Poster Session
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
3:00-5:00pm PISB Atrium
1. Upper bounds for positive semidefinite propagation time
Yaqi Zhang, Leslie Hogben, Mark Hunnell, Kevin Liu, Houston Schuerger, Ben Small
Department of Mathematics
Lead Author: Yaqi Zhang, PhD Student
Email: yz844@drexel.edu
Advisor: Hugo Woerdeman, Ph.D.
Abstract: The tight upper bound pt_+(G) =<ceiling((|V(G)|-Z_+(G))/2) is established for the positive semidefinite propagation time of a graph in terms of its positive semidefinite zero forcing number. To prove this bound, we use the method of transforming one positive semidefinite zero forcing set into another and present an algorithm implementing this method. Consequences of the bound, including a tight NordhausGaddum sum upper bound on positive semidefinite propagation time, are established.
2. Managing Wild Horses: Science Gender & Affect
Jen Britton, Abigail Del Grosso, Cassidy Ellis, & Christian Hunold
Department of Politics
Lead Author: Cassidy Ellis, Undergraduate Student
Email: cle54@drexel.edu
Advisor: Christian Hunold, Ph.D.
Abstract: The wild horse herds that inhabit the rangelands of the western U.S. are politically contested. Federal law bans killing wild horses but limits herd size on public lands. Land managers and wild horse advocates vehemently disagree about the legitimacy of roundups and removals as a population management tool. For rangeland managers, wild horses constitute unwanted resource competition for other wildlife and for livestock grazing on public lands. Wild horse advocates, however, value herds as a cultural rather than an ecological legacy. Drawing on feminist science studies and critical animal studies, we ask how science, gender, and affect intersect in the politics of roundups and removals. The political activism of citizens who care about nonhuman wellbeing as well as conservation envisions a future wherein wild horses continue to flourish on the range.
3. Poly(O-Aminophenol) Produced by Plasma Polymerization Has IR Spectrum Consistent with a Mixture of Quinoid & Keto Structures
Natalie M Stuart
Department of Chemistry
Lead Author: Natalie M Stuart, Ph.D. Student
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Email: nms347@drexel.edu
Advisor: Karl Sohlberg, Ph.D.
Abstract: Aminophenol is useful for polymerization because the molecule features both an amino and alcohol group and its polymerized form, poly(aminophenol), is commonly used in solar cell technologies and chemical sensor applications. In 2020, an experimental study showed that poly(o-aminophenol) could easily be synthesized via plasma treatment and that the polymerized chain featured a quinoid structure, which is one specific atomic arrangement. Plasma treatment, however, is a very high-energy process and thus it is likely for side reactions to occur, especially because of aminophenols’ two reactive (amino and alcohol) groups. First principles calculations were undertaken to simulate infrared (IR) vibrational spectra of multiple atomic structures of poly(o-aminophenol) with the hope of de-convoluting the experimental IR spectra of plasma-produced poly(o-aminophenol). Thus, it was shown that a mixture of two structures, keto and quinoid, gives rise to a simulated spectrum that replicates the experimental spectra better than either the quinoid or keto spectra alone. Despite this, there remained one unassigned peak in the experimental spectrum that did not correspond to either of the poly(o-aminophenol) structures. Additional calculations were undertaken to elucidate the identity of this unassigned peak. It is postulated that oaminophenol molecules are engaging in hydrogen bonding with the silica substrate used in the experimental plasma treatment process. Thus, the experimental spectra of plasmaproduced poly(o-aminophenol) has been deconvoluted. Based on theoretical predictions, the polymerization of o-aminophenol via plasma treatment yields two atomic arrangements, quinoid and keto poly(o-aminophenol) in an approximate ratio of 30:70, respectively.
4. Reproducing the sacrifice zone: Multigenerational industrial pollution in southeast Chicago
Kyle Mcdonald & Amanda McMillan Lequieu
Department of Sociology
Lead author: Kyle Mcdonald, Undergraduate student
Email: aml524@drexel.edu
Advisor: Amanda McMillan Lequieu, Ph.D
Abstract: In February 2020, more than a dozen people in southeast Chicago stopped eating. This hunger strike came after nearly a year of protests against the relocation of a metal recycling plant from a distant, white neighborhood in Chicago to this majority African American and Latino community. Protesters‚ a mix of non-profit workers, high school teachers, and neighbors‚ declared to eat only when the city of Chicago denied the operating permit for the new plant. By risking their bodies’ health voluntarily, these hunger strikers drew attention to the likely and involuntary impacts of air pollution and toxic fumes that accompany metals scrapyards. This hunger strike was not framed as merely resistance to one polluting industry, but a reaction to one century of environmental injustice. Since the 1880s, the southeast side of Chicago has been the site of dozens of polluting industries. After steel collapsed, the neighborhood became home to
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oil-refining byproduct storage sites, recycling plants, fertilizer factories, electricity generation stations, and dozens of other dirty industries. This reindustrialization was not inevitable; rather, this poster shows how this neighborhood has been disproportionately affected by pollutants certain due to geography and policies. Drawing on EPA data and documents from the city of Chicago, we argue that low population density and thousands of acres of industrial land combined with zoning and intentional tax incentives has lured industrial capital to this region. Accurately diagnosing the source of multiple generations of environmental injustice is key to proposing effective and equitable solutions.
5. Student Gender and the Use of Exam Preparation Resources
Breanna Nicholas
Department of Chemistry
Lead Author: Breanna Nicholas, Undergraduate student
Email: bgn27@drexel.edu
Advisor: Daniel King, Ph.D.
