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Colloidal Control via Micellar Solutions
No full textMesoscale colloids composed of polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes (POSS) are promising candidates for the self-assembly of hierarchical structures as a continuum of size and morphology can be readily synthesized. However, there are substantial challenges in creating customized colloids that exhibit specific structural features, programmable binding, and stimuli responsiveness. Here, we explore a novel route to gain structural and directable control of these colloids by pairing them with thermoresponsive, polymeric micelles. These polymeric micelles cannot only swell the interstices of oligomeric colloidal droplets with the accuracy provided by the well-defined polymer micellization transition, but also act as absorbable colloidal depletants—a new class of depletants unrecognized by researchers until now—that can direct orientation and position. This dual functionality relies solely on the parameters of temperature and concentration, allowing for simplistic methods of control. Additionally, by selectively tuning other entropic forces at play, new opportunities to direct the transport of molecules for applications in physical and life sciences emerge
Interspecific sources of resistance for Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Investigating horizontally transferred antimicrobial resistance markers
Get PDFAntibiotic resistance is a growing public health crisis, limiting treatment options and increasing the burden of infectious diseases. Bacteria can rapidly gain resistance through mutations and horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing strategies to mitigate resistance and preserve antibiotic efficiency. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea, has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, and has only one remaining treatment option. Commensal species are constantly exposed to antibiotics in humans, and over time acquire resistant mutations that then transfer to pathogenic species through HGT. Investigating these exchanges can provide insight into how resistance evolves and spreads within the Neisseria genus. To explore HGT’s role in resistance evolution, we conducted phylogenetic and sequence analyses on 19 genes from 2,116 Neisseria isolates. We found phylogenetic evidence of HGT in nine genes and transferred regions in four: rpoB, mtrD, macA, and rplD, as well as mosaicism in penA. Additionally, we identified eight resistance-associated mutations across seven genes. While there was no direct overlap between HGT regions and known resistance markers, our findings support the role of commensal Neisseria as reservoirs for genetic variation. Given the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae, continued surveillance with larger datasets is essential to identifying emerging resistance determinants and understanding the selective pressures shaping bacterial adaptation
Silicon Photonics for Quantum Information
No full textQuantum information science and technology (QIST) combines principles of quantum mechanics and information theory to develop new approaches for processing, transmitting, and sensing information. Practical realization of applications in QIST requires generation and validation of a significant amount of entanglement, which is not only a property but a logical resource. Silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are an attractive platform for applications in QIST and for generating the entanglement resource because they are foundry-fabricated, are compatible with existing fiber optic infrastructure, have a small spatial footprint, and afford access to several high-dimensional (HD) degrees of freedom. This dissertation covers three projects that contribute to the development of silicon PICs for applications in QIST. We focus on the entanglement resource and how it can be more readily generated, characterized, and manipulated using the silicon PIC platform. First, we examine an interferometrically coupled single-bus microring resonator (MRR) as a source of entangled photon pairs generated by spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM). By modeling the device’s transmission spectrum, we show how the design of its interferometric coupling section can enhance SFWM. Based on this model, we design, fabricate, and characterize a PIC. We report a pair generation rate of 368 ± 4 kHz/mW and measure antibunching dips below the criterion for heralded single photon pair sources. Next, we use an array of 4 MRR photon pair sources to generate and quantify HD entanglement in the path basis. We model the joint coincidence distribution and two-photon interference experiments that partially characterize the system\u27s density matrix. With a foundry-fabricated, fully-packaged system, we perform these measurements and analyze the data with an entanglement measure. We calculate a lower bound for the system\u27s entanglement of formation of ebits. Finally, we investigate a new approach for manipulating quantum states of light in the path basis. This approach incorporates the star coupler, an integrated diffractive element that approximates a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) in the optical path basis. Using Ansys Lumerical we simulate many star couplers with different geometries and evaluate their fidelity to a DFT, their transmission and their mixing entropy. We discuss their suitability as circuit elements for larger PICs
Effects of Emerald Ash Borer on Temperate Wetland CH₄ Emissions
