“ … Union College Kelly Adirondack Center 807 Union Street Schenectady , NY 12308 kellycenter@union.edu MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Fitts … Special Collections, Schaffer Library, 807 Union Street, Schenectady , NY 12308 Thanks to generous … THE KELLY … ”
Abstract
Welcome to volume 26 of the Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies. Following our tagline: “Seeking Common Ground among A Multitude of viewpoints,” this issue contains a broad spectrum of topics and ideas. We cover birds, floods and climate change, history and politics, public safety, and we continue to shine a light on Adirondack archives.
Table of Contents
From the Editor by J. Douglass Klein, page 1
'The emotional recovery, I think, continues': An ethnography-style case study of Tropical Storm Irene's impact on the North Country by Hadar Pepperstone and Kimberly J. Coleman, page 7
Visualizing Warmer Adirondack Futures: How Virtual Reality influences Sense of Place in Climate Change Education by Stephane Tyski and Joseph A. Henderson, page 23
Creating an Interactive GIS-based Dashboard for Preventative Search and Rescue Efforts Using New York's Adirondack Park as a Case Study by Lindsay Ciurleo, page 41
Are Loons on Thin Ice with Climate Change? by Nina Schoch, Emily Prosser, and Jennifer Denny, page 55
Factors Influencing Avian Nest Success in Exurban Residential Areas in the Adirondack Park by Michale Glennon and Heidi E. Kretser, page 63
Adirondack Climate Stories: Storytelling and Art as Catalysts for Climate Discussions by Stephanie Ashenfelder and Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp, page 77
Dalton-Loines Family Papers Available at the Adirondack Research Library by Matthew Golebiewski, page 81
The Adirondack Artist Interviews in the St. Lawrence University Adirondack Collection by Paul Doty, page 85
Power Struggle Over Preservation at Lake George by Ellen Apperson Brown, page 91
“ … 19, 2015). 77 Charles Batson, interview by Rachel Refkin, Schenectady , NY , November 20, 2014. … ”
Abstract
The following senior thesis examines France’s political, economic, and military relationship with Rwanda from 1962-present. It analyzes the questionable success of the French humanitarian intervention, dubbed Operation Turquoise, during the Rwandan genocide. Moreover, it explores how the neocolonial relationship between the two countries, and the so-called Françafrique system, while demonstrating the ways in which this relationship juxtaposed certain French notions of libérte, égalité, and fraternité. This paper explains how, before Belgian colonialism, the Hutu-Tutsi division was characterized by considerable ethnic fluidity but also social class differences. Yet, due to the fact that the Tutsi enjoyed a position of privilege during the colonial era, after independence the Hutu responded by reigning in a dictatorial manner over the Tutsi. This lasted until the genocide, and resulted in a large refugee population in Uganda. This paper will explore how Rwanda and France did not begin their peculiar neocolonial relationship until the 1970s, when the two countries struck certain arms trade deals. This military support increased dramatically as the Rwandan Patriotic Front gained ground starting in 1990. As this thesis shows, the French military would even train government militias, who developed into extremist organizations such as the Interhamwe. Then, during Operation Turquoise, the military was successful is establishing a “Safe Zone,” for the protection of hundreds of thousands of refugees. But through a lack of cultural understanding, the French were also responsible for thousands of deaths. The primary resources for this research included Thierry Prugngaud’s first hand account of Operation Turquoise and NGO’s arms reports on Rwanda. Many secondary sources were used containing interviews of Rwandans who came across the French before and during the genocide. Specifically, journalist Andrew Wallis’s book contained interviews of both genocidaires and victims, used to fully comprehend the Rwandan’s point of view.
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“ … , NY ; Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY ; Berkshire Botanical … and USustain This summer we’ll also be welcoming riders on Schenectady ’s Nature Bus to the Reist Sanctu- ary! We’re … the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, and CDTA to bring Schenectady city residents … Plaza, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. … ”
Abstract
Highlights of exhibition, The Two Painters: Laini Nemett & Walter Hatke at the Kelly Adirondack Center
“ … Bruno Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady , NY 12308 Wind Tunnel Test system Abstract P-factor is an … ”
Abstract
P-factor is an aerodynamic phenomenon experienced by ascending, single propeller aircraft. An angle between the orientation of the blade of a rotating propeller and the airstream causes thrust generation to change as the blade rotates. The result is asymmetric thrust production and the induction of a negative (counterclockwise) torque about the yaw axis. Understanding and characterizing this instability, which typically limits the maximum usable power, will allow for the exploration of more efficient propellers and higher power motors on smaller airframes. The presentation will show results and analysis of a combination of wind tunnel and field tests, which characterize the p-factor related torque induced on the airframe at a variety of different angles of attack, freestream velocities, and rotational velocities.
