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1. What a Sleep Study Can Reveal About Fibromyalgia |
by Jennifer Donovan, director of public relations
Research engineers and sleep medicine specialists from Michigan Tech and the University of Michigan have joined technical and clinical hands to put innovative quantitative analysis, signal-processing technology and computer algorithms to work in the sleep lab. One of their recent findings is that a new approach to analyzing sleep fragmentation appears to distinguish fibromyalgia patients from healthy controls.
Joseph W. Burns, a research scientist and engineer at the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI); Ronald D. Chervin, director of the University of Michigan's Michael S. Aldrich Sleep Disorders Laboratory; and Leslie Crofford, director of the Center for the Advancement of Women's Health at the University of Kentucky, report the results of their study in the current issue of the journal Sleep Medicine.
MTRI specializes in remote sensors that collect data, and in signal processing, using algorithms or computer programs to analyze and correlate the information the sensors gather. MTRI has developed an ongoing collaboration with the University of Michigan's sleep laboratory, one of the nation's leading clinical and research centers specializing in sleep medicine.
This several-year collaboration provided MTRI's first opportunities to apply quantitative analysis, remote sensing technology and computer algorithms to clinical challenges, said Burns. "In this case, our analyses of sleep-stage dynamics suggest potential clinical relevance," he noted. Newly explored measures of sleep fragmentation seem to correlate—at least in this study—with levels of pain reported by fibromyalgia patients.
Burns, who has a PhD in Electrical Engineering, finds that more and more of his research is taking a biomedical turn. He and his team are working with Chervin to use signal-processing technology to record and analyze the brain waves and biophysical responses of children and adults with a variety of sleep disorders. They hope it will help them better understand conventional sleep patterns, as well as diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
They presented the results of research related to assessment of sleep-disordered breathing and sleep fragmentation at Sleep 2008, an international sleep research conference, in Baltimore in June.
Patients who may have sleep disorders often undergo complicated and expensive tests in sleep laboratories, Chervin explained. These studies collect an assortment of biophysical data that reflect brain, cardiovascular and muscle activity throughout the night. Up to now, these data had to be analyzed manually by highly trained technicians.
"We are collaborating to find new ways to analyze routinely collected data in a way that will be meaningful to the patient's health and will help us understand how sleep disorders affect brain functions," he said.
Automated analysis of data potentially can provide improved assessments and reduce the cost of sleep studies, Burns noted. For example, MTRI and UM have developed an automated technique for assessing the severity of sleep-disordered breathing, using just two signals—brain waves and respiration—instead of the dozen or more signals typically needed for standard visual scoring of a sleep study.
"It may even become possible for people to take sleep tests—simpler and more effective than some of those currently available—at home where they can sleep in their own familiar bedrooms," he suggested.
Both partners are reaping the benefits of the collaboration, Burns said. Not only can automated technology improve clinical research; what the MTRI scientists have learned about biomedical techniques such as brain mapping is informing their more traditional work on radar and optical sensing technology.
Michigan Tech and UM have patented the new algorithm for assessing sleep-disordered breathing, which enables them to study what the extra work of breathing does to the brainwaves of patients with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which breathing stops briefly many times during sleep. Sleep apnea has been linked to excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive changes and other health effects, and to hyperactive behavior in children.
The universities have filed an application for another patent for an algorithm that helps automate the assessment of patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. People with this neurological condition act out their dreams during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which can cause them to harm themselves or a bed partner while they are asleep.
Burns and Chervin published the results of that study in the December 2007 issue of the journal Sleep.
The team plans to investigate other sleep disorders and to continue to develop automated processing techniques to improve the performance and efficiency of sleep disorder diagnosis and assessment. |
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2. Food for Thought |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
Universities are built around ideas, and one of them, diversity, is the foundation of a new program for both the campus and the community.
DiversiTeas, which begin this month and continue until spring, will be both social and thoughtful, according to Chris S. Anderson, special assistant to the president and one of the organizers.
They will feature light fare—as well as both teas and ideas from around the world.
Anderson says the program results in part from the 2006 campus Climate Study, which pinpointed an interest in a gathering that would facilitate discussion and dialogue.
The goal is to be stimulating, Anderson says.