Get PDFForested wetlands are a globally significant source of atmospheric methane (CH₄), and tree stems potentially contribute a large portion of emissions from these systems. However, tree stem emissions in temperate wooded wetlands, particularly those experiencing disturbance, remain largely unexamined. This study investigated the effects of emerald ash borer invasion on CH₄ fluxes from soils and tree stems in temperate wetlands of Western New York. Methane fluxes were measured from live trees, dead trees, and soils in wetlands with different emerald ash borer impact levels (high/open canopy and low/closed canopy). During eight campaigns carried out across the majority of the growing season (May–October 2024), CH₄ emissions varied spatially and seasonally, with the highest fluxes consistently observed at wetter, closed-canopy sites. Live tree stems emitted significantly more CH₄ than dead stems (~12x), and stem fluxes were positively correlated with soil moisture and air temperature, the same drivers that were also identified for soil fluxes. However, tree stem contributions to net ecosystem CH₄ flux (NEF) were relatively minor (0.1–16.1%) compared to soils. Soil fluxes represented the dominant CH₄ emission pathway with a peak site average flux of 5,813 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹ observed at a closed canopy site in August. Open-canopy sites were drier and emitted less CH₄ than closed-canopy sites. While tree stems are a non-negligible pathway for CH₄ emissions, the dominant role of soil emissions in these sites suggests that direct effects of tree mortality on CH₄ transport and emissions will not be the primary way in which CH₄ dynamics are altered by emerald ash borer invasion. Rather, cascading effects from widespread tree mortality and subsequent ecosystem shifts that alter key controllers of CH₄ production, particularly soil moisture and herbaceous layer vegetation, will dictate CH₄ flux responses to emerald ash borer invasion
BUSINESS DECKED A game for designers to understand business
No full textBusiness Decked is a card-based educational game created to bridge the gap between design education and business understanding. Aimed at designers, the game addresses a common problem in the creative industry: a lack of accessible, engaging tools for learning core business concepts relevant to real-world practice. Designers often enter the workforce with strong creative skills but limited knowledge of how business decisions impact design processes, teamwork, and outcomes. This project creates a resource that simplifies complex business ideas without compromising depth or application. Rather than building a digital platform, this project explored alternate mediums for engagement, eventually leading to the creation of an interactive, strategy-based card game. The game blends design thinking with business fundamentals, offering users a playful yet insightful way to develop strategic problem-solving skills through collaborative gameplay. The goal was to develop thematic game cards across business departments, role-based challenges, and gameplay guided by real-world business scenarios. It demonstrates how non-digital, tactile learning tools can be powerful educational interventions for creatives navigating the professional world
The Line
Get PDF“The essence of good design is revealing the invisible structure that holds everything together, allowing us to see beauty in strength. - Frank Lloyd Wright This Thesis investigates the transposition of architectural principles into ceramic art, drawing inspiration from Western New York’s late 19th century and early 20th century architectural and craft traditions. Through an exploration of symmetry and proportion, surface texture, materiality, and the dynamic interplay between light and shadow, this research examines how architecture influences not only the physical aesthetics of ceramic art, but also its atmospheric and emotional presence. Recognizing how form is never static but continuously shaped by light and shadow, this artistic study is–at its core– defined by its environment and the viewer’s perception. This work aims to capture a dialogue between permanence and fragility, utility and ornament, order and entropy, revealing how architectural influences inform not only the aesthetic but also the conceptual foundations within my craft
Forecasting Cryptocurrency Price Movements with Tweet Volume and Sentiment Analysis
Get PDFCryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and driven by rapidly shifting public sentiment and attention. Traditional financial models, reliant on historical pricing data, often fall short in capturingthereal-time,sentiment-basedbehaviourofcryptoinvestors. Among social platforms, X(formerly Twitter) stands out as a key influencer in crypto discussions, offering a rich source of public sentiment. The thesis presents a machine learning-powered tool that leverages tweet volume and sentiment to analyse short-term cryptocurrency trends. The primary aim is to design a practical analysis system that detects and interprets social media ”hype” around specific cryptocurrencies. By allowing users to choose a cryptocurrency name from a list, the tool provides real-time evaluation of tweet volume and sentiment polarity to estimate potential price direction. These insights are visualised across several days through charts displaying sentiment trends, tweet activity, and corresponding price movement. Data was obtained from Kaggle, containing historical tweets from X. Sentiment analysis was conducted using VADER, with preprocessing to structure data appropriately for classification. While the main focus is detecting hype and predicting directional movement using supervised methods, exploratory ideas such as automatic trend detection without prior input are reserved for future work. The tool successfully predicts directional price movements (up or down) for a specific day, supported by confidence scores. It offers decision-support value to analysts and investors seeking real-time, sentiment-informed crypto insights. Future enhancements include integrating richer datasets via the X API, using advanced sentiment models like BERT, and implementing unsupervised methods to automatically surface emerging cryptocurrencies