface experience. This tracking can benefit users by creating a more personalized and individual user experience. However, creators will use the data collected to deceive users for their goals and profit. Deceptive design features, also known as dark patterns, are design practices used to manipulate or coerce users to make decisions that they do not have full autonomy over. These deceptive features are intentionally designed to force users in a certain direction, even if the user does not want to be led in said direction, and sometimes at the expense of the user.

The purpose of this research was to understand how mobile software application design features strategically manipulate users into revealing their personally identifiable information (PII). This paper presents a systematic literature review of forty scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles that were analyzed and thematically synthesized. Three major deceptive design features were identified in the literature: visual designs, audio designs, and psychological designs. The findings show the need for better ethical and legal considerations for protecting user privacy and increasing user awareness.

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Psychopathy is a complex personality trait characterized by decreased empathy, poor behavioral control, and manipulativeness, often resulting in antisocial behavior. Although widely studied, psychopathy has not been fully integrated into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Currently, within the DSM-5-TR, the only way to diagnose psychopathy is through the Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD), where psychopathy can be assessed as a specifier for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). However, this approach has been criticized for its limited construct validity, particularly its failure to fully capture psychopathy-specific traits.

Although there are many psychopathy models, one popular model is the Triarchic Model of Psychopathy. The Triarchic model defines psychopathy in terms of boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. Boldness refers to social dominance, emotional resilience, and risk-taking behaviors. Meanness is characterized by callousness and lack of empathy. Disinhibition captures impulsivity and poor behavioral control. Recent research mapped these constructs onto the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), an assessment of maladaptive personality traits within the AMPD framework. These studies have found that boldness is negatively associated with PID-5 negative affect, meanness aligns with PID-5 antagonism, and disinhibition is associated with PID-5 disinhibition. While the Triarchic scales have been correlated with specific PID-5 traits and the PID-5-Tri has been validated against other measures of psychopathy, affect, and psychopathology, no one has examined areas of overlap through an interpersonal lens.

The current study builds on these findings by examining psychopathy and PID-5 traits through the framework of Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory (CIIT). CIIT posits that personality is expressed through dynamic interactions between individuals, which can be modeled using the Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC). The IPC allows for the characterization of interpersonal traits along two dimensions: agency (dominance vs. submission) and communion (warmth vs. coldness). Using this framework, Triarchic scales and PID-5 traits can be mapped onto IPC surfaces to identify their interpersonal characteristics and determine which PID-5 traits overlap with Triarchic scales. Prior research has shown that psychopathic characteristics primarily occupy the cold-dominant quadrant of the circumplex. While PID-5 domains and facets have been mapped onto IPC surfaces, this has occurred across relatively few studies and remains an area for further research.

In this study, we will apply the Structural Summary Method (SSM) to assess the relationship between PID-5 domains and facets and psychopathic traits across three IPC surfaces: interpersonal problems, influence tactics, and sensitivities. Additionally, contrast analysis will be performed to see which PID-5 trait facets align with Triarchic scales. We hypothesize that Triarchic boldness will have similar interpersonal characteristics to PID-5 antagonism and risk-taking and be inversely related to anxiousness and interpersonal distress. Meanness is expected to possess similar characteristics to PID-5 antagonism and negative affect, and be associated with higher levels of interpersonal distress and misanthropy. Disinhibition is predicted to have similar characteristics as PID-5 disinhibition and its related facets. If these

areas of overlap are identified, findings would add to the literature identifying candidate PID-5 traits for a psychopathy personality type in its own right.

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This thesis investigates sacred space that responds to both phenomenological analysis and the shared lived experience of pilgrims—people seeking spiritual, existential, and religious meaning. A multidisciplinary approach was engaged, incorporating phenomenological and existential philosophy, theology, history, and architectural theory. The research began with an exploration of contemporary evangelical Christian architecture. Through literature review and interviews with pastors, it was found that this typology emerged in the past 50 years to create ‘seeker-sensitive’ spaces—comfortable settings for religious exploration. However, it was also found that a need exists to design for what pilgrims find beautiful rather than merely comfortable. This research was aimed at determining how to engage pilgrims to design space that meets their needs along their spiritual quest. To address this, Martin Heidegger’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” was studied, particularly his notion of dwelling as an incarnate presence in place. A perceptual, phenomenological approach was used to explore the existential and spiritual needs of pilgrims in physical space. In-person observations, narrative writing, photography, and sketching were conducted in several places of worship, including a Catholic cathedral, a Muslim mosque, and a non-denominational Christian church. A comparative precedent analysis of contemporary churches and other houses of worship further informed the study. Additionally, interviews and visual ethnographic studies examined shared spiritual experiences in physical spaces. From these investigations, key design elements were identified, including body posture and scale, light and darkness, acoustic design, and materiality that ages over time. To test these principles, a design process incorporating dwelling and building was developed. Through installation, watercolor sketching, poetic narrative writing, and collage, pilgrimage chapels were designed that engaged a co-constructed method with a singular pilgrim. It was found that the pilgrim’s journey includes lament, silent meditation, encountering transcendence, and sacrifice. In response, a chapel was designed for each of these experiences. Ultimately, this study explores how architectural design can guide spiritual seekers. By building with the pilgrim, this thesis contributes to the broader discourse on architecture’s role in shaping human experience, proposing spatial and sensorial qualities as well as engagement methodologies that encourage designers and leaders to empathize with the lived reality of the spiritual quest.

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This study investigated contextual residential design and development in historic Detroit neighborhoods. The City of Detroit has a rich history that is conveyed through the residential neighborhoods throughout the city. With recent growth in population, the city needs to adapt with new construction and housing within the city. However, it is important that these new buildings and interventions are contextually compatible with those already existing as it will create a sense of belonging for residents (Van Laar, et al., 2024) and provide a cohesive neighborhood fabric. Research questions included: how can designers implement preservation tactics to preserve the historic integrity of Detroit neighborhoods? How can we guide new developments to support the historic integrity of Detroit neighborhoods? Literature review, diagramming, mapping exercises, and façade analyses were conducted to determine how the various elements of contextual design contribute to a cohesive streetscape and meeting modern needs and standards. Findings uncovered how contextual design can address the housing shortage throughout the city in a way that is responsive to the historic qualities in these neighborhoods.

Works Cited

Van Laar, Brian, et al. “What Matters When? – An Integrative Literature Review on Decision Criteria in Different Stages of the Adaptive Reuse Process.” Developments in the Built Environment, vol. 18, 2024, p. 100439.

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Emma Jo Fulk 

Thesis Studio Advisor: Virginia Stanard 

Thesis Research Methods Advisor: Claudia Bernasconi 

External Advisor: Ceara O’Leary 

ARCH 5100-5200 | 5110-5210 Thesis Studio and Thesis Research Methods 

Fall 2025 - Winter 2026 

School of Architecture and Community Development 

University of Detroit Mercy 

I, Emma Jo Fulk, certify that I have not used Generative AI in any way to complete this work 

YOUTHSCAPE  

Designing a process for restorative urban neighborhood development through the lens of teens and their social networks. 

This study investigated the qualities of teens’ social connections, their developmental needs, and the qualities of social spaces within the Virginia Park Community of Central Detroit. Society today views teens as a liability and obstacles to overcome instead of assets to the community (Johanon), and teens are more anxious and disconnected now than in previous years (Borba). Public spaces have the capacity to “foster social interactions and generate a feeling of community” (Soja), yet teens have been historically excluded from social spaces (Travlou), which has therefore led to increased isolation and decreased well-being. Three primary research questions asked: How can Detroit’s social spaces foster the well-being of youth through restorative urban development strategies? What urban forms, processes, spaces, programs, and/or spatial characteristics support the development of a sense of belonging in teens? How can Detroit’s physical environment support the positive development of adolescents through its typologies and existing conditions? To address these questions, this study employed methods such as visual ethnography, interviews, precedent analyses, mapping, and literature review. These methods were conducted to understand how youth desire to be engaged with, their priorities within their social spaces, and the context of Virginia Park Community’s built environment. Findings uncovered the social connections between teens, their peers, and siblings as well as the successful engagement and design strategies of existing youth spaces. These findings, along with a comprehensive process of combining methods and existing models, has led to a development of a framework for creating restorative youth-centered social spaces in the context of urban neighborhoods that is rooted in the character and engagement of youth. 

Work Cited 

Borba, Michele. Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2022. 

Soja, Edward. “Third Spaces in Architecture.” Rethinking the Future, 2025, www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a10494-third-spaces-in-architecture-edward-soja/. 

Travlou, Penny. “‘Teenagers and Public Space.’” OPENspace, July 2003. 

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JUNCTION ON THE AVE serves as a community and educational center 
for neighbors and students alike. Located on Livernois Ave just south of W 
McNichols Road, the site is directly across the street from the University 
of Detroit Mercy and adjacent to the Fitzgerald neighborhood. With 
programming that serves all age groups, Junction on the Ave will be a 
connection point for students and neighbors.

With programming that results from multiple conversations with 
community members, city officials, and people from the university, Junction 
on the Ave houses space for community classes, Block Club meetings, 
after-school care, a teen lounge, a vendor restaurant space, a rooftop bar, 
and a porch for gathering. These amenities respond to the various needs 
and wants that we heard from community engagement activities.

Additionally, with an inviting facade and several outdoor gathering spaces 
for play and socialization, Junction on the Ave provides an exciting space 
for all. The outdoor spaces include a porch for bands and gathering 
that responds to Detroit’s porch culture, a courtyard, a basketball court 
for neighbors and students to interact, a playground, and a bioswale 
to provide both storwater management and visual appeal. The facade 
design responds to the context through its materials and the spirit of the 
community center through its bright color palette.

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As secondary caries remains a prevalent shortcoming of permanent dental restorations, the capability of restorative materials to protect dental hard tissues against demineralization through ion release and acid neutralization represents a viable mechanism to extend the service life of restorations. Several new bioactive composite materials were recently introduced to the market with favorable ion release, tooth remineralization, and alkalizing potential. This study aims to evaluate and compare the pH buffering capacity and calcium and phosphate ion release of three commercially available bioactive resin composites and one conventional resin composite under simulated cariogenic acidic conditions (lactic acid, pH 4.0). Methods: Disc-shaped specimens (6 mm diameter × 2 mm thickness) will be fabricated from three bioactive composites—ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative, RE-GEN Bioactive Composite, and Predicta Bioactive Bulk Fill—and one conventional resin composite serving as a negative control. Specimens (n = 4 per material per time point) will be individually immersed in 10 mL of 0.1 M lactic acid adjusted to pH 4.0 and stored at 37 °C. Measurements will be conducted at 1 hour, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days. Ph changes (ΔpH) will be recorded using a calibrated pH meter. Phosphate ion release will be quantified using a malachite green colorimetric assay (ApexBio K2245), and calcium ion release will be measured using a calcium colorimetric assay based on o-cresolphthalein complex-one chemistry (ApexBio K2291). Ion concentrations will be calculated from standard calibration curves and expressed as µg per disc. Data will be analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with appropriate post-hoc testing (α = 0.05). Clinically, materials that release more ions and buffer acid may better prevent recurrent caries at restoration margins, especially in high-caries-risk patients.

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Moraxella catarrhalis is a bacterium that resides in the upper respiratory tract and can be associated with bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, sinusitis and otitis. It is linked with bronchopneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The purpose of this work was to investigate the development of antibiotic resistance in M. catarrhalis. Fastidious M. catarrhalis was routinely cultured on Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar. The organism grew less well on standard nutrient agar medium. It could grow at body temperature or room temperature. Susceptibility to several antibiotics that use different modes of action was determined by the disk diffusion method. Inhibition zone diameters ranged from 23 to 45 mm at body temperature. For comparison, Escherichia coli showed zone diameters of 0 to 17 mm for the same antibiotics. Interestingly, zone diameters were considerably larger when the tests were incubated at room temperature. There did not appear to be any spontaneous antibiotic resistant mutant colonies that had arisen in the inhibition zones for M. catarrhalis. This may have been partly due to the low inoculum used on the agar surface in the disk test. Subsequently, an attempt was made to select resistant mutants for the antibiotic known as rifampicin directly on agar containing the antibiotic. The mechanism of action for rifampicin is to block synthesis of RNA by binding to RNA polymerase. The antibiotic had exhibited a discrete border to the inhibition zone in the disk assay. One use of the antibiotic is to prevent infection by Neisseria meningitidis. On agar containing rifampicin, with a large inoculum, spontaneous mutant colonies of M. catarrhalis would appear in a few days at body temperature or several days at room temperature. The mutants could be useful for study of antibiotic resistance and genetics in M. catarrhalis.

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Significance:  Competency-based nursing education that bridges the classroom-clinical gap is an essential aspect of nursing education that continues to evolve and requires faculty to develop innovative models.

Purpose: The Integrated Learning Encounter (ILE) is an innovative approach that was developed to prepare entry-level nurses at the graduate level for the nursing profession.  Students and faculty from all courses and levels in the nursing program work together to explore the nursing care of a single patient from multiple perspectives.   Learning activities integrate knowledge from each class into seminar with discussion, team assignments, skills practice, simulation, and group and self-reflections.  Simulations are created using the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model that incorporates the nursing process. Students work in teams within and across program levels during simulation and assignment completion, which enhances teambuilding and communication skills. Students experience the same patients at each level of their education, allowing them to experience their own progression.  

Outcomes:  Students and faculty report overall satisfaction with the ILE and value experiencing the challenges of communication and teamwork.  Students report that activities related to patient and family advocacy, patient safety and medication errors, and compassion fatigue are beneficial.  Students demonstrate increased understanding of the nursing process and key nursing interventions.  Faculty appreciate the collaborative aspect of the ILE as they work with colleagues to accompany students while applying course concepts to patient situations. 

Future Implications: As an innovative approach, the ILE continues to evolve with a future emphasis on measuring and individualizing competency attainment and enhancing the simulation experience.     

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Vertical Saccades in a case of encephalomalacia 

Maria Gojcaj, Jude Rodriquez, Priscilla Chou, Taylor-Nicole Kissel, Jena David, 

Harold Greene*   *Advisor

Saccadic eye movements, which allow people to quickly change their focus from one place to another, are necessary for visual exploration and attentional control. The cerebellum, superior colliculus, frontal and parietal cortices, and other cortical and subcortical areas form a network that controls these quick movements. While a lot of study has been done on horizontal saccades, studies on vertical saccades have shown behavioral asymmetries that point to different inhibitory control for eye movements that are directed upward and downward.Encephalomalacia, which involves softening of brain tissue due to injury, gives us an opportunity to explore the disruption of these systems. Serious impairments in saccadic performance have been associated with damage to the frontoparietal cortex, an important region involved in visual attention and saccade planning, especially in tasks requiring attentional shifts and response inhibition (Peers et al., 2005; Liu et al., 2023).  We present the case of a 40 year old female (DD) with encephalomalacia in frontoparietal areas of her cortex (between F8 & F4, C4 & T4, P4 & T6).   DD is participating in sessions of a vertical saccade task, over many weeks.  Brain activity is being monitored via a by an Iworx IX-EEG amplifier, 10-20 19-electrode cap.   Event related potentials for some of DD’ssessions will be presented to compare vertical saccade preparation activity in damaged and non-damaged areas of her frontoparietal cortex. This ongoing study is anticipated to provide insight on possible neuroplastic compensations for the execution of vertical saccades. 

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In this project we designed and constructed a mobile robot using concepts from our Circuits/Electronics laboratory. Starting with a small rover chassis with two DC motors, we implemented a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) H-bridge motor drive system and a DC-DC buck converter to provide a 5 V supply from the 7.2 V battery. Operational-amplifier circuits were designed to amplify signals from Sharp™ IR distance sensors and a PixyCam2 color-tracking camera. An Arduino-compatible microcontroller read these analog signals and generated PWM motor command signals to control robot motion. The completed robot follows a trained colored object, avoids obstacles using infrared sensors, and resumes cruising behavior when no target is detected.

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A conditional Flp/FRT EMS mutagenesis screen was conducted in the D. melanogaster adult mosaic eye to look for regulators of the cell cycle, cell division, and tissue development. The starting chromosome for this screen harbored an allele of Dark82 that blocks the canonical apoptosis pathway in the mosaic mutant tissue. The screen identified secondary mutations that disrupted the cell growth and developmental patterning in the adult eye. One mutant from the screen, C.3.3, was characterized by having a reduction in the ratio of mutant tissue to wild type tissue in the mosaic eye. This mutant was genetically mapped by undergraduates in the Fly-CURE consortium at Loyola Marymount University and Nevada State University. This group identified two distinct lethal mutations on the right side of chromosome 2.  The lethal mutations were further mapped to specific genes, Rpe and Nup75. Here we aim to identify if one of the mutations (or both) is responsible for the C.3.3 mosaic eye phenotype. Using recombination, we found that Rpe and Dark82, had a similar phenotype to C.3.3 overall (Dark82, Nup75, and Rpe) suggesting that Rpe is driving the conditional mosaic eye phenotype. Currently, we are working on the generation of the Nup75, Dark82mosaic eye to determine if both mutants drive the same phenotype. Overall, these data will lead to a better understanding of the interplay between multiple mutants in the developing Drosophila eye.

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While traveling, it is not uncommon to undergo a transformative experience – a sudden synthesis of conflicting ideas and emotions, a new sense of order and beauty, an epiphany – triggered by the conditions of locality. The subjective nature of these experiences means they are unpredictable and occur uniquely in each individual, but equally valuable for epistemic expansion and personal development. As a result, such experiences cannot be constructed but can only be invited. This thesis project proposes a design theory for increasing the likelihood of a transformative experience occurring within a chosen locality. Methods employed include: adapting a transformative experience design framework from literature review, analyzing the phenomenological experience of a travel case study with the assistance of a model provided by literature, deductively applying lessons learned to identify high potential locations for transformative experiences in a chosen locality, then inductively proposing a grounded theory. The outcome of this study is a taxonomy of locations that exhibit high potential for transformative affordances. The taxonomy highlights the relationship between genius loci and identity formation, with a core feature being a “hybrid” of architecture and infrastructure vernacular. This leads to new questions about urban design and planning.

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Androgenic Alopecia is a prevalent condition amongst people that causes hair loss on the scalp. Minoxidil is an effective treatment for this condition, but its mechanism is not fully understood. Minoxidil has a structure similar to estrogen which led us to believe that it may bind to the estrogen receptor in our cancer cells, leading to hair growth as a result. T47D breast cancer cells were treated with varying concentrations of minoxidil. Cell proliferation was then measured using fluorescence. PyMOL was used to view the molecular docking of estrogen receptor α with minoxidil. The addition of Minoxidil to the cells showed an increase of cell proliferation, which coincides with our computational work that shows that Minoxidil can favorably bind to the estrogen receptor. Minoxidil increasing the activity of the estrogen receptor can help in other applications. This gave an overall better understanding of Minoxidil’s therapeutic capabilities on Androgenic Alopecia. 

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Air pollution is a major health issue in Michigan, especially in cities like Detroit, where vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and climate change contribute to poor air quality. Pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone worsen asthma, increase lung cancer risk, and disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities. This poster highlights the key sources of pollution, their health effects, and practical solutions, such as stronger emissions regulations, better public transportation, air quality monitoring, and urban green spaces. By pushing for policy changes and raising awareness, we can take meaningful steps toward cleaner air and better health for everyone.

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Eating Disorders (ED) such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder are diagnoses that affect vast amounts of people from various populations.  However, much of the research that has established the evidence-based foundation for ED symptoms and treatments have been formulated through the lens of the European American adolescent female population (Talleyrand, 2012). While many existing symptoms and treatments have been proven as effective, efficacy and completion rates have been shown to be significantly lower for African American females due to the lack of account for contextual, socio economic and societal factors that affect this population (Talleyrand, 2012).  More recent studies have attempted to fill this gap in research yet, research on African American women and ED remains limited.  These limitations have thus created significant health disparities within the African American population through which African American females have been diagnosed with higher rates of obesity and diabetes while being underdiagnosed for ED or misdiagnosed via the medical model (Scott et al., 2019).   

In more recent studies, researchers have attempted to address various factors that have caused these health disparities such as presentation of symptoms, and cultural factors associated with proper diagnoses and treatment of African American women with eating disorders (Gerend et al., 2024).  Ultimately, it has been found that although Black women may not have higher rates of preoccupation with Body Mass Index (BMI) or negative views surrounding body image; they are actually more likely to engage in binging behaviors without the use of dangerous compensatory actions such as vomiting (Simpson et al., 2023).  This difference in etiology accounts for the higher rates of obesity and diabetes that are found within this population which have all been traditionally approached utilizing the medical model.  While current research of these factors has been addressed for various populations of Black women including adolescent females, young adult college students and lower socioeconomic status women, there is currently no research addressing ED within the African American women graduate student population.  This study aims to fill this gap in research by highlighting the need for correct diagnoses of Black women graduate students in an effort to identify potential causes, stressors and treatments that would be effective with this population. 

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What if love drove design? What if profit, prosperity, and care weren’t at odds in design? This thesis inquiry explores how a shift in focus could transform the design profession, design, its products, and the people who make it happen (that’s us). Compounding the stress of larger political, economic, ecological crises, designers consistently face burnout and disempowerment within a profit-driven culture, weakening their capacity to design better. This thesis investigation explores real people’s stories, drawing insights from those narratives, and proposes real-world solutions that would allow us to redefine 'richness' to offer a hopeful path forward. One centered on community, holistic care, and social-ecological mindfulness.

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Mechanical forces play a critical role in cellular processes such as wound healing, stem cell differentiation, and cell migration. However, existing tools struggle to detect extremely small forces that are measured in the piconewton range. To address this challenge, we developed a simpler, single-dye sensor that reports mechanical forces through changes in fluorescence lifetime. We synthesized an organic, rhodamine-based dye, assembled it into molecular probes with PEG linkers and cell-adhesive peptides, and functionalized it on glass surfaces. Cell-free assays on these surfaces with varied probe density helped modulate molecular forces. Higher probe density produced longer fluorescence lifetimes, confirming that the dye responds to mechanical force. This single-dye sensor provides a reliable tool for visualizing mechanical forces and biological imaging, enabling studies of mechanobiology in both cells and biomaterials.

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• Purpose: to assess the age of child dental visit in relation to type of treatment, type of dental insurance, and level of education of their mother.

Methods: This study included 141 parents who were bringing their children to Detroit Mercy Dental's Pediatric Clinic and Brilliant Detroit Center. The parents filled out the survey regarding their child's first dental visit.

Results: This study found that the children with early visits to dental clinic received more routine and preventive treatment, compared to older children who received dental treatment for pain and extraction. The study also shows that mothers with higher level of education bring their children for dental care before they reach the age of 4.

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We have found recently that aluminum dishes, often called aluminum weighing boats by scientists and engineers, can serve as excellent molds for the creation of art medals, providing that the metal to be poured is low enough melting that it will not melt the aluminum.  Examples of such metals include tin, lead, zinc, bismuth, Wood’s metal fusible alloy, and Onion’s metal alloy.  Here we will detail how low-melting alloys can be made, how such aluminum molds can be carved or etched, what techniques maximize the design elements, how molten metals can be poured safely, and the best methods by which such medals can be cooled and separated from the aluminum molds.  Advantages and disadvantages of aluminum dishes as molds, when compared to other techniques, will be discussed.

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This study explored how small-scale Chaldean catholic adoration chapels function as intentionally designed architectural environments that foster psychological healing and inner spiritual connection. This investigation questioned whether users consciously perceive architectural influence in their experiences of prayer and restoration

Sacred architecture has historically shaped human encounters with transcendence through spatial atmosphere, materiality, and sensory experience. Despite the prevalence of Eucharistic Adoration chapels within devotional life, their specific architectural contribution to healing and inner connection remains underexamined.