Abstract: In STEM education literature, it is generally recommended that instructors utilize videos that areshorter in length because video length may impact whether students decide to utilize these resources and/or affect their ability to recall information due to cognitive load. However, there is limited literature related specifically to the use of exam review session videos or how the length of these videos may contribute to student preparation decisions and performance. Further, current literature does not address whether decisions related to exam preparation differ for students of different genders. In two general chemistry courses, two-hour review sessions were held face-to-face before all four exams (three midterm and one final). These review sessions were recorded and screencasts were posted to the course website intwo formats: a two-hour full-length video and a set of 5-10 minute segmented videos. Each segmented video was cut from the fulllength video with each corresponding to one review session question. Through analysis of which formats students utilized and whether students changed what they did or didn’t do between exams, some observations can be made. Female students utilized exam preparation resources more often than male students. Also, female students made more usage changes than males between exams. Overall, usage changes (whether students changed what resource(s) they utilized for each exam) did not seem to be related to student gender; the same medium was most popular among both genders for most exams. Rather, the changes seemed to be exam-dependent, as the most popular medium varied between exams.
Clesson H.V. Higashi, Alberto Bressan, Kerry M. Oliver, & Jacob A. Russell
Department of Biology
Lead Author: Clesson H.V. Higashi, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: ch3389@drexel.edu
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6. Wolbachia protects banana aphids against fungal pathogens: A novel defensive phenotype for the Jack-of-all-trades symbiont
Abstract: Wolbachia is bacterial symbiont estimated to occur in >40% of terrestrial arthropod species, including many agricultural and medical pests and persists by providing protection against pathogens or provisioning nutrients lacking in restricted diets. Despite being the best-studied and most ubiquitous symbiont across arthropods, the biology of Wolbachia in aphids has received little study. Aphids are a diverse group of phloem-feeding insects that threaten many important commercial and ornamental plants. Their needle-like mouthparts effectively move pathogens among individual plants and hence aphids often attain ‘pest’ status when they vector key plant viruses. Here, we examined the biology of Wolbachia infecting the entirely asexual aphid species, Pentalonia nigronervosa, a global pest of banana (Musaceae). Using Illumina MiSeq 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing we found limited symbiont diversity, with Wolbachia (wPe) being the only HFS present in all Pentalonia populations examined. Through extensive sampling (>260 populations) across the Hawaii, Guam, India, Australia, and Florida, we found that wPe was maintained at high frequencies (>80%) but did not reach fixation in any population. Strain typing revealed limited strain diversity with no associations with food plants. The high infection frequencies of wPe in asexual aphid species strongly suggests this symbiont provides beneficial services to Pentalonia. Since other aphid symbionts are associated with roles in host defense, we evaluated whether wPe provides protection against two common aphid natural enemies. We found that wPe provides protection against the aphid specific fungal pathogen, Pandora neoaphidis, improving aphid survival and reducing fungal sporulation. In contrast, wPe did not protect aphids against the parasitic wasp Aphidius colemani (Braconidae). In the absence of enemy challenge, we also found that wPe improved aphid fecundity, development time and longevity. These findings support a new protective function for the multifaceted Wolbachia, and this knowledge may be important to sustainable food production, including banana.
7. External Sensory Systems of Centris Pallida Bees
Rachel Miller
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Rachel Miller, Undergraduate Student
Email: rdm89@drexel.edu
Advisor: Sean O'Donnell, Ph.D.
Abstract: Centris pallida is a common species of solitary bee that lives in the Sonoran Desert. Mature female C. pallida burrow underground to create brood cells in which they house their young overwinter; the adult bees then dig themselves up to the surface in the spring to mate. When mating season begins, morphologically distinct large and small C. pallida males employ two unique mating behaviors: patrolling and hovering. Large males patrol the desert ground, using their sense of smell to locate females underground. Small males hover above the mating arena and rely on their sharp vision to locate a fleeing female before their competitors. Previous research has shown that the brains of large and small males are different: large males have relatively larger antennal lobes and small males have relatively larger optic lobes, supporting their divergent behaviors. The main objective of this research project was to examine and quantify the external sensory
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systems of C. pallida bees to determine if the external sensory systems were similarly distinct between the large and small males. Replica eye casts of C. pallida females, large males, and small males were photographed under a camera microscope and the number, size, and distribution of ommatidia (the sensory units of the eyes) were analyzed using various imaging software. In addition, the sensilla (sensory units of the antennae) were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. This research is part of a larger project to understand how critical sensory resources are allocated as insects evolve.
8. Using Item Analysis to investigate non-chemistry majors’ difficulties with isomerism
Adrienne M. Pesce & Daniel B. King Department of Chemistry
Lead Author: Adrienne M. Pesce, PhD Student
Email: amp568@drexel.edu
Advisor: Daniel B. King, Ph.D.
Abstract: Historically, isomerism-based chemistry topics have been observed to be difficult for students. Despite this anecdotal history, there is little quantitative evidence to support this claim; however, there have been studies that indicate that visual-spatial skills can be important for identification of spatial relationships required for isomerism topics. Using an Item Analysis procedure, we have compiled quantitative evidence that indicates that isomerism-based questions qualified as moderately difficult based on the difficulty score for undergraduate chemistry students on multiple-choice exams. Difficulty scores between 0.3 and 0.8 are categorized as moderately difficult; this measure is independent of the overall exam difficulty. Difficulty scores were calculated for an Introductory Organic Chemistry course that taught a varied population of students, including first year and upper-level students from a range of STEM and nursing majors and with different prerequisite course experience. 27 isomerism questions from 8 exams over 4 academic quarters were identified with 52% having moderate difficulty. Questions requiring the identification of structural isomers, 5 in total, were among the lowest difficulty scores on the exams when compared to the difficulty scores of all questions on the exam. Further analysis indicated that previous coursework had an influence on student performance. Once the population was subdivided based on prerequisite coursework, difficulty scores were recalculated for each question for each population. The scores for the isomerism questions for the population of students who had bypassed the General Chemistry sequence via AP test scores were consistently the highest. Additional analysis indicated that there was no difference in student performance on isomerism questions as a function of gender.
9. A tale of two functions: Epigenetic programming and RNA splicing by Tip60 histone acetyltransferase
Akanksha Bhatnagar, Bhanu C. Karisetty, Keegan S. Krick, Elizabeth A. Heller & Felice Elefant
Department of Biology
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Lead
Author: Akanksha Bhatnagar, PhD Student
Email: ab4267@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Felice Elefant, Ph.D.
