Life Sciences Commons^™

Synthesis And Biological Testing Of Small-Molecule Mitochondrial Complex I Inhibitors, Willough Sloan

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis delineates two main projects: the first outlines the structure elucidation efforts toward a Diels-Alder adduct of a novel reaction for the synthesis of chimaphilin, a naphthoquinone-based natural product with apoptotic or antiproliferative activity in certain cancer cells^1,2. The structure elucidation extends to derivatives of chimaphilin synthesized by the same cyclization reaction. While Diels-Alder reactions are usually regioselective, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR of the adducts was inconclusive and indicated the possibility of regioisomer presence, with one regioisomer being chimaphilin (or derivatives). A multitude of crystallization methods were carried out in order to be able to analyze …

Student Sleep Patterns When Exposed To Mindfulness Reminders, Zeyanna Dhalla

Undergraduate Honors Theses

University students are plagued with increased levels of stress and anxiety which can lead to poor sleep quality and quantity. Breathing techniques have demonstrated counteractive effects to the chronic stresses that the population encounters on an everyday basis. Wearable technology, such as Apple Watches, contain a mindfulness feature that encourages its users to pause throughout the day and engage in mindfulness through resonant breathing. Wearable technology has become increasingly accessible and is also growing in accuracy to measure different biometrics such as sleep quality and quantity. The purpose of the present study was to examine if the mindfulness reminders initiated …

A Mathematical Model Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation In Alzheimer's Disease, Julianne Miranda

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by cognitive decline as a result of brain atrophy. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown but current theories involve the aggregation of amyloid beta plaques as well as neurofibrillary tangles. Inflammation is emerging as central to the progression of the disease, with increased amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the Nuclear Factor Kappa B pathway. This project presents a mathematical model of the impact of vagus nerve stimulation in Alzheimer’s Disease, as seen through the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFKB) pathway. The model examines several factors involved in the inflammatory …

Welcoming The Game Changer Of Human Society: A Defense Of The Moral Permissibility And Obligations Of Human Genetic Engineering, Yongkang Li

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 2018, a Chinese scientist, Jiankun He, announced the birth of two HIV-resistant babies through his experiment of human genetic engineering. This incidence has soon shocked the entire scientific community and invoked public outrage towards He’s corrupt moral integrity.

However, this event should also act as a harbinger to the human society that the technique of human genetic engineering is rapidly approaching maturity. In that case, how should we respond?

This thesis focuses on the moral issues surrounding human genetic engineering and advertises an accepting moral attitude to this booming technology. This thesis will first discuss the types of human …