Research questions included how healing occurs spatially within adoration chapels, what architectural characteristics most contribute to emotional restoration and divine intimacy, and how these chapels differ experientially from larger church sanctuaries.

The study employed literature review, spatial analysis, comparative case studies of three adoration chapels, and qualitative user surveys to examine experiential responses to sacred environments.

Findings revealed that users consistently associated reduced spatial scale, subdued lighting, acoustic stillness, and visual centrality of the eucharist with feelings of calm, safety, clarity, and spiritual closeness. These spatial conditions contribute to psychological restoration and support deeper contemplative engagement with sacred architectural settings.

Work Cited

Böhme, Gernot. Atmosphere as the Fundamental Concept of a New Aesthetics. Ashgate, 2017.

Norberg-Schulz, Christian. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli, 1980.

Zumthor, Peter. Atmospheres: Architectural Environments – Surrounding Objects. Birkhäuser, 2006.

Catechism of the Catholic Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1994.

Kaplan, Rachel and Stephen Kaplan. The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press, 1989.

Pallasmaa, Juhani. The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses. Wiley, 2005.

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Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pervasive threats to aquatic ecosystems, with microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm) infiltrating freshwater and marine environments worldwide. Microplastics are plastic particles that persist in aquatic environments and can accumulate in the tissues of organisms. Nanoplastics are even smaller particles that can cross biological membranes and cause intracellular damage. Because fish rely extensively on olfactory cues to locate food, identify conspecifics, and detect predators, their sensory systems represent a critical but vulnerable target of plastic exposure. To investigate these impacts, we exposed male and female fathead minnows to polystyrene MPs (30 µm) and NPs (0.5 µm) for 28 days at concentrations of 0 mg/L (control) and 1 mg/L. Motion tracking analysis will be conducted to quantify avoidance and preference responses to ecologically relevant odorants including L-alanine (food), taurocholic acid (social), and conspecific alarm cue. Given their smaller size we do anticipate that the fathead minnows exposed to nanoplastics will experience more severe olfactory deficits compared to those exposed to microplastics.  By understanding the impacts of plastic exposure on the olfactory system and impairments in olfactory-driven behavior, this study will provide insights into how micro- and nanoplastics may jeopardize fish survival.

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Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) often rely on multiple sensors such as LiDAR, radar, and cameras to interpret the driving environment. While these systems perform well on standard highways, off-road environments introduce shadows which can significantly degrade image-based segmentation. In gravel or dirt road scenes, shadows can cause the same surface to appear as multiple colors or intensity levels. As a result, segmentation algorithms frequently misclassify shadowed portions of the road surface as surrounding vegetation or terrain.

This poster presents an image-based approach that incorporates a shadow-mitigation method to improve segmentation consistency in such scenes. Shadows are detected using the Hue-Saturation-Value (HSV) color model through binarization of dark regions, followed by geodesic dilation to capture both deep and lighter shadow areas. Shadowed pixels are then intensity-corrected using ratios derived from RGB statistics of shadow and non-shadow road regions. The correction is applied iteratively to accommodate varying shadow strengths and is followed by Gaussian smoothing to reduce boundary artifacts.

By normalizing shadowed road regions while preserving texture structure, the proposed method produces more consistent image features and improves the reliability of subsequent segmentation in off-road imagery.

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This quantum chemistry study will show the thermodynamics of and barrier to a C-C bond breaking reaction in a model molecule for sulfonated polyether (ether) ketone (sPEEK) following addition of an OH radical to an aromatic ring within the polymer.

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The dominant climate narrative is one of fear, often predicting catastrophes if we fail to act. Consequently, a large majority of individuals experience some level of climate-induced anxiety, leading, in its worst case, to a paralysis of action. The narratives that have shaped this current discourse need to change, and for that to happen, we need to start looking toward a future in which we “get it right”. This thesis assumes we will succeed in meeting our climate goals and asks, “What would the future look like if we got climate change right?” It isn’t about climate denial; rather, it’s the opposite. It is about understanding that while good at driving initial activism, the current climate narratives often fail to sustain engagement over time. Instead of focusing on crisis, it envisions a hopeful future, aiming to inspire more people to imagine and strive toward a world where climate change is solved.

By shifting from fear to possibility, this thesis seeks not to convince but to inspire optimism, fostering a deep, collective desire to build a world where sustainability is not a burden but a path to abundance. Methods employed include using AI image generation, collage-based imagery, rendered visualizations, and master planning + design vignettes to envision what a soft future looks and feels like. The exploration also examines the question “How can a Soft Framework be implemented?”

The Soft Path redefines progress, demonstrating that a thriving future is not about limitation but about reimagining how we live, build, and connect, ensuring that human development strengthens rather than scars the world we call home. A Soft Framework was developed as an alternative approach to design rooted in restoration, adaptability, ecological integration flexibility, and human-scale design. 

The findings of this thesis investigation highlight the need for developing positive climate future narratives to help drive action; in doing so, we can shape individuals' perceptions, conceptions, and eventually their prospections on the future, leading to a collective push towards a positive climate future. As architects, we are uniquely positioned to help realize this vision by designing within a soft framework.

Rather than assuming failure, we should embrace the opportunity to be the first generation to create a fully sustainable world.

What if?… An invitation to imagine: a softer future   

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Ulcers develop on the lower leg and foot often as the result of poor circulation and diabetic complications that can quickly become deep and chronic. Applying negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) promotes healing of chronic ulcers by removing excess fluid and assisting in granulation tissue formation. However, the devices that deliver these treatments are designed for hospital environments with ready access to medical staff and have cumbersome drawbacks for home patients. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that there is better way to deliver the therapy non-occlusively without sacrificing the factors that medical science has shown contribute to ulcer healing. Further, we can validate this device for safe and effective human use through iterative usability testing during development. This research occurs in two phases. First, it uses mixed-method usability tests to inform design improvements during two stages of a product development framework. Second, it utilizes test devices with varying design factors that may impact pressure output to produce a simulation that identifies the factors with the most impact on negative pressure consistency, optimized factor levels, and a DOE model to validate the pressure output of the device. The results are a device capable of improving the well-being of patients experiencing pressure injury through independent, at-home treatments, and a simulation that identifies the factors for successfully maintaining the required medical pressure. Improvements in NPWT delivery have the potential to afford patients a more comfortable healing process and reduce costs by transferring healthcare needs to the home environment.

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The project was developed for a clinical year director in a Physician Assistant (PA) program that manages 54 students who must complete 10 clinical rotations during their final year. The program works with multiple clinical sites that offer different numbers of student placements each month and because the scheduling process is currently done manually using multiple Excel spreadsheets, it takes a large amount of time and becomes extremely difficult to manage. After a long thought process, I have found and created a way to make this process simple by using AI. The proposed solution is an AI-supported clinical rotation scheduling tool built using structured Excel data and AI-assisted logic. This solution could significantly improve the scheduling process while offering a practical way to automatically generate a structured, color-coded rotation schedule while respecting student requirements and monthly availability limits and can be a useful/realistic usage of AI

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Through the Allstate CELO Grant, students from the University of Detroit Mercy contributed to a comprehensive organizational development project for La Casa Guadalupana, a nonprofit organization serving Latino families in Southwest Detroit. The students’ work focused on strengthening governance, leadership capacity, and operational clarity. Key responsibilities included conducting job analyses for board and staff roles, supporting bylaw revision efforts, and contributing to the development of an updated Board Handbook. Additionally, the students also participated in reviewing leadership assessment data and preparing bilingual, culturally responsive training materials to support leadership development and a train‑the‑trainer model. Through research, stakeholder communication, and systems‑focused analysis, Detroit Mercy’s students helped deliver practical recommendations and tools to enhance organizational effectiveness, board functioning, and long‑term sustainability.

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Background: Several Lactobacillus-based probiotic formulations have been developed to restore a
healthy microbiota to the oral cavity and prevent periodontal disease and/or caries. The ability of
Lactobacilli to produce acidic environments and in some cases antimicrobial compounds, make them
encouraging candidates to reduce the levels of periodontal pathogens such a P. gingivalis.
Objective: This study evaluated the ability of three different Lactobacillus-based probiotics to
interfere with P. gingivalis (Pg) biofilm formation: Biogaia® (L. reuteri), Vigiis® (L. paracasei), and
StellaLife® (a collection of 8 lactobacillus probiotic strains, and Streptococcus salivarius).
Methods: Biofilms were established in artificial saliva + 0.5% sucrose and 1.4mg/ml peptone.
Overnight cultures (anaerobic for Pg) were washed and resuspended in bacterial growth media at
OD600=1.0. Equal volumes of Pg or probiotic were added with either Pg added to wells of a 24-well
plate (1ml total) 3 hours before the probiotic, the probiotic added 3 hours ahead of Pg, or strains
were added simultaneously. Crystal violet staining was used to measure biofilm thickness and pH of
the resulting wells after 24 hours was measured. The % of the biofilm present composed of Pg was
determined by quantitative PCR on wells colonized with Pg alone (100% Pg) or Pg competing with
probiotics.
Results: While in many cases addition of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic does not decrease overall
biomass based on crystal violet staining, DNA analysis shows that addition of either Biogaia® (L.
reuteri) or the Stella Life® formulation prior to Pg led to 75% or >90% decrease in the level of Pg in
the total biofilm microbiota, respectively. Even simultaneous addition of Pg and StellaLife® led to
>95% decrease in Pg levels in the mixed biofilm. Vigiis® (L. paracasei) showed a more modest effect
on the level of Pg in biofilms. pH levels dropped in the absence of Pg, owing to acid production by
lactobacilli.
Conclusions: The probiotic StellaLife® can drastically reduce Pg levels in biofilms whether added
simultaneously or when added before of Pg. Biogaia® can reduce Pg levels in biofilms when added
prior to Pg.

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Sulforaphane (SFN) is a compound derived from broccoli with anti-inflammatory properties. It is able to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines that are secreted during LPS-induced inflammation. Periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum cause gingival inflammation by activating host immune cells to secrete inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify whether SFN could suppress the inflammatory response induced by P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum or other periodontal pathogens and if so, which pro-inflammatory pathway SFN affects leading to such suppression of inflammation.

Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) or human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured in 24-well plates. Duplicate wells were either pre-treated with SFN (5mM for 1hr) or did not receive treatment. Wells were then infected with periodontal pathogens such as P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) or different strains of E. coli as a control for 4hrs or 24hrs. ELISA assays were performed on culture supernatants to quantify IL-6 production. Cells lysates were run on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for Western blotting. Antibodies against STAT-3, JNK, ERK, and p38 and their respective phosphorylated forms were utilized to visualize levels of phosphorylated (activated) signaling molecules, and whether SFN inhibited phosphorylation.

Results: We saw strong IL-6 production in the presence of F. nucleatum and E. coli in HGF cells. SFN reduced IL-6 production by ~50% in response to these bacteria. Phosphorylation of p38 showed modest signs of suppression in the presence of sulforaphane.

Conclusions: We found that HGF cells demonstrated a significant level of IL-6 suppression with SFN when challenged with F. nucleatum or E. coli. The p38 pathway showed a modest decrease in P-p38 with SFN, but further experimentation is needed. We will also explore activation of the NF-kB pathway in future experiments.

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Research suggests that the small drug Minoxidil (MX) inhibits testosterone, therefore leading to hair regrowth. MX also has a molecular docking value with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), a receptor often involved in cell proliferation of cancer cells. Treatment of T47D cells with increasing levels of MX will cause an increase in cell proliferation due to the promotion of estrogen production and/or the estrogen receptor pathway, and will also decrease the molecular docking score when binding with proteins involved in the estrogen receptor pathway. An Alamar Blue assay was performed with T47D cells, a breast cancer cell line, and varying concentrations of MX. PyMOL was used to visualize molecular docking and interactions with MX and ERα. Our results suggest that treatment of T47D cells with the small drug MX leads to an increase in cell proliferation, demonstrating a bimodal trend. This reveals more information on the mechanism of MX and new potential applications for the drug.

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Minoxidil is a drug commonly used to treat androgenetic alopecia and has been shown to interact with hormone receptor signaling pathways that regulate cellular proliferation. Previous studies have demonstrated that minoxidil can influence estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) activity and stimulate growth in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. In this study, the biological activity of a synthetic intermediate of minoxidil, 6-chloropyrimidine-2,4-diamine-3-oxide, was evaluated to determine whether structural components of the parent compound retain biological function. Estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells from cell lines MCF-7 and T47D were cultured under estrogen-depleted conditions and treated with estradiol or increasing concentrations of the minoxidil intermediate. Cellular proliferation was assessed using an Alamar Blue metabolic assay, which measures fluorescence produced by metabolically active cells. In parallel, computational docking studies were performed to evaluate potential interactions between ligands and ERα using molecular docking simulations. Experimental results showed that estradiol treatment produced the strongest proliferative response, while treatment with the minoxidil intermediate produced fluorescence values close to control conditions in both cell lines. Docking analysis was used to examine potential ligand interactions within the ERα binding pocket. These findings suggest that the minoxidil intermediate does not strongly stimulate estrogen-dependent proliferation under the tested conditions and highlight the importance of structural features present in the fully formed drug.

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Currently it is believed that every year there are over 1 billion fungal infections worldwide. They are the 3rd most frequent hospital-borne infection in the US, with a 30% mortality rate. As fungi are eukaryotes, they do not contain the typical targets of current antibiotics. Currently, only three classes of antifungal treatment exists and there is scant private antifungal research occurring in pharma. Our research aims to identify the genes required for virulence and pathogenicity within the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans and examine the components of adherence to any defects that could be a possible drug target. We look for virulence defects by running an in-vivo assay in Galleria mellonella using strains from a mutant library and comparing it to a wild type.

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Squalene is a naturally occurring triterpene found in plants such as amaranth, known for its antioxidant and health-promoting properties. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable rich in glucosinolates and other bioactive compounds, may interact with squalene during co-extraction, potentially affecting its stability or detectability. While both plants have individually documented benefits, little is known about how their combination influences squalene content. This study investigates squalene levels in broccoli-amaranth mixtures to assess whether broccoli alters squalene quantification.

To evaluate squalene content, a stock solution was prepared, and serial dilutions were used to create a calibration curve. Broccoli-amaranth mixtures were homogenized, filtered, and, when needed, saponified to release squalene from lipid complexes. UV/Vis spectrophotometry at 210 nm was employed to measure absorbance, and concentrations were determined from the standard curve.

Results indicate that broccoli slightly reduces detectable squalene compared to amaranth alone, likely due to matrix interactions. Despite this, serial dilution and careful spectrophotometric analysis allowed reliable quantification. These findings provide insight into plant-plant interactions affecting bioactive compounds and highlight the importance of optimized extraction methods for accurate measurement. This study contributes to understanding the nutritional and functional potential of combined plant foods.

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Bacteriophages encode diverse proteins capable of manipulating or disrupting bacterial processes, including toxic gene products that may serve as a new antibacterial agent. The mycobacteriophage Fred313, isolated at the University of Detroit Mercy, contains several genes previously identified as toxic to Mycobacterium smegmatis, yet the structural basis for this toxicity remains unclear. In this study, the Fred313 gene library was refined through verifying gene-specific primers using PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis, confirming correct base-pair lengths for the majority of genes that were tested. Three previously identified toxic genes—19, 51, and 54—were examined further using toxicity dot assay using anhydrotetracycline induction varying in concentration levels. All three genes demonstrated lethality in M. smegmatis, confirming their toxic phenotypes. To investigate the mechanism of toxicity, AlphaFold structural predictions were generated for genes 19, 51, and 54. Gene 19 formed a β-rich stopper fold similar to known protein SPP1 gp16. Gene 51 displayed a large, multi-domain enzyme that was consistent with nucleotide-modifying reductase, that disrupts essential metabolic pathways. Gene 54 consisted of α-helical folds relating to interaction based toxins in TA systems. Together, the structural and phenotypic evidence presented explores the functional characteristics of Fred313 and the potential therapeutic advances of phage-derived toxins as an antibacterial.  

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The amount of micro- and nanoplastics found in the Great Lakes and freshwater ecosystems is rapidly increasing due to inadequate management of plastic waste. Microplastic (particles <5 mm) and nanoplastic (particles < 1 µm) enters the environment via numerous sources, including industrial activities, cosmetics, and the breakdown of plastic objects and wastes (e.g., tires, textiles, bottles). Micro- and nanoplastic exposure can negatively impact organisms with several negative toxicological endpoints observed. Current evidence suggests that exposure alters behavior, including olfactory-driven behavior, and exerts neurotoxic effects on tissue.  This could be particularly important in the context of predator avoidance, which is mediated in part by olfaction in fish. In this study, we measured 1) behavioral avoidance of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to a conspecific alarm cue and 2) electrophysiological responses to three odorants after exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics. Our data suggest that exposure influences avoidance of a conspecific alarm cue and reduces electrophysiological responses of the olfactory epithelium to a social and alarm odorant, but not a food odorant. Overall, preliminary data indicates that exposure to micro- and nanoplastics might reduce both physiological and behavioral responses to some environmental cues, but not others. Given that fish rely heavily on olfaction for several key behaviors (e.g., feeding, reproduction, migration, predator avoidance), micro- and nanoplastic exposure could severely impact fish ecology in natural systems. 

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Broccoli and amaranth have both been previously studied separately for their respective health benefits.

However, there is limited research on the combined health effects and potential benefits for the community, especially in lowering glucose levels among individuals with diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how myrosinase activity is affected when amaranth is added to broccoli, along with probiotics, to mimic the naturally occurring gut microbiome. This study aims to determine whether this combination should be recommended for the diabetic community's diet, potentially serving as a food aid in lowering blood glucose levels.

Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane. When chewed and digested, the enzyme called myrosinase converts broccoli glucosinolates into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancerogenic.

Amaranth, on the other hand, contains squalene, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Amaranth may reduce oxidative stress and improve insulin resistance, making it a promising dietary component.

Furthermore, this study explores the myrosinase activity in a broccoli-amaranth mixture with Lactobacillus-Bifidobacterium strains by spectrophotometry.

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The Canadian housing market has hit unprecedented times as of late due to skyrocketing home prices, the imbalance of supply and demand, and a lack of affordable housing options for Canadians. As a result, homelessness in the country is increasing along with the number of rental households. Adaptive reuse could be a piece of the puzzle in an effort to restore affordability and supply of housing nationwide. This thesis strives to answer the questions; “What are the best set of practices when engaging in adaptive reuse?” And “How can community opinions influence the programming and design of adaptive reuse projects?” To collect data, precedent studies and analysis of existing adaptive reuse projects across North America have been conducted, documented, and visually diagrammed for clarity. Also, community outreach has been completed via social media surveys and in-person interviews. A hypothetical design project in a historic neighborhood revealed that prioritizing community needs and leveraging insights from precedent adaptive reuse projects can not only create meaningful benefits for residents but also contribute to addressing the nation’s ongoing housing crisis. Further, the findings of this thesis highlight the need for continued research into the economic aspects of adaptive reuse and its potential to restore housing affordability in Canada. 

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Objective: To examine how TikTok influences trust in dental information, adoption of dental hacks, and changes in oral hygiene habits.

Results: 37% reported heavy TikTok use; 40% had tried a dental hack. Higher TikTok use and perceived professionalism significantly predicted hack adoption (p ≤ .001). Trying hacks was strongly associated with reported behavior change (p < .001).

Background: Existing research highlights the need for further investigation of the impact of short-form social media content and oral hygiene habits. Maisse et al. (2023) found that social media customer reviews heavily influenced the likelihood of viewers adopting the dental hack or product. 

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey (N = 108), approved by the IRB (IRB#: 25-26-19), measured TikTok usage, perceived professionalism of dental content, experience with dental hacks, and self-reported habit change. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were performed.

Conclusion: Results concluded that the younger social media users who frequently use the TikTok app were more likely to attempt dental hacks and report a positive change in their oral hygiene habits. In conclusion, a statistically significant relationship between TikTok usage frequency and the likelihood for users to use a dental hack. 

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Moraxella catarrhalis is a gram-negative coccus that can cause bronchopneumonia in patients that are elderly and heavy smokers suffering with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study isolated and characterized spontaneous rifampicin resistant mutants of M. catarrhalis. It grows well on rich media such as sheep blood agar and brain heart infusion (BHI) agar at body temperature. Rifampicin stops cell function by making a complex with DNA - dependent RNA polymerase. Rifampicin resistant colonies would grow on BHI agar containing rifampicin after several days of incubation. Streak plate purified mutant strains would grow on BHI agar containing rifampicin in contrast to the wild type strain. With the disc diffusion method of assessing antibiotic susceptibility, rifampicin inhibition zone diameters for the mutants ranged from 0 to 19 mm in contrast to the zone diameter for the wild type strain that was about 33 mm. The mutants did not show any considerable change in inhibition zone diameters for several other antibiotics. With the GEN III MicroPlate redox-based array (Biolog Inc.) a positive reaction was exhibited for rifampicin resistance by mutants. This array consisted of 71 carbon source utilization assays and 23 chemical sensitivity assays in a 96 – well microplate. Other array test results for mutants appeared similar to the those for the wild type strain. The reaction profile also showed that mutant strains and wild type were related. The mutants should be valuable for further study of M. catarrhalis. 

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INTRODUCTION. About 18 % of fatal vehicle crashes involve a drowsy driver (AAAFTS, 2024). Physiological markers such as drowsiness and microsleep episodes can be monitored to mitigate driver inattentiveness. The objective of the present work was to determine the utility of location-invariant single-lead electrode devices for monitoring fluctuations in attentiveness. For such devices to be practical, it is important to determine what spectral band power (alpha, theta) is most invariant to hemispheric placement. METHOD. Monotonous driving in a desktop simulator was used to induce fluctuations in attentiveness.  Under night driving conditions, participants drove for 30 minutes on cruise control on a traffic-free, monotonous highway.  Continuous EEG was recorded from two active prefrontal sites (Fp1 and Fp2). We calculated alpha and theta power in 30-second epochs over the 30 minute drive. For now, we report data for six participants. RESULTS. The strength of association between left and right hemispheres was stronger for theta power fluctuations (R2 = .61) than alpha power fluctuations (R2 = .46). A Bayes Factor was calculated to compare a 'theta-is-better' model which hypothesized a stronger left-right association for theta than for alpha power fluctuations, against the null hypothesis. The ratio of 5.7 indicated that the data from the six drivers were 5.7 times more likely under the 'theta-is-better' model than under the null model.  CONCLUSION. We demonstrated that left and right fluctuations are more similar for theta than alpha activity. Consequently, fluctuations in theta may be optimal for location-invariant, single-lead electrode devices designed to monitor attentiveness.

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Rising plastic use has accelerated the release of microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 µm) into aquatic ecosystems, negatively affecting liver morphology and reducing the capacity of organisms to digest and detoxify. Microplastics are very harmful to the liver of fish because their small size allows them to get embedded in the digestive tract, causing blockage of the absorption of key nutrients. Further, nanoplastics are even more dangerous because they are even smaller and can enter the bloodstream, make their way to the liver, and cause metabolic disruption. To investigate the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the liver of fathead minnows, we exposed male and female fathead minnows to polystyrene MPs (30 µm) and NPs (0.5 µm) for 28 days at concentrations of 0 mg/L (control) and 1 mg/L. The liver of these fish was removed, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. Fish livers were evaluated for edema of hepatocytes, dilated sinusoids, and hepatic congestion. This research provides critical insights into how micro- and nanoplastics disrupt liver structure and function in fish, underscoring the urgent need to regulate plastic pollution and prevent long-term impacts on aquatic food webs.

