Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Synthesis Of Gold Nanoparticles Via Pulsed Liquid Ablation For Use In The Photodynamic Therapy Of Bacteria, Justice Ben Yosef

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

With the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, alternative treatment methods have been developed including photodynamic therapy (PDT). Within the PDT process, photosensitizers are used to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and facilitate the cell termination process. This work lays the conceptual foundation for the functionalization of the photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and INF-55 as a potential inhibitor of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump to enhance the effectivity of the PDT process.

AuNPs were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in an aqueous citrate solution. Both nanosecond and picosecond pulse durations, as well as both 532 nm and …

Grey Relational Analysis And Canonical Correlation Analysis Of Air Pollution In Three Kentucky Counties, Sarah Hartman

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Air pollution is a crucial factor that affects both the environment and public health. Various methods are available for assessing air quality and pollution levels, such as regression models, principal component analysis, and factor analysis tools. However, some of these methods present issues in multicollinearity and the nature of collected data. It is important to recognize that air pollution data is often uncertain, incomplete, and contains limited valid data points. Weather conditions and economic activities are also factors that can affect air pollution. With growing communities in Kentucky (KY), it is essential to address these factors as the state has …

Bioactivity And Structural Properties Of Hydroxyapatite On Ti6a|4v And Si(100) Surfaces By Pulsed Laser Deposition, Salizhan Kylchbekov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Although biomedical implant technology is very advanced, there are still caveats in terms of biocompatibility properties because metals are inert to biological processes such as osseointegration, cell growth, and cell adhesion. This results in statistically significant complications and opens rooms for improvements. Among many techniques to improve this problem, coating the metal surface with biologically functional materials has resulted in the best performances. Hydroxyapatite (HAP), Ca_₁₀(PO_₄)_₆(OH)_₂, is the most stable form of calcium phosphates in human body environment and is functional in key processes such as ion exchange, osteoblast (bone cells) formation, …

Liquid Chromatography With Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method Development For The Determination Of Β–Defensins In Bovine Milk, Symone T. Whalin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Bovine mastitis, caused by a wide array of pathogens, results in a substantial economic loss for the dairy cattle livestock industry. β-defensins are a part of the bovine’s innate immune system and act as the first line of defense against mastitis. Only foundational research has been done on β-defensins’ ability to treat and prevent mastitis. There have been no analytical methods reported in the literature for analyzing β-defensins in bovine milk. This research aims to create an analytical approach to determine β-defensins in bovine milk. It is challenging to determine an analyte in a complex sample matrix, and milk is …

H-Discrete Fractional Model Of Tumor Growth And Anticancer Effects Of Mono And Combination Therapies, Kamala Dadashova

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In this thesis, we focus on h–discrete and h–discrete fractional representation of a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) model which describes tumor growth considering time on hNa, where h>0. First, we introduce some definitions, lemmas and theorems on both h–discrete and h–discrete fractional calculus in the preliminary section. In Chapter 3, we work on the PD model with delay by exam ining nabla h–discrete equations and nabla h–discrete fractional equations as well as variation of constants formulas, accordingly. We introduce our model and solve it using theorems we proved in the last section of the indicated chapter. When we do simulation for …

Leaving Ligand Effects On Reactivity And Solubility Of Monofunctional Platinum(Ii) Anticancer Complexes, Heidi Linn Hruska Millay

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Monofunctional platinum(II) complexes, such as phenanthriplatin and pyriplatin, have notably different characteristics from the bifunctional anticancer complexes, such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin, which have detrimental toxicities and resistance associated with them. The unique properties of the monofunctional complexes may be exploited to target cancer cells without producing the toxic side effects associated with the current FDA-approved platinum-based anticancer drugs. To advance the understanding of these monofunctional platinum(II) complexes, this study replaced the chloride leaving ligand with an acetate group, which should increase solubility and alter the rate of reactivity with key amino acid and nucleotide targets. Phenanthriplatin and pyriplatin compounds …

Interaction Of A Platinum Triamine Complex Having A Seven-Membered Chelate Ring With N-Acetyl-Lmethionine And Guanosine 5'-Monophosphate, Jae Ko

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the 1960s, Rosenberg and his colleagues confirmed the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin. Although cisplatin was capable of killing testicular cancer cells there were also serious side effects. It was necessary to find alternate ways of overcoming side effects, and soon many researchers have discovered novel platinum compounds that show similar reactivity. Recently, replacing one chloride group to a heterocyclic amine group showed significant cytotoxicity with a different binding activity than cisplatin. Previously in our lab, [Pt(Me5dien)(NO3)]+ and [Pt(Et2dien)Cl]+ have been synthesized and reacted with NAcetyl- L-methionine (N-AcMet) and Guanosine 5’-monophosphate (5’-GMP) showed unusual reactivity. Unlike most previously studied platinum …

