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Hello, World.
Get PDFThis project works to theatrically represent the current state of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as its benefits and drawbacks, in the style of the Living Newspaper. Originating from a Great Depression-era job program, the Living Newspaper sought to take headlines and present them onstage for a poignant and contemporary social critique. This work does the same, melding different angles of the AI debate into a single production that emphasizes the rapidly progressing state of modern AI technology and the need for humans to consider the impacts such technologies will have. Furthermore, it asks the audience to question their position within such considerations, creating a product that is both informative and reflective
Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the G4DFsc Protein
No full textG4DFsc is a de novo protein designed to mimic the metal-binding active sites of natural non-heme diiron enzymes. Through site-directed mutagenesis, specific amino acids can be targeted to affect conformational changes in the active site. In this study, H77D or H77E mutations were made in the E44H-G4DFsc plasmid to create an active site in which the histidine amino acids are trans to one another. Analysis of the mutated protein can further characterize the structure-function relationship of the protein’s hydrolase capabilities. The H77D and H77E mutagenesis was successful. Both proteins were produced and purified, allowing for future characterization of their biophysical properties, and DNA cleavage activity will be analyzed
Carbon Nanotubes Inhibit Biofilm Formation on Polydimethylsiloxane
No full textSilicone-based materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are widely used in the construction of biomedical devices due to their biocompatibility and biostability. Despite these benefits, biofilms form readily on silicone surfaces, leading to antimicrobial-resistant hospital- or medical device- associated infections. We hope to reduce biofilm formation by generating a surface containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), which have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth. A SWNT-containing surface was generated on cured PDMS disks via spin coating or through mixing SWNTs into liquid PDMS prior to curing. Furthermore, the antibiotics clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin were incorporated into the coatings applied through spin coating to investigate how the presence of common antibiotics interact with the SWNT surface. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were then grown on these disks. Bacteria suspended above and stuck on each disk were measured to investigate the development of each biofilm. We expect that a SWNT surface will decrease biofilm formation on PDMS, potentially providing another avenue to stymie hospital-associated infections
Quantifying and Characterizing Microplastic Contamination in the Greater Philadelphia Area
No full textPlastic is one of the world\u27s most useful and versatile materials, so no wonder 400 million tonnes are produced yearly. When exposed to weathering and heat, plastic degrades and produces microplastics. These microplastics have managed to leech into our oceans, local waterways, bodies, and even our air. The negative implications of microplastic contamination in our environment are slowly being uncovered with concerns of toxin buildup. Additionally, the amount of microplastics we are exposed to through local waterways is rarely quantified. Based on preliminary sample collections, we concluded that the Schuylkill River Watershed is contaminated with multiple fibers per cubic meter of the river. Additionally, the plastics contributing to this debris are primarily the result of consumerism and infrastructure, such as tributyl phosphate, poly(vinyl formal), polyethylene, and 1,2-polybutadiene
Queer Coding and Representation: The Motion Picture Production Code and Its Impact on the LGBTQ Community
Get PDFThe Motion Picture Production Code was a set of guidelines for films imposed between 1934 and 1968 that prevented them from depicting immoral themes such as profanity, blasphemy, and glorification of criminal activity. While homosexuality was never explicitly mentioned, it was banned in films through a rule prohibiting the depiction of sex perversion. This resulted in many films using a technique called queer coding in which they could imply that a character was queer without alerting the Production Code Administration. Because queer characters could not be depicted without glamorizing homosexuality, however, many of these characters were villains, died in the film, or both. I argue that these trends in queer representation carried long past the Motion Picture Production Code ended, appearing in movies with queer coded or explicitly homosexual characters throughout the 90s and 2000s. The way that these queer coded characters were depicted after the MPPC often implied that queer characters were master manipulators who only wanted power, and they often disrupted heterosexual relationships and families in their respective movies. As time passed, queer characters were no longer villains, but had high death rates in film, suggesting that members of the LGBT community are incapable of leading happy lives
Inverse-Kinematics Proton Scattering From 42Si
Get PDFWe studied the neutron-rich isotope 42Si using inverse-kinematics proton scattering from a liquid hydrogen target at the Facility of Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University. We utilized a supercomputer to run multiple Geant4 simulations and fit them to our measured gamma-ray spectrum. The simulated spectrum is used to find the energy and half-life of the first excited state. We deduced inelastic-scattering cross-sections using the Gretina gamma-ray tracking array. Our results provide a sensitive test of shell-model descriptions of the evolution of the N=28 shell below 48Ca
Writing a Young Adult Fantasy Book
No full textFor my Summer Fellows project I worked with Dr. Jon Volkmer in the Creative Writing department on the second installment of my young adult fantasy book in the series titled: Sisters and the Battle of the Magic-Born. The first, completed, book in the series is titled: Sisters and the Lies of the Bloodlines. My Summer Fellows work is a continuation of this ongoing project which I intend to extend to at least be a three-book series. Together we drafted and re-drafted the first 75 pages of Sisters and the Battle of the Magic-Born and I plan to finish the book using the guidance and lessons taught to me by my mentor Jon, and by the rigorous and rewarding structure of writing within the Summer Fellows program
The Grizzly, February 15, 2024
Get PDFFreedom, Transformation and Pathways: Spring Exhibits at the Berman • Ursinus Faculty Discusses Generative A.I. • An Artist\u27s Craft: The Making of Running Away • Everybody Dies • Opinions: What Was Your Favorite Memory Studying Abroad? • Ursinus Athletics Crossword • Bears Come in the Clutch: Ursinus Reels Off Two Straight Victorieshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2026/thumbnail.jp
The Grizzly, October 31, 2024
Get PDFBeetlejuice Breakout: Grizzly Edition • Spooky Scary STDs • UC Theater Presents an Agatha Christie Double Bill! • The Monsters are Due on Main Street • Creating Bullshit • Opinions: The Yap With Emily Veasey • Nerf Club: A Merry Melee • Spooky Stars of the Week! • Maples Hall-Oweenhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2041/thumbnail.jp