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Aquatic environments are frequently exposed to both natural and anthropogenic stressors, that can negatively impact the ecosystem health. Chemical pollutants, in particular, raise concern because of their persistence and widespread distribution. We investigated the individual and combined effects of the widely used agrochemical Roundup® (active ingredient glyphosate) and the algal toxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) on crayfish hepatopancreas cells using flow cytometry and morphological analysis. Assessing exposures to both glyphosate and algal toxins in combination enables evaluation of potential additive morphological effects of these stressors. Crayfish (N= 6 per treatment) were exposed for 7 days to 10 μg/L MC-LR, 10 μg/L glyphosate, or a combination of 10 μg/L MC-LR and 10 μg/L glyphosate). We found that exposure to MC-LR and glyphosate decreased fluorescein diacetate labeling and increased propidium iodide labeling, indicating reduced cell viability and elevated apoptosis. These data were compared with morphological analyses of hematoxylin and eosin–stained hepatopancreas tissues. Histological analysis showed that hepatopancreas tubules of exposed crayfish displayed epithelial degeneration, increased vacuolization, and dilated lumens, although combined exposure to MC-LR and glyphosate did not produce additive effects. Taken together, our findings emphasize that monitoring and regulating environmental contaminants is critical for maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems and the organisms that rely on them.

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Aquatic environments are frequently exposed to both natural and anthropogenic stressors. Stressors such as chemical pollutants have negative impacts on the environment in which they are present. Chemical pollutants are stressors which negatively impact the environment where they are present. We will examine the effects of the commonly used agrochemical Roundup® (active ingredient glyphosate) and algal toxins, such as microcystin-LR, on cells of the hepatopancreas (liver) of crayfish using flow cytometry and morphological analysis. We found that when crayfish were exposed to microcystin-LR and Roundup®,  there were decreases in fluorescein diacetate and an increase in propidium iodide labeling, indicating a decrease in cell viability and an increase in apoptosis post-exposure. These data will be compared to tissue morphology using hematoxylin and eosin-stained hepatopancreas tissues. Using a combination of Roundup® and algal toxins will allow us to determine if these stressors have additive morphological effects. Based on previous research, it is expected that the combined effects of the toxins on the hepatopancreas will be greater than their individual effects. Understanding the individual and combined effects of microcystin-LR and Roundup®, even at low concentrations, in the aquatic environment will provide valuable references for determination of safety thresholds of pollutants and protection of ecologically important and at-risk aquatic organisms.

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Drowsy driving has become an increasingly concerning issue, posing significant risks to public safety. It can seriously impair driver performance, increasing the likelihood of accidents. “...the longer someone remains awake—especially during the night and early morning—the more likely the negative outcomes become. Sleepiness can seriously affect driver performance…every member of the motoring public has probably driven drowsy at some point in their life—and for many this has occurred on multiple occasions” (Higgins., 2017, p.1). Despite this widespread issue, what remains unclear is whether electrophysiological measures, such as brainwave activity, can reliably correlate with drowsy driving behavior. Addressing this knowledge gap could pave the way for innovations, such as alarm systems that detect alpha waves—characterized by their slow, large patterns in the frontal brain—and alert drivers to refocus. To investigate this, we utilized a driving simulation designed by Professor Alan Hoback in the university's engineering department.

Participants from my classes received extra credit for their involvement in my research. Upon selection, I had them complete a consent form and a demographic questionnaire. The majority of the questions were on vision, while some focused on college majors and ethnicity. I then evaluated their contrast sensitivity by having them read the lowest possible text on a contrast sensitivity chart. Next, I positioned the appropriate electrodes on their frontal brain area and neck (for grounding). I presented an additional questionnaire that inquired about their sleep patterns and levels of alertness. Then, I initiated the simulation. The Iworx ReachDL system uses EEG, and I instructed them to begin driving within the simulator. Participants drove on a simulated straight highway for thirty minutes under two conditions. In the experimental group (i.e., Conversation), participants were asked questions during the drive to simulate the presence of a passenger keeping them awake. I waited until the participant stabilized their driving at the five-minute mark, after which I posed a series of questions to assess the impact on their driving and concentration. Some of the questions were “how many siblings do you have? What is something you’ve won and how did you win it? What are some of your nicknames?” (Poole, 2003). In the control group (i.e., No-Conversation), participants drove in silence.  After thirty minutes, I saved and exited the software. I had participants complete a final survey that evaluated their alertness.

We have started to analyze standard deviations in the car’s driving position  (i.e.  how much the driver veered off the center of the lane).  We called this the Swerving Index (SI).  A t test comparing 17 participants over two five minute driving periods in the No-Conversation condition showed some possibility of larger swerving behavior during the latter period (Mean SI for the 10-15 minute period = 2.88 vs Mean SI for the 20-25 minute period = 4.85;  t(16) = 1.73, p =.05).  Our  plan was to run 20 participants in each condition (i.e. No-Conversation and  Conversation).  We will continue to collect driving data.  Additionally, we will analyze brain activity in the left and right frontal hemispheres to explore potential correlations between physiological indices of drowsiness and driving impairment.

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Escherichia coli is a gram-negative bacillus that can cause urinary tract infections, digestive issues, blood infections, and meningitis. The purpose of this investigation was to isolate spontaneous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutants of E. coli. It grows well on many types of laboratory media. The LPS is a major molecular component of the cell membrane and can act as an endotoxin in the blood stream. Selection of mutants was performed with a bacterial virus (phage) in a routine test dilution (RTD) assay. Infection of host cells with this particular phage appeared to be associated with LPS. Samples of dilutions of phage were delivered on a lawn of bacteria inoculated on the surface of brain heart infusion (BHI) agar. The highest phage dilution to make a complete zone of lysis (RTD) was about 10 to the power of negative 6. Distinct resistant colonies grew in the lytic zones made by the phage. Cells from potential mutant colonies were extracted with a needle, purified by serial streak plate culture and tested to confirm phage resistance by the agar cross streak method. The antibiotic sensitivity disc technique demonstrated that mutants exhibited significantly increased growth inhibition zone diameters for some antibiotics. The Enterotube/Enteropluri multiple biochemical test device confirmed that mutant strains isolated were E. coli. The mutants may be useful for evaluating characteristics of agents used to control microorganisms.

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Certain synthetic food dyes have been reported to be harmful to humans leading to various health problems like skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, and cancer. Due to these potential risks, water treatment for recalcitrant dyes is necessary.  The advanced oxidation process (AOP) of interest for synthetic dye degradation is photocatalysis by titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles when exposed to UV and visible light sources.  TiO2 is the most studied semiconductor for photocatalysis since it is thought to be the most photostable, inexpensive, and nontoxic. Variables that were investigated for optimization of the AOP were irradiation time, heating, mass loading of catalyst, and pH.  It was found that 80% decoloration of dyes could be achieved in 60 seconds of irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light.  Heating was rejected as the cause of the decoloration.  As little as 0.06 g/L catalyst loading was effective. The optimum pH for decoloration of dyes studied was between pH of 2-6. 

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Background:  Saccades are ballistic eye movements used to reorient gaze towards a target in the visual field. An important characteristic of saccade metrics is that they facilitate the development of models to compare inhibitory control in healthy, versus disordered brains. In a healthy brain, the saccade vector is controlled by an unfolding and complex interplay among cerebellar, brainstem, midbrain, and cerebral cortex signals. The superior colliculus (SC) in the midbrain serves as a head/eye movement center that sends saccade commands to brainstem gaze centers. The SC simultaneously receives excitatory input related to many locations in our visual field. As saccadic movements cannot be executed simultaneously in different directions, a control mechanism is needed. Nature’s solution to keep us from chaotic saccade execution, is to place the SC under tonic inhibition. Hence, a saccade is executed when the SC is temporarily released from tonic inhibition.

Asymmetries have been observed in the releasing of up-directed versus down-directed saccades, such that pre-saccadic fixation durations tend to be briefer for saccades directed towards the upper visual field (UpVF) compared to the lower visual field (LoVF). To explain these findings, we developed a theory based on an asymmetric inhibition of the SC for up- versus down-directed saccades. The suggested asymmetric inhibition is adaptive due to the types and amount of environmental information the lower and upper visual fields provide. The lower visual field is filled with distractions, including our limbs, near-torso (peri-personal) objects, and ground level optic flow. To limit distractions from irrelevant stimuli, we suggest that down-directed saccades are adaptively more strongly inhibited compared to up-directed saccades. This results in longer pre-saccadic fixation durations for down-directed saccades. The present experiment was designed to test our theory that the release of saccades into the UpVF is more weakly inhibited than the release of saccades into the LoVF. Specifically, we predict that a flickering distractor in the UpVF will be most disruptive to up-directed saccades. Indeed, from an adaptive perspective, it is important not to inhibit UpVF stimulation, as an unexpected stimulus in this area could be a potential threat. Flicker in the LoVF was not expected to affect down-directed saccades much, because the release of saccades into the LoVF is already strongly inhibited.

Methods: Ten healthy adults wore an eye-tracker as they searched for a small, low contrast target on a computer screen. For analysis of pre-saccadic fixation durations, we utilized a 3 Distractor Location (UpVF, LoVF, None) X 2 Saccade Direction (Upwards, Downwards) repeated measures design. The distractor was a 4 Hz steady-state flickering light strip positioned in the search plane.

Results: The ANOVA indicated a main effect of Distractor Location, such that fixation durations were briefer when the distractor was in the UpVF (p < .05). A main effect of Saccade Direction replicated the asymmetry reported in the literature (i.e., pre-saccadic fixation durations were briefer for saccades directed upwards than downwards, p < .05). To address our specific hypotheses, planned comparisons (relative to no distractor) were conducted to determine how up- and down-directed saccades were affected by UpVF and LoVF Distractor Location.  Fixations preceding up-directed saccades became significantly briefer when the flicker was in the UpVF (p < .01). In contrast, fixations preceding down-directed saccades were not affected by flicker in the LoVF, or UpVF (all p > .01). 

Conclusion: We have shown that steady-state flickering distraction in the UpVF shortens pre-saccadic fixation durations for up-directed saccades. This is adaptive because distractions in extra-personal space beyond arm’s reach tend to appear in the UpVF, and may indicate an incoming threat that needs to be attended to immediately. The flickering lights in the UpVF simulated this threat response and prompted shorter pre-saccadic durations for up-directed saccades for this reason. Additionally, we have corroborated previous findings of shorter pre-saccadic fixation periods for up-directed saccades compared to down-directed saccades across all conditions. Longer pre-saccadic fixation times prior to down-directed saccades are additionally adaptive. Typically, there is more repeated attention-grabbing transient stimulation in peri-personal space within arm’s reach than anywhere else. To prevent continual execution of saccades to the distraction, saccade programs must be strongly inhibited. This observed asymmetry in pre-saccadic fixation periods for up- versus down-directed saccades allows for irrelevant stimuli in the LoVF to be less distracting, while also allowing for potential threats in the distance to be more quickly attended to. The results support our theory of asymmetric inhibition.

Significance:  Many psychiatric disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia) are characterized by impairment in inhibitory control of saccades, yet the characteristics of vertically-directed saccades are not typically addressed in saccade models. Studies like this can directly observe and elucidate how severe pathologies impact visual attention, eye movements, and inhibitory control. If clear and consistent patterns are found in psychiatric individuals, new testing methods can be developed to aid in the diagnostic process. Additionally, if we are able to understand the base visual attention processes and mechanisms impacted in these disorders, there is an opportunity to create interventions that can aid in reducing distractibility and improve functioning.

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Asymmetries in pre saccadic fixation durations have been observed between vertical saccades, such that pre-saccadic f ixation durations for down-directed saccades are significantly longer compared to up-directed saccades. The present study was designed to test our theory that the release of saccades into the upper visual field (UpVF) is more weakly inhibited than the release of saccades into the lower visual f ield (LoVF). We predict flickering distractors in the UpVF will be most disruptive to up-directed saccades. 13 healthy adults wore an eye-tracker and completed 3 blocks containing 42 trials of a gaze contingent low contrast visual search task. For the distractor conditions, participants were instructed to ignore a 4 Hz steady-state flickering light strip positioned above or below the search plane. We replicated the vertical asymmetries observed in pre-saccadic fixations (p<.05). Fixations preceding up-directed saccades became significantly briefer when the flicker was in the UpVF compared to no distractor (p<.01). This asymmetry in pre-saccadic fixations for up- versus down-directed saccades adaptively allows irrelevant stimuli in the LoVF to be less distracting, and for potential threats in the UpVF to be attended to quicker.

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We present a straightforward synthesis of a series of long-chain ligands via a highly green method.  All syntheses depend upon a Schiff’s base condensation between an aldehyde and a difunctional amine.  These syntheses simply utilize the direct addition of neat liquids, or a liquid and a low-melting solid.  Characterization is via 1H NMR for each ligand.  The ligands should prove to be effective at coordinating metal ions, and thus at remediating polluted water, making them useful, inexpensive pollutant sensors. 

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A series of ten 2-kopek copper coins from Imperial Russia have been analyzed via energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to determine each coin’s overall composition.  We present the results, which always include more than simply copper – although copper is in all cases the element that is a major component.  What might be called common minor components include: tin, zinc, lead, silver, and arsenic.  Also, we examine why mercury appears to be present in several examples in concentrations above the LOD, although always in small amounts. 

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Students of cybersecurity often get overwhelmed at the sheer number of topics in the cybersecurity body of knowledge. Add to that the variety of career choices and trying to navigate the cybersecurity workforce frameworks with their listings of knowledge, skills, tasks, and capabilities and it gets even more perplexing. The purpose of this research project is to help aspiring cyber professionals understand the importance and relationships of cybersecurity topics organized into three main categories with their respective career options:

1. Cybersecurity defense (blue team)
2. Cybersecurity offense (red team)
3. Cybersecurity governance, risk-based decision making, and compliance (management)

Additionally, hands-on labs will be created specifically for this research project. If you are a career switcher, desire to pursue a technical position, or get promoted into management you will gain an understanding of the overall discipline, how the topics are related, what topics to focus on and pursue further, and opportunities to apply what you learn with hands-on technical cyber labs.  

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Maggie Korzeniewski, Biology (class of 2029); Dr. Kieran Aarons, Department of Philosophy (research mentor)

ABSTRACT: What if being free was something you could fail at? What if this failure could take various forms?  Which form of failure best describes your life? What would it mean to become genuinely free? These are the questions that French existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir poses in her 1947 work, The Ethics of Ambiguity. In this poster, we lay out Beauvoir’s typology of ethically failed human beings, inviting audience members to locate themselves in one or many of Beauvoir’s memorable character types or personae (the “subhuman,” the “serious man,” the “nihilist,” the “adventurer,” etc.). We aim to provoke passers-by to engage in ethical reflection upon their own outlook on life, and to provide them with an amusing yet thoughtful and rigorous schema for doing so. In this way, we seek to bring to Beauvoir’s famous treatise on ethics down to Earth and place its key insights before the UDM community.

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The inhibitory effect of Lactobacilli bacteriocins on myrosinase activity during broccoli glucosinolate breakdown has been widely reported. The benefit of sulforaphane, a byproduct of glucosinolate breakdown by myrosinase, is essential in cancer prevention. This study searches for the best probiotic combination to optimize the enzyme myrosinase activity. 

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With growing limited research resources and space, researchers’ creativity and resiliency are in high demand. The purpose of this project was to help our students with more external research spaces.

For almost four years, after winning a modest FIRE grant, the “initiator-principal investigator” describes the steps taken despite challenges, how a weedy area within the University of Detroit Mercy has been transformed into a viable greenhouse where teaching and research elements are cohabitant, and where both physical and virtual methodologies can be applied.

This space in the biology department's Life Science building will bring together students and faculty members from different departments, colleges, the university, and the community.

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With growing limited research resources and space, researchers’ creativity and resiliency are in high demand. The purpose of this project was to help our students with more external research spaces.

For almost four years, after winning a modest FIRE grant, the “initiator-principal investigator” Dr. Anne-Marie Kosi-Kupe describes the steps taken despite challenges, how a weedy area within the University of Detroit Mercy has been transformed into a viable greenhouse where teaching and research elements are cohabitant, and where both physical and virtual methodologies can be applied.

This space in the biology department's Life Science building will bring together students and faculty members from different departments, colleges, the university, and the community.

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The Market @ Mercy is a community-engaged design proposal that reimagines the Fisher site at the University of Detroit Mercy as a shared threshold between campus and the community. Market @ Mercy proposes a community food court and welcome center, connecting campus to community. Centered on food, gathering, access, and outreach, the design uses architecture to bridge the gap between students and local community members. The proposal responds to the need for a stronger sense of welcoming, both within the campus and the community, while supporting a resilient fresh food system and long-term community connection.

The design is organized around two distinctive forms with separate programs centered around a large atrium that acts as a bridge between them. The form on the north side is centered around culinary rentable spaces and permanent establishments, labelled as The Market. The form on the south side is centered around a campus welcoming center and TENN offices and food pantry, giving TENN a permanent space to further its outreach into the community. This organizational strategy allows the design to support both everyday campus use and broader public engagement.

Pop-up kitchens provide food to students and visitors while also creating opportunities for local start-up food vendors and emerging restaurant owners. This relationship is further strengthened through the adjacent greenhouse on the site, which directly connects to both TENN outreach programs and The Market’s pop-up kitchens, reinforcing relationships between food production, distribution, and community support. The decision to bridge the entryway defines a door to the campus through the building masses and establishes the campus edge not through the existing fence, but through the building mass itself. Through these moves, the design supports re-connection, resilience, and a responsive sense of welcoming between campus and community.

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This study investigates how the design of individual suburban parcels can support multispecies coexistence through integrated building envelope and landscape design in Brightmoor, Detroit. This investigation questions how ecological and design frameworks can be synthesized into an architectural strategy that supports multispecies coexistence.

Rapid urbanization of the 21st century has contributed to widespread habitat fragmentation and loss, forcing many species to adapt to human-dominated environments. As ecological degradation intensifies, species extinction continues at an unprecedented rate. This study argues that architecture must respond by reconsidering its potential as a site of ecological repair and multispecies coexistence.

Research questions include how a site-specific multispecies design strategy can respond to the environmental and ecological conditions in Brightmoor, support habitat and urban ecosystem regeneration through envelope and landscape design and create benefits for both human well-being and More-Than-Human species well-being.

The study employs a mixed design-research methodology combining literature review, ecological framework analysis, precedent studies, site-specific observation and geographic, environmental, plant and species research. These methods are synthesized through mapping, diagramming, collaging and iterative design development to generate an architectural strategy for multispecies coexistence.

Findings uncover that multispecies design requires ecological knowledge, species-informed criteria and design methods that work from building envelope systems to landscape networks. The research demonstrates that multispecies strategies can support habitat and urban ecosystem regeneration, while improving human well-being.

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This project presents a real-time aircraft monitoring system using a low-cost software-defined radio to capture ADS-B transmissions from overhead aircraft. A USB RTL-SDR receiver and 1090 MHz antenna collect broadcast telemetry including aircraft position, altitude, speed, and identification data. The dump1090 decoder streams this data to a Python pipeline, where it is parsed, filtered, and stored in a structured SQLite database. Preliminary results demonstrate successful reception of multiple aircraft with position updates every 1–2 seconds, revealing climb, cruise, and descent trajectories. Data quality analysis shows approximately 65% of received messages contain valid positional information, providing a substantial dataset for analysis. This work addresses real-time pattern recognition challenges in streaming telemetry and demonstrates practical SDR-based sensing for aviation analytics.

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Waterborne illnesses pose a significant public health concern in Michigan, affecting communities through contaminated drinking water, recreational water exposure, and aging infrastructure. This poster highlights common waterborne diseases such as Legionnaires' disease, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, and E. coli infections, detailing their symptoms, transmission pathways, and prevention strategies. It also examines key contamination sources, including industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and inadequate water treatment. By promoting public awareness and preventive measures such as water testing, hygiene practices, and infrastructure improvements, this resource aims to educate individuals on reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Reliable information from the CDC, MDHHS, and EPA underscores the importance of proactive water safety measures to protect public health.

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One Health is an approach calling for "the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally, to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment". The One Water approach manages all water; whether from the tap, a stream, a storm, an aquifer, or a sewer in a collaborative, integrated, inclusive, and holistic manner.

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Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe adverse effect associated with antiresorptive therapies like intravenous bisphosphonates, particularly in oncology patients. While implant placement during oncologic therapy is contraindicated, the risk posed by pre-existing, long-term osseointegrated implants remains unclear, with potential links to peri-implantitis as a trigger.​ This paper reports a 72-year-old male with metastatic prostate cancer on monthly zoledronic acid therapy presented with dental implants placed over 20 years prior the oncologic treatment. Patient complained of pain in the site of the implants and showed sign and symptoms of MRONJ stage 2. Surgical intervention involved implant removal, sequestrectomy, debridement and tension-free closure; followed by antibiotic therapy and improvements of oral hygiene. Five-year follow-up revealed no recurrence, intact neurosensory function, and normalized bone trabeculation.​ Pre-existing dental implants may contribute to MRONJ development in patients on intravenous bisphosphonates, potentially via peri-implant pathology. Prompt surgical management yields favorable long-term outcomes, emphasizing multidisciplinary monitoring in high-risk cases.

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Hospitals and healthcare organizations store massive amounts of sensitive patient data, making them a prime target for cyberattacks. From ransomware shutting down hospital systems to stolen patient records being sold on the dark web, these breaches don’t just cause financial losses—they can delay critical treatments and put lives at risk. As healthcare becomes more digital, electronic health records (EHRs), connected medical devices, and third-party systems introduce new vulnerabilities. This research explores why cybersecurity is no longer optional but essential in protecting both patients and healthcare providers. By looking at real-world cases of data breaches, we’ll examine the biggest risks hospitals face, why current security measures often fall short, and what steps can be taken to better protect healthcare data. Strengthening cybersecurity isn’t just about meeting regulations—it’s about ensuring trust, safety, and continuity of care in a world where digital threats are constantly evolving.

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The Mystery Machine, the iconic 1960s flower-powered van from the Scooby-Doo franchise, exhibits surprisingly sophisticated autonomous capabilities that position it as a fictional early example of embodied AI. Despite its counterculture aesthetic, the van  demonstrates autonomous navigation, environmental perception, basic decisionmaking, and limited human-vehicle interaction - all without explicit driver input or  modern sensor arrays. 

This paper analyses which of the Mystery Machine's capabilities could be implemented with contemporary autonomous vehicle technology and which remain technologically or physically infeasible. I decompose the van's behaviour into three core systems: 

(1) autonomous navigation and path planning across diverse terrains including  forests, swamps, and haunted carnivals without GPS or mapped roads, 

(2) environmental perception and obstacle avoidance operating without visible LIDAR, cameras, or radar, and 

(3) social intelligence evidenced by its responsive horn, sliding door timing, and apparent emotional reactions to the gang's distress.

Drawing on current advances in self-driving vehicles (Tesla FSD, Waymo), SLAM algorithms, and edge computing, I evaluate feasibility. While Level 4 autonomy approximates the van's driving capabilities, its sensorless perception, off-road improvisation, and anthropomorphic personality exceed current engineering constraints. This analysis highlights the gap between cinematic convenience and robotics reality, while examining what the Mystery Machine reveals about cultural expectations of machine agency.

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Real estate development is the process responsible for creating the buildings in which we live, work, and play. The process includes many players, which contributes to inefficiency in the development process, driving projects toward the bottom line. This bottom line produces a mindset of short-term thinking, favoring profit over long term components of value for communities. This thesis investigates commercial real estate development from the developer’s perspective and seeks to find a new corporate structure to increase efficiency in the development project life cycle and increase value for developers and communities. This thesis explores what causes inefficiency, how inefficiency contributes to lack of value, how efficiency can be increased, and how efficiency can increase value. Interviews and surveys of real estate professionals combined with in depth case studies of development corporations and properties are utilized as research methods. Findings from research led to the proposal that vertical integration, which will reduce the number of players, should be increased in development corporations through practicing a multidisciplinary, buy and hold approach to development. By increasing vertical integration, multidisciplinary development will increase efficiency. Increasing efficiency will allow for investment in long-term value. A buy and hold approach will allow the corporation to capture the profits from investment in long-term value while simultaneously increasing value for communities by improving the buildings in which we live, work, and play.