Abstract: Reduced histone acetylation causes chromatin packaging alterations in neurons with concomitant transcriptional dysregulation that is a key initial step in Alzheimer’ s disease (AD) etiology. In this regard, we have previously established a central role for Tip60 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) mediated chromatin dynamics in neuronal function, cognition, and AD. However, it remains to be elucidated if Tip60 has alternative cellular functions other than histone acetylation that could contribute towards AD pathogenesis. Altered RNA splicing has recently been highlighted as a widespread hallmark in AD transcriptome that is implicated in the disease. Strikingly, we discovered a novel RNA binding function for Tip60 in the Drosophila brain that is conserved in the human hippocampus and impaired in brains from both, AD fly models and AD patients. Our transcriptomic analysis of the RNA molecules specifically bound to Tip60 by Tip60RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) revealed an RNA binding function for Tip60 that was highly specific, selective, and reproducible, with Tip60 RNA targets enriched for critical neuronal processes that are implicated in AD. Remarkably, 79% of Tip60‚Äôs RNA targets overlap with its chromatin gene targets, supporting a model by which Tip60 orchestrates bi-level transcriptional regulation at both the chromatin and RNA level, a function unprecedented for any HAT to date. Transcriptome analysis from Drosophila brains that model AD showed reduced Tip60 levels and intriguingly, revealed that the residual Tip60 targets a different set of RNA when compared to wild-type flies. Additionally, we observed significant Tip60-associated RNA splicing defects in the Drosophila AD brain, some of which were prevented by increasing Tip60 levels in the brain. Thus, we are the first to uncover distinct histone and RNA binding capabilities for Tip60 that mediate its function in neural gene control and RNA splicing, respectively, and may underly the chromatin packaging and splicing defects that are now characterized as hallmarks of AD.
10. A New Dwarf Onychodontid Fish from the Canadian Arctic Owen Goodchild & Edward B. Daeschler
Department of Biodiversity Earth and Environmental Sciences
Lead Author: Owen Goodchild, Undergraduate Student
Email: omg28@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Edward B. Daeschler, Ph.D.
Abstract: Here we describe a new species of Onychodontiform fishes in the genus Onychodus from the Late Devonian of the Grinnell Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada. Onychodontiforms are a grade of stem-actinistian sarcopterygian fishes. This new form is represented by tooth whorls, partial lower jaws, and a potential premaxilla. The NUFV Onychodontid is distinguished form other members of the group by raised longitudinal enamel ridges along the parasymphysial tusks, uniform length teeth across the dentary, a weakly expanded dentary flange on the lingual surface, and diminutive size. The combination of microstructural ribs in the parasymphysial tusks and the dentary flange
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on the lingual side of the dentary support the referral of this new species to the genus Onychodus. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the new taxon also supports the referral of this form to Onychodus, but the incomplete nature of most taxa in this group renders any conclusions derived from herein tenuous at best. Scanning Electron Microscopy conducted by prior work assessed the maturational status of these fish. The herringbone pattern of the microstructural ribs meet along the central line of the parasymphsial tusks, suggesting these 12 cm long fishes were adults at time of death rather than juveniles. This new form expands our understanding of the Late Devonian community of the Canadian arctic, representing the first record of an Onychodontid in the assemblage and one of the latest occurrences of the clade in time. This new taxon is interpreted as a small-bodied predator and a prey item for larger fishes as evidenced by the presence of its teeth in coprolites of larger fishes.
11. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Global Workforce
Jaycil Laryea
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
Lead Author: Undergraduate Student
Email: jel342@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Danette Morrison, Ph.D.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed members of the global community to major psychological, economic, and psychosocial issues. Among these include mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, high levels of stress, insomnia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Many countries declared states of emergency and went into lockdowns.. Due to the lockdown, most business were forced to close their doors, and depending on the type of employment, workers transitioned to teleworking or working from home. In addition, mandates and guidelines by the CDC were offered to help slow the spread of the virus, especially toward the end of 2020 as some businesses attempted to return to in-person work. This literature review explored the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors on the global workforce. In addition, intervention methods were reviewed to examine next steps for businesses to implement to reduce the impact once workplaces return to previous work structure. Most of the studies reviewed reported the prevalence of negative mental health effects of the pandemic as well as the associated changes related to government lockdowns and quarantine on workers across various fields. Various methods of intervention were found to alleviate the effects of the pandemic as well as rethinking the workplace dynamics to ensuring the availability of a social support system. Future research on the effects of the COVID-19 virus on the workplace as the global status switches from a pandemic to endemic is vital as we learn to adjust to the existence of this virus and diminish the mental and economic effects on the global community.
12. Extracellular stimulation triggers Tip60 HAT nucleocytoplasmic transport in the Drosophila brain
Ellen Armour, Gabrielle Greco, & Felice Elefant Department of Biology
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Lead Author: Ellen Armour, PhD Student
Email: ea554@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Felice Elefant, Ph.D.
Abstract: Experience-dependent (ED) plasticity is central for establishing memories and is driven by epigenetic mechanisms that regulate dynamic gene transcription in response to neuronal stimulation. Our lab has previously shown the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) Tip60 shuttles into the nucleus in vitro to regulate activity dependent gene control of synaptic plasticity genes. Furthermore, we also found that Tip60 is largely excluded from the nucleus in hippocampal neurons from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. However, if and how Tip60 shuttles in the in vivo brain to regulate the expression of activity dependent synaptic genes is yet to be elucidated. Here, we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to compare the subcellular localization of Tip60 HAT in the Drosophila brain under normal conditions and in response to stimulation of fly brain neurons in vivo either by inducibly activating potassium channels using genetic manipulation or by exposure to natural ED living conditions. Strikingly, we found that both inducible and ED living condition mediated neural induction triggered changes in Tip60 subcellular localization evidenced by a significant increase of Tip60 in the nucleus with concomitant induction of previously identified Tip60 target genes. Our results support a model by which neuronal stimulation promotes nuclear import of Tip60 to promote induction of activity-dependent neuroplasticity gene transcription. Future work will focus on labeling Tip60 with a GFP tag to track its in vivo nucleocytoplasmic transport in real-time and determine whether this processes is disrupted in brains from Drosophila that model AD. We will also mutate the nuclear localization sequences and nuclear export sequences to determine the functional impact of disrupting Tip60 nucleocytoplasmic transport on cognition and use chromatin assays to explore underlying mechanisms.
