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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Genetically Engineered Repetitive Polypeptides : Design, Synthesis, Characterization, And Applications, Natalya I. Topilina Jan 2009

Genetically Engineered Repetitive Polypeptides : Design, Synthesis, Characterization, And Applications, Natalya I. Topilina

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This work is dedicated to the investigation of protein folding with the emphasis on the aggregation and amyloid fibrils formation. The focus of the research is to elucidate the relationship between polypeptide chain sequence and folding/aggregation properties. For this purpose, i) libraries of the de novo macromolecular repetitive β-sheet forming polypeptides were designed, and ii) the strategy for their rapid creation was developed. The strategy enables retention of a basic polypeptide core, yet allowing variations in the repetitive sequence, degree of polymerization and distribution of specific amino acids. The polypeptides were expressed in E. coli, purified, and characterized by various …


Raman Spectroscopy Of Body Fluids : A Nondestructive Identification Technique For Forensic Applications, Kelly Virkler Jan 2009

Raman Spectroscopy Of Body Fluids : A Nondestructive Identification Technique For Forensic Applications, Kelly Virkler

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The analysis of body fluid evidence during forensic investigations is a complicated process, yet it is a critical step in determining the key facts of a crime. There is no doubt that DNA analysis is an extremely useful tool that can identify a suspect or victim, but crime scene investigators must first locate and identify potential body fluid stains that can be collected for DNA analysis. Current screening tests are destructive to the sample and can give false positive results, so a nondestructive technique such as Raman spectroscopy, that can possibly confirm the presence of a particular fluid, could lend …


Bowl-Shaped Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (Buckybowls) : Crystal Packing And Metal Binding Reactions, Alexander S. Filatov Jan 2009

Bowl-Shaped Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (Buckybowls) : Crystal Packing And Metal Binding Reactions, Alexander S. Filatov

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This work is a part of a broad program in our laboratory dedicated to the investigation of a new class of non-planar polyaromatic hydrocarbons that map onto the surfaces of fullerenes (and referred to as buckybowls). It focuses on the preparation of buckybowls, their molecular and solid state structures, and reactivity in metal binding reactions. For the first time, the structures of all available buckybowls have been analyzed using X-ray diffraction data collected in the course of this work, as well as data previously obtained in our group or reported by others (and dearchived from the Cambridge Structural Database). Forces …


Measurement Of Atmospheric Ammonia Species : Development, Validation, And Field Applications Of An Analytical Method, Jian Hou Jan 2009

Measurement Of Atmospheric Ammonia Species : Development, Validation, And Field Applications Of An Analytical Method, Jian Hou

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ammonia is the primary base in the atmosphere. It reacts readily with atmospheric acids such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid to form ammonium salts that occur predominantly in the fine aerosol particle (PM2.5) fraction. The ability to measure ammonia species (NHx, the sum of gaseous NH3 and particulate NH4+) is essential for the investigation of atmospheric behaviors of NHx. In this dissertation work, a highly sensitive technique has been developed for the measurement of atmospheric NHx species. The method is based on aqueous scrubbing of the atmospheric NH3 and NH4+ using …


Physical Properties Of Cytochromes C : 1. Role Of Cytochrome C' As A Nitric Oxide Carrier, 2. Folding Of Cytochrome C, Byunghoon Lee Jan 2009

Physical Properties Of Cytochromes C : 1. Role Of Cytochrome C' As A Nitric Oxide Carrier, 2. Folding Of Cytochrome C, Byunghoon Lee

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Cytochrome c’ binds and transfers endogenous NO in the denitrifying variant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.3 and the NO bound ferrous heme that forms 5-coordinate resembles regulatory site in soluble guanylate cyclase. The Arg127 is close to the 5-coordiate NO bound heme of the cytochrome c’. The mutant (R127A) that was overexpressed in a cytochrome c’ knock-out R. sphaeroides 2.4.3 provided the opportunity to research the functional role of Arg127 in the redox potential and NO binding. The mutant (R127A) showed lower redox potential and lower NO binding free energy than wild type. ERP and ENDOR showed that the mutant had …


Biomonitoring For Exposure To Trace Elements In Utero : Analysis Of The Human Placenta, Pamela Catherine Kruger Jan 2009

Biomonitoring For Exposure To Trace Elements In Utero : Analysis Of The Human Placenta, Pamela Catherine Kruger

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The placenta forms in eutherian mammals, and is responsible for the nutrition of the developing fetus. However, maternal exposure to environmental pollutants both before and during pregnancy may result in the passage of toxins through the placental barrier and into fetal tissues. The placenta is the only organ derived from both maternal and fetal tissues, and establishes a link between the fetus and the environmental exposures of the mother. The analysis of placentae for the presence of environmental pollutants offers the possibility of exposure measurements in both the mother and the developing fetus. Specifically, trace element determination in human placentae …


Nanocomposite Thin Films Of Au Nanoparticles Embedded In Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia For Plasmonic-Based Harsh Environment Gas Detection, Phillip Henry Rogers Jan 2009

Nanocomposite Thin Films Of Au Nanoparticles Embedded In Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia For Plasmonic-Based Harsh Environment Gas Detection, Phillip Henry Rogers

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Increased health concerns due to the emission of gases linked to the production of tropospheric ozone by petroleum based fuel burning engines has resulted in the codification of more stringent emissions regulations domestically. Emissions regulations on commercial jetliners are one of the areas to be met with stricter standards. Currently there is not a sensing technology that can detect the emissions gases in the exhaust stream of a jet turbine engine with lower detection limits that meet these standards.