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As part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design course, the Navigation and Controls team is developing the subsystem responsible for enabling Level 5 autonomy for a ground vehicle competing in the 2026 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) AutoNav Challenge. The autonomous platform must navigate to predefined GPS waypoints while detecting and avoiding obstacles in an unknown environment. To accomplish this, a custom path planning framework was developed within the Robotic Operating System 2 (ROS2) environment.

The planner leverages an Artificial Potential Field (APF) approach with a costmap-based representation of the environment generated from LiDAR and localization data. The APF method guides the vehicle toward the goal while repulsive potentials prevent collisions with obstacles. Candidate motion options are generated using a circular sampling method, allowing the planner to evaluate multiple possible directions of motion and improving robustness against local minima. When the planner encounters a navigational trap, a simulated annealing–based escape mechanism is used to enable the system to escape local minima and continue progressing toward the goal.

The combination of APF guidance, circular sampling, and simulated annealing enables reliable obstacle avoidance and goal-directed navigation in complex environments. Current work focuses on system integration and validation prior to field testing.

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Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by communication, behavioral, and sensory challenges that may interfere with daily functioning, including oral health maintenance. Children with ASD have historically experienced higher rates of unmet dental needs compared with their neurotypical peers.

Objective: This review aims to evaluate the oral health status of children with ASD compared with children without ASD and to identify factors contributing to observed disparities.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted, including case reports, case-control studies, and longitudinal studies assessing dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral health–related behaviors in pediatric patients with ASD.

Results: Children with ASD exhibited significantly higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease compared with children without ASD, with many experiencing untreated or advanced disease. Contributing factors included patient-related barriers such as reduced independent toothbrushing, limited use of oral hygiene products, low oral health knowledge, and psychosocial barriers, as well as caregiver-related financial burdens limiting access to preventive care.

Conclusion: Children with ASD experience poorer oral health outcomes than children without ASD, due to patient- and caregiver-related barriers. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions–such as behavioral and sensory accommodations, caregiver support, and enhanced dental professional training–to improve oral health status in this population.

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Photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process resulting in oxidative degradation of an analyte using ultraviolet and visible radiation in the presence of a catalyst sensitive to that wavelength of radiation. Specific synthetic food dyes have been reported to be toxic to humans in high enough concentrations.  Finding degradation pathways for dyes in waste water is therefore of great interest. In this work titanium dioxide has been investigated for its use as a photocatalyst for use in decolorizing food dyes.  For optimization of the photocatalytic process, several variables were investigated including irradiation time, catalyst dosage, and the presence of reagents that are thought to act as electron acceptors or quenching agents.  Complete decoloration was achieved in five minutes of irradiation.  Pseudo first-order rate constants were calculated and found to range between 0.3 to 0.8 min-1.  Catalyst loading of at least 0.3 g/L was required for full decoloration.  The addition of hydrogen peroxide and ethanol improved decoloration. 

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Competence in endodontic procedures is an essential component of dental education. Thus, the present study aims to assess third- and fourth-year dental students’ perceptions of their knowledge and confidence in performing root canal treatment, from diagnosis and case selection to obturation and follow-up care, in the predoctoral clinic. A 19-question survey will be administered to evaluate students’ understanding of the indications and contraindications for root canal therapy, familiarity with endodontic anatomy, techniques, and materials, and perceptions of educational adequacy. Quantitative data will be analyzed descriptively, and qualitative responses will undergo thematic analysis. The study was exempt from approval by the University of Detroit Mercy Institutional Review Board (IRB No. 25-26-34). Participation will be voluntary, and should not take more than 10 minutes. Responses will remain anonymous and confidential. Findings are expected to guide improvements in endodontic faculty development and clinical training.

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Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are structured, multidisciplinary, evidence-based perioperative pathways designed to minimize surgical stress and accelerate recovery. ERAS has been widely implemented in major hospital-based surgical procedures, coordinating pre, intra, and postoperative measures and consistently improving postoperative outcomes. In oral and maxillofacial surgery, particularly inpatient care, current evidence indicates that structured perioperative pathways can significantly reduce postoperative pain, opioid requirements, complication rates, and hospital length of stay. These protocols are grounded in principles of maintaining homeostasis and attenuating surgical stress through preoperative optimization, standardized anesthetic and analgesic strategies, and early postoperative mobilization and nutrition.

Although most available data derive from complex inpatient surgeries, including maxillofacial trauma, cleft lip and palate, oncologic, and orthognathic procedures, the biological and clinical mechanisms targeted by ERAS protocols are equally applicable to outpatient interventions. They are performed in dental office settings, consisting of third molar surgery, implant placement, bone grafting, and alveolar reconstructive procedures.

This review underscores the potential of ERAS concepts beyond the hospital setting, linking the principles applied to inpatients with their use in dental office patients. This outlines future perspectives for developing specific protocols for surgical procedures performed in dental facilities.

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Investigating how physical activity influences exhaled breath composition provides valuable insights into short-term metabolic and physiological responses to exercise. This study applies data mining techniques to analyze pre- and post-workout breath samples collected from 148 student athletes at the University of Detroit Mercy through the Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI). A total of 210 samples were compiled from raw time-series sensor files, each summarized using mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and median values across eight gas and environmental features, including Methane, Hydrogen, Acetone, CO₂, Pressure, and Humidity. After normalization and aggregation, descriptive and comparative analyses were performed to identify shifts in gas distributions following physical exertion. Results indicate that most measured gases—particularly Methane, Hydrogen, and Acetone—maintained stable medians and narrow ranges across pre- and post-exercise samples, suggesting limited immediate metabolic changes under the tested conditions. In contrast, Humidity exhibited noticeably greater variability after exercise, likely reflecting increased respiration rate and body heat dissipation. These findings demonstrate that while exhaled gas concentrations remain relatively stable in short-term post-exercise states, environmental and physiological parameters such as humidity respond dynamically to physical exertion. The processed dataset establishes a foundation for future predictive modeling to classify pre- and post-workout breath patterns and explore broader links between respiration, metabolism, and wellness indicators.

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse that occurs in a romantic relationship and is experienced by millions of individuals each year. IPV is associated with a number of negative mental health outcomes including depression. Social support is an important factor that may help protect against some of the negative outcomes of IPV (Beeble et al., 2009). Despite the recognized benefits of social support, it is unclear if different sources of social support (e.g., from friends, family, and/or significant others) offer unique protective effects against IPV-related mental health challenges. Additionally, IPV disproportionately affects Black women, with more than 40% experiencing IPV in their lifetime. Black women are also three times more likely to experience severe forms of abuse compared to White women (Waller et al, 2024). These disparities highlight the need to examine how social support functions within this population, particularly given the unique barriers Black women may face in seeking help, including systemic inequalities, cultural stigma, and distrust of law enforcement. The current study examined different types of social support as a potential moderator of the relation between IPV severity and depression symptoms among 273 Black women (mage = 32.05). Participants who indicated they had been in relationships in the past year completed measures of IPV experiences, depression symptoms, and social support (from family, significant other, and friends).  87 (31.9%) participants reported moderate to severe levels of IPV within the past year. Compared to women without IPV experiences, women in the IPV group reported higher scores on depression and lower scores on all three types of social support. A series of regressions were conducted to examine types of social support as moderators of the relation between IPV severity and depression. Results revealed IPV severity did not directly predict depression. Additionally, social support from significant others and friends did not moderate the relation between IPV severity and depression. However, social support from friends emerged as a significant moderator. Specifically, among women with moderate to high levels of support from friends, greater IPV severity was associated with increased depression symptoms. This pattern was not observed at low levels of friend support. This unexpected finding may be explained by co-rumination, in which individuals excessively discuss and dwell on negative experiences within their social support networks, inadvertently reinforcing symptoms of depression and maladaptive coping behaviors (Starr, 2015). Additionally, social support networks experiencing high levels of collective stress may become less effective over time, reducing their ability to provide meaningful support (Bender et al., 2003). While social support is generally viewed as a buffer against mental health challenges, the nature and quality of that support may play a critical role in its effectiveness. These findings highlight the complexity of social support in the context of IPV and depression. Understanding the nuanced role of social support can help inform culturally responsive mental health interventions tailored to the unique experiences of Black women affected by IPV. Additionally, interventions aimed at Black women experiencing IPV should consider strategies to enhance the quality of social support, rather than just increasing its availability.

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            When driving cars, vigilance plays an important role. A portion of accidents are caused by fatigue or drowsiness at the wheel. As the technology for smart cars improves, it becomes increasingly relevant to measure driver safety and status. The first step to making smart cars sensitive to drowsy driving, is to know the characteristics of drowsy driving. The objective of this study is to determine how an extended period of monotonous driving impacts a driver’s driving behavior. Previous literature has established that a lack of stimulation can increase drowsiness and decrease concentration. From a behavioral perspective, vigilance may be measured as the extent of swerving while driving (i.e., standard deviation of the car’s position over the driving session). From a physiological perspective, vigilance may be measured as alpha band activity in the frontal cortex of the driver. I expected vigilance to decrease over an extended monotonous driving period. I expected to observe this as increased swerving behavior. Additionally, alpha band activity is associated with “...mental states of reduced performance or mental inactivity” (Pershin et. al, 2022). I expected to observe an increase in alpha band power over time.

The current study tested 10 UDM students who drove the Alan Hoback Desktop Driving Simulator housed in the Psychology Department’s Vision Research Laboratory. Using a computer mouse, each individual drove in silence for 30 minutes at a fixed speed. Brain activity was monitored by two polar frontal electrodes. The apparatus used was an Iworx ReachDL eeg amplifier controlled by LabScribeDL software. The first five minutes of driving were removed from the data, as driving practice. Preliminary results indicate some increase in extent of swerving between the 10-15 minute and 20-25 minute driving periods (p=.09). At the time of submitting this abstract, the analysis of the physiological data is in progress. Results from three individuals in the dataset suggest some evidence of increased ‘mental inactivity’ over the driving session.  Full results will be presented. The study addresses an important problem for drivers.  Implications for smart cars will be discussed. 

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The human mouth is awash with bacteria, fungi, and viruses that typically live at equilibrium to maintain a healthy environment. An imbalance of these microorganisms in their environment is responsible for some of the most common diseases in the human mouth including cavities (caries) and periodontal disease. Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans are among some of the microorganisms that have long been associated with dental caries. One of the major mechanisms that microorganisms use to cause caries, which can lead to infection, is multi-organismal biofilms, which can be defined as microbial communities that bind to a substrate and are encased by an extracellular matrix. This research aims to identify which cell wall genes are required for the C. albicans and S. mutans biofilm formation, Identification of these gene products will allow for new drugs targets that decrease the cospecies adherence frequencies and host caries formation.

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The human mouth is filled with bacteria, fungi, and viruses that typically live at equilibrium to maintain a healthy environment.  An imbalance of these microorganisms in their environment is responsible for some of the most common diseases in the human mouth including cavities (caries) and periodontal disease.  Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans are among the microorganisms that have long been associated with dental caries. One of the major mechanisms that microorganisms use to cause caries, which can lead to infection, is multi-organismal biofilms.  The adhesion between C. albicans and the bacteria already present in the oral cavity provides an ideal breeding ground for C. albicans growth into biofilms.  Biofilms are defined as microbial communities that bind to a substrate and are encased by an extracellular matrix.  This research aims to identify cell wall genes required for C. albicans and S. mutans biofilm formation. These gene products could be targeted with new drugs to decrease the adherence frequencies and caries formation.  This research was conducted through plating of the mutant yeast strains, inoculation, and spectrophotometer analysis.

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Statement of problem. Cast cobalt chromium (Co-Cr) frameworks for removable partial dentures may have undesirable micromechanical properties leading to clinical failures. Co-Cr frameworks made by selective laser melting (SLM) may have improved micromechanical properties, but comparative studies are lacking. Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the micromechanical properties of SLM for Co-Cr alloys with those produced by conventional casting. Material and methods. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards were used to determine material constants and failure stress. For flexural testing, 31×11×1.2-mm specimens were cast (n=10) and selective laser melted (n=10) and tested with a 20-mm support span in a 3-point configuration. The cast specimens had been held in a furnace for 5 minutes to encourage dendrite and columnar grain growth to represent the clinical cast RPD framework microstructure at the zone of failure. These failure points were observed with optical and scanning electron microscopy. Three-point bend tests, mimicking the fracture of RPD clasps, were done at room temperature using a universal testing machine (Instron 5569) to characterize the mechanical properties of cast and SLM specimens. The elastic modulus (E), bending yield strength (σy), strain to yield (εy), ultimate flexural stress (σufs), and resilience (Ur) values for the cast and SLM groups were compared using 2-sided t tests (α=.05) and Weibull analysis was completed with the confidence interval of 95%. Results. The SLM and cast Co-Cr groups have statistically significant differences. The SLM mean values for toughness, yield strength, strain to yield, resilience, and strain to failure were statistically higher than the cast mean values (P<.001). The Weibull distribution of ultimate flexure strength was also significantly different for both groups (P<.001). Conclusions. SLM Co-Cr alloy was found to be tougher than cast Co-Cr alloy. The SLM alloy underwent more flexure before permanent deformation, withstood greater stresses, and had greater failure stress predictability than cast alloy. (J Prosthet Dent In Press)

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The nasolabial region plays a crucial role in facial aesthetics. While the primary goal of orthognathic surgery is to address underlying dentofacial deformities, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients seeking treatment primarily for aesthetic reasons. The traditional Le Fort 1 osteotomy has been used to correct maxillary deformities in different degrees with great repercussion at the region of upper lips and the base of the nose. The advancement of new surgical techniques focused on minimally invasive procedures has led to a reduction in the nasolabial changes typically associated with traditional Le Fort I osteotomy. This poster presents a novel technique for stabilizing the anterior nasal spine, aimed at improving aesthetic outcomes in nasal and facial procedures following a modified subnasal Le Fort 1 osteotomy. By tackling the challenges associated with conventional methods, this approach offers a refined solution for enhancing nasal symmetry, contour, and overall facial harmony. A thorough analysis and practical implementation of this technique reveal its potential to minimize common complications and achieve more consistent and visually pleasing results in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

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This retrospective study analyzes survey data collected upon completion of the first semester of D3 patient care from the summer of 2022 to the summer of 2025 at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. The aim was to evaluate responses of entering clinical DS3 students’ perceived readiness to transition from pre-clinical education to clinical patient care. The analysis focused on questions pertaining to preparedness for general dentistry competencies including patient assessment, diagnosis and prognosis, screening and risk assessment for head and neck cancer, treatment planning, informed consent, local anesthesia, periodontal and pulpal therapy, oral surgery, dental emergencies, and digital radiography. 

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Although there is a body of research on perception and cognition in spiders, there has been little research in a similar arachnid order, the harvester (Opilionidae) a.k.a. daddy longlegs. Despite their similarity, harvesters, which comprise >6650 species, are not spiders, but are more closely related to mites, ticks, and scorpions. Harvesters have two eyes and are believed todistinguish light from dark although the extent of their vision is unknown. Because harvester species actively avoid well-lit areas, they are generally considered to be negative phototactic or photophobic. We initially planned on using this fear of light to test spatial learning in the harvester species Phalangium opilio, native to Michigan. In our pilot tests of a well-lit T-maze with a dark goal box, we found that P. opilio did not try to escape the lit areas. To further investigate this lack of photophobia in P. opilio, we conducted a new experiment in which we placed the harvesters in a shuttle box with a lit side and a dark side. We tested 30 P. opilio for two 10-minute sessions. We found that the majority spent more time on the lit side of the box. We found no difference between males and females nor any difference between captive-hatched and wild-caught P. opilio. Based on this knowledge of P. opilio behavior, we are currently researching other methods to use with this species in the T-maze to further investigate perception and cognition in harvesters.

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The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, serves as a critical barrier against the outside environment. A common feature among epithelial tissues is the proper maintenance and formation of cell junctional protein complexes. Desmosomes are a type of cell-cell junctional protein complex that have been shown to interact with the COP9 signalosome (Constitutively Photomorphogenic). The desmosome-COP9 complex has been shown to downregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is a known signaling player in cell growth. This subsequently causes the promotion of epidermal differentiation. The mechanism by which the desmosome-COP9 complex regulate EGFR is through the removal of a protein modification called Nedd8 (de-neddylation). Upon the removal of Nedd8, EGFR is destabilized, allowing for a dampening of the growth signaling transduction pathway. While the desmosome-COP9 signalosome super-complex functions have been well defined for the maintenance of skin homeostasis, its potential role in other cytosolic regulatory pathways has not yet been explored. Previous work has lead us to question the extent to which the desmosome-COP9 signalosome can function in additional cytosolic regulator pathways. Through targeted protein analysis in a variety of epithelial cells lines, this research aims to identify and clarify the process by which the desmosome-COP9 Signalosome complex contributes to novel cell signaling

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The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) has been awarded a Department of Energy (DOE) Renew America’s Nonprofits grant. The grant was made possible through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) in the School of Architecture and Commuity Development in partnership with the College of Engineering and Science will improve the energy efficiency of 13 nonprofit-owned buildings located in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck over 4 years. UDM Engineering Faculty and students will do energy audits and building models and DCDC will manage the initiative and work with nonprofit, subrecipients to help them implement energy upgrades. Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization offering workforce development programs that prepare individuals for successful careers, is also an initiative partner. They will train individuals in their pre-construction program and connect them to contractors who will be working on the energy improvement projects.

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Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans. Zoonoses affect people in rural and urban environments due to the frequent interaction between animal species and humans in similar environments. Urban agriculture incorporates livestock like chickens, cows, pigs, and goats, all of which can spread diseases to farmers. These farmers can then spread these diseases to the human population. The information on zoonoses related to urban agriculture is very minimal in peer-reviewed scientific literature. To help find articles related to zoonoses and urban agriculture, key search terms were used on the database PubMed. The three key search terms were Urban Farming/Zoonoses, Urban/Zoonoses, and Urban Agriculture/Zoonoses. Each of these key terms provided a set of articles that represented different ways of reporting zoonoses in the urban environment. The goal of this study was to see how different search terms affected searches on the topic. Some of the articles found were found in more than one search term, but the majority of the articles were unique and found once through each key term. This suggests that using different key search terms is beneficial in a systematic review in order to find relevant studies on the topic. 

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Unpaved forest roads present significant challenges for classical image-processing algorithms due to highly variable illumination, irregular textures, and dense vegetation. This work develops a modular sequential segmentation process consisting of linearization, Region of Interest (ROI) extraction, Hue-Saturation-Value-based shadow mitigation, Retinex normalization, color clustering, and texture-based segmentation. The system demonstrates that the combination of illumination normalization with both chromatic and texture domain segmentation vastly improves the stability across shadowed, gravel road variations. Muitl-Scale Retinex proved especially critical in reducing luminance discrepancies before clustering.

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IRB Number: 25-26-27

This paper explores four published articles that investigate barriers to oral healthcare access, utilization, and outcomes among the dental school population. According to Subramaniam and Muthukrishnan, fear and anxiety significantly impact dental care access for special needs patients, requiring tailored communication and patient management strategies. Breivik et al. highlight physical and cognitive challenges faced by dependent older adults, emphasizing the need for adaptive care techniques. Hill et al. report ongoing cost concerns, dental anxiety, and poor communication as major barriers in the general adult population. Finally, Hillebrecht et al. compare caregiver challenges across dependent groups, revealing shared deficits in oral health knowledge and structural limitations. This paper suggests that understanding these diverse barriers can inform more inclusive dental care strategies for vulnerable populations.

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Providing student opportunities for ccompetency-based, active learning expereinces are vital in developing needed skills and competencies in preparation for transition into professional roles. In a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) epidemiology and population health course, faculty immersed students within a community-engaged learning experience to develop a community-tailored food insecurity program. Incorporation of this experietial learning activity resulted in an ongiong, funded community clnical rotation for pre-licensure nursing students while assimilating DNP knowledge and skills from prior coursework into the implemention of individual DNP projects that addressed other healthcare and community gaps. 

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This presentation is about the application of advanced manufacturing processes to create a functional prototype vehicle. It is done as a term project which is part of the course Manufacturing Processes and its lab. A CAD model of the car body is created and is analyzed for its manufacturability such as draft angles, shrinkage in casting or surface finish quality.  Additive manufacturing is used for quick pattern creation which is used as a pattern for casting to produce the car body. The vehicle is assembled by teams and performance is optimized for competition.  This poster presents details of the design and manufacturing processes involved.   

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Radio frequency (RF) fingerprinting identifies wireless transmitters by leveraging unique hardware-induced imperfections present in transmitted signals. Unlike traditional identification methods that rely on higher-layer identifiers, RF fingerprinting operates at the physical layer by analyzing subtle variations in in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) signal characteristics. In recent years, machine learning (ML) and deep learning have advanced RF fingerprinting performance by enabling models to learn representations directly from the raw signal data. However, the effectiveness and robustness of different ML architectures remains an open question, particularly under varying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions and edge-deployment environments.

This systematic literature review examined ML approaches used for RF fingerprinting, focusing on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), hybrid CNN/recurrent neural network (RNN) models, and attention-based Transformer architectures. Studies using commonly referenced datasets (including ORACLE, DARPA RFMLS, WiSIG) were analyzed to evaluate how architectural design, benchmarking practices, and evaluation metrics influence reported performance. The review covered key trends in model development, identified limitations in current methodologies, and examined how models performed across different SNR conditions. The findings suggest that while CNN-based architectures remain strong baselines, emerging architectures such as Transformers show potential for improved representation learning. 

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Accurate classification of radio frequency (RF) signal and modulation types remains a significant challenge in complex, real-world wireless environments. This study presents an experimental, quantitative evaluation of a deep learning approach for joint RF signal and modulation classification. A multi-task convolutional neural network (CNN) model is proposed to simultaneously identify signal type and modulation scheme. The model was trained and evaluated using three datasets generated by Andro Computational Solutions, LLC including RadComDynamic, RadComAWGN, and RadComOTA2.45GHz, filtered to signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) ranging from 0-18 dB. The proposed model achieved a modulation type classification accuracy of 93.8% and a signal type classification accuracy of 96.5% on all three datasets, maintaining strong performance across varying SNRs. Additionally, a proof-of-concept real-time classification pipeline was implemented to evaluate the feasibility of deploying the model for live RF signal identification. The results indicate strong generalization and robustness, supporting the practical deployment of deep learning-based multi-task models for RF signal classification in complex environments.

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Bioinformatics is the science of finding meaningful patterns within a large amount of biological data using computational tools.  In our bioinformatics course, we annotated bacteriophage genomes using computational tools such as NCBI BLAST, PECAAN, HHPred to find all of the protein-encoding genes in a finished phage genome sequence, determine exactly where these genes begin and end, and predict what function the phage proteins may have. Annotation is the process of documenting all of the decisions being made. This process allows us to determine whether predicted regions are true genes, determine accurate start sites, and assign the most probable functions. Throughout our work on Khan1, we were assigned to gene groups 49-56, 75-80, and 97-101. In genes 49-56, we identified a cluster involved in transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair. This group has predicted functions including lysins, DNA helicase activity, and exonuclease-like proteins, showing a role in DNA processing and host cell lysis. However, genes 75-80 and 97-103 have hypothetical proteins with no known function. Our final goal is to contribute our annotated genome sequence to a global database, which will influence future bioinformatics investigations.