“ … Alyssa B. Silbey and Steven K. Rice Union College, Schenectady , NY Research Objec8ves - To apply 3D terrestrial laser … ”
Abstract
Thermal microclimates are vital within ecosystems because they contribute to forming appropriate niche space for many species. Variation in microclimates may impact animal thermoregulation and be especially important in the face of climate change. The goal of this study is to determine how the size and structure of Quercus ilicifolia (Scrub Oak) individuals influences temperature gradients in their vicinity. We hypothesized that differences in leaf density and leaf area index (LAI) would cause variation in the thermal regimes within and around shrubs (temperature gradients), and that shrubs with higher LAI would form steeper temperature gradients. Five Q. ilicifolia shrubs that differed in size (1-3 m tall) were selected within the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (Albany, NY). At each shrub, five temperature logging devices (iButtons) were placed 8 cm above the ground surface in a transect from the shrub center to the surrounding vegetation. At each point, hemispherical canopy photos were obtained to estimate canopy cover, and leaf area was measured by collecting leaves from each shrub; leaf area index (LAI) was calculated by dividing leaf area by ground area. Additionally, terrestrial laser scanning was performed by scanning shrubs to obtain a 3D reconstruction and to calculate shrub ground area and volume. Characteristics of shrub structure (height, canopy cover, LAI, canopy volume) were compared to each other and to measurements of thermal regime (average, maximum and minimum daily temperatures). Leaf area and shrub volume were positively correlated (r2 =0.96) and LAI ranged between 1.0-1.9 (m2/m2), but was not associated with canopy cover. Daily maximum temperatures formed a gradient from shrub edges to the openings, whose magnitude was independent of shrub size or leaf area. Likewise, temperature environments within shrubs were fairly constant, but there was a linear gradient from the shrub edge to the surrounding vegetation. On average, shrubs caused a 5.2°C temperature depression in the daily maximum temperatures. These results suggest that temperature gradients form independently of shrub size and structure, but are nonetheless present underneath and directly adjacent to shrubs. Overall, we have shown that TLS is a useful way to support field measurements of shrub structure.
“ … James M. Cordes2,3, Stella K. Ocker2,3 1 Union College, Schenectady , NY ; 2 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY ; 3 NANOGrav Collaboration Main Results ● NANOGrav has … ”
Abstract
Pulsar dispersion measure (DM) quantifies the integrated electron column density along the line of sight. Electron density fluctuations produce DM variations that induce errors in high precision pulsar timing used by the Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav). We analyze DM variations of two pulsars observed by NANOGrav, PSRs J1614-2230 and J1643-1224, to determine if the HII regions along their LOS enhance their DM variations. Both pulsars exhibit linear changes in DM that are due to the transverse motions of the LOS through density gradients in the interstellar medium (ISM). We calculate the motion of the pulsars' LOS through the HII regions and determine that the observed DM variations could trace density fluctuations on scales of astronomical units (AU) or less within the HII regions. J1614-2230 exhibits DM variations dominated by the solar wind, but both pulsars show additional periodic DM variations that are out of phase with the expected solar wind-induced fluctuations. These periodic DM variations are too large to be explained by the LOS motion through the HII regions, but could be induced by another local plasma structure that obstructs the LOS to both pulsars. Funded by the Summer 2020 Astronomy REU program at Cornell University under NSF award NST/AST-1950324. The NANOGrav Physics Frontiers Center is supported by NSF award number 1430284.