13. Extracellular neuronal stimulation promotes Tip60 histone acetyltransferase mediated epigenetic neuroplasticity gene control in the Drosophila brain.
Christina Thomas
Department of Biology
Lead Author: Christina Thomas, PhD Student
Email: cmt397@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Felice Elefant, Ph.D.
Abstract: Experience-dependent (ED) plasticity is central for establishing memories and can influence the severity of AD progression. In this regard, we demonstrated that extracellular stimulation of rat hippocampal neurons in vitro triggers epigenetic gene regulator Tip60 nuclear import with concomitant genomic reorganization and synaptic gene induction. We further show that Tip60 nuclear import is recapitulated in the fly brain in vivo in response to stimulating neurons inducibly or by exposure to ED living conditions. Strikingly, Tip60 is found excluded from hippocampal nuclei in AD patients. Here we test the hypothesis that Tip60 extracellular mediated subcellular dynamics functionally impact synaptic gene control and cognition in vivo and that this process goes
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awry during early stages of AD. Using genetically modified Drosophila to inhibit the Shaker potassium pump within the neuronal membrane, we induced neuronal stimulation in the fly brain. We then used qPCR on RNA isolated from dissected brains in induced versus non-induced flies to assess expression levels of activity dependent plasticity genes we previously demonstrated to be bona-fide Tip60 targets. Strikingly, we found that as Tip60 increased within the nucleus, expression of specific Tip60 target neuroplasticity genes including dlg, dsh, and futsch were induced. These results suggest that Tip60 shuttles into the nucleus in vivo to activate gene expression of synaptic plasticity genes. Future directions will focus on exploring the colocalization of Tip60 with transcription factors (TFs) to further elucidate the mechanism underlying Tip60’s role in activity dependent gene control and ED plasticity.
14. Genomic vulnerability of chimpanzees under climate change
Katy Gonder, Dana Venditti, Paul Sesink Clee, Janina Dordel & Matthew Mitchell Professor
Department of Biology
Lead Author: Katy Gonder, Ph.D., Professor
Email: mkg62@drexel.edu
Abstract: Cameroon is home to two chimpanzee subspecies - Nigeria-Cameroon (Pan troglodytes ellioti) and central chimpanzees (P. t. troglodytes). Previously, we showed that the population genetic structure of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees is influenced by environmental variation, and that population declines due to climate change are likely. Here, we present a genome-wide analysis of SNPs from wild chimpanzees combined with environmental data to examine how these chimpanzees are likely to be influenced by climate change. The genetic data consist of a 10,000 SNP genotype panel from ~100 samples of chimpanzees from Cameroon. Eight to ten percent of these SNPs are subject to natural selection associated with environmental variation across the region. We used a predictive modeling approach that describes habitats across the region to examine how climate change may affect the environmentally-driven genetic variation under three different climate change scenarios. Suitable habitat of P. t. ellioti in northwest Cameroon / eastern Nigeria is expected to remain largely unchanged through 2080 in all considered scenarios. In contrast, P. t. ellioti in central Cameroon, which represents half of the population of this subspecies, is expected to experience drastic reductions in its ecotone habitat over the coming century. When combined with the SNP data, the predictive models suggest that the standing adaptive genetic diversity of chimpanzees across the study area will likely be lost under climate change. Active forest management occurs in the zone most likely to experience extreme climate shifts, suggesting mitigating the impact of climate change on local chimpanzee populations is possible.
15. Varying when Content is Introduced to Optimize Student Exam and InClass Performance in General Chemistry
Anthony Howcroft & Daniel King Department of Chemistry
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Lead Author: Anthony Howcroft, PhD Student
Email: awh49@drexel.edu
Faculty Mentor: Daniel King, Ph.D.
Abstract: This research investigates the role of recitation timing on student performance using both formative and summative assessments in an undergraduate general chemistry course. In chemistry courses at large institutions, it is common for students to have recitation sections where students work through problems related to the content that is covered in lecture or will be covered in lecture soon. For this study students were broken down into two groups: those who attended recitation before lecture (RBL) and those who attended recitation after lecture (RAL). We investigated if there was a difference in either in-class clicker performance or exam performance based upon when students were first introduced to the content: recitation or lecture. We observed that students who attended RBL had a significantly higher overall clicker question and exam performance, at the 90% confidence level. Students were also broken down into two groups (upper and lower tiers) based on their placement exam scores, for this analysis. Students with placement exam scores greater than 73% were put into the upper tier while those who scored lower than 73% were placed in the ‚’lower’ tier. We found that students in the lower tier who were in the RBL group performed statistically better than their counterparts in the RAL group on in-class clicker questions. We believe this difference in student performance may be due to the fact that students who attend recitation before lecture have a chance to develop a foundational understanding of the content prior to attending lecture. By allowing students to explore content before lecture it appears that some students may get more out of lecture, leading to higher summative and formative assessment scores.
16. The search for flagship diatoms
Naomi Friedman, Caroline Gallen & Marina Potapova
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Naomi Friedman, Undergraduate Student
Email: njf57@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Marina Potapova, Ph.D.
Abstract: Studies of diatom biogeography and ecology are hindered by the lack of clarity on species concepts and boundaries. The so-called flagship species, that are easy to detect, may provide unique opportunities for investigating patterns of diatom distribution and serve as efficient environmental indicators. Thegoal of our study was to evaluate different techniques for the ease and efficiency of diatom detection and investigate indicative properties of 15 diatom taxa selected as potential ‚’flagships’ for their relatively large sizes and distinct morphology. We re-assessed their occurrence and abundance in 169 samples from lakes of Eastern North America using traditional microscopy, whole-slide scanning approach and a semi-automatic recognition technique. The newly generated occurrence data were used in ecological niche modeling that allowed us to identify potential indicators of lake eutrophication among studied species.
