December 9, 2015 College of Liberal Arts Research 12 Humanities and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Networking Event Wednesday December 9, 2015

12 Humanities and Social Science Departments 354 Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty “How people process and

document the human experience”

College of Liberal Arts Research

December, 2015

• Neurobiology of learning and memory; affective modulation of brain

systems

• Normative and atypical human development
• Health and race
• Media’s influence on health behavior

HEALTH Related Researcher Activities

Director:

• Dr. Charles D. Johnson

(Psychology) Director:

• Dr. Mark Fossett

(Sociology)

Established in 2011, multi-university consortium (including Baylor, UT, Rice, UTSA), five colleges Examples of data sets: National Center for Health Statistics, the Agency for Healthcare Research, and Quality

Healthy Aging in the College of Education and Human Development

Program on

Healthy Aging

Texas A& A&M Hea ealth Sc Science Cen Center Sc School of

• f Public

lic Hea ealth Mar arcia a G. Ory, , PhD, , MPH, , Director

Vision: to be a recognized Center of Excellence for promoting successful aging throughout the life-course that will improve the lives of Texans and others throughout the nation and world. Mission: to promote successful aging through innovations in research, education and practice that examine social, behavioral, environmental, and technological solutions linking academic and real-world settings. Areas of interest: promoting evidence-based practices for chronic disease prevention and management; building healthy communities; exploring interactions between health, aging and technology; enhancing geriatric care; and growing the pipeline of experts in gerontology and geriatrics.

What We Do: Current Foci

• Infrastructure & Training
• Evidence-Based Disease Prevention Programs for

Seniors

• Population & Disease Specific Programs
• Childhood & Family Programs

AGING :Energy (900 MJ/kg) vs Entropy Generation (11,000 kJ/kg K) Over Life Span.

• Kalyan’s research on Combustion of Coal, , Oil and gas, oxygen deficient combustion in liquid fuel sprays and

coal suspensions and Thermodynamics

• Track i) energy consumption ( kJ/kg) from birth to death using CDC data on food intake, ii) estimate entropy

generation ( kJ/kg K) from birth to death;

• Women reach 10,000 kJ/kg over 78 yrs while men reach this # within 74 yrs; ants will reach it in a few days!

By Kalyan Annamalai, Paul Pepper Professor of Mech Engineering , kannamalai@tamu.edu

Death Limit for all species

Men Women

• J. of Thermodynamics, 2009; J.of Entropy, 100-123, 2008; J.of Entropy, 2012

ORGAN STRESS: Which Organ has the highest Entropy generation per unit mass over life

Thermo, 2nd Ed(2012)

HLKN Bone Biology Laboratory

(PI: S. Bloomfield, sbloom@tamu.edu) Hip fracture:

• Most serious consequence of aging-related

bone loss

• Over 50% with reduced mobility; mortality

as high as 20% within 2 yr

• Loss of bone strength accelerated by

periods of bed rest or muscle paralysis Lab Objective: Understand how adaptations

• f bone cell activity (& bone structural

integrity) to exercise or disuse is modified by:

• Nutrition (calories, iron, omega-3)
• Osteoporosis medications
• Radiation exposure
• Changes in blood flow
• Estrogen status

Lisa Geraci Department of Psychology

Explicit Implicit Younger Older Memory Performance

Aging and cognition: the role of test type and personal expectations

.30 .40 .45 .55 .35 Success Proportion recalled Control .50 .60

*

Younger Older

3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5

25 45 65 85

Memory Beliefs

Healthy Brain Aging

William H. Griffith, Ph.D. Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics

How do we keep our brains healthy ? How do we protect, restore or enhance the functioning of our brains as we age? (Institute of Medicine : Grand Challenges of 21st Century)

Big Questions

Electrophysiology Optogenetics Molecular Biology Immunohistochemistry Behavior In Vitro:

• Brain slices
• Single isolated neurons

Young – unimpaired Aged – impaired Aged – unimpaired

Techniques Program: Neurological function and brain aging

• Calcium homeostasis and aging (>25 yrs)
• Reproductive aging & estrogens (R01 AG041360)
• Optogenetic transgenic mice (R01 AG047652)

Ca

2+

extracellular intracellular

Ca

2+

Ca

2+ Rapid buffering

Aging

• nly

HEALTH PROMOTION FOR AGING AFRICAN AMERICAN

Investigator: Dr. I. Shevon Harvey

 Expertise:



Qualitative Research Methodology



Community-based Participatory Research



Chronically ill Population (i.e., co-morbidities such as diabetes, arthritis, & blood pressure; overweight & obesity)

 Interest in Healthy Aging:



Self-care management research,



Racial / ethnic health disparities,



Qualitative research,



Health protective behaviors among aging women,



Dissemination and implementation of research projects to understand the complexity of health interventions (i.e., including individuals with multiple health conditions & traditionally underrepresented populations in research)

TTI – Center for Transportation Safety

• Driver safety research

– In-vehicle technologies – Driver stress and workload – Comprehension and decision making

