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Development of a Computational Model for Simulating the Catalytic Potential of Aerogel Materials
No full textCatalytic converters are critical devices in automotive vehicles; they convert the toxic exhaust from internal combustion engines into less harmful byproducts. In a catalytic converter, catalytic particles line a porous substrate and react with the automotive exhaust as it flows through the structure. Precious metals such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum are used as the catalytic particles. The high price of these metals and the difficulties in mining them introduce challenges for manufacturing catalytic converters. Aerogels are highly porous materials which could be used in catalytic converters to lower these costs. Theoretically, this high porosity should allow for more surface area on which catalytic reactions can occur and thus increase the effectiveness of the catalytic converter, which could allow for the use of less expensive catalytic particles. Experimental research has shown the promise of using aerogels in catalytic converters, and there is a need for computational modeling to optimize the aerogel structure.
In this research, a two-dimensional computational model was developed for flow through aerogel materials to study the impact of the aerogel properties and the catalyst loading on the overall catalytic potential. The D2Q9 Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method was implemented for the fluid flow model and was used to track the number of fluid and catalyst particle collisions. The Diffusion Limited Cluster Aggregation (DLCA) method was used to create computational models of aerogel structures, with control over the structures’ density and porosity. A pore size distribution calculator was implemented to measure the resulting DLCA pore sizes. A catalytic particle distribution algorithm was implemented which randomly distributed the catalyst throughout the aerogel model. The percentage of catalyst to potential catalytic sites and the catalytic particle diameter were controlled. Results demonstrate that the LB method and the DLCA method can be used together to measure the number of fluid-catalyst interactions in the simulated catalytic aerogel. Future research will continue the development of this model so that it can be used to calculate the overall catalytic potential and optimize the aerogel structure
Blocking The Entry Of HIV Into Host Cells Through Co-receptor Inhibition
Full text linkThe goal of our project is to synthesize a dual CXCR4/CCR5 co-receptor inhibitor to block the entry of HIV into host cells. In the early phase of the HIV-1 replication cycle, HIV-1 binds to host cells through the CD4 protein present on the host cell surface. To infect the cell, HIV-1 requires further interactions that promote fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. This can occur through binding to the chemokine co-receptors such as CXCR4 and CCR5. We are choosing dual inhibition since under selective pressure of a CCR5 antagonist, CXCR4-using strains have been shown to predominate. Through dual inhibition, we want to minimize possible resistance development that could occur when inhibiting only one of the two co-receptors.
Using a computational screen, a compound predicted to bind to both CCR5 and CXCR4 was identified (Hit 1). We established a reaction scheme to synthesize an analog of this compound (target compound 4) through solid phase peptide synthesis. We confirmed the successful synthesis of this compound through LCMS and HPLC.
We also made progress towards synthesizing two analogs of target compound (4) by varying the last Fmoc-phenylalanine. The first analog contained Fmoc-4-fluoro-phenylalanine while the second analog contained Fmoc-4-methoxy-phenylalanine.
Lastly, we ran a docking screen to determine FDA approved compounds that could be repurposed as potential CCR5 inhibitors. In this, 40 compounds were identified to bind CCR5 with a higher affinity than FDA-approved CCR5 inhibitor, Maraviroc
Convergence and Hegemony: The United States and China in the 21st Century
Full text linkThe extreme economic growth of the Republic of China is neither a new phenomenon nor a topic that has not been extensively examined, however, how this convergence of economic power between the United States and rising China translates to potential political power is an important area of discussion. The US has been forced to face a tumultuous beginning to the 21st century. Characterized by unprecedented terrorist attacks, subsequent wars that have brought economic and moralistic costs, increasing domestic partisan division, and a questioning of what it is to be an American, it is an unthinkable reality following the 1991 downfall of the Soviet Union, and a perceived new era of American exceptionalism.
No longer can the US act with impunity around the world, using its relative wealth and influence to project its opinions and desires to any country it deems to be acting contrary to its interests. China, in many measurements, is now an economically more powerful country than the US, with a population more than four times the size, and a unity and purpose surrounding the Chinese Communist Party government. In economic and demographic measures then, it may seem that China has the advantage. However, does this economic capital translate into the hegemonic role the US has occupied since the end of the Second World War?
