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Analysis Of An Electrospun Nanofiber Device Applicable To Limb Salvage: Mass Loss, Morphological Changes, And Quantification Of Antibiotic Release, Caitlin Quinn
Honors Theses
The creation of an electrospun nanofiber embedded with two antibiotics that will be used to prevent infection while also stimulating bone regeneration will be explored. The nanofiber will contain an aminoglycoside and a glycopeptide, and it is sought to deliver a sustained release of antibiotics for up to 12 weeks. To determine release rate, nanofiber samples are immersed in 10.0 mL of MiliQ water (MQ), incubated at 37°C, assayed at specific time intervals, and then analyzed using ultra performance liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry. A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) method utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) in tandem …
Kinetic Modeling Of Catalytic Aerogels, Yi Cao
Kinetic Modeling Of Catalytic Aerogels, Yi Cao
Honors Theses
As pollution becomes an increasing concern globally, strict regulations have been set on vehicle pollutant emissions. The three-way catalytic converter is capable of converting toxic emissions such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides to less hazardous waste such as carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. Current catalysts employ platinum group metals, which are expensive and environmentally damaging to mine. Catalytically-active aerogels such as Co-Al, Cu-Al and V-Al aerogels have shown promise as alternatives to these metals. The work presented here adapts and extends a global kinetic model which predicts the conversion of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide on platinum catalyst …
Polymerization Of Blocked Isocyanate Functional Polymer Surfaces And Post-Polymerization Modification By Thiol-Isocyanate Reactions, Chase A. Tretbar
Polymerization Of Blocked Isocyanate Functional Polymer Surfaces And Post-Polymerization Modification By Thiol-Isocyanate Reactions, Chase A. Tretbar
Honors Theses
Direct polymerization of isocyanate-functional monomers has been achieved with controlled radical polymerizations (CRP) for precisely engineered modification platforms with highly reactive side chains. However, despite the success of these strategies, the inherent reactivity of isocyanates still leads to adverse side reactions, such as hydrolysis, that are difficult to suppress. Phenol, lactam, and oxime-based blocking agents have been used to limit the reactivity of isocyanates in applications such as multicomponent urethane coating systems. The reactivity of these blocked isocyanates can be restored by thermal deprotection of the blocking agent to achieve the desired reactions. In this work, we use blocked isocyanate-functional …
Analysis Of The Mechanical Properties Of Dgebf/4,4’-Dds Thermoset Systems As A Function Of Cure Rate, Chase B. Thompson
Analysis Of The Mechanical Properties Of Dgebf/4,4’-Dds Thermoset Systems As A Function Of Cure Rate, Chase B. Thompson
Honors Theses
The relationship between macroscopic mechanical and thermal properties and ramp rate during cure of epoxy-amine systems consisting of the epoxide resin digylcidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF, provided Hexion specialty chemicals) and 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (4,4-DDS, provided by Atul Sulpho) were probed using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS), and compression testing. These systems were cured in a programmable oven; the samples were heated from 35°C to 180°C at ramp rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 15°C/min. Even as the ramp rates during the cure of these materials was changed, there was very little …
Biomimetic Adhesive Thiol-Ene Films For Improved Adhesion, Laken L. Kendrick
Biomimetic Adhesive Thiol-Ene Films For Improved Adhesion, Laken L. Kendrick
Honors Theses
Current dental restoration materials fall short in adhesion and often pull away from the surface of the tooth upon curing. This project seeks to design polymers that can adhere to wet, heterogeneous surfaces as potential materials for dental restoration applications. The goal of this project is to mimic the structure and adhesive properties of natural adhesives containing 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA). We will synthesize mono- and di-functional DOPA derivatives with catechol functionality and investigate their adhesion compared to their non-catechol-containing alternative through incorporation into a model thiol-ene photopolymerization. Functional group conversion, real time kinetics, and adhesion data will be used to analyze …
Modifications Of Lysozyme By Substituted Benzoquinones, Hendrik J. Greve