• Older driver research

– Driving feedback – Driving data for driver assessment

Human Rehabilitation Group

• Dr. Pilwon Hur at Mechanical Engineering, http://hurgroup.net

Research Interests

• 1. Human movement is optimal
• 2. Learn from Human movement
• 3. Neurological impairments affects optimality
• 4. Rehabilitate for optimal sensorimotor behavior

Public Polic licy Res esearch In Inst stitute

Created in 1983 – 30 Projects Annually - $140 Million since 1986 Capabilities: Surveys – Large Datasets – Statistical Analysis

Il Illu lustrative Proje jects

 Department of Aging and Disability Services Mandated Surveys

 1.3 Million Served - PES Survey

 Aging Texas Well

 Texas Co-op Extension – Plan for boomer aging – Concept-mapping

 AARP Survey

 Evaluation Health & Wellness events – 3,000 Interviews – Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona

• Design Research for Active Living

Center for Health Systems and Design

Chanam Lee, PhD, Professor

Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning

http://research.arch.tamu.edu/activeliving chanam@tamu.edu

Health Active Living Built Environment

The Biological Control of Physical Activity

• J. Timothy Lightfoot, HLKN
• It is well known that Physical Activity is key to the attainment and

maintenance of health (and cognitive ability), especially as one ages.

• The literature is clear that Activity level is controlled by heredity, but

this heritable control diminishes as individuals age.

• Our work focuses on the Biological and Genetic mechanisms that

regulate daily activity.

• Sex hormones
• Dopaminergic systems
• Our hope is to better understand these

mechanisms so that treatments/interventions can be developed to aid in the adoption & maintenance of a physically active lifestyle.

Create physical environments for long-term care residents to Walk & Roll

Zhipeng Lu, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C Associate Director, Center for Health Systems & Design zlu@arch.tamu.edu

• Safe and convenient indoor & outdoor

environments for walking or rolling wheelchairs

• Collaborate with administrators to modify the

environment and develop activity programs

Director: Michael L. Madigan, PhD

Director: Michael Madigan, Ph.D. Email: mlm@tamu.edu

GOAL: to help prevent injuries through an improved understanding of the biomechanics and neuromuscular control

• f human motion.

FOCUS: 1) understand factors that affect balance and contribute to falls 2) develop fall prevention interventions

Before training After training Slipping Tripping BMI/obesity Aging

The NeuroErgonomics Lab

Brain-Behavior Assessments

Brain (and muscle) imaging: Functional near infrared spectroscopy Strength measurement: Isokinetic and handgrip dynamometers Ambulatory sensors: Physical activity monitors, ECG sensors, electromyography (EMG) sensors, Balance board Lab-based: Vicon Motion Capture, Force Plates, EMG, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Research Interests

NeuroErgonomic evaluation of stress/fatigue Obesity and the Aging Brain Depression and motor function Promoting brain health for falls prevention and improving mobility

Collaborations

SPH PHA, University at Buffalo, Motor Neuroscience TAMU, Psychology TAMU

Funding

NIH, Hogg Foundation, CDC NIOSH, Huffines Institute, SPH Ranjana Mehta, PhD rmehta@tamu.edu 979-436-9327

Steve Liu: liu@cse.tamu.edu Adam Pickens: pickens@tamhsc.edu

Hearing, Movement and Balance

• Sensing and holistic modeling of functional levels
• Pattern modeling and feedback systems
• Use of pattern classification techniques to

reconstruct individual function models

• Potential applications: functional level

change detection to reduce the risk of falls

Upper/Lower Extremity Movements Position and Balance Sensors Low-Level Signal Processing Low-Level Execution High-Level Decision Making

Interactive Art Making for Social Connectedness and Empowerment Interactive Plants: Soft/Organic Interfaces for Tangiable Reminiscing

Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo Ph.D. assistant professor department of visualization, soft interaction lab

Klemens Meyer, MD; Duane Steward, DVM, MSIE, PhD

Role of SOLOMON* in Healthcare

SOLOMON

Personal Health Preference Model Personal Health Preference Model Depersonalized Health Preference Model

Healthcare Policy and Research Insurance, HMO, Employer Health Plan

Internet Web TV Home Software Waiting Room Software Medical Care Delivery

*Systematic Obtainer of Language Overtly Multidimensional and Operational in Nature

Contact me to Collaborate SAMUEL D. TOWNE JR., PHD, MPH, CPH SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH TOWNE@SPH.TAMHSC.EDU

Vascular Aging

• Aging is associated with increased stiffening of the

large arteries which is a primary contributing factor to

• ther pathologies such as stroke and heart failure
• We have focused on the mechanisms contributing to

increased stiffness including elastin fiber degradation and altered extracellular matrix production.

• We use a variety of techniques that range from cell

culture to whole animal studies. We use genetic models to manipulate changes in particular genes that are associated with the process.

The NLD is an initiative within the department of Educational Psychology that promotes the use of biometrics (EEG, Psychophysiology, Eye tracking) to better understand human learning and development throughout the lifespan.