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Candida albicans, a common oral fungus, often interacts with oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans to form biofilms that resist treatment and are difficult to remove. Our research investigates which C. albicans genes are required for biofilm formation with S. mutans. Using a developed protocol, mutant strains of C. albicans are examined via an assay. The experiments involve preparing and culturing fungal and bacterial strains, monitoring biofilm development, and analyzing results. The purpose of our research is to determine which mutations disrupt or prevent biofilm formation and to identify the genes required for the maintenance of the biofilm when formed together. This project hopes to identify potential drug targets for the prevention of caries.

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By its very nature, One Health is an interdisciplinary idea that incorporates elements of biology, the health sciences and economics, and cultural studies. The One Health Triad-ecosystem health, animal health, and human health, is the central focus of One Health. The American Veterinary Medical Association publishes at least one piece from their virtual collection of primary research publications, "Currents in One Health," each month in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). However, not all of the studies integrate the whole One Health Triad. The paper examines how frequently each aspect of the One Health Triad is mentioned in publications related to the One Health framework. A review of twenty-nine articles from JAVMA categorized under One Health reveals a significant gap, with many articles focusing primarily on animal health (82.8% of articles directly mentioned animal health) while neglecting ecosystem health (37.9% of articles directly mention ecosystem health). Of the twenty-nine articles, only 34.5% properly represented the One Health concept as they had mentioned each member of the One Health Triad at least once and its interconnectedness with the other members. The confusion between One Health and One Medicine, which is defined as the cooperation between veterinary medicine and human medicine, is also noted, due to 51.7% of articles being categorized under One Medicine, indicating a need for clearer definitions in academic discussions. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of including all aspects of the One Health Triad in research studies to enhance public health strategies and develop effective solutions to global health challenges. This poster advocates for a more integrated approach that addresses the links between humans, animals, and the environment, ultimately aiming for improved health outcomes and sustainable ecosystems.

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VLab is an innovation hub situated in Detroit, Michigan that is focused on gathering curious minds to design sustainable building solutions for the Great Lakes region and beyond. Our proposal for VLab’s new incubator building in Detroit aims to achieve 4 major success criteria:

1) Connecting each building face to its adjoining asset (Ralph C. Wilson Park and the Detroit Riverfront)

2) Sculpting a new pedestrian pathway through the building

3) Activating social spaces using greenery

4) Expressing our sustainable design responses.

We identified VLab’s main priorities as: encouraging collaboration and camaraderie between tenants, creating a pedestrian-friendly urban zone, and modeling progressive, sustainable design. We sought to achieve these goals by designing flexible first level spaces for collaboration and presentations, prioritizing the best views from the site (Ralph C. Wilson Park and the Detroit River), prioritizing pedestrian safety, and designing a smart building envelope.

Furthermore, in the office spaces, we aimed to create flexible work areas with a variety of movable furniture and varying levels of privacy. We believe that the future of office spaces includes these characteristics.

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The College of Engineering & Science expanded their partnership with The School at Marygrove to mentor 12th grade students through their Senior Capstone Engineering project during the winter semester. Thaddeus Lindsay, McShane Makerspace lab director and Chris Nichols, STEM pathways program manager worked with five students over the course of a semester to teach basic woodworking skills through building three little free libraries, then to identify an issue in their community and plan, build, and implement a project that would address their chosen problem of students at their school not having access to outdoor time during the school day.

The students found in their research that student mental health has become a growing concern due to academic pressure and everyday stress. This project aims to address this issue by adding outdoor seating for students during lunch. Surveys show many students feel stressed and would welcome the option to eat outside, which also offers health benefits. By creating a more relaxed environment, this project seeks to reduce stress, promote healthier habits, and demonstrate how small changes can improve the overall school experience.

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Implicit and explicit biases emerge early in development and shape children’s social perceptions and intergroup behaviors. Yet, little is known about how these biases develop in multicultural societies such as Canada. This study examined implicit and explicit anti-Black biases among 236 children aged 3 to 7 years (mean age = 5.06 years, SD= .99) living in the Greater Toronto Area. Children completed the Implicit Racial Bias Test (IRBT) to assess implicit bias and a forced-choice task to measure explicit bias. Results indicated significant implicit and explicit preference for own-race individuals over Black individuals. Gender differences emerged in explicit bias, with boys exhibiting significantly higher levels of explicit anti-Black bias than girls. No significant age or ethnicity differences were observed for either implicit or explicit bias, and implicit and explicit biases were not significantly correlated. These findings highlight the early emergence of racial biases in children growing up in multiracial societies and provide implications for early intervention efforts while taking into consideration gender differences.  

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V-lab Innovation Center is focused on three design goals that strive to meet Vlab’s narrative: connect the Dequindre cut, optimize occupant experience, and minimize energy-use. Our design began with research on the riverfront area through a site analysis of the existing conditions, pedestrian pathways, and environmental conditions of the area. These analyses gave us the necessary information to make a driven narrative focused on improving the connection between people and space. As we continued our research and design, we moved towards a structural approach on sustainability. We began to focus on how materiality and technology can improve the environment and have a positive impact on the occupants of a building. Specifically, we worked on energy-use, shading strategies, and understanding our design’s carbon footprint. Our design was driven by Detroit’s climate and our research reflected our understanding of its changing seasons and increasing climate change. To apply our knowledge and strategies, we conducted experimental research using Cove tool to test our active and passive systems. To ensure our goal of a sustainable building, we tested optimization of daylighting, energy use intensity, and rainwater management. We spent extensive time researching shading devices to balance a large amount of natural daylight and minimal glare entering the building while providing shade at needed times. Along with sustainability came optimizing occupancy needs. We conducted research on office buildings and the design strategies to create a welcoming, comfortable space that encouraged people to connect with their surroundings. Our approach was driven by collaboration and flexibility in the work environment. Our programming prioritizes team collaboration and occupant comfort. Through our study of energy use and occupancy comfort, our design was shaped into a connection point between the Dequindre Cut and River front for pedestrians and occupants.

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This investigation explored the implementation of Universal Design practices into architectural education based on socio-cultural dimensions of disability and design.

“Most designers are uneducated in the needs of users with disabilities and different capabilities which means they do not know how to accommodate for them and their needs in the design process,” (Keates and Clarkson 2). Adopting a new concept into the profession requires strong support from education and the “lack of education and appropriate terminology [of Universal Design] has led to an overall deficiency in awareness” (Zallio and Clarkson 6).

Research questions included:

What is the current discourse of disability within architectural education surrounding socio-cultural narratives within North America regarding disabilities?

How can architectural education promote the use of Universal Design within architectural students’ design practices?

Through a co-constructed framework, interviews were conducted with people who have disabilities to investigate the discourse of disability with a focus on identifying the socio-cultural experiences within the built environment. Students’ understanding of the same concepts were tested through a design charrette where they were tasked with redesigning the entrance of the Loranger building for specific people with disabilities.

Findings uncovered the gaps within architectural education surrounding disability discourse and contributed to the investigation of identifying the concepts that should be implemented into architectural learning. Furthermore, the method of testing a specific concept within architectural education uncovered architectural students’ biases associated with disabilities.

Work Cited

Keates, S., and P.J. Clarkson. “Countering design exclusion: Bridging the gap between usability and accessibility.” Universal Access in the Information Society, vol. 2, no. 3, 1 Oct. 2003, pp. 215–225, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-003-0059-5.

Zallio, Matteo, and John Clarkson. “Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in the Built Environment: A Study of Architectural Design Practice.” Building and Environment, Pergamon, 16 Sept. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132321007496.

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Behavioral health programs frequently rely on paper or static PDF assessment batteries that require manual scoring, interpretation, and progress tracking. This process can be time-consuming, prone to calculation errors, and inefficient for clinicians who must repeatedly administer and review multiple standardized questionnaires

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Perfectionism is a complex trait with several aspects that can be expressed adaptively and maladaptively. At its core, perfectionism is associated with a psychological need to be flawless and precise. Grit, while related to perfectionism, represents a unique mixture of traits (e.g., persistence, perseverance, passion) that results in long-term sustained effort towards achievement and durability during setbacks and failure. Theoretical literature suggests that grit (Schimschal et al., 2023) and perfectionism (Stoeber, 2018) can be influenced by factors of malignant self-regard (MSR; Huprich & Malone, 2022). MSR is a comprehensive self-representation that accounts for much of the shared features within internalizing-based personality disorders (PD) and pathology, namely Depressive PD, Masochistic/self-defeating PD, and the vulnerable narcissism construct. While several of MSRs core features intersect with perfectionism and grit, an empirical assessment of MSRs relation to perfectionism and grit remains absent. A sample (n = 280) of American adult participants was drawn from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk Program (Mturk) to assess this relationship. Correlational, analysis of variance, and regression analysis provide support for an empirical relationship between MSR, maladaptive perfectionism, and Grit. The results reflect the following: 1) all scales achieved strong to excellent levels of internal consistency. 2) All aspects of maladaptive perfectionism and grit were significantly related to MSR with moderate to strong effect sizes. 3) MSR was most closely associated with self-critical and narcissistic perfectionism. 4) While self-critical and narcissistic perfectionism increased linearly with MSR severity, no group differences were observed between medium and high MSR severity for rigid perfectionism. 5) Higher levels of socially prescribed perfectionism, doubts about actions, concern over mistakes and lower levels of grit were the strongest predictors of MSR in this sample. 6) The low MSR group scored just below one standard deviation on the Grit measure suggesting that a less severe MSR presentation might be indicative of a gritty individual limited by perfectionist strivings. These results have three core implications. 1) Aspects of maladaptive perfectionism and grit appear to be useful discriminating variables in the assessment of MSR severity. 2) It appears that insecurity (doubts about actions) and sensitivity (concern over mistakes) about one’s abilities coupled with a lack of perseverance (grit) in the context of perceived external expectations (socially prescribed perfectionism) results in high levels of MSR. 3) While individuals lower in MSR might still struggle with perfectionist self-standards, they seem to report a relatively higher degree of persistence, passion, and perseverance in achievement settings. This research offers several theoretically inclusive and empirically grounded opportunities for intervention in the context of MSR at multiple levels of severity. One may challenge distorted cognitions about perceived abilities, invite curiosity about the origins of supposed “external” expectations, and/or suggest activities that result in improved grit. In conclusion, the results bolster the construct validity and clinical utility of MSR as an integrative, transdiagnostic, and dimensional assessment of personality-driven internalizing pathology.

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This research paper examines the ways in which food security is defined, analyzed, and applied in the realms of national security and other theories in international relations. While previous research has looked at the ways in which food security is affected by national and international developments in a given country, there is no general agreement on whether food security is a national security issue. Definitions for food security also vary across different countries and organizations, providing no consensus for the term.

This paper addresses these gaps in the literature. Using international conflicts like the Arab Spring and domestic policies within countries like China, Brazil, Mexico and the United States, it argues that food security affects every nation and therefore requires both local and international responses. Data from domestic institutions like the USDA and international groups like the World Food Programme are also incorporated. The study demonstrates that there is a direct relationship between food security and national security, especially in an increasingly globalized world. Climate change, war and conflict therefore remain prevailing issues that challenge states’ capacity to respond in a timely manner. Food security therefore impacts national and global policies, which in turn can cause or exacerbate food insecurity on a transnational level.

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Problem or major purpose:

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can lead to severe psychological distress, often manifesting as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and avoidance of reminders. CSA characteristics, such as the use of physical force and increased abuse duration/frequency, have been linked to worse mental health outcomes (Springer et al., 2003). Examining how CSA characteristics contribute to mental health severity can help tailor clinical interventions for survivors. Additionally, Black women have been underrepresented in trauma research despite facing unique challenges, including higher CSA rates and compounded stress from racial and gender discrimination, which may intensify trauma effects. The current study examined how CSA characteristics impact PTSD symptoms among a sample of Black women.

Procedure:

As part of a larger study, data were collected from 429 Black, African American, or Black multiracial women living in the United States. Women completed the CAMI-CSA (DiLillo et al., 2006) to examine CSA characteristics and the PCL-5 (Weathers et al., 2013) to assess PTSD symptom severity. PTSD symptoms are categorized into four clusters—Cluster B (Intrusion/Re-experiencing), Cluster C (Avoidance), Cluster D (Negative Alterations in Cognition/Mood), and Cluster E (Arousal and Reactivity). A series of linear regressions were conducted with CSA survivors to examine CSA characteristics (i.e., abuse duration, relationship to perpetrator, physical force use, penetration, abuse frequency, age of onset) as predictors of total PTSD symptom severity and PTSD cluster severity, examined separately.

Results:

Findings revealed 181 women (42%) reported CSA. Among CSA survivors, regressions revealed increased duration and frequency of abuse predicted increased total PTSD symptom severity. Duration of abuse was the only significant CSA characteristic predicting greater PTSD symptom cluster severity (clusters B, D, E). No significant predictors emerged for cluster C.

Conclusions and implications:

This study highlights how duration and frequency of abuse play an important role in predicting PTSD symptom severity among Black women. Notably, 42% of participants reported experiencing CSA—a rate higher than findings among Black women in other studies, where it was 34.1% (Amodeo et al., 2006). The link between longer abuse duration and greater symptom severity across clusters (B, D, and E) aligns with prior research, which has identified abuse duration as a strong predictor of more severe PTSD symptoms (Livingston et al., 2022). These results underscore the need for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive treatments that address the specific CSA characteristics influencing mental health outcomes in Black women. By tailoring interventions to these unique needs, practitioners can more effectively support Black women survivors and potentially improve long-term mental health outcomes. The study contributes to a growing body of literature that emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma within the context of the survivor’s cultural and social environment.

References

Amodeo, M., Griffin, M. L., Fassler, I. R., Clay, C. M., & Ellis, M. A. (2006). Childhood sexual abuse among Black women and White women from two-parent families. Child maltreatment, 11(3), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559506289186

Livingston, N. A., Farmer, S. L., Mahoney, C. T., Marx, B. P., & Keane, T. M. (2022). The role of PTSD symptom clusters and criterion in predicting future high-risk drug and alcohol use among returning veteran men and women. Psychological services, 19(2), 386–395. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000538

Springer, K. W., Sheridan, J., Kuo, D., & Carnes, M. (2003). The long-term health outcomes of childhood abuse. An overview and a call to action. Journal of general internal medicine, 18(10), 864–870. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2003.20918.x

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Lane detection and tracking is a crucial component of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, enabling vehicles to identify road boundaries and stay safely within their lane. This research focused on developing a software system that detects road lanes in a driving video using classical image processing techniques such as illumination normailzation, edge detection, thresholding, region of interest (ROI) masking, perspective correction, connected-component analysis, and the Hough transform. This project works through the various stages of the image processing pipeline, applying algorithms to process video frames and extract lane markings. Ultimately, the goal was to develop reliable algorithms that can adapt to diverse driving scenes and conditions.

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Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have demonstrated remarkable performance in medical imaging tasks, including pneumonia detection from chest X-rays. However, these models are known to exploit spurious correlations (superficial patterns in training data that do not reflect true causal relationships) rather than learning clinically meaningful features. This phenomenon, known as shortcut learning, poses significant risks to the fairness, robustness, and trustworthiness of deployed medical AI systems. This study investigates shortcut vulnerability across five established CNN architectures: AlexNet, VGG-16, ResNet50, InceptionV3, and DenseNet121. Unlike prior work that relies on post-hoc analysis of biases naturally occurring in datasets, this research artificially injects spurious correlations into a pediatric chest X-ray dataset. Models are trained on both clean and corrupted datasets, and their susceptibility to shortcut learning is quantified by measuring accuracy degradation and test-time performance shifts when spurious cues are present or absent. To identify the internal representations driving shortcut behavior, CNN feature visualization techniques are applied to isolate feature maps that encode learned spurious patterns. The goal is to identify which architectures are most susceptible to shortcut learning under controlled corruption, locate the specific filters and feature maps responsible for encoding spurious features, and extract practical insights for building models that are less prone to shortcut reliance.

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Large language models have advanced rapidly in recent years, but they still struggle with visual understanding, reasoning grounded in real-world environments, and interaction with the physical world. This project addresses these limitations by integrating real-time video segmentation with an audio interface, enabling users to communicate with the system and receive live visual feedback. The system is aimed to assist visually impaired and elderly individuals by acting as an intelligent guide that can identify objects and provide contextual support in real time. Key features include object recognition and scene understanding, a memory module for storing and retrieving object locations to aid in item recovery, and depth-based obstacle detection with real-time alerts. The system leverages Meta's Segment Anything Model 3 (SAM3) for visual segmentation and Google Gemini 2.5 Lite for higher-level reasoning and scene interpretation. Performance evaluation focuses on both technical metrics such as targeting a minimum frame rate of 30 FPS as well as usability for the intended user population.

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The Allstate Foundation–Center for Enhancing Leadership Opportunities (CELO) supports a series of high-impact, community-engaged initiatives that strengthen leadership capacity, promote organizational effectiveness, and expand educational access for youth and community partners. The 2025-2026 Mini‑Grant Projects highlight collaborative efforts across the University of Detroit Mercy to empower students as emerging leaders while responding to the needs of nonprofit and community-based organizations.

Through the Empowering Communities through Consulting Services (ECCS) initiative, undergraduate Emerging Leaders and graduate Industrial/Organizational Psychology students conduct organizational needs assessments and develop tailored service projects for youth-serving agencies. These consulting engagements grounded in stakeholder data, volunteer service, and applied leadership training enhance community partners’ capacity while giving students hands-on experience in leadership, assessment, and technical assistance. Students additionally extend the reach of the University’s Step Up: Be a Leader and Pay It Forward mentoring program by delivering leadership development sessions to participating organizations’ youth, promoting social-emotional learning, academic readiness, and career transition skills.

Partner projects demonstrate this impact across multiple community settings. Graduate-student consultants supporting La Casa Guadalupana strengthened internal operations by refining job descriptions, evaluating the organization’s public-facing communication tools, and contributing to the professional development of its Board of Directors. Their work enhances organizational efficiency, donor engagement, and long-term sustainability, ultimately expanding services for Hispanic and Latino families in Southwest Detroit.

Within the University, the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) Student Ambassadors Program is being developed into a sustainable leadership pipeline. Students are creating a comprehensive training program, job analysis, and annual onboarding manual to strengthen ambassador preparation, improve retention and enrollment outcomes, and cultivate a supportive and growth-oriented environment for CHASS students.

In partnership with the Department of Athletics and Special Olympics Michigan, students are also leading the design of an inclusive, mission-driven campus event celebrating adaptive sports, teamwork, and servant leadership. The initiative engages students, faculty, staff, and community members in collaborative service and promotes awareness of inclusive recreation.

Finally, the Step Up program has been adapted for implementation at Divine Mercy Catholic School, where a school psychologist facilitated a leadership and resilience curriculum for students with special needs. Integrating social-emotional skill development with horticultural therapy, this project demonstrates the flexibility and reach of Step Up as a model for diverse learning environments.

Collectively, these CELO-supported initiatives exemplify Detroit Mercy’s commitment to leadership education, community-engaged learning, and partnership-driven impact. By aligning academic expertise with community needs, the projects enrich student learning while advancing the capacity of nonprofit organizations to serve youth and families across Detroit.

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CSACE (brief) Abstract 

Opening sentence

This study investigated This thesis examines global trends in cycling and explores how cycling can be promoted as a viable mode of transport in Nairobi by assessing the current status of cycling infrastructure in road design, identifying challenges that hinder its adoption, evaluating strategies to improve cycling safety and accessibility for all segments of society, and proposing effective design strategies and policy interventions to increase cycling levels in the city.

This investigation questioned how the spatial distribution of cycling infrastructure influences cycling uptake, and how road design supports cyclists’ safety. It also questioned the extent to which cycling infrastructure is integrated with the public transport system in Nairobi. Additionally, it questioned how design and policy interventions could promote cycling as a viable mode of transport in Nairobi and how social norms and cultural perceptions hinder the wider adoption of cycling.

Brief background 

Non-motorized transport (NMT), especially cycling, offers significant health, environmental, and economic benefits, but Nairobi’s infrastructure remains heavily skewed toward motorized transport, limiting safe and convenient use of NMT despite its high uptake for daily trips. Investing in well-planned cycling infrastructure, integrated with public transport, can enhance safety, reduce traffic-related injuries, lower pollution, and provide substantial societal and economic benefits.

Questions

1. How does the spatial distribution of cycling infrastructure influence cycling uptake in Nairobi?
2. To what extent does road design in Kenya enhance the safety of cyclists?
3. What is the current level of integration between cycling infrastructure and the public transport system in Nairobi?
4. Which design and policy interventions can be implemented to promote cycling as a viable mode of transport in Nairobi?
5. What social norms and cultural perceptions hinder the adoption of cycling in Nairobi?

Methods 

The research employed visual ethnography to document cityscapes, cycling infrastructure, and safety features through photographs and photo collages. Mapping was employed to show the spatial location of target areas, connectivity, integration with public transport, and population density. An online survey gathered information from commuters and residents about cycling use, infrastructure status, and challenges in the Kilimani area of Nairobi.

Findings 

The study found that cycling is currently underused in the area due to low public uptake and inadequate infrastructure, but many people are willing to adopt it. Improving road design, facilities, and policies could make cycling a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable transport option.

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The D.2.2 mutation was discovered from a genetic screen in Drosophila melanogaster. This screen looked for mutations that disrupted the cell cycle, cell growth, and overall organismal development. These processes are not only key for development, but are also frequently dis-regulated in other genetic diseases, such as cancer. Here we describe the characterization of one such mutant,  D.2.2. Previous studies have shown that D.2.2 results in an overgrowth of mutant tissue in the adult eye, resulting in an increase in red cells. It is hypothesized that the mutation likely affects genes controlling cell division or differentiation. Here our focus is to determine the genomic location  the location of the D.2.2 mutation on to help understand how and why this particular mutation leads to tissue overgrowth. Our mapping is done with both a genetic and molecular aspect. 

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COMPARING STOMATAL CHARACTERITISTICS OF UPRIGHT AND FALLEN SUNFLOWER PLANTS

Aleksandra Gjorovski, Sia Patel, Aya Hazime, Mohammed Bleible, and Eva Nyutuꬸ

Biology Department, University of Detroit Mercy 

Stomata are microscopic pores on plant leaf surfaces that regulate gas exchange by 
allowing carbon dioxide to enter and releasing oxygen and water vapor. Environmental 
factors, including leaf orientation, can influence stomatal behavior by affecting light 
exposure and other conditions. This study tested the hypothesis that the orientation of 
sunflower (Helianthus annuus) leaves upright versus fallen affects stomatal dynamics. 
A total of 20 leaves were collected: 10 upright, sun-facing leaves and 10 shaded, fallen 
leaves. A thin layer of clear nail polish was applied to each leaf surface to create 
stomatal impressions, which were transferred to microscope slides. Each slide was 
examined at 400X magnification, and stomatal length, stomatal density, and percentage 
of open stomata were recorded. Upright leaves had higher stomatal length, stomatal 
density and percent of open stomata compared to fallen leaves although the differences 
were not significantly different. Although previous research deduced that upright plants 
have a higher rate of photosynthesis, our study suggests that the fallen leaves might 
have been collected recently after abscission, and their stomatal characteristics may not 
have changed yet.

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Autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems rely heavily on computer vision models for perception tasks such as object detection. However, the reliability of these systems can degrade significantly under adverse weather conditions such as heavy snowfall, rain, fog, and reduced visibility. This project investigates the robustness of deep learning-based object detection models under challenging environmental conditions relevant to real-world driving scenarios.

A baseline object detection model based on YOLOv8 is trained on the BDD100K driving dataset after remapping the original labels into three safety-critical classes: vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist/rider. The trained model is evaluated on the BDD100K validation set to establish in-domain performance. To assess robustness under adverse weather, the model will be further tested on the ACDC dataset, which contains driving scenes captured in snow, rain, fog, and nighttime conditions.

The objective of this work is to analyze performance degradation across weather conditions and identify failure modes in perception systems used for autonomous driving. By comparing in-domain and adverse-weather detection performance, the study aims to highlight limitations of current models and motivate future improvements in weather-robust perception for automotive safety applications.