“ … Levels and Depression Lindsey Nassimos Union College Schenectady , NY … ”
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common diseases worldwide with over 300 million people currently diagnosed. Currently, all depression is being treated the same even though depression can manifest itself in several different combinations. To be diagnosed with depression, a patient needs to have just 5 of the 9 symptoms defined by the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5. This means there are 256 possible combinations of depressive symptoms that could be presented by an individual. One observation that has been made is that individuals with diseases that cause too much or too little of the stress hormone cortisol often show signs of depression; this led us to our hypothesis that genetic factors related to cortisol levels, function, or activity may increase someone's risk for depression. In order to find better treatments for depression it is first necessary to have a better understanding of the different types of depression and the role of genetics in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA-axis) that regulates cortisol levels and the different mechanisms by which cortisol action is regulated. Hypersensitivity is experienced when an individual's body reacts to a normal amount of cortisol as if it were an abundance of cortisol while resistance refers to someone who does not respond fully to normal amounts of cortisol. We can determine hypersensitivity and resistance by looking at single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)- changes in the sequence of the DNA in some genes; our lab is interested in the contribution to depression of SNPs in several genes including the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). If a patient expresses GR resistance and MR sensitivity (or vice versa) the contrasting effects could result in dysregulation of the stress response. In partnership with the Union College Wicker Wellness Center DNA samples were collected from patients identified as having depression. Along with DNA samples, participants were asked to fill out both the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) as well as the Mini Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (Mini-MASQ). Both of these questionnaires were used in order to make measurements of depression for each of the participants to compare with the detected genotypes. By better understanding how dysregulation of the HPA-axis contributes to depression, we can begin to answer our research question: how do we better treat depression.
“ … Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady , NY 12308 (wilkr@union.edu) Motivation Heat recycling from … ”
Abstract
Heat recycling from high performance computers is gaining more attention in recent years with the exponential increase in their usage. The heat generated by their computer boards can potentially be retrieved to replace standard water heating systems while simultaneously performing profitable or useful computations, ultimately eliminating heating costs. Localized liquid cooling is conventionally used to cool down high performance computers, and consists in extracting heat exclusively from the Computer Processing Unit of the computer boards. Due to the localized aspect of this cooling method, it is unable to extract heat from the entire board and thus can physically not attain high extraction efficiencies compared to standard water heaters. Alternatively, non conductive immersion cooling can be utilized for this application to produce competitive results. This project primarily focused on the design and set up of a cooling system that utilized mineral oil as the working fluid. Antminer S9 computer boards were immersed inside an insulated styrofoam box filled with circulating mineral oil. The system is connected to a heat exchanger which transfers heat to a water loop. Hot water circulates through an insulated water tank and can be manually redirected to a liquid to air radiator for safety purposes. Each loop has been instrumented with a flowmeter, a gate valve, and 2 thermocouples at the inlet and outlet of the liquid to liquid heat exchanger. The system in its integrity is not only able to generate heat, which can be quantified by measuring the temperature change of the water tank, but also generate cryptocurrency profits, monitored online. This study presents the design of the piping system, the estimation of total value generated in terms of heat stored and cryptocurrency, and finally the steps taken towards optimizing the net profit after subtracting electric operation costs.
“ … Astronomy, Union College, Schenectady , NY 2 Department of Geology, Union College, Schenectady , NY Methods The pressure vessel was … ”
Abstract
Europa has an icy crust with the possibility of a liquid ocean beneath the solid layer, which holds promise as a potentially habitable environment. A growing interest around Europa is evidenced by upcoming missions, including NASA's Europa Clipper and ESA's JUpiter's ICy moon Explorer (JUICE). One objective of these missions is to understand more about the crust/ocean and its ability to sustain life. Previous missions have shown that the predominant salts on Europa may be NaCl and MgSO4, however the effect of pressure and salinity on the melting / freezing points of ice under relevant conditions is less well constrained. Having insight about the phase relationships of the salt solutions could provide important constraints in interpreting mission-based data. We have experimentally determined the freezing point of NaCl solutions at pressures up to 700 bars with concentrations ranging up to 20% salt in distilled water. Our results align closely to other published results from past experiments for the known data, and we have new data for previously unexplored conditions. Overall, an addition of 20% NaCl can depress the freezing point of water by close to 20„ƒ at pressures that would represent a 70km thick crust on Europa. These results can be used to place constraints on current models of crustal thickness on icy moons like Europa
“ … Departments of Mechanical Engineering Union College, Schenectady , NY Silica-Alumina Wetgel Virtually all cars on the road today … ”
Abstract
Virtually all cars on the road today use catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions and comply with government regulations. Without catalytic converters these gases, like nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide, would deplete the ozone layer, contributing to climate change, or generate harmful smog. Most catalytic converters are made of two main components, a honeycomb corderite base and a washcoat saturated with platinum group metals (PGMs). The most crucial component of a catalytic converter is the platinum group metals within the washcoat as they catalyze the harmful gases released by the combustion process. The Union College aerogel lab has researched the possibility of replacing the PGM based washcoat used in catalytic converters with aerogels impregnated with less expensive, but still catalytically active, metals such as copper and cobalt. This seeks to take advantage of the properties of aerogels, such as high surface area and porosity, to augment the catalytic ability of these cheaper metals. The Union College aerogel lab has also attempted to theoretically model the catalytic ability of CoAl aerogels using the activation energy and kinetics of the reactions that occur during catalysis. My project started with attempts to synthesize an aerogel with PGM, but due to my inability to perform on campus experiments the focus of the project has shifted to modeling the catalytic performance of aerogels that have already been tested experimentally using a kinetic model in matlab. This poster will go over the experiments that I accomplished during my first term to synthesize PGM aerogels and the kinetic modeling that I am doing in my second term.