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17. Comparison of EEG Signal Quality between Gelled Ag/AgCl Electrodes and Novel Dry MXene-Based ’MXtrodes’
Ryan Rich
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Applied Cognitive & Brain Sciences
Lead Author: Ryan Rich, Research Associate
Email: rrr87@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: John Medaglia, Ph.D.
Abstract: Electroencephalography (EEG)’s reliance on a gel interface between the electrode and scalp poses significant limitations. Gelled EEG preparation is lengthy and requires skilled application. Gelled electrodes are also large and prone to bridging, which limits their density. Additionally, as the gel dries, the EEG signal quality degrades. Partially driven by advances in neurofeedback, consumer devices, and brain-computer interface (BCI) research, the benefits of dry EEG electrodes have become clear, and demand is at an all-time high. However, there are only a handful of dry EEG electrodes on the market, and most existing dry electrodes require uncomfortably high scalp pressure to reduce impedance, use large electrode sizes, and are more susceptible to artifacts than gelled electrodes. Effective gel-free ‚’dry’ EEG electrodes would not suffer from these limitations and could facilitate new domains of basic and clinical EEG research and application. This project evaluates recently developed gel-free electrodes based on MXenes (a.k.a. ‘MXtrodes’) that are small, flexible, and do not require mechanical pressure to contact the scalp. We simultaneously recorded EEG from two 16-channel MXtrode arrays and two to four gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes (the ‚’gold-standard’) while human participants performed a 1-hour battery of cognitive tasks and resting-state blocks. MXtrodes are quicker to set up, easier to use, and more comfortable for the participants than gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes. Even more, the recorded MXtrode and Ag/AgCl signals are highly qualitatively and quantitatively similar across a variety of signal quality metrics indicating that MXtrodes may represent a significant improvement in dry EEG electrode technology.
18. Elucidating the interaction between the chromatin reader Kismet and histone deacetylases
Emily J. Sterner Department of Biology
Lead Author: Emily J. Sterner, PhD Student
Email: emilyjane1832@gmail.com
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Stanford, Ph.D.
Abstract: The neurodevelopmental disorder CHARGE syndrome causes intellectual disability and defects in facial structure and sensory organs. Haploinsufficiency of the transcription factor and chromatin reader CHD7 accounts for two thirds of CHARGE cases. In Drosophila, the chromatin reader Kismet, the ortholog of CHD7, is required for proper axon pruning in the developing mushroom body during pupation. The axon pruning defect caused by loss of Kis can be rescued by pharmacological HDAC inhibition.
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Previously, our lab has shown the general HDAC inhibitor SAHA is able to rescue axon pruning defects; however, SAHA is not viable as a potential treatment for CHARGE due to its many side effects. Beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BOHB) and sodium butyrate (SB) are class I HDAC inhibitors both commonly found in the human body; BOHB is synthesized in the liver, while SB originates from the diet. We show that these two inhibitors are able to rescue defects caused by loss of Kis in a Drosophila model for CHARGE syndrome. Additionally, the specificity of these drugs has helped us to narrow down which HDAC(s) are relevant to the axon pruning process; to follow up with this work, we used RNAi to knock down HDAC1 and HDAC3 in the brain. We found that knockdown of each HDAC alone in all mature neurons is sufficient to cause an axon pruning defect.
19. A Discussion on the Effectiveness of Dance and Movement
Brianna DiRienzo
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Lead Author: Brianna DiRienzo, Undergraduate Student
Email: bmd98@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Julia Sluzenski, Ph.D.
Abstract: Investigating whether Dance and Movement Therapy, or DMT is equally or more effective than traditional therapeutic methods is something of increasing interest to many researchers. Throughout this review, multiple research articles and studies were read and investigated to create an overall understanding of the effectiveness of DMT. Ultimately, it has been found that DMT is an effective therapeutic approach, despite it being new and not fully developed or understood, it has been found to be effective in multiple situations. Some of the components of DMT and areas of research to be discussed include historical impacts, empathy and sympathy, mirror neurons, expressiveness used throughout the practice, and effectiveness among different populations.
20. Coherent Acoustic Phonons in NbSe2 Studied using Ultrafast Electron Diffraction
Colleen Lindenau
Department of Physics
Lead Author: Colleen Lindenau, PhD Student
Email: cl3466@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Goran Karapetrov, Ph.D.
Abstract: NbSe2 is a layered quasi-2D van der Waals material that harbors electronic correlations at low temperatures. Metallic in nature near room temperature, it enters the charge density state below 33 K and turns into a superconductor below 7.2 K. Both charge density wave and superconducting correlated electronic states coexist below 7.2 K, which makes this material ideal for fundamental studies of coexistence of superconductivity and charge density waves. Phonons (lattice vibrations) play an important (in many cases decisive) role in establishing the electronic correlations in quasi-2D materials. By
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studying the behavior of the phonons at low temperatures one could trace the strength of the electron-phonon coupling and infer the importance of particular phonons in establishing the superconducting and charge density wave correlations. In this work we use ultrafast electron diffraction to excite lattice vibrations (phonons) in the sample and probe their dynamics. Single crystals of NbSe2 were grown in our group and thin membranes (~50 nm) were exfoliated, so that electrons could be transmitted through the crystalline membranes and form a diffraction pattern. Observation of the sample’ s response to the instant perturbations by the pump laser pulse helps us learn about the electron-phonon coupling responsible for the peculiar charge density wave and superconducting states in NbSe2. In this presentation I will show our latest experimental results on ultrafast electron diffraction and our current understanding of the mechanism of charge density wave in this system.
21. Exploring the Use of micro-CT Analysis to Determine the Presence of Worker Subcaste Differentiation in a Neotropical Wasp
Caroline Gallen
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Caroline Gallen, Undergraduate Student
Email: cmg435@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Sean O'Donnell, Ph.D.