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 The process of effective infection control by the University of Detroit Mercy Dental and Dental Hygiene students in the clinic is an area of concern due to the exposure to potentially harmful bacteria. Despite well-established protocols and education, cleanliness, and contamination remain an issue. This study aimed to evaluate the University of Detroit Mercy Dental and Dental Hygiene students' compliance with infection control procedures by testing microbial contamination levels on commonly used operatory surfaces after patient care. Two surfaces, including the overhead light (handles, arm, glass) and computer keyboards (keys A-L, spacebar, number pad), were swabbed during the transition from morning to afternoon clinic sessions. A total of 179 samples were collected from 53 randomized bays across two clinics. Samples were inoculated into a PBS tube, diluted 1:10, and each sample was plated onto blood agar plates. Bacterial colonies were counted using colony-forming units (CFUs). 76% of all bays (70% Blue, 82% Red) sampled were contaminated with detectable levels of skin, oral or environmental bacteria. Clinical keyboards showed higher bacterial loads of >10 (101) cfu, while overhead lights were generally cleaner, with most samples containing <10 cfu. To assess disinfectant efficacy, intentionally contaminated surfaces containing up to 3 x107 CFU of Streptococcus mutans was treated according to the University's infection control guidelines. CaviWipes effectively eliminated all detectable bacteria under these conditions. These findings show the persistent contamination of clinical keyboards and variability in infection control completion, which support the need for more education and remediation to improve compliance.

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Curcumin is known for its anti-cancer properties but has not yet undergone comprehensive investigation into its potential use in cancer treatment. Literature on how curcumin interacts and binds with DNA is established, but additional work on impact of buffer solution and solvent composition on DNA-curcumin binding is not clear. In this research, we will determine how curcumin binds and interacts with DNA using UV-Vis spectrophotometry under different buffer solutions and solvent compositions. We will report on the absorbances and standard curves for both the curcumin and the DNA solution in tris-EDTA buffers and varied %ethanol. Current research will explore if/how the water-ethanol solvent ratio utilized in the curcumin solution, and if different quantities of the water-ethanol solvent, influence the absorbance and lambda-max of the DNA. The goal of this research is to connect curcumin-DNA binding to possible biological effects. Additionally, this study will establish a protocol and sets the stage for investigating other therapeutic relevant compounds to DNA binding. 

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Minoxidil is a vasodilator originally developed as an oral antihypertensive that is now widely used topically to treat androgenetic alopecia by enhancing dermal papilla cell survival, and increasing follicular blood flow. Mechanistically, it opens ATP-sensitive K+ channels, upregulates growth factors like VEGF, and activates proliferative signaling such as ERK and Akt in hair follicle cells. This work tests the idea that minoxidil also engages estrogen pathways in epithelial and skin-relevant models. Estrogen-independent squamous cell lines (SCC9, A431, HeLa, HEK293T) are used as critical controls to distinguish estrogen receptor dependent from independent actions of minoxidil. Ongoing experiments apply cellular immunofluorescence to track estrogen receptor localization, asking whether minoxidil, like estrogen, drives receptor accumulation in the nucleus of epithelial cells and how this differs across skin-derived versus breast cancer lines. Together with proliferation assays, western blot analysis of estrogen receptor and downstream effectors, this work will define how minoxidil rewires hormone-responsive signaling networks in epithelial contexts that are central to hair follicle biology and skin homeostasis.

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This picture explores how high voltage electricity can be stored and released inside a solid material to create visible patterns. A block of acrylic is charged using an electron accelerator, which traps a large amount of static electricity inside it. When the block is later discharged by touching it with a metal object, the stored energy is suddenly released. This release causes the electrons to move rapidly through the material, forming branching paths that look similar to lightning. These patterns are known as Lichtenberg figures. It also shows how the charge is stored, how it moves during discharge, and why these unique patterns are formed.

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Reptile owners face a unique challenge: maintaining strict environmental conditions while away from home. Existing pet monitoring systems are designed for dogs and cats and fail to address critical needs such as temperature regulation, lighting cycles, and habitat stability. This project introduces a Remote Habitat Monitoring System that provides real-time visibility and control over a reptile’s enclosure, ensuring proper care anytime, anywhere.

Built on a Raspberry Pi, the system integrates a temperature sensor, web-based interface, and remote control of heating and lighting elements. Users can monitor live temperature data and toggle habitat devices through a simple client interface. Automated alerts notify users instantly when conditions fall below safe thresholds, enabling rapid response to potential issues.

Secure communication is achieved using TLS, while efficient API design supports reliable data exchange and device control. The system is low-cost, scalable, and accessible from any internet-connected device.

By combining real-time monitoring, remote control, and intelligent alerts, this solution enhances animal welfare and provides owners with confidence and peace of mind when away from their pets.

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There is a great constitutional tension between immigration enforcement and the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Although the right to remain silent is widely recognized, its scope remains unclear in modern policing contexts, particularly when applied to undocumented noncitizens during encounters with law enforcement. The Note focuses on whether an undocumented individual who is neither registered nor fingerprinted may invoke the Fifth Amendment to refuse to produce identification or immigration paperwork during a non-traffic, pre-arrest encounter when doing so would reveal incriminating information about their immigration status. The disclosure of such information may expose undocumented individuals to both civil and criminal liability because of the language in Executive Order 14159, the Alien Registration Requirement. For a noncitizen, their identity may be the link in the chain that ties them to the willful refusal to self-register. Thus, the Alien Registration Requirement places undocumented noncitizens in an unusual constitutional dilemma by compelling disclosures that can directly expose them to criminal liability. 

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Microplastic (MP) contamination in drinking water, particularly bottled water, has raised significant concerns due to its potential health risks. Microplastics, capable of absorbing toxic substances like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, may cause adverse health effects such as inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to optimize Nile Red (NR) dye as a fluorescent staining agent for detecting microplastics in bottled water, with the hypothesis that flavored and carbonated bottled waters would exhibit higher levels of microplastic contamination due to their complex packaging and additives. NR, a lipophilic dye known for selectively binding to plastics, was used to quantify microplastic contamination in ten bottled water samples purchased from commercial sources. Each sample was stained with 5 mL of NR dye in a 35 mL mixture, and microplastic particles were captured using ZIP software and analyzed with ImageJ for quantification. Procedural blanks were introduced to minimize contamination risks, and sterilization protocols were followed rigorously. Of the 50 total bottles processed, 90% showed some sign of microplastic contamination. After accounting for possible background (lab) contamination, an average of 34.048 microplastic particles >100 um in size per liter of bottled water processed were found. In the plastic cups, the count and area of MP fibers were found to be significantly higher compared with blanks (p < 0.05), but not MP particles or total MP. In paper cups, the count or area was not significantly different in terms of MP particles, MP fibers, or total MP. No interesting trend was observed in the distribution regarding the size of MP particles or fibers. The results highlight the need for enhanced monitoring and regulation of microplastic contamination in bottled water and emphasize the importance of optimized detection methods to assess contamination levels accurately.

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Diseases that pass between animals and humans (zoonoses) are often considered to be products of the rural environment. However, dense urban populations can also be at risk of zoonoses. As urban agriculture expands to include agricultural animals, it is important to monitor associated outbreaks of zoonotic diseases. Yet their representation in peer-reviewed literature is still inconsistent and frequently lacking. This research is the first part of a systematic review evaluating how commonly outbreaks of zoonoses associated with urban agriculture are reported in the scientific literature. Relevant papers from the Biological Science Database were retrieved using three specific keyword combinations, which were Urban Farming/Zoonoses, Urban/Zoonoses, and Urban Agriculture/Zoonoses. Each unique keyword combination represented a separate perspective in the human-animal interactions in urban contexts. This aspect of the project  is focusing on determining how utilization of different search terms within the same database methods affects the discoverability of relevant research. Overlapping articles were found across searches, but each term combination also identified unique combinations. These findings indicate that use of multiple search terms during the first phase of a systematic review may help to capture a broader sample of papers relevant to the greater study.

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Artificial Intelligence backed applications are offering comprehensive functionalities for all phases of the architectural design process. This paradigm of Automatic Design presents both challenges and opportunities for the future of the architectural discipline. Education and practice will have to adapt to changes that emerge through this shift towards the value-engineering of design work. The purpose of this research inquiry is to explore how developing AI technologies can be met with consideration towards their responsible use to preserve design authenticity and creativity. This study is contextualized through literature review on architecturally applicable artificial intelligence, architectural design, architectural education, and the intersection between these topics. Methods employed in this study include a comparative analysis on the current possibilities of AI backed applications compared to aspects of design as process. The outcomes of this analysis informed considerations towards AI use in design. This resulted in an augmented design framework and risk assessment of aspects of architectural design. This study suggests that is AI is harnessed responsibly, it could offer affordances towards the incomputable aspects of design; focusing on tacit, creative and critical thought in the process. Opportunity exists to practice contestability towards the proliferation of Automatic Design in the architectural discipline; to use the computational power of AI to augment instead of automating the architectural design process. 

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Bacteriophages are viruses that target bacteria. The demand for studying bacteriophages has increased due to it’s importance within the field of therapeutic phages. Because of the bacteriophages’ high specificity in aiming for their target bacteria,this process can help us develop more effective treatments for bacterial infections. One limiting factor to understanding and developing better phage therapy is that only 25 % of sequenced genes have a known or even hypothetical function. The research will consist of molecular cloning, phenotypic assay, and interaction assay. So far, our group has built the foundation of identifying the functionality of these genes within the phage Xeno through processes such as polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, chemical transformations, and isothermal assembly. Xeno is a siphovirdae bacteriophage that targets Mycobacterium smegmatis. Its genome is 42395 nucleotides long and was calculated to contain 69 different genes. We have tested 30 out of the 69 genes, with 18 out of the 30 tested being functional. The purpose of this research in identifying the functionality of the gene, is to proceed in completing the cytotoxicity, as well as the defense assays to begin the cloning required for the hybrid experiments.

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Autonomous navigation systems require reliable integration of multiple perception, planning, and control subsystems. This project focuses on the system integration architecture for an autonomous ground vehicle competing in the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). Our approach uses the ROS2 middleware framework to organize subsystems into modular nodes that communicate through a clearly defined data flow. A needs–metrics analysis was first conducted to identify key system requirements, including reliable communication, emergency stop capability, and the ability to navigate between waypoints. Based on these requirements, a structured communication architecture was developed to define how sensor data, perception outputs, localization estimates, and navigation commands are exchanged between subsystems. Embedded motor control hardware using a microcontroller was integrated with the ROS2 system to provide low-level motor control and encoder feedback. A communication interface was implemented to exchange commands and sensor data between the embedded controller and the ROS2 navigation pipeline. A unified launch-file structure continues to be used to simplify system startup and ensure consistent initialization of all modules. In addition, hardware-in-the-loop testing was used to validate portions of the integration workflow before deployment on the full competition robot. The resulting architecture improves modularity, debugging capability, and system reliability while allowing the system to adapt as additional subsystems are integrated into the Megatron platform.

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This was a new program implementation that used evidence-based guidelines to implement the use of mHealth technology via text messages to improve patient adherence to treatment plans and ultimately improve glycemic control. Patients were selected from within an established Internal Medicine practice based on a diagnosis of diabetes and HbA1c greater than 7.5%. Participation in the study was voluntary. Using the self-care of diabetes inventory, self-care was also measured. Baseline HbA1c, BMI, and SCODI scores were collected. Patient education was provided following the American Diabetes Association’s recommendation for patient education. The patients downloaded and utilized the application one drop, and received a daily text message related to their diabetes treatment. Messages were received for a 12-week period, at which time the variables were assessed and analyzed. SPSS software was used for the descriptive analysis of the data. The data reflected statistically significant improvement in glycemic control and self-care abilities. The stakeholders were presented with the findings and a plan to implement the intervention as a standard of care within the practice.

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The Innovation Lab was designed with three primary objectives: to foster connectivity, enhance experiential qualities, and create a highly sustainable building. Our design process was guided by extensive research, incorporating qualitative, secondary, and applied methodologies. We began with qualitative observational research, conducting on-site visits to analyze the existing environmental conditions, pedestrian flow, and spatial characteristics. This initial study helped us understand how users currently interact with the site and informed our approach to improving connectivity and engagement. As the project progressed, we conducted secondary research to evaluate critical factors such as climate, infrastructure, and energy efficiency. Understanding Detroit’s climate, seasonal variations, and sustainability challenges allowed us to make informed decisions about material selection, glazing optimization, and shading strategies. To ensure the building’s energy performance was efficient, we used applied research, testing both passive and active systems to optimize thermal comfort, daylighting, and energy use intensity (EUI). One of our key design achievements was creating a space that strengthens the relationship between the interior and exterior experience of the building. Strategically we established a welcoming atmosphere where people outside feel invited in, and those inside remain connected to their surroundings. To further enhance sustainability, we utilized Cove.Tool, a data-driven simulation platform that allowed us to refine our design through environmental analysis and energy modeling. Ultimately, our research-driven approach led to a building that successfully embodies our core design principles. 

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This study investigates how architectural practice can be restructured to address material toxicity. It explores why harmful building materials are still widely used despite scientific evidence, and what systemic changes need to happen to shift the practice toward a precautionary model. People in the United States spend approximately 90% of their time indoors (US EPA), where exposure to toxic materials is significantly greater, yet the current regulatory frameworks remain reactive rather than preventative.  

For this study, some of the research questions that were explored include: Why is material toxicity a problem? Who has the power to create change when it comes to material toxicity? Where should the change happen? How should this change be implemented? 

This study used comparative analysis diagramming (TSCA vs. REACH), precedent analysis of historical regulatory transitions, lifecycle mapping, and case study evaluations of Red List compliant buildings. Backcasting and the Architecture 2030 sustainability framework were used to put together a phased transition model toward 2045. 

Findings uncovered that material toxicity is an issue because of the lack of knowledge which is due to systemic gaps in regulation, education, and accountability, where risk has to be proven rather than prevented. This study shows that change must happen through a multi-dimensional approach where individuals, institutions, and people in power work together to enforce change toward healthier buildings. This, in turn, will influence those who may not prioritize material health and ultimately improve the well-being of building occupants.  

Work Cited:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Indoor Air Quality.” Report on the Environment, U.S. EPA, 17 June 2025, www.epa.gov/reportenvironment/ indoor-air-quality. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.

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Abstract:

*Context: Students practice their physical examination skills in the lab and classroom on peers with predominantly normal physical exam findings, thus limiting the student's ability to complete an assessment on a focused eye or ear complaint with its associated abnormal findings. Traditionally, faculty have utilized eye and ear models with normal anatomy as teaching resources, but these models are limited due to their lack of realism and do not assist students in identifying abnormal exam findings needed for developing competency.

*Purpose: To provide an interdisciplinary educational intervention with pre/post survey’s for PA and FNP students to utilize advanced simulator/trainers for realistic ophthalmologic funduscopic and otoscopic examination while working in interdisciplinary groups (PA and FNP students) for eye and ear, faculty-led case-based scenarios.  

*Methods: PA students and NP students came together and were divided into four groups of twelve with a ratio and seating configuration of 1 NP to 3 PA students. All students completed a pre and post survey during this interprofessional learning experience. Permission was granted to use and adapt the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). During the interdisciplinary educational lab seminar, PA and FNP student groups utilized the OtoSim and OphthoSim Mobile advanced trainer/simulators in faculty-led, case-based group interactions and application learning experiences. Last, students completed the post survey of attitudes related to interprofessional core competencies and a short faculty-led debrief was held for each of the cases.

*Findings: Forty-nine total students participated in this experience (16 NP, 33 PA).  Preliminary data shows that there was a positive change in attitude on sixteen of the seventeen content areas. Qualitative data suggests that overall students had a positive response to the simulator function and their realistic features.

*Significance: This study supports health professions students learning together in interprofessional education activities utilizing realistic simulation.

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Evaluating the Effect of Virtual Medical Assistants on Productivity and Patient Satisfaction in an Outpatient Practice

Brandon Anton, DO1; John Paul Sabbagh BS Candidate4;Angelica Habib BS3;Justin Anton BS Candidate2; Meriam Shamon BS Candidate5; Sarah Tims, BS2; Jaden Anton BS Candidate2; and Brandon Karmo, MD1

1Department of Family Medicine; 2Wayne State University; 3 Michigan State University; 4 University of Detroit Mercy; 5 Oakland University

Background: Efficient clinic workflows are essential for optimizing patient throughput and clinician productivity in outpatient practices. Workforce shortages and rising demand for care have intensified pressure on primary care systems. Virtual medical assistant (MA) models may improve intake efficiency while offering flexible staffing structures that help bridge workforce gaps and expand access to care. However, comparative real-world data evaluating virtual versus traditional MA workflows remain limited. This study evaluated the impact of a virtual MA workflow on clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction compared with a traditional in-person MA model in an outpatient family medicine clinic.

Methods: This mixed prospective and retrospective study was conducted in a single outpatient family medicine clinic. The prospective arm included 100 adult patients managed using a virtual MA workflow, and the retrospective arm included 100 adult patients managed using a traditional in-person MA workflow from prior Tuesday clinic sessions. The primary outcome was time to provider-ready status, defined as minutes from check-in to electronic medical record documentation indicating readiness for the clinician. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction assessed via post-visit Likert-scale survey in the virtual MA group. An exploratory outcome evaluated differences between intake and physician recheck systolic blood pressure in the virtual MA group. Statistical comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric methods.

Results: The virtual MA workflow was associated with significantly shorter time to provider-ready status compared with the traditional workflow (5.7 ± 3.4 minutes vs 7.7 ± 2.8 minutes; p=0.00001). In the virtual cohort, 79% of participants reported the highest overall satisfaction rating (5/5), and 78% reported the highest medical assistant satisfaction rating. Mean patient-measured systolic blood pressure during intake was 132.5 ± 20.0 mmHg compared with 122.7 ± 13.8 mmHg on physician recheck (p=0.00008). This difference is consistent with expected clinical variation, as blood pressure often decreases after a longer seated rest period.

Conclusions: Implementation of a virtual MA workflow was associated with improved workflow efficiency while maintaining high patient satisfaction. Virtual MA models may represent a scalable strategy to enhance clinic operations while supporting workforce flexibility and access to care. Further studies across diverse practice environments are warranted.

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This paper was written as a contribution to the Water Cycle Obseervatory Project at the University of Barcelona, to be published later this year. 

Our paper examines the rapid growth of AI data centers in the United States and their substantial water usage. It highlights that data centers rely heavily on water-based cooling, consuming millions of gallons daily, particularly in already water-stressed regions. We discuss dederal policies, prioritize AI infrastructure growth, often giving corporations significant advantages over local communities, like Saline here in Michigan.

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This project explores the synthesis of a variety of minoxidil-based hybrids to investigate their electronic structure and its impact on reactivity towards cancer cells. By applying a greener chemistry approach, we aim to enhance the sustainability of the synthesis process while addressing key challenges in characterizing these compounds. Our research focuses on understanding how the electronic properties of these hybrids influence their biological activity, offering potential for more effective cancer therapies. The project highlights both the scientific potential and the synthesis challenges associated with these compounds.

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Minoxidil is a well-known vasodilator  (something that relaxes and widens blood vessels, making blood flow more easily) commonly used to treat hair loss and has been suggested to interact with cellular pathways and potentially influence cancer related processes. These processes are yet to be investigated. The work focuses on the synthesis of minoxidil intermediates and hybrids through oxidation of substituted pyrimidine compounds using magnesium monoperoxyphthalate (MMPP) followed by replacing pyridines with other biologically relevant amines. We aim to address challenges with reaction conditions and improve the efficiency and effectivities of these substitution reactions. The synthesis of these hybrids will assist us to evaluate the impact of these structural modifications on their biological actions by implementing new biochemical studies.

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Written 104 years apart, separated by thousands of miles, “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay and “If I Must Die” by Refaat Alareer are united by a common theme: attempting to make sense of death when the world feels stacked against an entire people. As stated by Chinua Achebe, “Until Lions have their own historian, the history of the hunt will glorify the hunter.” In times of oppression, people often turn to creative writing, particularly poetry, as an outlet to reclaim dignity, and as a form of resistance against their oppressor(s). The desire to die with meaning is a universal response to persecution, and this essay will explore how both poets interpret the question: how should one confront death under oppression? Jointly, both poets refuse to let persecution dictate the terms of their deaths. However, both poems also explore what it means to die with purpose when faced with oppression and violence. Through their different interpretations of sumud, McKay’s collective defiance and resistance, and Alareer’s hopeful endurance, both authors reveal poetry as a medium through which oppressed people choose the terms of their own struggle and death. They affirm that writing is one compelling way in which oppression and death are, if not defeated, at least compromised, not allowed the last word.

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This paper presents an environmental monitoring platform using a Raspberry Pi 4 with dual sensors to capture temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and CO₂ at 60-second intervals. The system delegates 85% of processing to the edge device, including real-time acquisition, validation, local storage, and alerting, while external devices support model training and visualization. The core contribution is an Isolation Forest model trained on 2–3 weeks of unlabeled sensor data, enabling anomaly detection without cloud connectivity or labeled examples. Rule-based thresholds complement the model for critical conditions such as extreme CO2, temperature bounds, and high humidity. A preprocessing pipeline enforces physically plausible ranges, applies smoothing, and normalizes timestamps. Results demonstrate stable sensor integration, low-latency communication, and effective real-time visualization. The platform illustrates how lightweight edge AI can deliver privacy-preserving environmental intelligence for smart homes, with applications to indoor air quality management and HVAC optimization.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become an increasingly prominent feature of modern legal systems as courts face growing caseloads and litigants seek faster, more affordable methods to resolve disputes. ADR practices such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration offer alternatives to traditional litigation by emphasizing efficiency and flexibility. Using the Michigan Court system as its reference point, this paper evaluates the extent to which ADR fulfills the common claim that it is cheaper, faster, and more effective than litigation. The research compares ADR processes with traditional courtroom procedures on the basis of cost, time, accessibility, and fairness. The paper also identifies circumstances in which ADR is most effective and situations in which litigation remains necessary to protect legal rights and public interests. Ultimately, the study argues that while ADR cannot fully replace the judicial system, it plays a critical role in improving the efficiency and accessibility of dispute resolution in contemporary legal practice.

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This project involves the development of an autonomous vehicle for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). The development has been broken out into several subgroups according to the needs of the project. This poster discusses the development of the needs metrics matrix, identification of engineering requirements, and design learnings associated with vision and sensing. Included are the future steps and algorithms that outline the vehicle design and development. For vision and sensing, it is required to see lane lines, pedestrians, street signs, potholes, tires, barrels. Image processing is used to identify lane lines whereas pedestrians and potholes are identified through blob detection. The street signs are read through an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm to read text from an image. The Ouster LiDAR is used for additional obstacle detection. Obstacles like barrels and tires are read into a point cloud which then can be combined into individual objects using Clustering. Furthermore, their distance and position with respect to the vehicle is shown. Potholes can be identified using plane segmentation where points not on the ground plane are filtered out.  Finally, a Gantt chart has been provided for the expected timeline.

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This project involves the development of an autonomous vehicle for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). The development has been broken into several subgroups according to the needs of the project. This poster discusses the development of the needs/metrics matrix, identification of engineering requirements, and design learning for the hardware portion of this project. Included are the goals and future steps that outline the vehicle design and development. Research and testing are well underway to ensure the vehicle meets IGVC requirements for speed, payload, safety, and vehicle measurements. The requirements will be met using a modified ODrive S1 vehicle platform. The process is underway to acquire and implement all necessary power equipment, including batteries, converters, and fuse boxes. The equipment and electronics will either be IPX4+ rated or housed in a waterproof enclosure to allow for operation in light rain. Finally, a Gantt chart has been developed and updated to provide the expected timeline for project completion. 

