Abstracts was considered complete. Currently, the vulnerability assessment of coastal bridges is underway in order to evaluate reliability of Georgia coastal bridges under, beyond-design basis, hurricane loads.
Dr. Mark A Haidekker, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering Fluorescent molecular rotors are being utilized more for their probing properties; they are reporters of fluid viscosity with the major advantage of ultrafast measurement in extremely low fluid volumes compared to conventional mechanical rheology. Among many applications, some being the examination of microviscosity in the cell membrane of blood plasma and macromolecule suspensions, the rotors can be applied to food additives. In these applications, however, a substance’s autofluorescence critically interferes with the fluorescent emission of the molecular rotor. Our investigation aimed at determining a method to separate this spectral emission interference, in our case, with wort solutions. Preliminary experiments with stained (with rotors) and unstained fluid samples showed that it was impossible to separate this autofluorescent interference. It was hypothesized that additional factors such as poor solubility of the rotor, viscosity sensitivity, or even temperature could also play a role. We proceeded by synthesizing a series of molecular rotor derivatives, containing a naphthalene core, as derived from the benzylidenemolonitrile motif. These rotors exhibited a strong bathochromic shift with an emission peak at 660nm (red). At this wavelength range, the contribution from the autofluorescent emission should be negligible. With this shift, however, viscosity sensitivity was reduced. Further experimentation and development is needed to improve the rotational freedom of the rotor to increase the dye’s sensitivity.
Relationships and Trade Offs between Food Insecurity and Healthcare Jacy Donaldson, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Abigail Borron, Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Every day, there are people who struggle due to instability in their life. Survival often requires tough choices regarding food, health, shelter, education, and other daily needs. When focusing on one area, such as food insecurity, making ends meet through to the end of the month can be identified through varying resources for assistance. However, when food insecurity intersects with health-based concerns, an increasingly complex set of issues arise. This research project focuses on the tradeoffs and unique characteristics between food insecurity and health care. The majority of literature focuses on how food insecurity increases the need for health care due to health issues related to poor nutrition. While this is important, there is also an opportunity to consider how food insecure families perceive and deal with weighing the options between food and health care needs. The target population for this study is individuals utilizing food pantries in and around Atlanta, Georgia. Using qualitative research methods such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, and photovoice, we will gather information about people’s choices regarding food insecurity and health from their own perspective. Couched in a larger multi-disciplinary project, this research will focus specifically on the intersection of food and health when analyzing the data. The findings will contribute to developing a more comprehensive understanding of this complex intersection, which is intended to inform the Atlanta Community Food Bank, as staff consider potential interventions for assistance at the agency level.
The Ratio of Gas to Dust at High Galactic Latitudes Jessica E Doppel, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Loris Magnani, Physics and Astronomy, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences The ratio of the column density of atomic Hydrogen (N(HI)) and the color excess (E(B-V)) varies over the different studies that have examined the ratio. Using the data from the Leiden/Argentine/Bonn (LAB) survey and the Schlafly et. al. color excess survey, the values of the column density and the color excess are
Development of Viscosity-Sensitive Fluorescent Molecular Rotors for Food Additives Kevin Tuan Dong, CURO Research Assistant 84