• Research mission
• Educational mission
• Community Outreach mission

Director: Dr. Steven Woltering Website: nld.tamu.edu

Vascular Biology Laboratory

• A. Vascular Aging
• B. Isolated Arteries
• C. Cell Signaling
• D. Exercise

Design for Active Living and Healthy Aging

Ac Activ tive Livi Living & Health Healthy y Aging Aging Built Built En Envi viron

• nmen

ment Buildings… Communities…. Cities…

Xuemei Zhu, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Architecture, TAMU

Mission CTRAL

The Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity is engaged on ongoing translational research on nutrition, exercise, and metabolism in relation to aging and the common diseases of our aging population. Translation of knowledge from basic and applied sciences to care and clinical practice for older adults is the overall goal of CTRAL. We particularly investigate the role of (protein, specific amino acids and fat) metabolism on muscle mass and functional performance of the muscle, gut and brain in the pursuit of healthy aging. Furthermore, we examine how changes in nutrition can affect certain metabolic pathways and improve outcomes in disease and aging. Besides using advanced state-of the art stable isotope methodology, functional performance is measured by a battery of tests and questionnaires.

CTRAL facilities at Research Park

• Clinical research unit with 9 beds and 3RN’s
• Large function area: body composition, bone density,

endurance and strength, and cognition testing. Workout area.

• Mass Spectroscopy and blood / tissue processing Lab

Types of research projects

Diseased populations: Observational and human clinical trials in

• Cancer
• COPD
• Chronic Heart failure
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
• Autism

Healthy population:

• Older adults: 10 days of bedrest and nutrition

intervention

• Morbid obese: Effect bariatric surgery
• Methionine toxicity

Human Clinical Research Facility

New building (12 bed, 23,000 sqrt) Groundbreaking Jan 21, 2016. Houses CTRAL and ESNL

CE CENTER FO R FOR R HEAL ALTH SYSTEMS & & DE DESIGN

• DO

O Olde Older r Peo eople ple Ne Need ed Na Natur ture? e?

• OUTDOOR USAGE/ PREFERENCES:

Survey, Interview, Focus group, Photographic comparison

• HEALTH BENEFITS: Anxiety, Cortisol

level, Positive and Negative Mood after being outdoors

• En

Envi viron

• nmen

ment t In Influe fluenc nces es Usa Usage ge

• Multiregional study confirmed most

important features

• Shade, seating, walkways, and

doorways often poorly-designed, discouraging outdoor usage

• Transl

anslate te Resear esearch to h to Desi esign gn

• “Access to Nature” video series

(www.accesstonature.org)

• Seniors Outdoor Survey (SOS Tool)

validated (The Gerontologist, 2014)

Susan Rodiek, Ph.D.

Design Design-Base Based d Rese search: : The he V Value alue of

• f

Na Natu ture f e for

• r

Older Older Adu Adults lts

Photos courtesy of the Norwegian Center for Dementia Research and Nishino Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan

CENTER CENTER FOR FOR HEAL HEALTH TH SY SYSTEMS STEMS & & DESIGN DESIGN

• SOS Tool Goals
• Designed to evaluate how well outdoor

spaces at long-term care facilities support aging residents

• Addresses both therapeutic and psychosocial

needs

• Uses as a design and decision-making tool
• Structure & Development
• 60 ratable items on a seven-point scale
• Organized into Five Literature-Based Domains
• Affordance theory based
• Differential weighting emphasizes greater

effects of some items.

• Intuitive 100-Base scoring system
• Testing Scoring & Translations
• Validity: Items supported by resident

preferences and subject matter experts, and associated with walking and outdoor activity

• utcomes
• Reliability: Inter-Rater =.91, Test-Retest= .92
• Translations in Italian, Japanese, Mandarin

Eric Bardenhagen, Ph.D.

Assessing Successful Spaces with the SOS Tool

(Seniors Outdoor Survey)

Giulio Senes Photos Courtesy of Access to Nature

CENTER CENTER FOR FOR HEAL HEALTH TH SY SYSTEMS STEMS & & DESIGN DESIGN

• “Aging in Place” means

healthcare elsewhere

• Most people want to (and will) “age

in place”

• Gardens in HCFs must

accommodate everyone

• “Design for the Most

Vulnerable”

• Key HC design tenet
• Often includes the elderly
• “Universal Design” – Design for

all abilities

• Design Examples
• Safety; Comfort; “Escape”; Nature

Distraction; Exercise; Social Support

• Easy physical & visual access; safe &

comfortable seating; choice of sun

• r shade.

Naomi A. Sachs, PhD(c)

Healthcare Design with Aging in Mind

δ β Υ α α β

β1

Dystrophin

Dystrophin Glycoprotein Complex

Caveolin-3

α1

F-actin

Laminin

John Lawler, Redox Biology Lab

Ang II

Growth Factors

Nox-2

ROS

Protein turnover, auto(mito)phagy

nNOS SS-31

ET

muscle atrophy, cardiac remodeling gp91 ds-tat, HMB nNOSµ, dystrophin transfection

ET

CR

aging

Losartan

ET

ROS cytokines

fibrosis

ET, gene Tg

HSPs Aox enzymes SIRT-1/PGC-1

ET

ECM (Collagen/Fibronectin) ET = Exercise Training