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This project focuses on the development of an autonomous vehicle for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), with the System Integration Group ensuring that all components function as a unified system. A key priority has been achieving seamless communication and coordination between subsystems, allowing the vehicle to operate reliably in dynamic environments. To accomplish this, the team has implemented a structured system integration approach, incorporating standardized communication protocols, consistent mounting profiles, and efficient power distribution to mitigate network inconsistencies and ensure robust performance across all hardware and software components. 

One of the major advancements in this project has been the implementation of sensor fusion techniques to enhance perception and decision-making capabilities. By integrating data from multiple sensors, including LiDAR, cameras, GPS, and inertial measurement units (IMUs), the team has improved localization accuracy, obstacle detection, and path planning. This fusion of sensor data allows the vehicle to generate a more comprehensive environmental model, increasing its ability to navigate the IGVC course efficiently while handling challenges such as lane following, turning, and obstacle avoidance. Additionally, real-time data processing and filtering methods, such as Kalman filtering and probabilistic mapping, are being explored to further refine system performance and reduce noise from individual sensors. 

From a hardware perspective, system integration has extended beyond communication and sensor fusion to the physical implementation within the robot’s chassis and onboard computing system. The team has designed an optimized hardware layout that minimizes signal interference, reduces latency in data transmission, and ensures all components are securely mounted for stable operation. The integration of embedded controllers and a central processing unit (CPU) has been carefully planned to balance computational loads, allowing for real-time decision-making and responsive control of the vehicle’s actuators. 

The development of integration algorithms remains an ongoing effort, as the team continues to refine synchronization between software modules and hardware components. Additionally, a forward-looking approach has been taken to anticipate potential system bottlenecks and areas for optimization, ensuring scalability and adaptability for future iterations of the vehicle. To keep the project on track, a Gantt chart has been established to monitor milestones, deadlines, and critical development phases, enabling the team to systematically approach each aspect of integration with clear objectives and timelines. 

Through these efforts, the System Integration Group is working to create a robust, intelligent, and fully autonomous vehicle capable of excelling in the IGVC. The combination of sensor fusion, structured hardware integration, and refined communication strategies ensures a high level of system reliability, setting the foundation for continued advancements and future competition success. 

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In the digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for feminist activism by amplifying women’s voices across the globe. This paper explored how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have facilitated discussions on gender inequality, bodily autonomy, and systemic oppression. It examined key feminist movements, such as the 4B movement in South Korea and the #MeToo movement in Iran, by highlighting their global influence. The paper argued that women’s rights issues are universal and thus not confined to the borders of their respective countries and that social media plays a role in both empowering women and exposing them to increased online misogyny. This research paper concluded that while digital feminism has made significant steps toward advocating for change, legislative action remains crucial in securing lasting gender equality.

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Becoming the president of the United States is an honor that is held to the highest regard, so, when that trust between the executive branch and the people of the United States is broken, that presidency is held into question. This established trust can be broken in a multitude of ways; treason, failure to uphold promises made during elections, or poor public policy decisions. A new trust-breaking event swept the United States in the January of 1998 where then President Bill Clinton became one of the, then, most ostracized presidents in U.S. history after his “improper sexual relationship with a young White House intern” named Monica Lewinsky. This paper completed an analysis of the article from Molly W. Sonner and Clyde Wilcox titled “Forgiving and Forgetting: Public Support for Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky Scandal”. It had also went into depth of the major issues, the public response, the government response and action to the scandal whilst also giving a personal opinion about the controversy myself. The article referenced throughout the research paper started off by going into depth of how the affair between 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky caused a rift between the American people and the executive branch. This went further to the bi-cameral chambers, House of Representatives and the Senate, where the potentiality of impeachment was on the table.  Highlighted later on in the article, Clinton’s approval rating would only falter during the first week of the scandal and near the end, his approval rates would be the highest it ever would be for a multitude of reasons such as the strength of the economy, personality, political opponents, and whether or not this was even an issue for the American people to care about. 

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This poster will provide a comprehensive analsis of state red flag laws in conjunction with the Second and Fourth Amendments of the United States Constitution. On one hand, the Second Amendment protects an individuals’ right to keep and bear arms. Therefore, can those found to pose a risk of harm to themselves, or others, be deprived of such a right without committing a felony crime? If the answer to the foregoing is in the affirmative, what type of authority is necessary to effectuate deprivation with respect to the Fourth Amendment? And how should that authority be enforced? 

Overall, this Law Review note suggests that–in order to ensure the utilization and effectiveness of red flag laws–lawmakers must implement statutes with warrant authority, clear and concise enforcement procedures, and work to train and educate petitioners and law enforcement in tandem.

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Throughout this paper, I hope to lay out the history of federal drug crimes and their sentencing standards, and more specifically, the history and purpose of mandatory minimums. Included in this foundation will be the recent changes brought to mandatory minimums and their sentencing guidelines. Next, I look to explain the most common criticisms of mandatory minimums, from both a social aspect and practical standpoint. After establishing this, I hope to provide a general foundation of utilitarianism, and its roots within the American criminal justice system. After establishing its importance and dominance as the leading theory of punishment, I hope to readdress the many issues criticisms of mandatory minimums and dispel each one through the lens of utilitarianism. In doing so, I hope to propose a different understanding of mandatory minimums, their place in our justice system, and how to better utilize them so they can accomplish what they were intended to do since their inception. 

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Candida albicans are fungus that has the ability to form biofilms on microbial surfaces, which allows the organism to cause infection and harm to the human body. Every year, the CDC reports approximately 25,000 cases of candidemia, a bloodstream infection caused by Candida albicans. The formation of biofilms begins with the attachment of yeast cells to a surface, allowing them to spread later, creating a matrix. After maturation, detachment of cells begins, which allows for the cell to repeat the process. This study focused on understanding the attachment process of Candida albicans biofilms and exploring potential drug targets to inhibit this process. we looked at various Candida albicans mutants and Streptococcus mutans and how their biofilm formation. Notably, we discovered that Streptococcus mutants can restore biofilm formation in the BCR1 mutant strain without this ability. This suggests a complex interaction between these two organisms.

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S. mutans and V. parvula cooperate in dental plaque to assemble a healthy biofilm. S. mutans produces lactic acid from carbohydrates resulting in a biofilm pH=4. V. parvula metabolizes lactate to acetic and propionic acids resulting in pH=5. This process results in healthier biofilms, but the biofilms still generate a pH capable of demineralizing tooth surfaces (pH

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This pilot study tested associations between dimensions of dependency personality and the doctor-patient relationship in patients undergoing treatment for a variety of cancers. A total of 50 patients (64% women, 84% Caucasian, 42% bachelor’s degree, 60% family income < 60k) completed the Relationship Profile Test (RPT; Bornstein & Languirand, 2003). The RPT rates three areas of dependency on a 7-point Likert scale, Destructive Overdependence (OD), Dysfunctional Detachment (DD), and Healthy Dependency (HD).  Patients also completed Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ; Van der Feltz-Cornelis et al., 2004). The PDRQ is a 9-item questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores represent greater satisfaction with your physician. Results suggested a significant association between DD and low PDRQ scores. These preliminary findings highlight the potential relevance of dependency personality styles in shaping doctor-patient relationship satisfaction. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to clarify the strength and direction of these associations and their implications for doctor-patient relationships in oncology care. 

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Internship-seeking students often struggle to receive meaningful resume feedback from AI tools designed for experienced professionals. TitanCV addresses this gap by providing personalized, constructive resume evaluations focused on education, class projects, technical skills, and other underrepresented experiences. The system leverages GPT-3.5 with few-shot learning, incorporating three optimized examples to generate consistent and honest feedback. Synthetic student resumes were generated to test and refine the evaluation process. The tool integrates a user-friendly Webflow interface with a Python backend, allowing students to upload resumes and receive detailed feedback in real time. This project highlights applications of AI, API integration, few-shot learning, synthetic data generation, and web design in creating accessible career resources for students.

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 This research examines exhaled breath as a window into exercise-induced metabolic changes in collegiate athletes. Breath samples collected through the Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI) at the University of Detroit Mercy were analyzed to explore how exercise influences metabolic biomarkers. Analysis of 150 breath samples revealed that while group-level median concentrations of Acetone, Methane, Hydrogen, and CO₂ remain stable pre- to post-workout, individual metabolic variability increases significantly following exercise. Acetone concentration, a biomarker of fat oxidation, correlated positively with sleep quality and fasting duration, with the highest levels observed in athletes who had fasted >12 hours. CO₂ levels decreased post-exercise, reflecting enhanced ventilation, with the largest reductions in athletes reporting the highest performance readiness. Humidity emerged as the most exercise-sensitive environmental parameter. Integration of breath biomarkers with lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, hydration) reveals personalized metabolic signatures that may inform training optimization and wellness monitoring strategies.

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 Rather than seeking universal pre/post-workout differences, this study characterizes individual physiological variability in breath gas responses to exercise. Breath samples collected through the Center for Augmenting Intelligence (CAI) at the University of Detroit Mercy were analyzed to investigate exercise-related variability in metabolic breath biomarkers. Samples from 150 student-athletes were analyzed for Acetone, Methane, Hydrogen, CO₂, and environmental factors, integrated with self-reported sleep, readiness, and nutritional timing data. Results demonstrate that exercise amplifies inter-individual variability rather than shifting group averages; post-workout interquartile ranges increased across most gases despite stable medians. Sport-specific patterns emerged, with Track & Field/XC and Soccer athletes showing the highest outlier frequencies. Multi-gas outliers (25 unique participants across 8 features) were exclusively male and consistently associated with >12-hour hydration gaps. These findings challenge one-size-fits-all breath analysis approaches and suggest personalized baselines are essential for athletic monitoring applications.

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This study explores the neuroanatomy of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) by developing a brain atlas that identifies brain regions found in teleosts in other vertebrates. This will enable us to further study the brain of fathead minnows to understand how it supports motor control, sensory processing, and behavior. We dissected the brains of minnows, preserved them in a 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and embedded them in paraffin. This allowed us to section the brain using a microtome. Sections were collected on slides, stained, and imaged under the microscope. We compared different embedding techniques to determine the most effective method for brain sectioning to minimize any tissue loss. By studying the neuroanatomy of minnow brains, we can gain insights into fundamental brain structures that are shared across vertebrates, including humans. This can have significant implications for neurological research. Refining dissection and preservation techniques also enhances future studies on fish brain structures, providing a more reliable model for investigating neural processes. These findings can inform broader research in neuroscience, behavioral studies, and even biomedical applications related to brain function and repair.

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  This study assessed the preferences and learning outcomes of Dental and Dental Hygiene Students at the University of Detroit Mercy regarding online and in-person courses. It aimed to understand how these learning modalities impact students' satisfaction and academic performance.

  Existing research highlights the need for further investigation of online and in-person learning. Bowers et al. (2022) found that while online learning improved comfort, it also introduced distractions. Gatt and Attard (2023) found students favored blended learning formats, while Yeh et al. (2023) identified challenges with social interaction. Pei and Wu (2019) reported no significant academic difference between online and traditional learning.

  At the University of Detroit Mercy, students preferred hybrid learning formats over fully in-person or online classes. The flexibility of online learning was particularly beneficial for students with busy schedules, allowing them to manage academic and personal responsibilities. However, students favored in-person classes for its visual learning style and the social interaction it offered. Despite these preferences, the study found no significant impact of class format on academic performance or information retention. In-person students experienced higher levels of burnout compared to those in online classes. Additionally, students facing external challenges preferred in-person learning, while those without such challenges favored online formats.

  These findings suggest that hybrid learning may best meet the needs of dental and dental hygiene students, balancing flexibility with in-person interaction. Hybrid models could enhance student satisfaction and well-being, addressing both academic and personal challenges effectively.

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The isotropic fractionator is a method used to quantify total cell and neuron counts in brain tissue by dissociating brain regions into suspensions of nuclei. This study will use the isotropic fractionator protocol to quantify the number of neurons in different regions of the brain in fathead minnows. Understanding the cellular structure of the brain is critical for understanding brain organization and function in teleost fish and provides comparative insights into neuroanatomy and brain evolution across species. To conduct this study, the fish brains were immersion-fixed in paraformaldehyde, dissected into regions of interest including the telencephalon, cerebellum, and the rest of the brain (ROB), and homogenized using a tissue grinder. The resultant nuclear suspensions were labeled with DAPI for total cell quantification and NeuN antibodies for neuron-specific identification. We hypothesize that higher neuron concentrations will be found in the cerebellum compared to the telencephalon and remaining brain (ROB). These findings would align with previous research on brain specialization in fish and other vertebrates, highlighting region-specific functional adaptations. By characterizing cellular compositions in fathead minnow brains, we contribute to a broader understanding of neural structures across vertebrates.

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Breast cancer remains a major health concern for women worldwide, necessitating effective treatment strategies beyond conventional approaches. While chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and hormone therapy are widely used, they often come with challenges such as recurrence, metastasis, and significant side effects. As the search for improved therapies continues, interest in phytotherapy and nutritional supplements as complementary options is growing. However, caution is essential due to potential health risks, including drug interactions. This review that the poster is based on explores the potential role of phytotherapeutic agents and nutritional supplements in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Further research is needed to evaluate their efficacy alongside conventional treatments, with well-designed clinical trials essential to establish their safety, effectiveness, and clinical relevance.

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Health professions education faces urgent questions about how emerging technologies, economic pressures, and equity concerns will reshape teaching and learning by 2035. Employing Ethnographic Futures Research (EFR), a participatory scenario-planning method engaging diverse stakeholders in envisioning alternative futures, twelve participants including faculty, students, clinicians, simulation educators, and administrators collaborated in a structured workshop to develop three scenarios: optimistic, pessimistic, and most probable. These scenarios revealed core tensions between technological capability and human judgment, efficiency and empathy, and innovation and equity. Five design principles emerged: technology should augment rather than replace human judgment; modular learning must be embedded in authentic clinical contexts; faculty serve as essential guides for reflection and professional formation; equity must be designed into systems from inception; and ethics and data literacy enable responsible technology engagement. Together, these principles offer actionable direction for institutions navigating educational transformation, supporting flexible, globally connected systems that preserve the relational and ethical dimensions of healthcare practice. The framework advances inclusive, equitable quality health professions education. 

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Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) subtypes requiring further investigation into novel therapeutic targets. Minoxidil, commonly known for its role in promoting hair growth and treating androgenic alopecia, has been suggested to interact with estrogen receptor pathway, but its interaction is yet unknown and not studied as much. Minoxidil, commonly known for its role in promoting hair growth, has been suggested to interact with estrogen receptor pathways, potentially influencing cancer cell proliferation. This study aims to explore the effects of minoxidil on ER+ breast cancer cells and its potential interactions with estrogen receptors. To address this, we conducted cell viability assays using Alamar Blue and performed molecular docking studies with PyMOL to examine minoxidil's binding interactions with the estrogen receptor. Our results indicate that minoxidil significantly alters cell proliferation and exhibits interactions with key receptor residues within 5 angstroms. These findings suggest that minoxidil may act as a modulator of estrogen receptor signaling, providing insights into its potential repurposing as an anti-cancer agent.

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Bacteriophages are viruses that target bacteria. The demand for studying bacteriophages has
increased due to it’s importance within the field of therapeutic phages. Because of the
bacteriophages’ high specificity in aiming for their target bacteria,this process can help us
develop more effective treatments for bacterial infections. One limiting factor to understanding
and developing better phage therapy is that only 25 % of sequenced genes have a known or even
hypothetical function. The research will consist of molecular cloning, phenotypic assay, and
interaction assay. So far, our group has built the foundation of identifying the functionality of
these genes within the phage Xeno through processes such as polymerase chain reaction, gel
electrophoresis, chemical transformations, and isothermal assembly.
Xeno is a siphovirdae bacteriophage that targets Mycobacterium smegmatis. Its genome is 42395
nucleotides long and was calculated to contain 69 different genes.
We have tested 30 out of the 69 genes, with 18 out of the 30 tested being functional.
The purpose of this research in identifying the functionality of the gene, is to proceed in
completing the cytotoxicity, as well as the defense assays to begin the cloning required for the
hybrid experiments.

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 Minoxidil (MXD) has been used to treat androgenic alopecia (AGA) for decades. AGA is genetic and caused by a disruption in androgen-androgen receptor pathways in the hair follicles, but MXDs interactions with the pathway are still not fully understood. One possible method involves MXD interacting with estrogen receptor alpha (ER⍺) and stimulating growth of the hair follicles. This study focuses on the estrogenic effects of MXD and how its structure affects this. AutoDock Vina from SwissDock was used to simulate molecular docking comparing how MXD and estradiol (E2) would interact with ER⍺, showing that both ligands could bind to the same site on the receptor protein. A less nonpolar MXD intermediate (MXDI), 6-chloropyrimidine-2 4-diamine- 3-oxide, was developed to see if it retained similar functionality to the complete MXD. To test this, a cell proliferation assay was conducted on two estrogen dependent breast cancer tissue cell lines, MCF-7 and T47D, to see if replication would occur when exposed to MXDI, which resulted in very minor levels of growth. This suggests that MXD’s structure is crucial to its effectiveness and that without its nonpolar segments its ability to bind well to ER⍺ is diminished. This matters greatly because it means an MXD derivative containing more nonpolar segments could be more effective and treat AGA more efficiently.

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Simulation plays a crucial role in the development of autonomous vehicles by significantly reducing development time. It allows for parallel development and eliminates the need for a physical vehicle during testing. In the context of the Self-Driving Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), simulation is the first step in developing algorithms that meet competition requirements. Customer needs are organized in a needs-metric matrix and analyzed to identify engineering requirements. A variety of simulation environments, along with virtual equivalents of the real sensors on the vehicle, have been developed to test algorithms such as lane-following, obstacle navigation, and parking. These algorithms are developed in MATLAB and utilize sensor data from the virtual vehicle in the ROS2 Gazebo environment. By ensuring an algorithm is functional in simulation, most development issues are resolved, so that when the algorithm is tested on the physical vehicle, only minor adjustments are necessary to achieve full functionality. A Gantt chart has been created to outline the expected project timeline, including future steps for refining simulations, testing in real-world environments, and integrating more advanced algorithms to enhance the performance of the vehicle.  

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VLAB is a business incubator in the Rivertown neighborhood of Detroit, designed as a space to propel innovation in sustainable building, while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding community. Through site analysis, environmental performance testing, and iterative design development, our team established three key project drivers: connectivity, sustainability, and engagement; which shaped and evolved alongside the design process to ensure a thoughtful urban response with strong environmental performance.

Sustainability was a key focus of the project’s form, materials, and systems research. Using Cove Tool for iterative environmental impact testing, we optimized building orientation, envelope performance, glazing, and mechanical efficiency. Climate analysis informed strategies for stormwater management, rooftop renewable energy, and low-carbon materials, reducing both embodied and operational carbon while minimizing the project’s impact on the surrounding ecosystems. We also explored sustainability through long-term adaptability, researching new and fresh spatial flexibility precedents to design post-pandemic work and gathering spaces. Open workstations, breakout areas, and a mixed private-public auditorium ensure the building remains versatile, accommodating both individual and collaborative needs as they evolve over the next 20, 50, or more years.

Studying movement patterns along the Detroit Riverfront and Dequindre Cut highlighted the need for strong physical and visual connections to public spaces. This led us to shape the building with a southwest opening orientation, which not only frames views, but strengthens engagement between the building and its surrounding neighborhood. Iterative design refinements, such as adjusting building angles, entry placement, materials, and transparency, helped activate key thresholds, creating a more dynamic relationship between the building and its surroundings.

This combined approach to digital modeling, performance testing, and site analysis, allows VLAB to stand out as a highly responsive and forward-thinking model for sustainable architecture. With its integrated building systems, strong urban connections, and adaptable spaces, the design stands as an example of minimized environmental impact, meaningful community engagement, and long-term resilience.

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This study explores urban farming in Detroit through the lens of agroecology, investigating the city of Detroit's food systems as an interconnected "metabolism.” The research asks the following: how the concept of metabolism can be meaningfully applied to agroecological urban design, why contemporary urban food systems lack the self-resilience of earlier agricultural models; and what inefficiencies exist in current linear resource cycles. All of these questions working alongside the question of how agroecology might be able to restructure these toward circular, equitable systems.

Detroit hosts unique conditions in which some of the most extensive urban farming practices in the US have developed alongside (and due to) broader systemic challenges such as land vacancy, food insecurity, uneven access to fresh food, and more. While it is beneficial that these conditions have sprung up, specifically in resident-determined grassroots innovations, they also have produced fragmented systems that limit initiative-to-initiative integration.

This study employs mixed methods, including surveys and interviews with urban farmers and community organizations, spatial mapping of agricultural sites across the city, case studies of agroecological projects, policy analysis in Detroit, archival and historical research, and more.Through a multi-scale framework (at the city, neighourhood, and a single plot of land), the study proposes that agroecology-based additive interventions can promote a better integrated urban food metabolism, and strengthen connection.

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Effective study strategies are critical for mastering complex material in dental education. This study investigates the integration of structured, post-lecture study activities into the Gross Anatomy curriculum at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, focusing on the benefits of active recall. Active recall, a well-established learning technique, has been shown to enhance retention and comprehension by encouraging students to retrieve and reconstruct information from memory rather than relying solely on passive review. The structured "Summarization Activities" introduced in this research involve students engaging in a "summarization" immediately after each lecture, where they recall and document brief summaries of key points as much information as possible at the end of each lecture to reinforce their learning. Following this exercise, students review their notes and resources to identify and address gaps or inaccuracies, solidifying their understanding of anatomical concepts and correcting misconceptions. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these activities through both quantitative and qualitative methods, including analysis of student performance data and feedback on study habits. Preliminary findings are expected to demonstrate improvements in knowledge retention, comprehension, and the development of sustainable study practices. The outcomes of this research may provide valuable insights into enhancing anatomy education and optimizing learning strategies for dental students.

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Excessive smartphone use negatively impacts attention, productivity, and well-being in educational and workplace settings. This paper presents a computer vision–based system for real-time detection and quantification of smartphone use. The system consists of a laptop and external webcam that stream continuous video to a Python application for analysis. The core method employs Ultralytics YOLO, a single-stage object detection model that identifies persons and mobile devices within video frames. Multi-object tracking (BYTETracker) assigns persistent user IDs, enabling per-person usage estimates across time. The system captures bounding box coordinates, class predictions, track IDs, and frame-level phone usage events. A functional proof of concept supports live detection, annotation, and unique user counting via an OpenCV dashboard. The final system will aggregate per-user usage histories and provide interpretable metrics for monitoring smartphone use in shared environments. Performance evaluation uses accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, and F1 score to quantify detection reliability in real-world conditions.

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Metal foams (MFs), e.g., aluminum, copper, nickel, have a web-like structure with open connected pores. The foam can have porosities exceeding 90%; and they are isotropic and exhibit uniform average geometrical properties. Thermal advantages of MFs stem from their high solid thermal conductivities, huge surface area density, and high permeability, yielding a relatively small impact on pressure drop. Additionally, the nature of foams’ internal structure causes vigorous mixing which augments convection. Experimental data sets were collected on an aluminum foam sample that was 89 mm by 62 mm by 16 mm and was subjected to various heat fluxes and cooled in room air. The aluminum foam sample had 5 pores per inch (ppi) and the porosity was 97.2%. Experimental data showed that a larger heat flux resulted in a shorter period of time to the steady-state temperature, as well as a higher steady-state temperature.

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It would just be my winning photo.

