16812 research outputs found
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What Happens in the Shadows: Racial Hierarchy and the Policing of People of Color
No full textIn this presentation, I examine the relationship between methods used in graphic memoirs by illustrators to depict and critique political and social inequalities. I specifically analyze the graphic memoir Guantanamo Kid by Alexandre Franc and Jérôme Tubiana, which depicts the brutal experience of Mohammed El-Gharani, who was falsely imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay as a child. I argue that the illustrators manipulate the composition of lights and shadows to emphasize racial hierarchy and the inherent power imbalance between people of color and white bodies that severely restrict agency. The usage of lights and shadows, often overlooked in visual arts, heightens the graphic impact of the memoir through a dramatization of black and white, offering vivid commentary on the treatment of people of color in prison industrial complexes. Using the innate contrast between black and white, France and Tubiana display the lack of agency imprisoned people of color experience by violent and restrictive white bodies. Analyzing the visual techniques utilized by illustrators in graphic memoirs can help us understand how certain elements of literature can be emphasized and framed in a way that creates vivid connections and voices larger societal critiques that can effectuate attention on pressing social issues
Tanya Maute Installation Site
No full textDigital photograph of the interior of the Floy Lewis Bakes Center on the Ursinus College campus. Student photographs of staff, such as Tanya Maute, were created for a documentary photography class and temporarily installed around campus as part of the Spring 2025 COSA celebration.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/art_envportraits/1043/thumbnail.jp
Robin Mays Installation Site
No full textDigital photograph of the exterior of the Wismer Dining Hall building on the Ursinus College campus. Student photographs of staff, such as Robin Mays, were created for a documentary photography class and temporarily installed around campus as part of the Spring 2025 COSA celebration.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/art_envportraits/1037/thumbnail.jp
Executive Dysfunction in College Aged Students With and Without Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
No full textFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive tool used to measure cortical hemodynamics and has growing applications in studying executive functioning after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this study, fNIRS was used to examine prefrontal cortex activation in individuals with a history of concussion during the Iowa Gambling Task, which is used to measure decision making under uncertainty and risk. This task assesses key executive functions such as decision-making, inhibition, and planning. This study aimed to find a correlation between college-aged students with mTBIs and frontal lobe dysfunction. We are going to see that students with more concussions, a type of mTBI, will have an increased risk of dysfunction compared to students without concussions
The Photoisomerization Properties of 7-Azocoumarins and Their Ability to Function as a Photoswitch
No full textAzo compounds, commonly known for their bold colors, are seen in many dyes, as well as pharmaceutical and optical materials. One interesting aspect of azocompounds is the ability to switch configurations under UV light, essentially functioning as a light-controlled “switch.” These azoswitches have applications in imaging, lasers, sensors, and energy transfer. By altering the structural compound on either “end” of the azo unit, the characteristics of the compound and its photoisomerization properties may be altered. This research utilizes a simple condensation reaction to create a variety of novel heterocyclic azo compounds, which are then characterized via ultraviolet-visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies for their photoisomerization properties. Specifically, the absorbance required for isomerization and thermal relaxation rate half-life will be investigated. Ultimately, this project will further understanding of azoswitches and their capabilities to function as a light activated switch
Optimization of a Greener Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction on Unprotected Indoles
No full textIndoles are common nitrogen-containing heterocycles that are found in a variety of biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals. They are privileged scaffolds, serving as core templates to construct functionalized molecules essential for drug discovery. A common reaction used to substitute heterocycles by forming new carbon–carbon bonds is the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. However, standard reaction conditions typically involve protocols that are detrimental to the environment involving high palladium catalyst loadings, high reaction temperatures, and eco-unfriendly solvents. In recent years, there has been growing interest in finding greener reaction conditions for Suzuki cross-couplings. This work focused on applying our previously developed Suzuki method to unprotected indoles and optimizing the conditions to be more environmentally friendly. To find the best set of conditions for our system, palladium catalyst, base, and solvent were initially screened. Time and temperature were also reduced to make the reaction more sustainable. After screening several variables, we were able to identify greener reaction conditions. These optimized conditions will be used next to examine substrate scope. Having an eco-friendlier method is a definite advantage for the application of this reaction to drug discovery and industrial-scale processes
Scared of the Stage: How Can We Study Music Performance Anxiety
No full textMusic performance anxiety (MPA) is defined as the physiological and psychological symptoms that occur before, during, and after a performance. One common psychological symptom of MPA is post-performance rumination, which includes constant and repetitive negative thinking about the performance. Rumination prolongs physiological symptoms, stunts cognitive growth, and can hinder future performances. My goal is to find ways to reduce post-performance rumination and, in turn, help musicians have a more enjoyable performance experience. One way to combat this is by using tools that help redirect thinking from harmful negative thoughts to productive ones. This summer, I have been creating a study that investigates if expressive writing can reduce post-performance rumination in college-level students who have experienced music performance anxiety. Typically, this expressive writing technique has been used before events to reduce stress for performers, athletes, and public speakers. However, it can also be used to cope with traumatic experiences, which is why I want to understand the effect it would have on helping musicians ruminate less. During Summer Fellows I have been designing this study, which entails reviewing scholarship focused on performance anxiety, rumination, and expressive writing. I have also prepared my study materials and research protocol in order to run the completed study in the fall
Investigating the Effects of Cover Cropping on Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen
No full textConventional farming practices are ecologically costly, especially through soil degradation and nitrogen (N) pollution. Cover crops, non-cash crops grown to protect and enrich soil, provide an alternative that broadly benefits aspects of soil health, including microbial community structure, retention of organic matter, and prevention of N leaching. This research studied the effect of cover cropping on the potential for soil to generate mineral N from organic N, and was completed during Summer Fellows 2025 under the mentorship of Dr. Denise Finney
Digital Spark Presentation: Evolance AI
No full textIn this presentation, Julian Faust, Ursinus College Class of 2026, discusses his summer experience working with the company he founded, Evolance AI
Digital Spark Presentation: Marzella\u27s Pizza & Upper Providence Living
No full textIn this presentation, Michael Adams, Ursinus College Class of 2026, discusses his summer experience working with two local businesses: Marzella\u27s Pizza, a restaurant in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and Upper Providence Living, a magazine focusing on the local community