Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterization Of Esterase Activity From The Bacteria, Francisella Tularensis, The Causative Agent Of Tularemia, Leigh Anna Weston

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Francisella tularensis is the bacteria responsible for causing the disease tularemia and is listed as one of the top three-biowarfare agents. Among the proteins essential to the virulence and infectivity of F.tularensis are multiple esterases, which are enzymes that break down various ester, thioester, and amide bonds. In this project, the catalytic activity, substrate speci fi city, and structure of a putative esterase from F.tularensis was studied. Latent fluorophores based on the molecule, fluorescein, were unmasked by the enzymatic activity of the esterase and the increase in fluorescence was measured over time to determine how well the e tcrase recognized …

The Development Of An Effective Water-Soluble Receptor For Pyrene Derivative Dyes, Ashley Longstreet

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

A receptor with enhanced water solubility was synthesized from an existing receptor to be used as a pyranine fluorescence quencher in endovesiculation detection assays. The existing receptor consisted of a cyclen core with four protruding arms containing an aryl nitro group at each end. Its poor water solubility limited the accuracy and precision of the endovesiculation assay because the low concentration of receptor did not match the concentration of pyranine. To increase the water solubility, ethoxy groups were attached to the ends of each arm by first selectively reducing the nitro group to an amine with NaBHU4, H2, and a …

Solid Phase Amide Synthesis Using Staudinger-Vilarrasa Coupling And Microwave Irradiation, Ryan Patrick Schmidtz

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Amide bond formation is an already well documented area of organic chemistry, and is very useful in its application in medicine and pharmaceuticals. However, current methods have not been investigated with regards to optimization of reaction times, solvents, and energy sources. In addition, current methods also utilize toxic solvents to cleave the peptide from the solid phase resin. In our study, we combine the Staudinger and Vilarrasa coupling reactions with microwave irradiation to develop and optimize the synthesis of amide bonds through the use of a solid support. Instead of attaching the peptide to the solid support, our amide bond …

Liquid Carbon Dioxide Extraction Of Various Food Flavors: Evaluation And Analysis, Deven Lee Shinholt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide has been utilized as an extraction solvent for a variety of natural compounds. This requires the use of specialized high-pressure vessels. It was reported recently that common laboratory apparatus (centrifuge tubes) could be utilized in liquid carbon dioxide extractions obviating the need for specialized equipment. Various herbs and spices (including orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit zest, oregano, rosemary, sage, spearmint, nutmeg, black peppercorns, cloves, caraway seeds, and vanilla beans) were used as substrates for liquid carbon dioxide extractions by this straightforward technique. The extracted oils, containing terpenes and terpenoids, were then analyzed through GC/MS. Liquid …

Identification And Characterization Of A New Tubulin-Binding, Susan L. Mooberry, Kimberly N. Weiderhold, Sivanesan Dakshanamurthy, Ernest Hamel, Edith J. Banner, Anastasia Kharlamova, Jonathan Hempel, John T. Gupton, Milton L. Brown

Chemistry Faculty Publications

We studied the mechanism of action of 3,5-dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (JG-03-14) and found that it is a potent microtubule depolymerizer. JG-03-14 caused a dose-dependent loss of cellular microtubules, formation of aberrant mitotic spindles, accumulation of cells in the G₂/M phase of the cell cycle, and Bcl-2 phosphorylation. These events culminated in the initiation of apoptosis, as evidenced by the caspase 3-dependent cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). JG-03-14 has antiproliferative activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines, with an average IC₅₀ value of 62 nM, and it is a poor substrate for transport …

Hydromination Of Alkynes, Enynes, And Dienes Using Titanium Catalysts, Taryn Palluccio

Undergraduate Review

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Aspernigrin A, Erica Joerger

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Aspernigrin A is a compound correlated with inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the colon. A five-step synthesis was designed for aspernigrin A, projected to yield four intermediates and the final product. The intermediates were analyzed by high field 1HNMR and FT-IR spectroscopy before proceeding to the next step. A model pyridone ring system was successfully prepared from a commercially available pyrone precursor in two steps. These results provide a proof of concept that the synthetic scheme should successfully yield the natural product.