This thesis uses historical interpretations, political and economic theories, as well as economic regression and analysis, to make a judgment on the traditional portrayal of the US as a hegemonic power, and the potential usurpation of this role by a resurgent China. The paper finds an important relationship between Chinese GDP growth and trade, relative to the US, and discusses the integration of both the US and China within international institutions made in the image of the West. Moreover, there is an exploration of different interpretations of hegemony, as well as an assessment of hegemony in the 21st century. This includes a debate on likely future scenarios surrounding both countries and the international landscape, before making a conclusion on how hegemony can be judged in the present day, involving the US and China as semi-hegemonic powers, potentially limited by a hegemonic system now outside of their control
Reality Television: Investigating Discrimination Among America’s Guiltiest Pleasures
No full textFor the past twenty years, reality television has been one of the most popular genres of entertainment. Although successful, reality television has a dark history of discrimination against those cast on the show, whether it be by other contestants, producers or the show’s setup.
This thesis provides numerous instances of discrimination on reality television that have been used for entertainment purposes, exploiting those who are victims of discrimination. Also, this thesis addresses the intersectionality of discrimination, not just one form of it. Furthermore, this thesis interweaves many sociological theories and the ways in which they present themselves throughout reality television that are proven to be biased.
There was a minimal amount of scholarly sociological research on the topic of reality television bias. Nonetheless, from what I could find, I extended this research, providing a more comprehensive and encapsulating analysis. The results indicate that regardless of the genre of reality television and the channel that is on, reality television takes advantage of its cast and their personal issues and experiences. Furthermore, the results indicate that simply diversifying a cast will not solve the issues with reality television, it is only the starting point
The Normalization of Detention Centers in the United States
Full text linkSince the beginning of 2022, 19,948 immigrants have been detained in the United States. Mistreatment of Latin American immigrants occurring across the 215 detention centers located in the United States has grown completely out of control in the more recent years. The U.S. detention system is one that is motivated by racism and superiority complexes of one race over another, leading to Latin American immigrants being treated as less than human. This Senior Thesis explores what a detention center is, the presence of detention centers in the United States, the power structure of ICE and other employees, with personal stories and accounts of detainees to provide legitimate proof to claims of mistreatment and human rights violations. The analysis of detention centers in the United States is essential in order for U.S. citizens to understand what is truly happening within these institutions. Once armed with this knowledge, changes can be made to ensure that these Latin American immigrants go from prisoners back to functioning humans among society
Strangers on Earth
No full textStrangers on Earth is a creative fiction project structured as a collection of short stories, accompanied by several illustrations. These stories follow several principal characters, all of whom are serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the transitional period of their lives between high school and college. The setting is rural New Jersey in the spring of 2018. The two main characters, Alden Maxwell and Damien Silva, are assigned to work with one another, but their differences coupled with the responsibilities, stresses and frustrations of their everyday life complicate their relationship.
The collection is arranged so that each story stands on its own as a self-contained piece, focusing on one principal character at a time. However, taken together, they form an overarching story, over which the journey and development of the characters can be seen. In this sense, the text blurs the lines between short story and chapter, collection and novel. This format was inspired by other short fiction collections that are similarly connected by either theme or narrative. There are seven stories in total.
