We are evaluating patients who have been infected with Babesia. Babesia is a blood parasite that is acquired from ticks. The number of cases seen in Pennsylvania every year has been increasing. We intend to evaluate the blood of patients acutely infected with Babesiosis and review for possible simultaneous co-infections. We will compare those infected patients with the blood of healthy individuals. The goal is to identify proteins in the blood of acutely infected patients that are specific for Babesia and also evaluate the prevalence of patient's who have contracted a co-infection from the tick vector that transmitted the Babesia infection. The identification of the specific bacterial/parasitic antigens could then be used to create rapid diagnostic tests and help clinicians increase awareness of these tick-borne diseases.

We will obtain basic demographic information and past medical history. We will obtain two 10ml samples of blood. The blood will then be stored and ultimately sent to Antigen Discovery, Inc for proteomic array screening.

Purpose of study is to examine lung cancer patients' surgically removed tumors for certain genetic changes and to possibly refer these patients to a treatment study with drugs that may specifically these tumors.

Patients will be registered to the trial after surgical intervention. One vial of peripheral blood and a tissue block (or scrolls) will be submitted to the study. Once testing is completed, subject is notified if they are eligible for one of the sub protocols.

This study looks at the relationship between motor control via. arm movement and visual stimuli. After participating in brief calibration protocol for the eye tracking system, participants will be moving a robotic handle to interact with visual stimuli during various tasks. Participants will spend approximately 2 hours in the lab.

There will be one approximately 2-hour visit. They will then be asked to complete 20-25 blocks of hand movements while looking at a moving virtual stimulus with a large visual background. Participants will receive regular breaks during the experiment.

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The purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of healthcare workers’ knowledge of and perception of dysphagia in older adults. Study participants will fill out a survey/questionnaire in a single study session. This is expected to take 15-20 minutes.

You will be asked to complete a single, brief survey. It will take no more than 15-20 minutes.

This study tracks the eye movements of 30 adults to gather information on how they process sentences when presented in a context.

This is a case-control biospecimen collection study of 1,000 breast cancer patients with survey and retrospective chart review components to study the possible genetic, clinical and demographic/lifestyle predictive factors of AIMSS.

If you decide to participate, we will ask you to send us a sample of your saliva (“spit”) and ask you to fill out a survey on a computer or on paper, whichever you prefer. The survey will ask questions about risk factor data, demographics, and questions about side effects of cancer treatments. We will also ask you for permission to collect data from your electronic medical record.

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This study (Mindful Moms) is being done to understand how an 8-week app-based mindfulness program called Calm impacts breastfeeding and maternal well-being. Eligible participants will be asked to complete three online surveys (each survey will take about 20 minutes) and take part in an 8-week app-based mindfulness program. Eligible participants will also be asked to take part in one online interview that will take about 25-30 minutes once the mindfulness program is over.

Participants will take part in one of two groups: A group asked to take part in a free 8-week app-based mindfulness program on their smartphone starting when they are 36 weeks pregnant or 4 weeks after delivery. The program will teach participants about mindfulness and breathing strategies to assist with calming their mind and body. or A group asked to take part in a free 8-week app-based mindfulness program on your smartphone starting 4 weeks or 12 weeks after they deliver. The program will teach participants about mindfulness and breathing strategies to assist with calming their mind and body. Participants will also be asked to complete three online surveys (each survey will take about 20 minutes) and take part in one online interview that will take about 25-30 minutes once the mindfulness program is over.

$130

Study of Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) Plus non-surgical radiation therapy Versus non-surgical radiation therapy alone for Recurrent or Second Primary Head and Neck Cancer. This study is evaluating the safety of the addition of pembrolizumab to non-surgical radiation therapy.

The purpose of this voluntary research study is to compare any good and bad effects of using the study drug, pembrolizumab, plus radiation therapy to using radiation therapy alone. The addition of the study drug to radiation could shrink your cancer/prevent it from returning but it could also cause side effects.

In this phase II trial, we will determine the progression-free survival (PFS) of the cyclin dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) palbociclib with fulvestrant in women and men with estrogen or progesterone receptor (ER/PR) positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who progressed on treatment with palbociclib and an aromatase inhibitor (AI). We will also determine the prevalence rate of estrogen eceptor α (ESR1) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) mutations in the study population.

Participants will be required to come to the clinic every three weeks for evaluation and fulvestrant injections, take medication correctly, keep all appointments.