Synthesis Of Bis(Imino)Pyridine Iron(Ii) Complexes And Development Of Bis(Imino)Pyridine Iron(Ii) Catalyzed Carbene Transfer Reactions, Ban Wang

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Metal catalysis of symmetric and asymmetric carbene transfer reactions has been widely applied in natural product synthesis and material science over years. Metal carbene can be easily generated from the extrusion of nitrogen under the catalysis of metal complexes to further undergo various organic reactions, O/N/C-H insertions, cycloadditions, and ylide formations. Currently, the dominant effective catalysts for carbene reactions are built with expensive precious metal, for example, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, gold. Notably, the effective reactivity and enantioselectivity of the dirhodium(II) catalysts are researched and established over the decades. However, the use of precious metal catalysts is the major source of …

Parameter Estimation And Optimal Design Techniques To Analyze A Mathematical Model In Wound Healing, Nigar Karimli

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

For this project, we use a modified version of a previously developed mathematical model, which describes the relationships among matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), and extracellular matrix (ECM). Our ultimate goal is to quantify and understand differences in parameter estimates between patients in order to predict future responses and individualize treatment for each patient. By analyzing parameter confidence intervals and confidence and prediction intervals for the state variables, we develop a parameter space reduction algorithm that results in better future response predictions for each individual patient. Moreover, use of another subset selection method, namely Structured Covariance Analysis, that …

Photochemical Investigation Of High-Valent Metal-Oxo Intermediates Containing Corrole And Light-Harvesting Porphyrin Ligands, Jonathan Malone

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In enzymatic and synthetic catalytic oxidations, high-valent iron-oxo intermediates play a vital role as the active oxidant. In this regard, many synthetic metal catalysts are designed as biomimetic models to resemble the active site of Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450) which are the predominant oxidation catalysts in nature. Vitamin B12 cofactors, with a corrole-like structure corrin, are also utilized in some of the more difficult reactions in nature such as rearrangement and reductase reactions.

In this work, application of the promising photochemical method to corrolecontaining ligands systems showed much success in the generation of manganese(V)-oxo corrole intermediates using two electron-deficient corrole …

Functionalization And Modification Of Naphthaquinone Analogs As Her2 Kinase Inhibitors, Divya Jyothi Lella

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

HER2 overexpression in breast cancer tumors predicts lower overall survival. Because of the aggressive nature of HER2 tumors and the association with metastatic disease, the HER2 receptor holds great promise as a therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer. We are developing small molecule inhibitors that bind to the ATP binding site of the tyrosine kinase domain in order to inhibit tyrosine auto-phosphorylation. This process controls biological pathways that mediate the cell growth. In normal cells this process is highly controlled. We are targeting the modification of the side chain of the hydroxy methyl group of 2-Hydroxy methyl-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthaquinone. These compounds should …

Molecular Level Interaction Of Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (Hfgf-1) With Phloridzin, Rammohan Paripelly

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of growth factors which includes twenty three proteins. FGFs work as modulators for various cellular activities like mitosis, differentiation and survival. Among the FGF family, human fibroblast growth factor-1 (hFGF-1), which is also known as acidic fibroblast growth factor, is a potent angiogenic agent, involved in the formation of new blood vessels in various tissues. hFGF-1 is regarded as a prototype of the FGF family. It serves as one of the potential targets in tumor inhibition and obesity due to its involvement in new blood vessel formation in cancerous regions and adipose tissues. …

Single Step Synthesis Of Antibiotic Kanamycin Embedded Gold Nanoparticles For Efficient Antibacterial Activity, Shravan Gavva

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Nanotechnology has become the most advanced type of drug delivery system within the last decade. This advancement shifted the focus on small carriers to increase the efficiency of the drugs. Among these, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were found to have profound biomedical applications. In current research, kanamycin embedded GNPs were prepared in a single step, single phase, and bio-friendly (green synthesis) procedure. The synthesized Kanamycin-GNPs (Kan-GNPs) were spherical in shape and had a size range of 15 ± 3 nm. The chosen kanamycin is an aminoglycosidic antibiotic that is isolated from Streptomyces kanamyceticus. These special antibiotic GNPs are further characterized using …

Ionic Conductivity In Non-Ionic Compounds, Usha Kranthi Avala

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The main objective of this work is to investigate the ionic conductivity of the drugs under certain conditions and also to compare the ionic conductivities of drugs determined by single surface sensors and parallel plate sensors. The ionic conductivity of various materials at their pre-melt and melt states are studied in order to further study a recently discovered phenomenon. Polar solids like Lidocaine, Ketoconazole, Procainamide and Nifedipine were examined in this study. Experimental studies show an increase in ionic conductivity in both pre-melt (20 -30 °C below melting temperature) and melt transition regions. Results of ionic conductivity of both parallel …

Effect Of Leaving Ligands Of Platinum(Ii) Diamine Complexes On Dna And Protein Residues, Ramya Kolli