“ … Computer, and Biomedical Engineering. Union College, Schenectady , NY , 12308. 1. Elastography is an imaging technology which … ”
Abstract
Soft tissue often changes stiffness when it has a pathological change, and this change is an implication of diseases. Elastography is an imaging technology that shows the mechanical properties of tissue. In our lab, we are developing an optical coherence elastography (OCE) system for high-resolution imaging of small animal models for developmental biology. In this poster, we describe our OCE setup and preliminary experiments on gelatin tissue phantoms.
“ … Team Union College, Schenectady , NY SRGb016 Example Images & Surface Brightness Profiles AGC … R.A. et al. 1999, AJ, 118, 2014 Acknowledgements NASA NY Space Grant NSF … ”
Abstract
Galaxies from the groups SRGb016, SRGb046, and WBL105 were examined through broadband R (stellar) and Hα (star formation) wavelengths to discover patterns within their areas of active star formation. The galaxy images were obtained from the Kitt Peak National Observatory WIYN 0.9m telescope. Radial profiles of R and Hα light were derived through surface photometry. There were 18 out of 23 galaxies from SRGb016 (78%), 9 out of 25 galaxies from SRGb046 (36%), and 4 out of 5 galaxies from WBL105 (80%) that were detected in Hα.
“ … ice shell on Europa. Union College, Schenectady , NY Our models predict the thermodynamic properties of the ice … ”
Abstract
Planetary science is the study of different physical, atmospheric, and geological properties of planetary bodies in our Solar System. We are specifically interested in studying Jupiter's moon Europa, because of its large quantity of ice and water. This surplus of H2O is an essential piece in the search for life beyond Earth, which means in order to understand how life could exist outside of Earth, we must first enhance our intuition about the conditions on this icy moon. In this project, we use computational analysis methods and a program called SeaFreeze to model and calculate the thermodynamic properties of water and ice to learn more about how different pressure and temperature conditions influence their molecular behavior and phase changes. Through this analysis, we find relationships for the thermodynamic properties across phase boundaries and for each type of ice. We apply this analysis to create a model for the interior of the ice layer on Europa, plotting properties such as density, p-wave velocity, and s-wave velocity as functions of depth. We find a semi-linear relationship for these properties, and require future analyses to study the effects of salt in order to gain a full picture of the interior of Europa.
“ … Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady , NY 12308 Overview of … ”
Abstract
The cardiac development process of early stage chick embryos was investigated using contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). Within the early stages of embryo growth, the chick heart is structured as a C-shaped tube. As the embryo develops, the heart tube bends over itself forming an alpha shape that is necessary for further development. The consequences of this looping process, which also occurs in developing human embryos, are well understood but the forces that drive this mechanism require further examination. Failure for this heart looping to occur in humans can result in congenital heart defects and other cardiac issues. To investigate the driving forces of this action, the mechanical properties, such as stiffness and energy dissipation, of highly localized embryonic regions were investigated across multiple chick embryos that were incubated for 48-52 hours, referred to as stage 12. Specifically, microscale single-indentation curves were obtained using the AFM across an array of locations on the cranial region of the chick embryo. The primary focus of this experiment is to investigate the potential effect of the material properties of the embryo on the cardiac development process. The results of our experiments compare favorably to previously published data using a different micro indentation apparatus on similarly staged chick embryos. Our tests have obtained stiffness values ranging from 10 - 14 nN/µm and other tests have stiffness values ranging from 4 - 10 nN/ µm. Future tests will continue to probe material property values for stage 12 embryos as well as investigating later stages of embryonic growth. By investigating the material properties across various regions and stages of chick embryos, the exerted mechanical forces and the cardiac development process can be better understood.