Abstract: The aim of this project is to explore the use of micro-CT scanning technology to analyze the morphology of workers of the tropical wasp species Synoeca septentrionalis. Pilot observations suggested the possibility of significant variation in head shape among S. septentrionalis workers. These observations could reveal significant details about the species’ social structure, since morphology is often associated with distinct behavioral roles in social insect colonies (Anderson & McShea, 2001). If supported by quantitative data, this finding of differently shaped worker head capsules could represent the first known example of worker subcastes in a social wasp species. Insufficient confidence in the data initially produced by measuring distances between morphological landmarks on a flat, 2D image encouraged an investigation into 3D, nonlinear measurement methods, such as micro-CT analysis. Six S. septentrionalis specimens were scanned by micro-CT imaging researchers at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Using the image analysis and morphometrics software 3D Slicer to define and measure areas of interest, these six scans have so far shown to be useful in gathering rough approximations of the volume and surface area of the head capsules. The future direction of this project will be to construct more accurate 3D models and perform shape analyses using a set of morphological landmarks, which will facilitate the measurement and comparison of head capsule shapes.
22. Introducing Drexel University’s NPASS: The First Psychology StudentLed Chapter of the National Perinatal Association Student Society
Katelyn Phan, Alison R. Hartman, Ariana Albanese, Leah B. Sodowick, Denise Marion
Paed, Chavis Patterson, & Pamela A. Geller
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
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Lead Author: Alison R. Hartman, PhD Student
Email: arh347@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Pamela Geller, Ph.D.
Abstract: The National Perinatal Association Student Society (NPASS) is the student arm of NPA that seeks to advance NPASS’ mission of improving perinatal care in the United States through student education, advocacy, and collaborative integration across healthcare disciplines. The newly-formed Drexel NPASS is the first and only chapter of this national society that is based in a psychology department rather than a medical school. Led by psychology graduate students and faculty advisors, this new chapter shares leadership with and aims to be the student voice of the National Network of NICU Psychologists (NNNP), whose mission is improving psychosocial outcomes across neonatal settings. The Drexel NPASS chapter will function as part of the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health, further extending opportunities for interdisciplinary student collaboration and exchange of ideas. Content: The Drexel NPASS seeks to further the goals and mission of NPA by bringing together an interdisciplinary group of students interested in perinatal and neonatal care and research to learn from and collaborate with one another, creating mentorship and networking opportunities for these students with established professionals, promoting the best evidence-based practices through research, education, and outreach, and supporting and advocating for perinatal individuals, infants, their families, and their healthcare providers across the country. This poster will present programming and other initiatives of the Drexel NPASS based ON NPASS’ three pillars: education, advocacy, and integration. We plan to conduct quarterly journal clubs (presenting and discussing recent relevant literature as a group), prepare conference submissions, webinars, position statements, guidelines, and publications, and presentation of community talks through our connections with local experts, including members of the NNNP. The Drexel NPASS will work collaboratively with NNNP to promote awareness and evidence-based policy recommendations in our home city of Philadelphia, our home state of Pennsylvania, and beyond. Though our collaborations with students in the Drexel Maternal and Child Health Student Organization and NICU psychologists in NNNP, we will integrate interdisciplinary perspectives through research projects, social events, networking and mentorship opportunities, and practice application. As one of the first chapters of its kind, Drexel NPASS hopes to give student voice to efforts that will pave the way for improving perinatal mental health and wellbeing. By harnessing the power of multiple disciplines and perspectives, we will empower students to pursue careers dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of perinatal individuals and their families.
23. Interoceptive Attention and Processing of Emotion Concepts
Alexandra E. Kelly
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Applied Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Lead
Author: Alexandra E. Kelly, Ph.D. Student
Email: ak3859@drexel.edu
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Faculty Advisor: Evangelia G. Chrysikou, Ph.D.
Abstract: Emotions are associated with particular bodily states that potentially necessitate context-specific embodied simulations for concept comprehension. Here, we manipulated attention to respiratory rate and used a property verification task to assess conceptual processing speed for emotion, concrete, and abstract (but non-emotionrelated) concept-feature pairs. Half of the participants were guided through a mindful breathing exercise and instructed to practice mindful breathing for the duration of the experiment; at five intervals throughout the task they reported an estimate of their respiration rate during the preceding minute, effectively increasing attention to physiological state throughout the task. The remaining participants tracked the appearance of a visual distractor at random points during stimulus presentation. Both groups of participants rated their confidence in these counts (number of breaths and number of visual distractors, respectively) each time they were prompted to enter a number. Reaction time to verify features will be contrasted among participants who tracked and reported respiration rate and those who did not, as well as among the conceptual conditions within these two groups. These results will provide evidence regarding whether resources dedicated to the monitoring of physiological state may be recruited for the processing of emotion concepts. Results will also be discussed in terms of the multi-dimensional framework dissociating interoceptive accuracy, here the correspondence between the estimated and true respiration rate, from interoceptive awareness, the confidence in respiration rate estimates as related to accuracy (Garfinkel et al, 2015).
24. Investigating How Spinal Cord Injury Increases Predisposition to Cardiovascular Disease
Rufranshell
Reyes
Department of Biology
Lead Author: Rufranshell Reyes, Undergraduate Student
Email: rmr343@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Valerie Bracchi-Ricard, Dr. Swathi Swaminathan
Abstract: Studies have suggested that patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) have cardiovascular disease (CVD) as their leading cause of death1,2. Furthermore, SCI patients are more likely to develop coronary artery disease earlier on compared to the walking population1. There seems to be a clear correlation between CVD and SCI, where the predisposition to CVD is associated with the level and extent of SCI1. Even though this correlation is present, the exact mechanism or understanding of this association is not fully understood. We hypothesize that either chronic inflammation and/or deregulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) may play a role in changes of perivascular adipose tissue which can directly affect aortic stiffening and predisposition to CVD. To investigate this hypothesis, we collected aortas from female and male control mice and mice with SCI. Via immunohistochemistry we stained these aortas with CD68 and Tyrosine hydroxylase primary antibodies as markers for inflammation and the SNS respectively. With confocal microscopy, fluorescent images were taken, and with ImageJ software plot intensity profiles were used to measure fluorescent intensity levels that
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correlates with the presence of macrophages and norepinephrine. Collected data will possibly provide insight into the mechanism of inflammation driven arterial stiffening following SCI. References 1Myers, J., Lee, M., & Kiratli, J. (2007). Cardiovascular Disease in Spinal Cord Injury: An Overview of Prevalence, Risk, Evaluation, and Management. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 86(2), 142–152.
https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0b013e31802f0247 2Wahl, U., & Hirsch, T. (2022). A systematic review of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. Vasa, 51(1), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526/a000981
25. Quantifying Biodiversity of Urban Cemeteries in Philadelphia, PA, USA
Heather L. Kostick & Dane C. Ward
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Heather Kostick, PhD Student
Email: hlk35@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dane C. Ward, Ph.D.