Modifications Of Lysozyme By Substituted Benzoquinones, Hendrik J. Greve
Honors Theses
Amyloidosis, which involves the precipitation of mis-folded protein aggregates, is a prominent process that occurs in many neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease; the protein aggregates being amyloid-β for Alzheimer’s disease and α-synuclein for Parkinson’s disease. This study has focused on lysozyme modifications induced by metabolites of the commonly found pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are found in substances ranging from grilled meats to cigarette smoke to cosmetics, and they can be metabolized into a family of biological toxins known as benzoquinones. The molecules of interest for this study were 1,4-benzoquinone (pBQ), 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone (CBQ), …
Determination Of Antibiotic Release From Electrospun Nanofibers, John P. O'Brien Iii
Determination Of Antibiotic Release From Electrospun Nanofibers, John P. O'Brien Iii
Honors Theses
Decreasing the risk of infection following surgery for traumatic bone breaks is a major focus of the medical and scientific community. Drug delivery devices are emerging as powerful solutions for combating infection following these procedures. Current devices, however, suffer several drawbacks including poor antibiotic release rate and control the devices themselves not being biodegradable. This thesis studies the \textit{in vitro} release rate for antibiotics tobramycin and vancomycin from a biodegradable medical implant. Antibiotics, collagen, and bone growth factors are incorporated into Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-based electrospun nanofibers by local company eSpin for development. The drug-loaded nanofibers are immersed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) …
Synthesis Of Novel Dienes And Cyclic Compounds Via Olefin Metathesis Reactions Catalyzed By The Second Generation Grubbs Catalyst, Patrick Joseph Carey
Synthesis Of Novel Dienes And Cyclic Compounds Via Olefin Metathesis Reactions Catalyzed By The Second Generation Grubbs Catalyst, Patrick Joseph Carey
Honors Theses
Transition metal-catalyzed olefin metathesis reactions play a significant role in chemical synthesis. These reactions are currently applied across several disciplines, and their full potential has not yet been reached. This project details the synthesis of spiro[3-cyclopentene-1,9’-[9H]fluorene], 1-(1-amino-2-methylpropyl)-3-cyclopentenol, and the eugenol dimer via olefin metathesis reactions catalyzed by the second generation Grubbs catalyst. The unique structural properties of each compound help demonstrate the widespread abilities of these reactions. Also reported are the novel three-dimensional crystal structures of both spiro[3-cyclopentene-1,9’-[9H]fluorene] and the eugenol dimer. These structures were determined via X-ray diffraction crystallography methods using a Bruker SMART X2S Single Crystal Diffractometer. Both …
Ribonuclease A Modification Induced By 1,2-Naphthoquinone And 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone, Michelle Dawn Smith
Ribonuclease A Modification Induced By 1,2-Naphthoquinone And 2-Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone, Michelle Dawn Smith
Honors Theses
Protein modifications may occur upon exposure to environmental toxins such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules or their metabolites. In this context, our laboratory was interested in investigating protein modifications in the presence of select naphthoquinones, which were 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) and 1,2-naphthoquinone (o-NQ). The effects of HNQ and o-NQ on the protein Ribonuclease A (RNase) were investigated through a variety of conditions. These modified incubation conditions included pH variation and the addition of metal ions to further mimic physiological conditions. Documentation of results was carried out through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE). Of the two quinones, o-NQ …
Hydroxyl Number Determination Of Dendritic Polyols Utilizing Nir Spectroscopy, Seth Stacey
Hydroxyl Number Determination Of Dendritic Polyols Utilizing Nir Spectroscopy, Seth Stacey
Honors Theses
The goal of this project was to investigate the use of NIR-spectroscopy to quantify the number of OH functional groups attached to poly(amido amine) or PAMAM dendrimers in a manner that is quick, cost effective and easily reproducible. Obtaining the approximate number of hydroxyl functional groups (OH#) in a dendrimer is crucial in determining what role it can play in bonding and reactivity to other molecules. NIR-spectroscopy has the potential to allow for the recovery of the sample or at least to minimize the amount needed for analysis while providing an accurate determination of the OH# of a dendrimer.