Solubilisation, Purification And Processing Of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Organic Molecules, Theresa Hedderman

Doctoral

The aims of this research are seven fold; • To enhance the solubility of SWNTs in organic solvents. • To purify an untreated sample of SWNTs that contains many side products. • To gain a greater understanding of the interaction between the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and SWNTs. • To debundle and disperse SWNTs. • To select SWNTs of a specific structure based on the structures of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons used. • To observe and compare the interaction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with SWNTs produced by different methods. • To elucidate factors which contribute to different degrees of interaction between …

Simulations Of Nanopore Formation And Phosphatidylserine Externalization In Lipid Membranes Subjected To A High-Intensity, Ultrashort Electric Pulse, Q. Hu, R. P. Joshi, K. H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

A combined MD simulator and time dependent Laplace solver are used to analyze the electrically driven phosphatidylserine externalization process in cells. Time dependent details of nanopore formation at cell membranes in response to a high-intensity (100kV∕cm), ultrashort (10ns) electric pulse are also probed. Our results show that nanosized pores could typically be formed within about 5ns. These predictions are in very good agreement with recent experimental data. It is also demonstrated that defect formation and PS externalization in membranes should begin on the anode side. Finally, the simulations confirm that PS externalization is a nanopore facilitated event, rather than the …

Method For Direct Preparation For 1,2,4-Triazole From Hydrazine And Formamide, Harris E. Petree, Joseph R. Pociask, John T. Gupton

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Process for the preparation of 1,2,4-triazole comprises contacting hydrazine or its aqueous solutions with at least about 2.5 moles of formamide at a temperature of 140° to 210° C. and then recovering the resultant 1,2,4- triazole in yields of 92-98% with 94-98% purity. The formamide is maintained in an excess over about the 2.5 molar amount consumed in the reaction with the hydrazine. Recovery steps for isolating the 1,2,4-triazole are disclosed.

A Process For The Production Of 2-Alkyl Or 2-Cycloalkyl-4-Methyl-6-Hydroxypyrimidines, Joseph T. Blackwell Iii, John T. Gupton, Teruko U. Miyazaki, James B. Nabors, Joseph R. Pociask

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Production of 2-alkyl- or cycloalkyl-4-methyl-6- hydroxypyrimidines by first neutralizing an alkyl imidate ester hydrochloride with a base in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent for the alkyl imidate ester to be freed thereby; condensing the alkyl imidate ester with diketene to form an oxazinone intermediate, which is then reacted in organic solution with gaseous ammonia and recovering the desired substituted 6-hydroxypyrimidine.

Photochemical Rearrangements Of 6/5 -Fused Cross-Conjugated Cyclohexadiensnes In Protic Solvents, Drury Caine, John T. Gupton, Ko Ming, William J. Powers Iii

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Irradiation of the ring A unsubstituted 6/5-fused cross-conjugated cyclohexadienone (1a) and its 2-methyl derivative (1b) in methanolic acetic acid yields, in addition to other products, novel tricyclononane derivatives which have been assigned the structures (3a) and (3b).

Synthesis And Characterization Of Some Dioxane Complexes, James Donald Satterlee

All Master's Theses

The boron trifluoride, tin (IV) fluoride and titanium (IV) fluoride complexes with 1,4-dioxane have been prepared and studied using infrared techniques. The compositions of the complexes have been determined and correspond to the 1:1 adducts in the case of the tin and titanium compounds. The boron trifluoride adduct is a 2:1 (acid:base) adduct. Infrared spectra in the region 1300 cm.-1 to 550 cm.-1 are given and the effects of coordination upon the ligand vibrations are described.

Polarography Of Selected Metal Ions In Anhydrous Aliphatic Diamines, Frederick William Foss Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

A search of the literature revealed that no study has sought to measure and compare the polarographic solvent properties of the anhydrous aliphatic diamines. In fact, there has been no reported instance of the use of anhydrous 1,3-propanediamine or 1,4-butanediamine in any electro- chemical system.

A Study Of The Effect Of Temperature Upon Reactions Between Stannous And Arsenate Ions In Silicic Acid Gels, Ellis Elder

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Chapter I: Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this investigation was to determine to what extent the reaction between stannous and arsenate ions in silicic acid gels is influenced by temperature.

This was to be done by observing (1) the rate of crystal growth; and (2) the appearance of the crystal growth in sets of gels identical in composition but kept at different temperatures throughout the process of crystal growth.

Combustion Analysis; Estimation Of Carbon & Hydrogen, Clifford Brewster Morrison

Student and Lippitt Prize Essays

Documents the methods of composition analysis by Antoine Lavoisier the 18th century and the adoption and refinement of this method by Theodore V. Saussure and others in the 19th century to combustion analysis. Includes plates of measurement equipment used.