"We want to introduce difficult topics—race relations, religion and privilege, to name a few. We want to emphasize the breadth of diversity and how it impacts our learning."
Organizers intend that DiversiTeas will be about communication, intellectual and personal growth, and the exchange of ideas among faculty, staff, students and community.
An appreciation of differences is vital in today's global society, Anderson says.
"All you have to do is look at our world to see how important it is. We need to be able to recognize each other's strengths and contributions to society. We can enrich our lives through interactions with people who have had different experiences that shape different perspectives."
Students especially need this opportunity, she says. "They're eager for this kind of information and exchange."
The program, in part, builds on all the people and ideas on campus, and it stretches everybody's point of view. "I hope it also brings in the community and their ideas and experiences," Anderson says.
For a model, the effort draws on the Tech Teas, which were popular but discontinued some years ago. It also complements Tech's new diversity minor.
The first three sessions are scheduled for
• Sept. 18—Batucobre, Brazilian percussionists, "Music Has No Boundaries"
• Oct. 16—Ciro Sandoval, "The Resilience of Andean Indigenous Culture"
• Nov. 20—Joseph Brown, "Social Identity and Academic Achievement"
Four more sessions will be scheduled for spring semester.
The new initiative is the product of a collaboration among the Department of Educational Opportunity; the Office of Institutional Diversity; the Diversity Studies Committee; the Rozsa Center; the Justice, Integrity and Diversity Discussion Group; and the new student chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The groups welcome ideas for people and topics. Contact Shalini Suryanarayana (Educational Opportunity), shalini@mtu.edu , with suggestions. |
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3. Parade of Nations Sept. 20: Differences that Unite |
Students from more than 70 countries attend Michigan Tech and will provide the backdrop for the 19th Annual Parade of Nations—a festival of music, food and ethnic pride.
"Weaving Cultural Harmony" is the theme of the 2008 event, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20.
"It's a celebration of differences that brings the community together," said Native American Outreach Coordinator Lori Muhlig (Educational Opportunity), who is a coordinator of the event.
This year's program includes the traditional parade, ethnic fare and clothing, plus a Native-American performing group, Fast Horses. The Minnesota-based Lakota family, Fast Horses, has performed music and dance worldwide since 1998. The group also will present in area schools on Friday, Sept. 19, and after the parade at Dee Stadium.
The parade begins at the Hancock Middle School and ends at Dee Stadium on Houghton's waterfront, where there will be a diverse offering of handcrafts and tasty treats. This year, an activity tent along with free pony rides will be available for children.
The parade will feature community members and students from Michigan Tech and Finlandia University—all gathering to represent diverse heritages. The parade will include floats competing for prizes, local high school and middle school marching bands, and the Michigan Tech Pep Band.
"Parade of Nations emphasizes cultural uniqueness," said Muhlig. "At the same time, it teaches us what we, as human beings, have in common." Muhlig said on average, about 5,000 people attend the parade and festival annually.
For more information about the parade, visit www.paradeofnations.mtu.edu or www.ips.mtu.edu or contact Muhlig or Madeline Mercado Voelker, Hispanic/Latino outreach coordinator, at 487-2920.
For information about Fast Horses, visit www.thefasthorses.com/Home_Page.html . |
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4. Short Named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications and marketing
Michigan Tech football player Steve Short (Iron Mountain/Kingsford) has been chosen as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced today.
Short set a school record for completion percentage by going 24-of-28 vs. Winona State on Saturday, Aug. 30. He finished the game with 236 yards passing, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 191.9 efficiency rating. The junior quarterback's 85.7 percent mark broke Scott Kieser's 84.6 percent (11-of-13) from Sept. 9, 1995. Short has set four school records in two career games vs. Winona. He broke the records for passing yards (431), total offensive yards (504) and passing touchdowns (six) in last year's season opener at Winona.
Michigan Tech will open its GLIAC schedule Saturday, Sept. 6, at home vs. Hillsdale. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. |
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5. Tech to Host 2011 NCAA Hockey Regional at Resch Center |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic communications and marketing
The NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee recently announced that Michigan Tech will host the 2011 Midwest regional at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., March 26-27.