“ … of both. Dereck Wang, Ashok Ramasubramanian Union College, Schenectady , NY METHODS … ”
Abstract
Two vital and simultaneous morphogenetic events that occur during early embryo development are the flexure and torsion (F&T) of the embryonic body axis. Both contribute to development of the fetal position, which can be observed in avian and mammalian embryos. Correct progression of F&T is crucial for the proper development of the heart and other organs. Embryonic flexure can be divided into three segments: cranial, cervical, and thoracic. In this study, we focus on cervical flexure and torsion of the embryonic body axis. Differential cell proliferation, the difference in the rate of division of cells between regions in the developing embryo, is one mechanism that could influence F&T. Goodrum & Jacobson (1981) observed thickening of the dorsal midbrain relative to the ventral midbrain during cranial flexure. Miller & White (1998) have shown using mouse embryos that differential growth could cause torsion of an axis confined to an attached sphere. We performed studies inhibiting cell proliferation. Fertile white leghorn chick eggs were incubated to approximately Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) Stage 12 or 13. At these stages, F&T have just begun. We then added aphidicolin, a mitotic inhibitor, to whole embryo culture. Embryos were observed at 0, 5, and 10 hours to see if F&T were repressed. We hypothesized that the addition of aphidicolin would inhibit progression of F&T. We developed quantitative schemes to score the extent of F&T progression from HH 12 to HH 15. Embryos were scored from 0 to 4 based on the degree of cervical flexure and were also scored from 0 to 4 based on the degree of torsion. Afterward, the difference in F&T scores of same embryos at time t=0 h and t=10 h was calculated to determine the extent of both. These scores were then averaged for multiple embryos. Compared with controls (n=46), embryos incubated in 400 μM aphidicolin (n=18) flexed and rotated at a significantly lower rate. For flexion, the mean difference in scores for control and treated embryos were 1.85 and 1.22, respectively. For torsion, the mean difference in scores for control and treated embryos were 1.62 and 1.25, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. It is noted that global application of aphidicolin did impact the overall health of embryos. However, our preliminary results indicate that differential cell proliferation could play a role in rotation and flexure progression in the developing chicken embryo. References: Goodrum, G. R., & Jacobson, A. G. (1981). Cephalic flexure formation in the chick embryo. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 216(3), 399-408. doi:10.1002/jez.1402160308 Miller, S. A., & White, R. D. (1998). Right-Left Asymmetry of Cell Proliferation Predominates in Mouse Embryos Undergoing Clockwise Axial Rotation. The Anatomical Record, 250(1), 103-108. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199801)250:13.0.co;2-s
“ … Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Union College, SchenectadyNY 12308 Neuromodulation is the process of inhibition, … ”
Abstract
Neuromodulation is a scientific phenomenon widely used in therapeutic treatment as well as treatment of diseases associated with brain malfunction. Associated with the change of neuron firings, neuromodulation allows for alteration and control of nerve activity. Current methods are invasive and deliver low performance on target specificity. Ultrasound (US) is known for its great spatial resolution and ability to move through tissue and bone noninvasively. The goal of this research is to explore the effects of US as a method of neuromodulation on the third nerve of a crayfish as a testbed system.