Microcystic lymphatic malformations (mLMs) are masses of spongy tissue that may have small fluid-filled cysts. They are made of abnormally large or misshapen lymph vessels that do not work correctly. They are usually present at birth and get worse over time. Complications of mLMs include infection, bleeding, leaking of lymphatic fluid, disfigurement, and impaired mobility. The purpose of this study is to find out if the study medicine, sirolimus 3.9% topical gel, can help with the treatment of mLMs.

Total duration of the study is approximately 14 months, with up to 8 visits (approximately 1 visit per month). 5 visits will occur in person and 3 visits will be phone call visits. You will also complete 2 interviews. After the first 14 months, you will have phone call visits every 84 days until either the study is discontinued, or you decide to no longer participate. Procedures involved in the study include: medical history collection, physical exams, skin assessments, patient interviews, photographs, blood draws (at 3 visits), urine tests, and questionnaires.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the associations between depressive symptoms and inflammation. The researchers are studying how specific symptoms of depression (such as fatigue, sadness, impaired concentration, and loss of pleasure) are related to markers of inflammation, which is a key component of our immune system. Volunteers with depressive symptoms, as well as volunteers without depressive symptoms are needed for this research study. This study includes an online survey to determine eligibility and one in-lab visit. Participants who are eligible will be scheduled for one in-lab visit (2.5-3h for participants with depressive symptoms & 1-2h for participants without depressive symptoms), where they will be asked to answer surveys with questions related to depressive symptoms and complete a number of tasks (using an iPad and a touch screen phone) that measure thinking skills including attention, memory and reaction time. Participants will also undergo a single blood draw to assess inflammatory markers.

Participation will require one in person visit at the CRC that takes from 1 to 1.5 hours total where they will have their blood drawn, fill out surveys about their mood, and complete cognitive tests.

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This pilot study aims explore the health literacy and medication adherence found among African Americans and Latinos with hypertension receiving care at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg PA. We also aim to determine the feasibility of the iPad or smartphone as a tool for accessing health related information among African American and Latino patients with hypertension receiving care at clinics at Hamilton Health Center in Harrisburg PA. The expected outcomes of this project are to obtain a better understand of the literacy levels and adherence behaviors of African Americans and Latinos in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the health management behaviors of this community and determine if there is a need to develop a mobile health application for the management of hypertension.

The different effects of genre-based writing instruction and integration of technology use in genre-based writing instruction will be examined. The specific genre for this study is a research paper. Different patterns of instructor-learner interaction in both instructional situations will also be investigated.

There will be three in-person visits for instructions on academic writing. Pre- and Post-instructions questionnaires and reflective journals will be collected.

This study aims to assess engineering design solutions for sustainable, low-cost housing which can be able to withstand extreme heat and flooding disasters. The information will be used in digital toolkits and platforms to provide recommendations to residents in this area to learn the options they can use to make their housing resilient to extreme events and how they can access the information to guide them in the creation of resilient, sustainable and affordable houses in flood and extreme heat prone areas.

The study will interview the subject matter experts for a maximum of one hour to obtain their experiential input on engineering design recommendations in Flood and extreme heat-prone areas in Florida and Pennsylvania. The interview will be on zoom

The purpose of this study is to find out what effects, good and/or bad, study treatment with talazoparib in combination with the chemotherapy drugs topotecan and gemcitabine has on pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has returned or has not responded to treatment. The study drug talazoparib has been chosen because there is evidence that is can reduce tumor activity in a more specific way than chemotherapy.

If you join the study, you will given a certain dose of the study drug talazoparib, and of the chemotherapy drugs topotecan and gemcitabine. You may be asked to provide biological samples (such as blood or bone marrow) and undergo procedures that might be different from a regular medical examination. This study will involve screening, treatment, and follow up period. During screening, the study doctor will determine whether you are eligible for the study. If you are eligible and are enrolled into the study, you will have 2-3 months of active participation, including collection of information from you, admission to the hospital for a minimum of 5-7 days, and at least weekly visits to the study center.

The project focuses on gathering initial evidence about the opportunities and challenges of designing tailored financial technology (fintech) to support the care partners of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) to help them with collaborative and longitudinal financial management. To accomplish this goal, we will conduct 20 min survey study and optional follow-up interview activities with care partners.

We are recruiting care partners of individuals living with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias. There will be two phases in the study. The first phase is a 20-min survey that will ask participants about their financial management behavior. The second phase is optional, and it is a 40-min follow-up interview with similar questions.