"The ice hockey committee is excited to announce these sites as we had a tremendous amount of interest shown by cities across the Midwest," said Joel Maturi, chair of the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee. "We focused on selecting sites that have NHL-size ice sheets and are in neutral buildings. We really feel that each of these buildings will showcase college hockey, give our student-athletes a tremendous experience and help take our championship to another level."
Michigan Tech hosted the 2006 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Midwest Regional at the Resch Center. The regional featured three sellout games and saw Wisconsin defeat Cornell, 2-1, in three overtimes in the championship.
"The opportunity to host the Midwest regional in 2011 will give great exposure to both the University and the Michigan Tech hockey team," said Michigan Tech Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret. "We worked very hard to earn the right to host the regional. I feel that we were given this opportunity again because of the quality of the regional we hosted in 2006." |
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6. Lunch and Learn Sept. 9: Stress Management |
submitted by the Benefits Office
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed in the new academic year? How does stress affect your performance? The Benefits Office will sponsor a Lunch and Learn on stress management, presented by Larry Wall (Counseling Services), Tuesday, Sept. 9, noon-1 p.m. in the Peninsula Room of the Memorial Union.
Bring your lunch, and beverages will be provided. Those in attendance will be eligible to win some great prizes. |
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7. C2E2 Call for Proposals |
The Office of the Vice President for Research is soliciting Century II Campaign Endowed Equipment (C2E2) Fund proposals for FY 2008-09. This program provides funds to purchase equipment that will have a broad, campus-wide impact and will also improve the lives of faculty, staff and students.
For further information on this program, visit the C2E2 website at www.mtu.edu/research/references/awards-management/internal-awards/c2e2/ .
Submissions will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23. Send your original cover sheet and proposal, along with eight copies, to Cheryl Gherna, Administration 317. If you have any questions, call 487-2902. |
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8. Surplus Items for Sale in Fleet Services |
Facilities Fleet Services, located in the Storage-Service building on Cliff Drive, has the following surplus items available for purchase:
• 1987 Chevrolet Cargo Van (35,258 miles)
• 1995 Chevrolet Lumina Van (74,452 miles)
• 2003 Knapheide Stake Bed Model PG-93B, measuring 9-feet, 3-inches long, with sideboards and a cab rack
• 1990s International 4800 Series fiberglass hood
If you are interested, contact Pete Pelissero at pjpeliss@mtu.edu or call 487-2700.
University property may only be transferred between departments. It may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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9. New Funding |
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Professor Martin Jurgensen (SFRES) has received $66,001 from the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Custer National Forest, for "Validation of Region 1 Soil Quality Standards and Protocols on the Custer National Forest." |
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10. New Staff |
Derrick Butkovich has joined the Dining Services staff as a food service helper. Butkovich was previously employed at the North Shore Grill N Pub as a chef. He holds an associate's degree in culinary arts from Grand Rapids Community College. He lives in Chassell and enjoys sports, snowmobiling and cooking.
Stacy Cotey has joined the Department of Biological Sciences staff as academic advisor. Cotey previously held the position of the environmental science department chair at Keweeenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, and she was employed as the director of outreach and development in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science. She holds BA degrees in Art and Biology and an MS in Biology from Northern Michigan University. She is married to Clay, lives in Hancock and is interested in watercolor, sustainable agriculture, draft horses and sea kayaking.
Todd I. Stewart has joined the Advancement staff as director of institutional partnerships. Stewart previously held the position of director of national security research and education at Ohio State University. He also actively served in the US Air Force for 34 years and retired in 2002 in the grade of major general. Stewart holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech, an MS in Engineering Administration from Southern Methodist University and a PhD in Management from the University of Nebraska. He is married to Dorothy, has one child, Sarah Abel, and lives in Lake Linden. |
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11. Michigan Tech Notables |
Undergraduate Annie Putman (Chemistry) has received a fellowship for undergraduate environmental study from the Environmental Protection Agency through its Greater Research Opportunities program. Only 15 of these fellowships are awarded annually.
This fellowship will cover Putnam's tuition, additional expenses for two years and a three-month summer internship at an EPA facility. |
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12. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Staff Job Posting
9/04/08
Coordinator, Study Abroad Programs
International Programs and Services
Revised—Reposted
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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