“ … and Sally E. Walker 2 1Union College Geology Department, Schenectady , NY . 2University of Georgia Geology Department, Athens, GA. … ”
Abstract
Nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon isotopes in the shell of the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki as a proxy for sea ice cover in Antarctica and striae measurements to create a growth model EMMA PUHALSKI, STEPHEN CAMARRA, DAVID GILLIKIN Adamussium colbecki is a large thin-shelled Antarctic sea scallop that is well-represented in the fossil record. Shell oxygen (δ18Os), carbon (δ13Cs), and nitrogen isotopes in carbonate bound organic matter (δ15NCBOM) have the potential to record sea ice cover over time. When paired with interstrial growth trends, shell isotope data may provide information on growth-rate response to environmental changes such as sea ice state. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed A. colbecki shells from two bays with different sea ice cover in Western McMurdo Sound, Antarctica: Explorers Cove (EC) has persistent (multiannual) sea ice and Bay of Sails (BOS) has annual sea ice (melts out seasonally). Three adult shells were collected from each site in 2008 and two juveniles were later collected from Explorers Cove in 2016. Shells were serially sampled for O and C isotopes from the margin to the umbo following assumed growth lines to ensure the data represents specific time intervals of shell growth as accurately as possible. Similar δ18Os values for all shells indicated that meteoric glacial inputs do not play a significant role at these sites. A consistent decrease in δ13Cs values for all shells indicates metabolic carbon may be integrated through shell growth and does not provide accurate sea ice proxy data. Carbon isotopes may yet provide information about changes in A. colbecki growth rate. Interstrial growth trends in adults show little periodicity through ontogeny, suggesting high metabolic devotion to reproductive growth and secondary influences from environmental factors. Periodicity in young growth may be strongly environmentally controlled. It has been shown that δ15NCBOM values provide a similar proxy as soft tissue δ15N values, which record phytoplankton δ15N values. We hypothesize the significantly higher δ15NCBOM values in EC shells reflect nitrate draw-down under persistent ice cover. Nitrogen isotopes in fossil A. colbecki have a high potential to record sea ice cover. This work is co-authored by Kelly Cronin and Sally Walker from the University of Georgia.
“ … Orzel Union College Department of Physics and Astronomy, SchenectadyNY Abstract We created an optical setup that detects single … Type-I spontaneous … undergraduate thesis) Union College, SchenectadyNY . … ”
Abstract
We created an optical setup that detects single photons generated using Type-I spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC). A laser diode creates violet 405nm photons that are split into pairs of infrared 810nm photons and are detected in coincidence using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), using programs in LabVIEW for data acquisition. We found a value of ?ùëî2(0) to be 0.0014 ¬± 0.001, conclusively demonstrating the particle nature of light. Incorporating a Mach-Zhender interferometer will allow us to simultaneously demonstrate the wave nature through single-photon interference.
“ … Nassimos 22’, Union College Biochemistry Department, Schenectady , NY ● Depression is the leading cause of disease worldwide … ”
Abstract
Depression is one of the most common diseases worldwide with over 300 million people currently diagnosed. Currently, all depression is being treated the same even though depression can manifest itself in several different combinations. To be diagnosed with depression, a patient needs to have just 5 of the 9 symptoms defined by the American Psychiatric Association DSM-5. This means there are 256 possible combinations of depressive symptoms that could be presented by an individual. One observation that has been made is that individuals with diseases that cause too much or too little of the stress hormone cortisol often show signs of depression; this led us to our hypothesis that genetic factors related to cortisol levels, function, or activity may increase someone's risk for depression. In order to find better treatments for depression it is first necessary to have a better understanding of the different types of depression and the role of genetics in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA-axis) that regulates cortisol levels and the different mechanisms by which cortisol action is regulated. Hypersensitivity is experienced when an individual's body reacts to a normal amount of cortisol as if it were an abundance of cortisol while resistance refers to someone who does not respond fully to normal amounts of cortisol. We can determine hypersensitivity and resistance by looking at single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)- changes in the sequence of the DNA in some genes; our lab is interested in the contribution to depression of SNPs in several genes including the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). If a patient expresses GR resistance and MR sensitivity (or vice versa) the contrasting effects could result in dysregulation of the stress response. By better understanding how dysregulation of the HPA-axis contributes to depression, we can begin to answer our research question: how do we better treat depression.
“ … , Schenectady , NY Methodology and Data Conducted a county-level, panel data … ”
Abstract
Throughout the past two decades, e-commerce has exploded in the United States, with Amazon leading the way. Following criticism from the media and politicians, Amazon instituted a nationwide minimum wage of $15 per hour for all employees at the end of 2018. Since Amazon fulfillment and sortation centers employ approximately twenty percent of all warehouse employees in the United States, one must ask whether or not their recent institution of a $15 minimum wage in 2018 has improved overall local warehousing wages in counties with Amazon locations present. This paper will answer this question by conducting a quarterly county-level analysis on the American warehousing industry from 2016 to 2020 using QCEW data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, comparing counties with Amazon warehouse to counties without them. This paper finds that Amazon's minimum wage increase in 2018 resulted in lower overall warehouse wages for counties with an Amazon warehouse present due to the increase in lower-level employees in the industry. Moreover, when looking at employment spillover effects, counties with an Amazon warehouse saw an increase in warehousing employment as well as a decrease in clothing retail employment after 2018.