For the first phase, each participant may choose to enter a drawing for a chance to win a $50 Amazon eGift card. For the second phase, each participant will receive a $30 Amazon eGift card for their time.

This is a study of the drug DFMO (difluoromethylornithine) for neuroblastoma that has returned or not responded to treatment. DFMO is an oral drug that inhibits a certain enzyme (protein) in blood which is associated with a bad outcome in neuroblastoma cases. Cancer cells have pathways that drive the cancer to grow and DFMO targets the specific pathway of this enzyme to turn these cells off.

You will have exams, tests, and procedures while on the study to evaluate whether you can participate in the study and how you are doing while on the study. These include physical exams, blood tests, urine tests, bone marrow aspirate and biopsies, heart tests, hearing tests, and imaging evaluations such as CT scans and MIBG or PET scans. You will receive treatment on this study for a total of about 2 years. After treatment, you will have follow-up examinations and medical tests. We would like to continue to find out about your health for about 5 years after you complete the study.

Our team has created and validated an iVR dietician program known as the Immersive Virtual Alimentation and Nutrition (IVAN). The goal of this project is to translate the IVAN program to practice and community research. We plan to accomplish this by performing a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of the IVAN program in combination with synchronous audio/video dietary counseling on self-reported dietary intake and weight compared to in-person counseling. Concurrently, we will provide a survey assessing implementation outcomes to both groups as well as our team's dietician at each study visit, and crossover the intervention at study completion so all participants assess the IVAN program. Additionally, we will have ourclinic health care providers experience the IVAN program and assess implementation outcomes.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two study treatments, either the standard of care in-person dietary education with a dietician or the experimental treatment using iVR for dietary education in conjunction with a dietician. Participants will complete a dietary intake assessment tool and measure their weight using a scale provided by our team starting the week before the first dietary education visit. Participants will continue to weigh themselves at least once weekly and additionally complete the dietary intake assessment on 5 weeks over the course of the study. Each dietary intake assessment includes 2 weekdays and 1 weekend. Participants will attend 3 sessions in Penn State’s Clinical Research Center over 12 weeks for either 30 minutes of dietary education from a either dietician or the iVR program. In either case, there will have an additional 30 minutes of time with the dietician for questions and discussion. Participants will complete a survey associated with the education session at each visit. Participants are free to skip any question he/she would prefer to not answer. We anticipate the survey will last no more than 30 minutes.At the final study session, certain participants will also undergo a liver ultrasound (Fibroscan) based on the date of their most recent Fibroscan. This is expected to last no more than 30 minutes.

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The objectives of the study are to determine whether grip force is related to participants’ fear and whether touch feedback from a robot can effectively communicate risk in a simulated high stress environment. We hypothesize that grip force increases in stressful situations like walking through a haunted house. Like in a real haunted house, people often find comfort in holding hands with someone as they walk through. In this study, a participant walks through a virtual haunted house.

There will be one in person visit. Participant will wear VR equipment and chest heart rate monitor. They will hold a virtual robot's hand and walk through a VR haunted house environment until it is over. They will then answer a brief survey.

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This study investigates the influence of different rest design of restaurant on participants’ food consumption behavior. More specifically, visually pleasant versus visually unpleasant design elements are included in two cafe settings to study their influence on participant liking, and emotion response. To accomplish this, we will conduct an experiment where participants will be eating a meal while immersed in a virtual café interior with two different designs using a VR headset. Their food intake will be measured.

Participants will visit the lab for 3 sessions to eat a meal each time while wearing an immersive virtual reality headset.

$30 amazon gift card

As we walk, we have to achieve different task goals: stay on the path, keep moving forward, maintain balance, etc. This study will test young healthy adults walking on various types of paths to determine how they negotiate achieving these various task goals. We predict that for different walking tasks, these healthy adults will make different trade-offs between which goals to achieve in a systematic and predictable way.

There will be one in-person visit lasting no more than 3 hours. Participants will be asked to perform some basic vision, reaction time, and balance tasks. Participants will then be asked to walk on a treadmill in a virtual environment under a variety of conditions where the visual scene and/or paths being walked on change from trial to trial.