A Raman Spectroscopic And Computational Study Of The Effects Of Halogen Bonding On Pyrimidine Containing Systems, Peyton Lindsey Reves
A Raman Spectroscopic And Computational Study Of The Effects Of Halogen Bonding On Pyrimidine Containing Systems, Peyton Lindsey Reves
Honors Theses
This thesis involves the study of the effects of halogen bonding on pyrimidine containing systems. Halogen bonding is a type of non-covalent interaction that can occur when a Lewis base interacts with an iodine, bromine, or chlorine atom in a second molecule. The phenomenon of halogen bonding is explained by the presence of a localized region of positive electrostatic potential that exists on the halogen. This positive region is referred to as the σ-hole, and gives halogen bonding its other common name, σ-hole bonding. The magnitude of the positive σ-hole depends on both the type of halogen molecule involved in …
The Effect Of Polyamines On I-Motif Thermal Stablity, Shelby Claire Liddell
The Effect Of Polyamines On I-Motif Thermal Stablity, Shelby Claire Liddell
Honors Theses
Polyamines are present inside cells at varying concentrations anywhere between 10 mM and 60 mM, and because of their molecular structure they contribute a positive charge to the interior of the cell. There has been previous evidence that the concentrations of polyamines have an effect on the stability of the DNA strands, which can affect the cellular processes. The particular DNA conformation studied is the i-motif, which is formed by intermolecular folding in cytosine rich strands. The i-motif studied is C20T, which is found in the promoter region of the oncogene, c-myc. Stabilization of c-myc can have an effect on …
Pro-Aromatic Dye Components For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Thienothiophene And Indolizine, George A. Puneky
Pro-Aromatic Dye Components For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Thienothiophene And Indolizine, George A. Puneky
Honors Theses
Four D-π-A dyes based on a 3,4-thienothiophene Ï€-bridge were synthesized for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The pro-aromatic building block 3,4-thienothiophene has been reported to stabilize dye excited-state oxidation potentials. This lowering of excited-state energy levels permits for increased absorption into the near-infrared (NIR) region using relatively low molecular weight dyes. Strong donor functionality based on triaryl- and diarylamines are employed in the dye designs to raise both the ground and excited-state oxidation potentials to values capable of generating DSC devices with good open-circuit voltages. Solubility, aggregation, and TiO2 surface protection were addressed by examining an ethylhexyl alkyl chain …
Breastfeeding: Physiological And Cultural Influences, Alison R. Cegielski
Breastfeeding: Physiological And Cultural Influences, Alison R. Cegielski
Honors Theses
Within a biological perspective, breasts are indisputably for the use of nourishment of the young. This can be seen by how mammary glands are used by every other species other than humans. Humans are the only species that also looks at breasts within a cultural perspective, and that perspective is where the debate of breastfeeding occurs. There is really no debate that if given the option to breastfeed, breastfeeding is the best choice for the development of infants due to the fact that breast milk has been adapted for the human physique. In spite of the health benefits associated with …
Effects Of Synthetic Blood Plasma On Calcium Dependent Dimerization Of Ncad12, Brent Treadway
Effects Of Synthetic Blood Plasma On Calcium Dependent Dimerization Of Ncad12, Brent Treadway
Honors Theses
Neural Cadherin (NCAD) is one of three Type 1 vertebral classical cadherins that function as the primary transmembrane component in cell-to-cell interactions at adherens junctions. Adhesive interactions mediated by this protein are calcium dependent with three calcium-binding sites between each of its five extracellular domains. NCAD is very important in many cell-to-cell interactions because of its function in development and in immune and neurological synapses. Generally, in vitro studies of calcium dependent dimerization of NCAD are conducted in a nonphysiological buffer (NaCl + HEPES: SEC buffer). In order to study dimerization in more physiologically relevant conditions, I created a synthetic …