Abstract: Green spaces within urbanized landscapes serve as habitat for wildlife and provide numerous human health benefits to urban communities. Green space in many cities is a limiting resource, and cemeteries and burial grounds are often-overlooked as green space. Recent studies in Europe have demonstrated that cemeteries can be local hotspots of biodiversity, supporting hundreds of species including rare species. Furthermore, species richness and composition varies across urban cemeteries depending upon management intensity and available vegetation structures. This study aims to quantify biodiversity of three urban cemeteries (Mount Moriah, Laurel Hill, and The Woodlands) in Philadelphia, PA. Taxonomic data for birds, plants, arthropods, and terrestrial mollusks were collected using methods appropriate for each taxon. Surveys were conducted in September and October 2021. Results indicate that there is variation in quantity of taxa across all field sites. We documented 111 plant species, 41 bird species, and 3 terrestrial mollusk species across all sites. Mount Moriah had the highest number of bird species (27) compared to Laurel Hill and The Woodlands (10 and 11 respectively). The Woodlands and Mount Moriah had higher numbers of species of non-tree vegetation (68 and 58 species respectively) compared to Laurel Hill (34 species). Although two sites had higher counts of plant species, all three cemetery sites had similar proportion of native to non-native plants, with the majority of non-tree vegetation being non-native herbaceous plants and grasses. Preliminary analysis suggests there are differences in biodiversity between cemetery sites depending on the taxa which may be due to the differences in land management styles and site history; and that highest biodiversity can be found at Mount Moriah and The Woodlands when comparing all three sites. The higher numbers of non-native plant species are indicative of urban environments which are subject to biotic homogenization and invasive species.
26. Insect Diversity of Rural-Style Cemeteries in Philadelphia, PA
Zara Castillo & Heather Kostick
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Zara Castillo, Undergraduate Student
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Email: zic23@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dane C. Ward, Ph.D.
Abstract: Having a healthy, biodiverse ecosystemin urban areas results in a person having a 78% positive increase in environmentally related health factors (mental health, air quality, etc.). Insects have been highly documented to be indicators for healthy and biodiverse spaces. Parks and nature preserves are often first in mind for urban green space, areas including backyards, community gardens, and cemeteries are also urban green spaces (UGS). This study aims to evaluate biodiversity to highlight implications for environmental health in overlooked urban greenspaces in Philadelphia. Malaise traps were used to measure insect diversity at Laurel Hill cemetery (LH), The Woodlands Cemetery (TW), and Mount Moriah Arboretum and Cemetery (MM). Malaise traps intercept flying insects and collect them into a jar of 70% Ethanol. Malaise traps were used in two types of surveys: a monthly insect survey where traps were deployed for a 72hour period, and a seasonal biodiversity survey where malaise traps were deployed for 2hour intervals as part of an overall biodiversity survey that included vegetation and bird surveys. Samples were collected between June-September 2021, stored in 95% ethanol, and sorted and identified to Order. Jaccard’s Similarity Index (JSI), Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (SDI), and Evenness were calculated to evaluate insect and site diversity uniqueness. Results indicate that insect diversity at the cemeteries have seasonal and site differences. SDI and evenness indicate low overall insect diversity at sites, but JSI indicates that sites are unique when compared to each other. Additional insect samples are currently being sorted and examined, these results are expected to change with more data. Documenting and analyzing insect diversity at urban rural cemeteries in Philadelphia can be used to describe the city‚Äôs environmental health and provide recommendations to stakeholders on improving the quality of urban green spaces.
27. Developing a Standardized Test for Creativity Based on the Alternative Uses Task
Katelynn Rudolph & Aaron Bernard
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Lead Authors: Katelynn Rudolph & Aaron Bernard, Undergraduate Students
Emails: kbr39@drexel.edu, Ahb97@drexel
Faculty Advisor: Evangelia G. Chrysikou, Ph.D.
Abstract: One of the most common assessments of creativity entails the generation of alternative uses for everyday objects. However, there has yet to be a multi-form standardized version of the Alternative Uses Task that can be used in different experimental contexts. Here, we created such a test by selecting 240 high-resolution images of everyday objects from the Bank of Standardized Stimuli (BOSS; Brodeur et al., 2014). In the first phase of the task’s development, we presented these stimuli to 500 participants on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and asked them to generate an alternative use for each object. We then classified the responses based on the function indicated in each response. In the second phase of the task’s development, we divided the test in 4 versions, each including 60 objects and verified the reliability and statistical equivalence across the forms using response onset times and response omissions. We
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used MTurk to collect novelty and appropriateness ratings for each type of response generated for each of the 240 items included in the 4 forms of the task. To assess validity, three of the four versions of the stAUT (randomized) were administered in conjunction with standardized neuropsychological measures examining cognitive skills relevant to creativity (fluid intelligence, verbal and figural fluency, and mental flexibility) as well as tests of working memory, as part of a behavioral experiment. We report satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity of the stAUT and highlight opportunities for using this valid and reliable test of creative thinking in neurocognitive studies of creativity.
28. Creating a Database, APIs, and UI for Benzene Monitoring Data
Hiep Nguyen & Gwen Ottinger
Department of Mathematics
Lead Author: Hiep Nguyen, Undergraduate Student
Email: hcn35@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Gwen Ottinger, Ph.D.