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This study is being done to answer the following questions: If you have high risk prostate cancer, a low gene risk score and plan to receive radiation therapy, is a shorter hormone therapy treatment as effective at controlling your cancer compared to the usual 24 month hormone therapy treatment? If you have high risk prostate cancer, a high gene risk score and plan to receive radiation therapy, does adding two new hormone therapy drugs to the usual treatment increase the length of time without your prostate cancer spreading as compared to the usual treatment?We are doing this study because we want to find out if these approaches are better, similar, or worse than the usual approach for your type of prostate cancer. The usual treatment is defined as the care most people get for prostate cancer.

This study is being done to answer the following questions:If you have high risk prostate cancer, a low gene risk score and plan to receive radiation therapy, is a shorter hormone therapy treatment as effective at controlling your cancer compared to the usual 24 month hormone therapy treatment?If you have high risk prostate cancer, a high gene risk score and plan to receive radiation therapy, does adding two new hormone therapy drugs to the usual treatment increase the length of time without your prostate cancer spreading as compared to the usual treatment?We are doing this study because we want to find out if these approaches are better, similar, or worse than the usual approach for your type of prostate cancer. The usual treatment is defined as the care most people get for prostate cance

We are studying how children and adults learn second languages in the classroom. To do this, we ask children and adults to read words or sentences in English and in Spanish while we record brainwaves using noninvasive sensors. The participant wears a cap that looks like a swimmers cap with the sensors attached to it.

An intervention using an internet-based platform for coping and mood difficulties. Participants will be able to use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) based online self-help modules over the course of a 10-week program.

Participants will engage with online materials on a weekly basis for 10 weeks.

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The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of Daromun neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy to improve in a statistically significant manner the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of Stage IIIB/C melanoma patients with respect to the standard of care (surgery and adjuvant therapy)

•Blood collection for laboratory tests•CT/MRI/PET/CT scans•ECG•Take study drug•Tumor assessment

In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility and usability of using Apple Watches to collect substance co-use data, as well as contextual data that could potentially be associated with substance co-use data (location, social context, mood, health, etc.)

If you decide to take part in this study, you will either get Gemcitabine and Docetaxel instilled through a catheter weekly in your bladder for up to 6 weeks, or you will get BCG instilled weekly in your bladder for up to 6 weeks. Your initial therapy may be followed with maintenance therapy.

If you decide to take part in this study, you will either get Gemcitabine and Docetaxel instilled through a catheter weekly in your bladder for up to 6 weeks, or you will get BCG instilled weekly in your bladder for up to 6 weeks. Your initial therapy may be followed with maintenance therapy.After you finish your treatment, your doctor will continue to follow your condition for 5 years with a combination of cystoscopies (inserting a telescope in your bladder) and CT scans (to take images of your body) in order to detect cancer recurrence.

This proposal is a prospective study in which we will collect both subjective and objective quantitative data from older adults residing in independent living retirement communities, microlongitudinally (~1wk). Comprehensive measures of sleep health, cognition, and movement will be collected at community residences. The first phase of this project will recruit local, State College area adults over 70 residing in independent living facilities (e.g., Foxdale Village and The Village at Penn State). A second phase of data collection will extend to community-based older adults in rural parts of Centre and nearby counties.With this prospective, microlongitudinal information we will evaluate the characteristics of sleep predictive of daytime cognitive and neurobehavioral function and use those conclusions to inform nonpharmacologic, preventative interventions for older adults.

After consent, there will be 6 study visits at either Penn State University Park campus or at the participant's personal residence. Study participation lasts about 1 week.Participants wear non-invasive ambulatory watch-like activity monitors throughout (both day and night) the week. Participants complete electronic surveys and cognitive tests 6 times daily, with additional surveys at study conclusion.Sleep and daytime brain and heart activity are recorded (without video) using non-invasive clinical-type wire sensors applied to the face, head, and chest. Wires are worn on the face, head, and chest throughout the first two study nights. Wires are worn on the head and chest throughout the first two study days. There is not a sleep intervention in this study. We are collecting data about the typical sleep health of older adults and its relation to cognitive health.

$350

This study is being conducted to determine whether patient navigation improves informed decision making for prostate cancer screening. Participants will be offered the opportunity to discuss and address issues related to PSA testing with a patient navigator over a one month period. Surveys at the beginning and end of this period will include health knowledge, opinions on telehealth, and barriers to health care. All sessions will be conducted virtually.

Complete short on-line questionnairesComplete at least one telehealth session with the Patient Navigator

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This study will use interviews to explore to explore perceptions of rurality, physical activity behaviors and physical activity intervention preferences among rural older adults who live in Pennsylvania