Dna I-Motif Stabilization By Ligand Binding To Loop Regions, Harrison Reed Davis
Dna I-Motif Stabilization By Ligand Binding To Loop Regions, Harrison Reed Davis
Honors Theses
DNA i-motifs are a secondary structure of DNA that can be useful in a variety of ways, but this experiment investigates the maximum potential to stabilize i-motifs artificially with a small molecule binding to loop regions. DNA with different position and number of loops was tested to see to what extent the i-motif could be stabilized . A drug, Actinomycin D, was used for its known high affinity for a particular DNA sequence, which we used to make the loops of the i-motif. The binding constant for the drug to the DNA was determined through fluorescense spectroscopy while the presence …
Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather
Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather
Honors Theses
TMAO and urea are important osmolytes. Osmolytes help maintain cell volume with their presence inside and outside cells. Urea is used by kidney cells to neutralize strong osmotic gradients caused by excretion of hypertonic waste. Although urea is for volume- maintaining purposes, it is also known to be a strong denaturant of cellular proteins. The method by which urea destabilizes folded proteins is a debated topic. There is evidence that urea binds directly to amino acid side chains to make protein folding less thermodynamically favored. It has also been suggested that urea acts indirectly to denature proteins by destabilizing the …
A Computational Comparison Of The Hydrophobic Pocket Of Neural And Epithelial Cadherins For The Purpose Of Identifying A Selective Inhibitor, Ross E. Straughan
A Computational Comparison Of The Hydrophobic Pocket Of Neural And Epithelial Cadherins For The Purpose Of Identifying A Selective Inhibitor, Ross E. Straughan
Honors Theses
Classical cadherins are a subfamily of calcium-dependent cellular adhesion molecules that play an important role in the formation of cellular junctions in many tissues. The extracellular portion of cadherins consists of five tandem-repeated domains (EC1-EC5). The critical first step in cadherin-mediated cellular adhesion occurs at the interface between two adjacent EC1 domains in which the transition from monomer to dimer is accomplished by docking the W2 residue of the N-terminal β-strand of one EC1 domain into the hydrophobic pocket of its partner domain. Cancer and many other diseases have been linked to the aberrant expression of Epithelial (E-cad) and Neural …
Effect Of Biochar And Activated Carbon Amendments On Gaseous Mercury Emissions Of Soil And Mercury Methylation Rates In Sediment, Ryan Sessums
Honors Theses
Mercury is a pervasive global contaminant with a complex biogeochemical cycle. In this biogeochemical cycle, methylmercury (MeHg+) tends to biomagnify and concentrate in fish and seafood consumed by humans. This study examines the effect of sorbent amendments on both the mercury emission from soils and the methylation rates of mercury in sediments, both of which are believed to be major contributors to the global cycle. Biochar and activated carbon were used to treat soils and sediments to explore their effects. It was found that biochar and activated carbon reduced gaseous mercury emission by 25% and 49%, respectively. Methylation rates in …
Method Development For The Detection And Quantitation Of Illicit Drugs In Fingerprints Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry, Madison Roussel
Honors Theses
The purpose of this research was to develop a method for the detection and quantitation of caffeine and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol in fingerprints using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). The matrix used was 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). The presence of the analytes was confirmed by analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol was chosen as the drug of interest because it is the major metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component of marijuana. Marijuana's popularity as a recreational drug continues to increase with its legalization and decriminalization across the country. It is critical to establish methods for the quantification …
From Lazarus To Theophilus: How Manuscript Digitization Led To The Historical, Chemical, And Technological Understanding Of Iron Gall Ink And Its Counterparts, Meredith Oliver