Abstract: The EPA has required refineries to monitor benzene emissions around their facility fencelines since 2015. Since May 2019, refineries have been reporting two-week benzene concentration data, which is publicly available on WebFIRE, an EPA online database. However, professional researchers and environmental justice (EJ) activists encounter numerous obstacles when gathering the data for their analyses. My project aimed to make the data more accessible by consolidating data into a relational database and creating public access to the data via an API and webpage. I extracted the data from over 1100 Excel files. I removed inconsistencies, such as measurements below detectable levels that were reported differently by different refineries. I then pushed the cleaned data to the database. Furthermore, I built an Application Programming Interface (API) so that users can access the data from my database. An API is a piece of software that allows machines to communicate with each other; in this case, users’ machines request datafrom my database via the API. Currently, I provide refineries’ names and information, sensors’ locations, and benzene concentration measurements by a given refinery. Since using an API requires users to have some knowledge of programming, I built a webpage that allows them to access the data. On the webpage, after selecting the type of data by filling out a form, you will get a .csv file containing your desired data. Gathering the benzene monitoring data from publicly available files into a database reveals issues that the EPA needs to address in making data available to communities and the public, such as making refinery reporting practices more consistent. Insights from my project have been incorporated into policy recommendations from the Fair Tech Collective to the EPA’ s Office of Inspector General and shared with environmental justice groups advocating for fenceline monitoring.
29. Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities Affecting the Early Detection of Autism in Children
Ayesha Siddiqui & Andrea Wieckowski
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Lead Author: Ayesha Siddiqui, Undergraduate Student
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Email: as4925@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Andrea Wieckowski, Ph.D.
Abstract: This study investigated whether maternal education and race sociodemographic factors sociodemographic factors of maternal education and race influenced the age of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and evaluation attendance. The screening outcome showed a statistical significance between maternal education and race with screening outcome (toddlers screening for at-risk). Toddler participants (N = 5,781), age X to X months, were initially screened for ASD during 12-, 15-, or 18-month well-child visits, and children who showed a risk for ASD on the screener, or their provider had a concern, were invited for a no-cost diagnostic evaluation. Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT-R/F) was used at the 15- and 18-month visits, First Year InventoryLite (FYI-L) was used at the 12- and 15-month visits, and Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC) was used at the 12-month visit to screen for ASD. Out of the 996 children who were invited, 328 toddlers completed the evaluation. Children of families of lower maternal education and racial minorities were more likely to screen at risk for autism on all screeners. However, maternal education and race did not influence evaluation attendance or age of ASD diagnosis. Results suggest that overall, there is a difference in screening outcome with regards to race and maternal education but not in evaluation attendance or age of diagnosis, which can influence new research on which factors impact those with lower maternal education and minorities and why they are more likely to screen positive for autism.
30. Evaluating green space availability proximal to Philadelphia K-12 schools.
Aaron Jeong
Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Lead Author: Aaron Jeong, Undergraduate Student
Email: ajj57@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dane C. Ward, Ph.D.
Abstract: Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States and was designed with a deliberate focus on green space availability with the original city plan including five public squares. The benefits of urban green space have long been related to physical health, mental health, and ecological services (WHO 2016). There is growing evidence to support green space and exposure to nature as promoters for learning that increase student engagement and emotional connection to the material (Kuo et al. 2019). This study investigated the distribution and availability of urban green space proximal to K-12 schools within Philadelphia. Point buffers of 50m, 100m, 250m, 500m, 750m, and 1000m were created around each school, and mapped with land use data. Total green space across buffers for each school was calculated and compared to the corresponding school catchment data, such as population density and income. Results demonstrated a wide range of total green space across Philadelphia schools. Schools in areas of higher income and schools in areas of lower population density were more likely to have increased green space availability. Here we propose that urban green space may allow city planners to leverage green space relative to K-12 educational centers to potentially increase place-
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based learning (PBL) and instruction outside of the traditional classroom. Additional studies will be required to investigate Philadelphia urban green space accessibility, its strength as a factor of STEM identity retention, and if Philadelphia’s varying green space availability mirrors the discriminatory divisions of historic policies and practices (e.g., redlining).
31. Behavioral Relaxation Approaches for Insomnia in Pregnant Patients
Elena Park, Ramyani Mitra, Gabriela Almanzar, Minahil Chaudhry & Manasa Mula Department of Biology
Lead author: Minahil Chaudhry, Undergraduate Student
Email: mac684@drexel.edu
Faculty Advisor: Nalaka Gooneratne, M.D., M.Sc.
Abstract: Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disruptions experienced by pregnant women, with 1 in 7 women reporting moderate to severe symptoms of insomnia while pregnant (Felder, et al, 2020). Insomnia tends to worsen as pregnancy progresses and is most prevalent during the third trimester of pregnancy (Hashmi, Bhatia, & Kawaja, 2016). Sleep disturbances are linked to adverse maternal health outcomes, including gestational diabetes, higher risk for perinatal depression and anxiety, and higher rates of cesarean delivery and preterm birth (Wilson et al. 2018).Pregnant women with higher levels of selfreported mindfulness are more likely to experience better sleep quality than their counterparts (Kalmbach et al., 2020). However, the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on improving sleep quality among women during and after their pregnancies remains unknown. We collected preliminary data demonstrating that both pre-sleep arousal and insomnia can be reduced by a simplified mindfulness intervention that utilizes a rhythmic tapping to increase breathing awareness (Assisted Relaxation Therapy, ART). Our team has developed a functioning app to implement and monitor subjects using ART, making the mindfulness-based approach more accessible. Materials/Methods: Participants will be identified through contact with Sleep Medicine
Providers and OB/GYN physicians at Penn with their approval (n=20). Specific Aims: Our specific aims are to 1) assess if self-reported sleep quality in pregnant women improves with Assisted Relaxation Therapy (ART); 2) assess the effects of Assisted Relaxation Therapy (ART) on sleep quality in the postpartum period (post-intervention period).
Discussion: This study is important for examining the potential benefit of using assisted relaxation therapy to improve insomnia symptoms among pregnant and postpartum women. This intervention is innovative because it is mobile and is done at home, which is uncommon in mindfulness-based interventions. Our study presents a potential for improving sleep quality among pregnant and postpartum women.
Congratulations to all of our presenters!
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