Self-Transcendence (ST) is closely related to spirituality and has gained increasing popularity among populations such as Americans. ST refers to a state where an individual experiences meaning and communion from surpassing their self-ego and boundary. Strong evidence of ST’s positive effect on an individual’s life has been found in literature across disciplines. Despite its importance and popularity, research in this topic has remained rather silent in the design community. In this paper, we used the research through design methodology and constructed a framework (collect, filter, analyze) to help understand ST experience through the study of solo travelers. Solo travelers were found to have ample opportunities to reflect, especially outside of themselves, and thus studying solo travelers provided us with a platform to understand ST experiences.

Macrophages are specialized cells of the immune system that direct the pro-inflammatory response and its resolution. Matrix Metalloproteinase 28 (MMP28) is an extracellular matrix proteinase expressed in alveolar macrophages during lung inflammation and is involved in macrophage recruitment and polarization. Our aim was to explore the regulation of Mmp28 expression in macrophages. We hypothesized that LPS (lipopolysaccharide, a component of bacterial cell membranes which simulates bacterial infection) stimulation would increase Mmp28 expression via a TLR4-dependent (Toll-Like Receptor 4) pathway involving Type I Interferon (IFN) signaling. We also hypothesized that Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C), a synthetic form of double-stranded RNA which simulates viral infection) would increase Mmp28 by a TLR3-dependent pathway. To test these hypotheses, we generated bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) from wild-type mice. We exposed these cells to purified recombinant IFNα/β (two forms of IFN involved in antiviral responses), LPS, Poly(I:C), or control media; 4-6 h after treatment, we isolated RNA from the BMDM, synthesized cDNA, and used qPCR to measure mRNA levels of several inflammatory genes. We also included BMDMs from knockout mice for several proteins thought to be part of the Mmp28 regulatory pathway. We confirmed that LPS and Poly(I:C) increased Mmp28 expression in BMDM. By comparing knockout mice for two adaptor molecules shared by TLR4, we found that LPS-stimulated Mmp28 expression was retained in MyD88-/- but decreased in TRIF-/- macrophages. Since both poly(I:C) and the TRIF-dependent response to LPS induce a type I IFN response, we tested if Mmp28 expression was dependent on type I IFN by using IFNAR-/- (IFN Receptor) macrophages. We found that both TLR4 and TLR3 ligands require IFNAR for Mmp28 expression. These data link type I IFN responses to regulation of MMP28 and development of experimental COPD and emphysema models of lung disease, and further our understanding of how MMP28 may regulate macrophage responses.

Though the rising popularity in hybrid vehicles comes as a benefit to the environment, it has proven to be a detriment to the tax revenue raised at the gas pump. The state of Washington projects to not meet the fiscal needs for civil infrastructure repair in the foreseeable future because of this shift in the market. In preparation for a future dominated by electric vehicles, Washington State has proposed implementing a tax program that charges according to the number of miles driven on Washington roads. Our team’s mission is to develop a mobile app that can dynamically track the miles driven by a vehicle. This app will be able to extract a baseline mileage count from a picture the taxpayer takes of their car’s odometer reading. It will also be able to track nontaxable miles driven out of state by using the car’s on board diagnostic system and GPS data. These nontaxable miles will qualify for a tax rebate at the end of a billing period. Our app will not only sufficiently support government’s road charge policy and help recover the lost gas tax caused by increasing amount of hybrid vehicles, but will also provide drivers in the state with the convenience to obey the policy and save money while travelling out of the state.