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As part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design course, this project focuses on developing the localization subsystem for a level 5 autonomous ground vehicle competing in the 2026 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) AutoNav Challenge. Accurate localization is essential for determining the vehicle’s position and orientation as it navigates through the competition field. Reliable performance must be maintained despite variable lighting, uneven terrain, and inconsistent satellite signals. The design process began with a needs–metrics matrix derived from competition and customer requirements. These metrics guided the definition of system objectives such as accuracy, reliability, and real-time responsiveness. To achieve these goals, several localization methods have been implemented including the position and velocity of the Global Positioning System (GPS), wheel encoders, and inertial measurement sensors (IMU). Data from these sensors was fused using estimation algorithms to minimize drift and maintain stability. The two main algorithms that have been implemented are Extended Kalman Filters (EKF), and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). Each offers advantages in handling uncertainty, environmental mapping, and computational efficiency. This course-based research highlights the ideation and engineering design process; translating requirements into measurable goals and identifying algorithmic solutions that enable safer and more reliable autonomous navigation.

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This mixed-methods research study investigates Pakistani Muslim American immigrant two
mother-daughter dyads’ styles of social interactions (inclusive of the content of social interactions)
during three virtual museum visits designed to contribute to their ethnic identities. Data were
collected from (1) qualitative significant anecdotes, (2) semi-structured interviews, (3) observation
rating scales, and (4) a rank-order survey of cognitive and affective skills. Qualitative data was
analyzed using four a priori themes. The data was triangulated, and the findings revealed
agreement between datasets, namely qualitative observations, the observation rating scale, and
sources (i.e., participants’ work products, survey responses, and conversations while cooking).
Triangulation indicated that, regardless of the methodology or sources used, analyses indicated
participants’ social interactions contributed to knowledge and behaviors regarding ethnic identity.
The study concluded that the mother-daughter dyads’ social interaction styles were primarily
verbal (e.g., asking questions commenting/explaining). These social interaction styles enhanced
cognitive skills (e.g., learning through talking and attempting to find meaning, using photos) and
affective skills (e.g., finding museum visits interesting, enjoyable, and/or pleasurable) while
simultaneously contributing to their ethnic identity. In addition, the dyadic social interactions
before, during, and after museum visits contributed to ethnic identity.

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Purpose.The Youth Health Exploration Camp focused on career exploration, college readiness and resiliency while providing hands-on activities that encouraged exposure to healthcare professions. The camp addressed the growing need of healthcare workers and cultivated informed decision making about their futures while fostering a diverse well-prepared pipeline of health professionals. Goals. Recruit middle and high school youth throughout the Detroit area to the University of Detroit Mercy to explore future healthcare career opportunities. Provide support for students interested in future thinking toward health-relatedcareer opportunities by introducing key concepts, ideas, and pathways to achieve their goals through simulation and college readiness/resiliency training.Theoretical Framework.Socioecological Model/Nine Events of Instruction Framework.Intervention.The health education intervention comprised of planned learning experiences and provided knowledge and skills to the learners in a formalized setting. The outcomes measured student engagement and parental satisfaction to evaluate impact and program success.Activities. Students engaged in simulated patient and virtual encounters that are patient-centered, evidence-based, and holistic. Students learned hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The College Readiness and Resiliency session provided skills to succeed. The health career panel featured representation across health care fields. A tour of the McNichols and Dental Campus and our partnering health care system, Trinity Health Oakland was included.Evaluation/Outcomes. Pre-post intervention data will be analyzed using SPSS 29. A database of the campers contact information has been established and served as a recruitment tool to invite individuals and their families to future camps and campus events. Tracking metrics will include the number of participants, the number of campers who eventually enroll at Detroit Mercy, the number of those who enter health profession majors, geographic and ethnic inclusiveness of the participants, and number of community partnerships developed

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This study explores the long-term environmental impact of redlining in Detroit, alongside the city's cultural resilience and innovation. By comparing pollution levels, access to green spaces, and health outcomes in redlined versus non-redlined neighborhoods, the research highlights how the legacy of racial and economic inequality still shapes the city today. It shows that redlined areas continue to face higher pollution, more traffic noise, and greater exposure to hazardous waste, which contribute to ongoing health problems. Despite these challenges, these neighborhoods also fostered creativity, most notably seen in the rise of techno music. Dan Sicko’s Welcome to the Machine traces how techno grew out of Detroit's struggles and became a global force. Vincent Haddad’s The Detroit Genre challenges popular misconceptions about the city, focusing on its resilience. Abas Shkembi’s article in The Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology connects redlining to ongoing environmental injustice. Together, these works paint Detroit as not just a city of hardship, but one of reinvention and resistance.

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This research examines the tension between legal authority and ethical responsibility in modern government decision-making. Although government agencies are required to act within the law, actions that are legally permitted do not always align with ethical standards. This presentation focuses on current government practices that comply with existing laws but raise concerns about civil liberties, accountability, and human rights. Examples include contemporary surveillance policies and enforcement actions carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as legal decisions supported by the U.S. Department of Justice. These cases have prompted public discussion about due process, transparency, and the balance between public safety and individual rights. Using Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution as a legal foundation, this research argues that government responsibility should extend beyond simply following the law to also considering the ethical impact of its actions. This study concludes that policies may be lawful while still creating moral conflict, highlighting the importance of holding government institutions accountable to both legal and ethical standards in a democratic society.

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The duodenum, the initial segment of the small intestine, plays a critical role in digestion by receiving chyme from the stomach and mixing it with bile and pancreatic enzymes to allow for nutrient absorption. Structurally, it is the shortest and widest portion of the small intestine and contains two major landmarks known as the major and minor duodenal papillae. The major papilla, or papilla of Vater, acts as the terminal opening of the common bile and pancreatic ducts, while the minor papilla, if present, provides an additional drainage pathway from the accessory pancreatic duct. 

This study conducted a multi-year quantitative anatomical analysis of cadavers to determine the distances between the pyloric sphincter to the major papilla, and, when present, the minor papilla to the major papilla. The measurements were obtained from 108 cadavers using digital calipers for accuracy. The results showed that the mean distances from the pylorus to the major papilla was 7.81 cm, which was consistent with the established literature values (≈8.0 cm). However, the mean distances between the minor and major papillae was 1.96 cm, which was significantly shorter than the commonly reported average of 2.4 cm (p<0.05). 

These findings confirm variability in duodenal anatomy, with female cadavers exhibiting slightly longer pylorus-to-major papilla distances compared to males. Such variation holds clinical relevance for gastroenterologists and surgeons, as anatomical differences can influence endoscopic navigation, surgical planning, and interpretation of gastrointestinal pathology. By improving the existing anatomical data, this research supports better procedural accuracy and contributes to medical education, with implications for early detection and management of gastrointestinal disease and procedures including an ERCP.

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As the Women's National Basketball Association ("WNBA") experiences unprecedented growth in popularity and investment, the legal framework governing labor relations between the league and its players has not evolved at the same pace. This project examines the power imbalance present in collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association ("WNBPA"). It argues that the league holds significantly greater bargaining power and that the legal tools currently available to players under traditional labor law do not adequately remedy this disparity. 

This project analyzes the statutory and case law governing collective bargaining agreements and compares the 2024 WNBA collective bargaining agreement to those of other professional women's sports leagues. Through this comparison, the project identifies structural limitations that constrain the effectiveness of existing negotiation strategies. The project ultimately proposes a reform that would allow for limited judicial review in disputes where the National Labor Relations Board's processes are insufficient to protect workers who are part of marginalized or underrepresented labor groups. This approach aims to promote more equitable collective bargaining outcomes while supporting the continued growth of women's professional sports. 

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Mobility disabilities affect approximately one in eight adults, making them one of the most prevalent physical impairments globally. While technology continues to advance, many individuals still face significant barriers when navigating public spaces, particularly when operating doors. This project proposes an intelligent automated entry system designed to improve accessibility for disabled individuals, the elderly, and those with restricted hand mobility. By utilizing the You-Only-Look-Once (YOLO) deep learning architecture, the system performs real-time detection of specific mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers, alongside identifying elderly individuals or anyone with occupied hands. Unlike standard motion sensors, this computer vision approach provides a targeted response, ensuring doors open seamlessly for those requiring assistance. By integrating high-speed object detection into public infrastructure, this research aims to eliminate physical inconveniences and promote greater independence and inclusivity for vulnerable populations through autonomous, hands-free environmental interaction.

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Breath analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive method for detecting various health conditions through the identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study explores the feasibility of using breath-based diagnostics by analyzing VOC patterns in athletes before and after exercise. By implementing a structured collection protocol, we aim to establish a standardized approach to breath sampling and assess how physiological changes influence VOC composition. Although data collection is ongoing, this research serves as a critical step toward validating breath analysis as a potential screening tool for disease detection. The findings could contribute to the development of rapid, non-invasive diagnostic methods, paving the way for broader clinical applications in sports science and medicine. 

Would you like to tweak anything, or does this align with your vision? 

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Unpaid field education is a required component of all Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs

accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is recognized as the signature

pedagogy of social work education. Field placements are intended to cultivate professional

growth through experiential learning and supervised practice. However, students are required to

complete extensive field hours that are typically unpaid, while simultaneously managing

employment, academic coursework, and personal responsibilities. As tuition costs and living

expenses continue to rise, concerns have emerged regarding whether unpaid field placements

contribute to financial strain and raise questions about professional integrity within a profession

grounded in equity and social justice.

Although existing scholarship acknowledges financial stress among social work students, limited

research centers BSW students’ own perceptions of unpaid field placements as labor, particularly

in relation to financial burden and professional integrity. Much of the current discourse remains

policy-oriented or descriptive, leaving a gap in understanding how students themselves interpret

and experience these structural expectations.

This study seeks to explore how BSW students perceive unpaid field placements in relation to

labor demands, financial strain, and questions of professional integrity. By centering student

perspectives, this research aims to contribute to ongoing conversations about equity and

institutional accountability in social work education. Findings may inform future programmatic

decisions, field education practices, and broader discussions regarding the sustainability of

current models and their alignment with social work’s ethical commitments.

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Minxodil has been used to treat androgenic alopecia but not enough research shows the interaction of minoxidil with estrogen receptors. Minoxidil is used as a topical that can reduces expression in genes like the IL-1 which is a potent inhibitor of hair growth and lead to hair loss. The goal is to identify the interaction betwen minoxidil and estrogen receptors. The method used is the cell proliferation of T47D cells and molecular docking. Low concentration of minoxidil of around 20-25 microliters has the best results of cell growth. Minxodil interactions with estrogen receptors may enable the use of this pathway as a biological treatment for uncontrolled cell growth disease. 

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In 2018 SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency) stated that 30% of First Responders experience mental health difficulties. This definition does not include the 1.1 million security officers employed in the United States. There have been no academic studies in North America that examine the mental health of security officers. This study shows the overlaping of duties, workplace stressors and occupational hazards experienced by both groups, and predicts that security officers will experience a similar rate.

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This poster will showcase the initial development of a Health Humanities minor program, supported by a Titan Innovation Fund Grant. Key highlights include collaborations between CHASS, CHP, and CES; a speaker series; a course development initiative; and next steps.

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Smoking remains a major public health concern with significant implications for oral health. Tobacco exposure have been strongly linked to increased risk of periodontitis, soft tissue damage, delayed healing, xerostomia, and oral mucosal changes. This project investigates the relationship between cigarette smoking and oral health by analyzing de-identified clinical data from patient records at the University of Detroit Mercy Dental Clinic. Using a convenience sampling method, patient charts documenting cigarette smoking and completed intraoral and extraoral examinations were reviewed. Relevant clinical findings included periodontal status, caries experience, gingival health, lesions, pigmentation, and reported symptoms such as dry mouth. Descriptive analysis of the collected data was used to identify trends and relate findings to published literature. This project highlights the significant burden smoking places on oral tissues and reinforces the responsibility of dental professionals to educate patients, recognize early warning signs, and integrate tobacco cessation awareness into clinical care.

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Preditory publishers and conferences have proliferated, exploiting pressure to publish and present while undermining scholarly integrety. These entities target faculty and students. This poster helps  to outlines practical strategies for identifying preditory activity in both journals and conferences. This poster will draw on guidelines and check list for all of academia. 

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(1) Background Cannabinoids have been shown to have effective antibacterial applications. With limitations of current intracanal endodontic medicaments, and the rise of bacterial resistance, it is important to investigate novel treatment strategies for endodoonic infections. The aim of this study was to test the antibacterial efficacy of cannabinoids on bacteria in persistent endodontic infections; E. faecalis, S. mutans, and F. nucleatum. (2) Methods – Planktonic bacteria were exposed to: negative control (no exposure), positive control (3% NaOCl), and experimental groups CBD, CBN, and THC. The MIC and MBC was also investigated. Biofilms were cultured and treated with cannabinoids. Crystal violet assay (CVA) and live/dead analysis assessed biofilm degradation and inhibition, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. (3) Results – CBD, CBN, and THC reached an MIC for both E. faecalis and S. mutans in planktonic form. MBC was found for tested cannabinoids on planktonic E. faecalis. No MBC was found for S. mutans. Live/dead analysis of E. faecalis and S. mutans biofilms showed a decrease in viability of the biofilm with increased cannabinoid concentration. CVA revealed cannabinoids degrade only the E. faecalis biofilm. Planktonic F. nucleatum had no MIC for tested cannabinoids. (4) Conclusions– Cannabinoids have inhibitory effects on E. faecalis and S. mutans in the planktonic and biofilm states. No inhibitory effects of F. nucleatum were found at tested concentrations of all three cannabinoids.

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In this project I designed and built an autonomous mobile robot starting from a bare chassis with two DC motors and an idler wheel. The goal was to apply electronic circuits concepts to create a complete sensing and control system. I implemented H-bridge motor driver circuits as well as a DC-DC power module to convert battery power to a regulated 5 V supply. Operational-amplifier circuits conditioned signals from infrared (IR) distance sensors and a PixyCam2 color-tracking camera. An Arduino microcontroller used these signals to generate PWM motor commands. Custom 3D-printed components were developed to mount the (IR) sensors and the PixyCam2 vision module. The robot tracks a trained colored object, avoids obstacles, and wanders when no target is detected.

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Project Overview 

The Intelligent Insurance Verification & Authorization System is a dual-path automation framework designed to eliminate the administrative bottlenecks associated with patient intake and durable medical equipment (DME) procurement. By transitioning Patient Service Representatives (PSRs) from manual data entry to "Human-in-the-Loop" decision-makers, the system addresses the high burnout and 30–90 minute hold times currently inherent in healthcare logistics. 

Methodology & Technical Architecture 

The solution employs two distinct automated workflows to ensure 100% payer coverage: 

• Front-End/Computer using agent Automation (The "Portal Bot"): Utilizes AI-driven Chromium agents to navigate legacy insurance portals, bypass MFA, and scrape data similarly to a human user. 

• Has different modes; when the agent takes over, this is called watch. When the human takes back over it is called human in the loop 

• Back-End/Intelligent data extraction Automation (The "Direct Link"): Employs API-based integration for instantaneous, high-speed data exchange with major insurance carriers. 

These pathways feed into a specialized Prior Authorization (PA) Engine that maps complex HCPCS prosthetic codes and performs "Same & Similar" checks to prevent claim denials. 

Key Features & Constraints 

The system automates eligibility verification, deductible calculations, and 24/7 status tracking of authorizations. To maintain clinical integrity, the system is strictly administrative: it does not exercise medical judgment or replace the final decision-making authority of clinical staff. It identifies "Decision Points" where human empathy or complex judgment is required, such as denied authorizations or direct patient counseling. 

Expected Impact 

Implementation is projected to reduce administrative wait times from hours to secs and eliminate manual portal navigation. By automating the "Wait State" of insurance logistics, the clinic can ensure "clean claim" billing, reduce human error in coding, and allow staff to refocus on patient advocacy and fabrication management. 

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Collecting real student learning data to test and evaluate intelligent tutoring systems presents numerous challenges, including privacy concerns, limited accessibility, and ethical restrictions on data sharing. These barriers make it difficult for researchers to experiment with learning models or validate educational technologies at scale. To address this problem, we explored the use of synthetic data generation as a way to simulate realistic student learning behaviors without compromising privacy. We began by designing a set of educational questions that could serve as the foundation for synthetic learning data and leveraged the ChatGPT API to generate synthetic data through the use of prompt engineering and various levels of testing. The API was given different student personalities to choose from at random and would then generate data for 50 students. We then used the data to apply a Bayesian Knowledge Tracing model, which enabled us to determine the general learning statistics of these students. The model would determine the students’ prior knowledge, learning rate, mastery, etc. By doing this, we were able to determine some general statistics for how students learn, and how the use of synthetic data could be useful for researchers who don’t have ready access to real data. Next steps that could be taken include using larger datasets, comparing real data to synthetic data, and evaluating how a Bayesian Knowledge Tracing model compares to other learning statistic models.

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This project explores a tactile way to play digital sports by building a baseball simulator that uses a controller for a physical bat. Using a Raspberry Pi and an IMU sensor, we developed a system that tracks real-world motion and translates it into a Python-based game. Instead of just pressing a button to swing, the player physically mimics a batting motion; the sensor captures the acceleration, angular velocity, and rotational coordinates, which the software then processes to determine if the hit was a home run or a foul ball. The core challenge was smoothing out the noise from the sensor to ensure the game felt responsive rather than laggy. By mapping the speed of a physical swing to the physics of a virtual ball, the project demonstrates how low-cost hardware like the Raspberry Pi can be used to create an immersive, kinesthetic experience. It is a hands-on look at how we can bridge the gap between writing code and moving our bodies, making the gaming experience feel much more real.

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Giant duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), a floating aquatic plant, provides ecological services like absorption of nutrient pollution.  The process of eutrophication is driven by the amount of phosphorous in fresh water.  Thus, understanding how plants like duckweed absorb this nutrient can lead to improved bioremediation strategies.  Prior studies have shown that bacteria in the Rhizobiaceae preferentially accumulate in giant duckweed.  Rhizobium species are renowned for forming mutualistic relationships with terrestrial plants and their ability to demineralize phosphorous.  This research aims to determine the relationship between duckweed species and members of the Rhizobiaceae. To test the hypothesis, bacteria have been isolated from S. polyrhiza, Lemna minor, and Wolffia columbiana.  To determine the identity of the bacteria, DNA barcoding of the 16S rRNA locus is being conducted.  In the future, bacteria co-cultivation experiments and genomic sequencing investigations will be conducted.

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This study explored how retrofitting social housing can better support multigenerational families in Windsor. This investigation questioned how existing housing stock can be adapted to meet the socio-cultural and spatial needs of multigenerational families.

Canadian cities are facing a growing housing crisis, with Windsor needing approximately 13,000 new homes by 2031 (City of Windsor). However, many low-income and immigrant families cannot afford new construction, and existing housing is largely designed for nuclear families rather than multigenerational living (City of Windsor).

Research questions included what design features are needed to support multigenerational living, what aspects of existing social housing require adaptation, and how socio-cultural needs differ from those of nuclear households.

The study employed a mixed-method approach, including interviews with multigenerational families, precedent analysis, and spatial testing through interactive design exercises and sketch problems.

Findings uncovered that privacy, spatial flexibility, and a variety of shared and semi-private areas are critical to successful multigenerational living. These findings show that adaptable interventions such as reconfigured layouts, added partitions, and flexible-use spaces can improve functionality while supporting cultural practices and family dynamics.

Works Cited:

City of Windsor. (2024, September 16). Planning for Windsor’s housing growth: 13,000 new homes by 2031. https://www.citywindsor.ca/

City of Windsor. 2025, Housing Needs Assessment, Accessed 2025.

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Potholes are a major issue in Detroit, frequently causing severe damage to vehicle tires and alignments. Since manual road inspections are slow and inefficient, our project aims to automate pothole detection using a portable camera-based system. We trained lightweight YOLO-based object detection models on a GPU-equipped Windows PC using a combination of public pothole datasets. To identify a strong starting point for deployment, we compared multiple training configurations and model variants (e.g., different YOLO model sizes and architectures) using the same validation split. Based on these experiments, we selected the YOLO26n as our preferred pretrained model because it provided the best overall detection performance among the tested options.

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With the increasing use of marijuana, it is vital to understand the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on oral microbiota, especially the primary carious pathogen Streptococcus mutans.

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of THC against S mutans was determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Bacterial acid production was evaluated. The effect of THC on S mutans biofilm formation and preformed biofilms was determined by crystal violet assay. The metabolic activity and viability of the biofilm were assessed using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and live/dead assay, respectively. Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was examined by Cascade Blue Dextran staining. S mutans membrane potential was detected by the Baclight Bacterial Membrane Potential Kit.

The MIC of THC against S mutans was 2 µg/mL (P < .0001). A total of ≥2 µg/mL THC reduced bacterial acidogenicity and inhibited over 90% of biofilm formation (P < .0001). Additionally, ≥1 µg/mL THC reduced biofilm viability and EPS production (P < .0001), as assessed by fluorescence measurements and microscopy. While 1 to 64 µg/mL THC did not degrade preformed biofilm, metabolic activity was reduced by 16 to 64 µg/mL THC (P < .01), and 8 to 32 µg/mL THC reduced biofilm viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < .001). Moreover, 2 to 8 µg/mL THC promoted membrane hyperpolarization after a 5-minute treatment (P < .01).

THC inhibits S mutans growth and biofilm formation while also reducing bacterial viability, EPS production, and acid production. Although it does not degrade preformed biofilm biomass, THC diminishes its metabolic activity and viability. These effects may be linked to THC-induced membrane hyperpolarization. This in vitro study suggests that THC may reduce the cariogenic capacity of S mutans.

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This study presents a deep learning framework for Large-Scale Product Retrieval, critical for modern e-commerce. Identifying items from massive databases is challenging due to fine-grained differences and viewpoint variations. The methodology implements a high-performance pipeline tailored for the Stanford Online Products (SOP) dataset. In the first stage, Feature Extraction, a ResNet-50 model with 224x224 resolution generates robust visual descriptors. The second stage, Feature Aggregation, utilizes a learnable Generalized-Mean (GeM) pooling layer to capture discriminative details. The architecture further incorporates an end-to-end whitening layer and contrastive loss with dynamic hard-negative mining to improve representation learning. The resulting system takes a query image as input and retrieves visually similar products from the database.

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The “Step Up” program is a Community Engaged Learning partnership that involves peer mentoring, student retention, and college/career transition skills provided by Detroit Mercy’s Institute for Leadership and Service. With grant support from the Ford Motor Company Fund, the program is facilitated by students in the Emerging Leaders Program who “pay forward” their growing knowledge of leadership, assist K-12 students in developing their leadership capacity, and help enhance their access to higher education and career development.

Each semester, over 100 students from local schools participate in culturally and age appropriate six-week sessions on some of the following general topics:

• Development of Leadership Capacity
• College, Trade School, and Work Transition Skills
• The College Application Process
• Study Skills
• Stress Management
• Resiliency, Confidence, and Positivity Skills

Outcomes of this CEL project include enhanced leadership capacity of both the University and K-12 students.

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Urban relationships between stadiums and their environment are often neglected. On the urban grid, stadiums often disrupt their surrounding neighborhoods' movement and activity. For this reason, stadiums can serve as a catalyst for improving neighborhood connectivity, leveraging their ability to attract large crowds. The study of this thesis was to improve the stadium's connectivity to its host city, thus enhancing urban vibrancy. A strategic mobility network was created, composed of innovative street models by integrating pedestrians and vehicles. The investigation explores how sports teams can shape a city's culture, enriching the socio-cultural fabric. It questions what makes the journey to a destination truly holistic and how streets can be designed to harmonize diverse users within a mobility ecosystem. Conducting perceptual analysis on-site and utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping to overlay various data layers. The result of the research features a design proposal for a vibrant stadium district in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. The findings from this thesis investigation strengthen the neighborhood through the threads created, allowing people to enjoy the journey to the stadium. By celebrating connectivity, stadium districts can transform cities into vibrant centers of human activity.

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