“ … of Chemistry1 & Mechanical Engineering2 Union College, SchenectadyNY Introduction Rhodamine 6G Aerogel Fabrication Silica … ”
Abstract
Silica aerogels are unique nanoporous materials that can be used in a variety of applications. Silica aerogels are attractive for window applications as they are monolithic, thermally insulating, and extremely lightweight. They also can be made transparent or translucent. Aerogels can be made using a variety of methods; in this work, a rapid supercritical extraction method (RSCE) is employed. Although typically translucent, silica aerogels can have dyes incorporated within them to create aerogels of a variety of colors. We are investigating the usage of dyed monolithic silica aerogels in window applications to improve aesthetic effects. However, the high temperatures and pressures required for the RSCE process can lead to dye degradation. In this presentation, we demonstrate how to incorporate Rhodamine 6B, Rhodamine B, and Fluorescein into monolithic silica aerogels. Rhodamine B experiences thermal degradation during monolithic aerogel synthesis. Adjusting processing parameters, including temperature and pressure, can minimize thermal degradation while ensuring the structural integrity of the aerogel. Ultraviolet radiation can also lead to dye degradation, which would be problematic for aerogels in a window application. Future work will focus on spectroscopic characterization of the dyed aerogel monoliths.
“ … of Chemistry1 & Mechanical Engineering2 Union College, SchenectadyNY Introduction Passenger vehicles are a major pollution … ”
Abstract
Passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines are a major air pollution contributor due to their production of significant amounts of NOx, CO, and unburned hydrocarbons. Catalytic converters are used for automotive pollution mitigation. Aerogels are remarkable materials due to their highly porous nanostructure that is approximately 90-99% air by volume. Their high surface area and thermal stability make them attractive for catalytic applications. In this study, chromia-alumina aerogels were synthesized and characterized in order to evaluate their promise as catalysts for automotive applications. The sol-gel synthesis consisted of combining aluminum chloride hexahydrate, chromium(III) nitrate nonahydrate, ethanol (EtOH), and propylene oxide. The wet gels then underwent EtOH solvent exchanges over a series of days, and were processed by a rapid supercritical extraction method to yield aerogel samples. A heat-treatment process was then performed over 24 h at rising temperature increments to 800‚ÑÉ. The chromia-alumina aerogels were characterized through SEM and XRD, and will further be studied through the use of surface area measurements and IR spectroscopy. In preliminary work, these chromia-alumina aerogels were shown to catalyze the oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons and the reduction of NO.
“ … Jue Wang* *Department of Mathematics, Union College, Schenectady , NY Kidney stone disease has become more prevalent through the … ”
Abstract
Kidney stone disease has become more prevalent through the years, leading to high treatment cost and associated health risks. In this study, we explore a large medical database and machine learning methods to extract features and construct models for diagnosing kidney stone disease. Data of 46,250 patients and 58,976 hospital admissions were extracted and analyzed, including patients' demographic information, diagnoses, vital signs, and laboratory measurements of the blood and urine. We compared the kidney stone (KDS) patients to patients with abdominal and back pain (ABP), patients diagnosed with nephritis, nephrosis, renal sclerosis, chronic kidney disease, or acute and unspecified renal failure (NCA), patients diagnosed with urinary tract infections and other diseases of the kidneys and the uterus (OKU), and patients with other conditions (OTH). We built logistic regression models and random forest models to determine the best prediction outcome. For the KDS vs. ABP group, a logistic regression model using the five variables including age, mean respiratory rate, blood chloride, blood creatinine, and blood CO2 levels from the patients' first lab results gave the best prediction accuracy of 0.699. This model maximized sensitivity with a value of 0.726. For KDS vs. NCA we found that a logistic regression using the Elixhauser score and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values from the first lab results for patients with first admittance produced the best outcome, with an accuracy of 0.883 and maximized specificity of 0.898. For KDS vs. OKU a logistic regression using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) calculated from the average lab values gave the best outcome, with an accuracy of 0.852 and maximized specificity of 0.922. Finally, a logistic regression using age, EGFR, BUN, blood creatinine, and blood CO2 gave the best outcome for KDS vs. OTH, with an accuracy of 0.894 and maximized specificity of 0.903. This research gives the medical field models to potentially use on kidney stone patients. It also provides a steppingstone for researchers to build off if they want to build kidney stone models for a different population of patients.