Honors Theses
This paper examines the physical and chemical composition of iron gall ink, how such composition has changed throughout its use in history, and the current chemical, digital, and multi-spectral methods by which the digital humanities use to preserve ancient texts inscribed with such ink. By using spectral technology, I hypothesized it possible to date and locate the geographic origin of ink based on its chemical composition. Uv-vis, fluorescence, and micro-XRF spectrometry were used to analyze elemental composition. Ink samples were made to simulate the ink on ancient manuscripts for UV-vis and fluorescence spectral analysis. Micro-XRF was performed on the Vercelli …
Development Of Methods For Determining Dry Deposition Of Mercury Using An Ion-Exchange Membrane: Relative Rates Of Mercury Dry Deposition At Sardis, Enid, And Grenada Lakes, Ruiqi Feng
Honors Theses
This research focuses on studies developing methods to measure dry deposition of mercury (Hg) using an ion-exchange (IX) membrane to capture gaseous mercury species in the air. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is spread globally through the atmosphere. Atmospheric Hg deposits to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through wet and dry deposition. While routine methods have been developed to study wet deposition of Hg, measuring dry deposition of Hg is more problematic and often overlooked. In this study, we developed an inexpensive means to deploy a polyethersulfone cation exchange membrane in the field by dangling it within a polycarbonate …
Generation Of 2-Adamantylidenecarbene From A Phenanthrene-Based Precursor, Christine E. Wamsley
Generation Of 2-Adamantylidenecarbene From A Phenanthrene-Based Precursor, Christine E. Wamsley
Honors Theses
This thesis examines the generation of 2-adamantylidenecarbene from a phenanthrene-based precursor. A three-step synthetic procedure was used to generate the 2-adamantylidenecarbene precursor, which subsequently underwent photolysis to produce 2-adamantylidenecarbene. This product was trapped with cyclohexene. No evidence of a ring expansion to 4-homoadamantyne was observed. It was also noted that the target precursor underwent rearrangement during photolysis, leading to the formation of an isomer containing a seven-membered ring. This isomer did not photolyze. Additionally, computational studies were performed using Gaussian 09. Geometries were initially optimized and then, the single point energies of the singlet and triplet carbene states were calculated. …
Using Technology To Engage Students In The Stem Field, April Elizabeth Steen
Using Technology To Engage Students In The Stem Field, April Elizabeth Steen
Honors Theses
The United States is currently facing a shortage of qualified STEM professionals in the workforce and in research fields. Part of this lack of professionals can be traced back to lack of interest and lack of proficiency in mathematics and science at the secondary level of education as well as STEM major attrition at the college level. In an effort to increase student interest in STEM fields and increase retention of STEM majors, technology was employed to engage student interest. At the high school level, a physical chemistry demonstration on the spectroscopy of light was created. The demonstration was presented …
A Study Of The Impact Of Ph On The Structure And Stability Of Epithelial Cadherin, Catherine Abadie
A Study Of The Impact Of Ph On The Structure And Stability Of Epithelial Cadherin, Catherine Abadie
Honors Theses
Epithelial (E-) cadherin is a transmembrane protein whose function lies in cell-to-cell adhesion. It is a transmembrane component of adherens junctions of epithelial tissues, thereby connecting the actin cytoskeletons of adhered cells. It has five extracellular domains, a small transmembrane portion, and a cytoplasmic tail. The molecule must bind calcium in order to form an adhesive dimer with a cadherin molecule emanating from an adjacent cell. Cancer of the epithelial tissue, carcinoma, is accompanied by acidification of the tissue and a loss in cell adhesion. The long-term goal of this project is to determine the effect of a decrease in …
An Investigation Into The Synthesis Of A Four-Armed Diamino Swallowtail, Christopher Carter Barnett
An Investigation Into The Synthesis Of A Four-Armed Diamino Swallowtail, Christopher Carter Barnett