The collection is thematically consistent, exploring ideas of responsibility, the weight of expectations, anxiety for the future, and the process of forming and better understanding one’s own identity. Due to the premise and setting of the story, religious themes are present as well and intersect with each of the other themes in turn. Although many of the stories are open ended in nature, each one is narrowly focused on a specific critical moment of change for one or more of the principal characters. These small moments of interaction between different characters who are often strangers to one another are what give the project its title
Development of Quantitative Methods to Study PFAS Using Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission
Full text linkPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have become a major environmental concern. They can be found in a broad range of everyday products and pose a significant risk to the public due to their adverse health effects. They are persistent, bioaccumulate and do not break down in the environment. This project specifically aims to determine the concentration of Fluorine, a key identifier of PFAS, in environmental samples. To do this, we employ proton induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) to screen for Fluorine within our samples. PIGE is performed at the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory using a 1.1-MV tandem Pelletron accelerator. Samples are bombarded in an ex-vacuo setup with an incident energy of 1.8 MeV and emitted gamma-rays are detected with a high-purity Ge detector. This research defines two quantitative methods for PIGE analysis. The first uses standards of known concentrations to compare to collected samples. The second uses a developed python application to directly compute concentration values based on nuclear theory. We present preliminary results on the accuracy of both methods
PIXE Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soil along the East River
Full text linkWe collected samples of soil from along the East River in Queens, New York, near the Hell Gate Bridge, on the Astoria Park side of the bridge in 2019 and on the Randall’s Island Park side in 2021. We performed proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis on the samples and found that soil closer to the Hell Gate Bridge contained higher concentrations of heavy metals, specifically lead and zinc. Many of the soil samples contained lead concentrations greater than the EPA standard of 400 ppm. We also performed PIXE analysis on a sample of the paint used on the bridge and found similar enhancements of lead and zinc. Our results indicate that the paint used on the Hell Gate Bridge is the cause of enhancements of heavy metals in the surrounding soil
How does the Abundance of Invasive honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) Increase Tick Density?
No full textIn recent years, the CDC has recorded a steady increase in the instance of tick-borne diseases, most notably Lyme disease, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. However, tick density and infection status are highly variable at both large and small spatial scales. Many potential explanations have been proposed to explain this, one of which is the alteration of vector-host dynamics caused by the introduction and propagation of invasive flora and fauna. Prior research has established a positive correlation between the abundance of several invasive shrub species in the genus Lonicera and the abundance of ticks. In this research, I tested several hypotheses to explain this. Two hypotheses, (i) that engorged ticks might benefit from fungicidal compounds released into the soil by Lonicera spp. (Honeysuckle) and (ii) that Lonicera shrub structure creates a favorable microhabitat for engorged tick survival, were tested in a soil core experiment. I compared tick survival in soil cores under four treatments: in Lonicera shrubs, in native Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf Viburnum) shrubs, in climate-controlled rooms with Lonicera soil and extract, and in climate-controlled room with native soil and extract. The bioactive compound hypothesis was further examined in an experiment in which I compared fungal growth in Lonicera extract, V. acerifolium extract, and deionized water under laboratory conditions. A third hypothesis, that tick hosts prefer Lonicera shrubs for shelter, was tested in a camera trapping experiment. Although parts of the soil core experiment had to be abandoned due to the pandemic related lockdown of Union College, important insights can still be drawn. The two field treatments of the soil core experiment showed no differences in tick survival. Similarly, the fungal growth experiment did not reveal fungicidal properties in Lonicera compared to a native shrub control (V. acerifolium). Common tick hosts such as White-tailed Deer and White-footed Mice showed a slight preference for Lonicera shrubs compared to native shrubs. Altogether, this research emphasizes the unpredictability of biological invasions and the need for more integrative research into the role of invasive flora in vector-host dynamics and disease ecology
Somewhere in the Universe: Senior Thesis 2022
Full text linkMy senior thesis, entitled Somewhere in the Universe, is an exploration of what makes a place believable, and how I as an artist can make something that doesn’t exist feel like it could. However, one of my favorite parts about art is its ability to be interpreted in unique ways. I may have had a set of intentions and ideas when creating this project, but I also am open to the ways different people interpret this art.
The conceptual basis of my thesis is an attempt at worldbuilding. These worlds are based on various Greek and Roman Goddesses from the Hellenistic period and before. In each of these pieces, the primary goal is to explore facets of the natural world through abstracted landscapes. In this collection, I have incorporated imagery and elements taken directly from Hellenistic mythology and other religious and cultural systems of belief to explore the human understanding of the natural world around us. This thesis was inspired by my interest in mythology, and how people used goddesses to represent and explore the world around them. I have always been interested in the ways we understand and represent the world around us, and how those conceptual understandings change over time. Through this work, I hope to inspire the viewer to think about their interpretations of the world around them