Tannin is a chemically stable phenolic compound found in plant leaves, fruits, and roots. It enters the soil from plant detritus, but what happens after it enters the soil is unknown. It has biological importance due to its action as an antioxidant and its ability to precipitate proteins. This unique ability to interact with proteins, […]
C43: Zein Nanoparticles Coated with Various Types of Tannin
Zein, a protein found in corn, can form nanoparticles that can be utilized in drug delivery systems. Condensed tannin and hydrolyzable tannin are high molecular weight plant polyphenols that interact strongly with protein, presumably by crosslinking via phenol-peptide hydrogen bonds. Adding a tannin “coat” to zein nanoparticles may protect the particles so they provide a […]
C45: Determination of Alcohols and Esters in Aqueous Solutions by Headspace Flow Injection Analysis using a Tin Oxide Electrochemical Detector
The SnO2 electrode has received wide-spread application for the headspace detection of volatile organic compounds such as ethanol. The sensor is actually an Al2O3 ceramic tube which is coated with a rough (high surface area) SnO2 layer and heated. Semiconducting oxide gas sensors of this type are based on the conductivity changes caused by the […]
C46: Validation Studies of an Advanced Flow Controlled Cup for Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
In the field of Speech Language Pathology, multiple populations seek intervention and therapy. Among these are individuals who have oropharyngeal dysphagia or challenges during the process of swallowing at the level of the oral cavity and throat. Our study assists this population by altering the flow rate of liquid as it leaves a cup in […]
C47: Evaluation of Breakthrough Curves: Perfluorooctanoic Acid Adsorption on Activated Carbon
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an organic pollutant linked with various cancers, is a “forever” chemical, as it has the ability to linger in the environment almost indefinitely without breaking down. As a result of the danger it poses, it is necessary to explore the effectiveness of various methods of removing PFOA from drinking water. The goal […]
C48: Time-resolved high-resolution spectroscopy: Lifetime measurements of 61Σg+ electronic state of Na2 using time correlated single photon counting
In this work we present progress towards the development of a map of the lifetimes of rovibrational states of the 6_1\Sigma^+_g state of diatomic sodium molecules. This research in chemical physics is focused on improving our understanding of fundamental aspects of matter. This particular electronic state is of interest to us as it possesses a […]
C49: Quantum Computing: A Gateway to Rapid Function Processing
My general research area is quantum computing. The tool used is IBM’s public qubit simulator to experiment with different quantum functions and compare them to traditional computer functions. The research question is whether we can use quantum computers in our everyday lives to speed up different tasks in comparison to traditional computers. This is relevant […]
C60: Deciphering the Relationship Between the 1949, 1971, and 2021 Eruptions in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are a chain of seven intra-plate volcanic islands located off the NW African coast, ~100 km west of Morocco. La Palma Island is one of the youngest and westernmost islands in the Canary archipelago, with seven recorded historical eruptions, the three most recent of which include the 1949 San Juan eruption, the […]
B48: Structural Transitions Modulate the Chaperone Activities of Grp94
Grp94 is a molecular chaperone found in the Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 family. Grp94 is found in the endoplasmic reticulum and is a homodimer composed of a nucleotide-binding domain (NTD), middle domain (MD), and carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD). Heat shock proteins help maintain homeostasis in a cell that is under stress. Folded proteins become unfolded […]
B20: A Petrographic Analysis of Shonkinites in the Adel Mountain Range
A rare rock type known as a shonkinite was found in the Adel Mountain range of Southwest Montana near the Missouri River and we set out to determine its crystallization history and magmatic evolution. As a first step towards this research goal, thin sections were made, and a petrographic analysis was conducted to determine composition […]