Honors Theses
Perylenebisimides (PBIs) complex with quadruplex DNA and may influence the formation of telomeres. PBIs with amine groups are ionized at neutral pH and therefore soluble in water [1]. Swallowtails are long alkyl chains usually attached to PBIs to inhibit self-aggregation by pi-stacking [2]. Past attempts to create a PBI with swallowtails containing extra nitrogens were unsuccessful due to purification issues and methylene connectors. The purpose of this research is to investigate the synthesis of a diamino swallowtail with a methine connector. The first step is to create 1,3-bis(dibenzylamino)propan-2-one by way of an SN2 substitution reaction using 1,3-dichloroacetone and dibenzylamine [3]. …
An Investigation Of Protein-Dna Binding Characteristics By Fluorescence Anisotropy, Danna Nobile
An Investigation Of Protein-Dna Binding Characteristics By Fluorescence Anisotropy, Danna Nobile
Honors Theses
Recent studies have illustrated the presence of several secondary, non-B DNA structures that are associated with the promoter regions of several oncogenes, such as the intensely studied MYC gene. Two such secondary structures, G-quadruplexes and i-Motifs, have become topics of interest due to their prevalence within oncogenic promoters and their potential accessibility for future drug targeting due to their globular natures. Though fairly extensive research has been conducted to understand different factors affecting G-quadruplex formation and stability, similar studies for i-Motifs, particularly related to thermodynamics, are still evolving. One factor known to contribute to the additional energy required for duplex …
X-Dimer Mutations And Their Effects On The Folding Stability And Assembly Of Ecad12 At The K14-D138 Interface, Martha Kaitlyn Coghlan
X-Dimer Mutations And Their Effects On The Folding Stability And Assembly Of Ecad12 At The K14-D138 Interface, Martha Kaitlyn Coghlan
Honors Theses
Classical cadherins were first identified by their function in mediating calcium-dependent cellular adhesion and constitute a large family of cellular adhesion receptor proteins whose differential binding is central to the development and maintenance of tissue architecture. The interface underlying the binding interaction reveals that all classical cadherins share a common adhesive interface in which the portion of the β-A strand closest to the N-terminus is swapped between EC1 domains of the adhesive partner protomers. A second dimeric configuration, known as the 'X-dimer', is the face-to-face association of two protomers in which their orientation is dictated by three symmetrical noncovalent interactions …
Characterization Of Epithelial Cadherin Domain 1, Molly Edmondson
Characterization Of Epithelial Cadherin Domain 1, Molly Edmondson
Honors Theses
Cadherins are a family of cell-surface glycoproteins that aid in cell adhesion between two proximal cells. The characteristic cadherin extracellular structure consists of five ~100 amino acid domains connected by seven-residue linker regions. Cadherins mediate adhesion via adherens junctions by forming a strand-swapped structure between identical protomers from apposing cells. Upon calcium binding, the swapping of the N- terminal strands between protomers allows for the symmetrical docking of a conserved tryptophan residue in the N-terminal strand into the hydrophobic pocket of its partner protomer. The two most-well-studied members of the classical cadherin family are Neural- (N-) and Epithelial- (E-) cadherin. …
Properties Of A Fluorescent Deoxycytidine Analog In I-Motif Dna, Sara E. Wingate
Properties Of A Fluorescent Deoxycytidine Analog In I-Motif Dna, Sara E. Wingate
Honors Theses
Experiments to determine fluorescence lifetimes and fluorescence quenching constants were performed using oligonucleotides of DNA containing PdC, a fluorescent analog of cytidine, at five different locations in the i-motif. My experiments were chosen in order to better understand the structural characteristics of i-motif DNA, which are thought to have biological importance in cancer and drug delivery. Fluorescent lifetime experiments were carried out using an ISS K2 fluorescence instrument with a modulated LED light source in order to determine if the cytidine bases in DNA replaced by PdC were paired or unpaired in the i-motif structure. The resulting data allowed us …