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Platinum compounds are widely used drugs in cancer treatments. Although DNA is the biological target, reaction of platinum compounds with proteins is also potentially significant. Our objective is to study the effects of leaving ligands on the relative reactivity between 5'-GMP (guanosine 5' phosphate), a key DNA target, and N-Acetyl - L-Methionine (N-AcMet), a key protein target. We have used NMR spectroscopy to monitor reactions with N-AcMet and 5'-GMP added to a platinum complex to see which products are formed preferentially. Previous research showed that both a non-bulky complex such as [Pt(en)(D₂O)₂]²⁺ [en=ethylenediamine], and a …

Using Optimal Control Theory To Optimize The Use Of Oxygen Therapy In Chronic Wound Healing, Donna Lynn Daulton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Approximately 2 to 3 million people in the United States suffer from chronic wounds, which are defined as wounds that do not heal in 30 days time; an estimated $25 billion per year is spent on their treatment in the United States. In our work, we focused on treating chronic wounds with bacterial infections using hyperbaric and topical oxygen therapies.

We used a mathematical model describing the interaction between bacteria, neutrophils and oxygen. Optimal control theory was then employed to study oxygen treatment strategies with the mathematical model. Existence of a solution was shown for both therapies. Uniqueness was also …

Racemization Of Amino Acids In Teeth For The Determination Of Age, Andrea Lee Toll

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Instrumental to forensic investigations is the ability to identify unknown human remains providing key evidence to criminal cases, resolution to missing persons, and assistance in mass or natural disasters. Identification of remains in an effort to determine age is an area of forensics that has received considerable attention. Traditional methods in age determination such as morphology are often biased, antiquated, and frequently result in a large margin of error. Conversely, the emergence of new forensic techniques provide promise to reduce the margin of error in determining age. One such technique has focused on relating the extent of amino acid racemization …

Activity Of Analogs Of Anticancer Drugs On The Serine Protease Enzymes Subtilisin And Chymotrypsin, Dhatri Ravipati

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The anticancer activity of several platinum compounds is due to the formation of complexes with DNA. We hypothesize that the size and shape of the platinum compounds would impact interaction with proteins, and these interactions may be partly responsible for the anticancer activity. Chymotrypsin and subtilisin are serine proteases that have a histidine residue in the active site. We are investigating the inhibition of the digestive enzymes chymotrypsin and subtilisin by analogs of the anticancer drug cisplatin and trying to discern trends in the inhibition as the active site residues vary. In our research, we found that the enzyme subtilisin …

Inhibition Of Cysteine Protease By Platinum (Ii) Diamine Complexes, Chaitanya Rapolu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Chemotherapy is the first line of treatment used in cancer. Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are used in treatment. Cisplatin enters the cell through copper transporter CTR1 by passive diffusion and bind to DNA and proteins. Cisplatin is found to inhibit several enzymes targeting cysteine, histidine and methionine residues, which are expected to be responsible for its anticancer activity. A better understanding of how the size and shape and leaving ligands of platinum complexes affect cysteine protease, papain enzyme are studied. This could give new ways to optimize anticancer activity. The activity of papain enzyme was measured …

Innovative Purification Protocol For Heparin Binding Proteins: Relevance In Biopharmaceutical And Biomedical Applications, Sumit Batra

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Heparin binding (HB) proteins mediates a wide range of important cellular processes, which makes this class of proteins biopharmaceutically important. Engineering HB proteins could bring many advantages, but it necessitates cost effective and efficient purification methodologies compared to the currently available methods. One of the most important classes of heparin binding protein is the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and its receptors (FGFRs). In this study, we report an efficient off-column purification of FGF-1 from soluble fractions and purification of the D2 domain of FGFR from insoluble inclusion bodies, using a weak amberlite cation (IRC) exchanger. This approach is an alternative …

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography Studies Of The Reaction Of Platinum Complexes With Peptides, Khaja Muneeruddin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Platinum complexes (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) are effective anticancer agents. However the major drawbacks of platinum chemotherapy are toxic side effects and resistance. The affinity of platinum complexes to sulfur donor ligands of side chains of methionine and cysteine amino acids was assumed to be responsible for toxicity and resistance. Recently, it was found that the reaction of platinum complex with proteins containing sulfur donor ligands could actually favor its anticancer activity. Copper transporter 1 (Ctr 1), a protein involved in the transport of copper into the cell, also helps in the influx of cisplatin by binding to N-terminal domain …

Sustainability Of Western Kentucky University: An Examination Of Campus Environmental Policies, Performance And Potential For Change, Christian Ryan-Downing

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Institutions of higher learning are in a pivotal position to address the environmental problems that global society faces now, but response to this challenge requires transformation in priorities and practices. Recognizing the impacts that universities have on the environment and the social and economic costs associated with these impacts, institutions of higher learning are changing policies and management to become more sustainable. Sustainability is defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (1987). To evaluate the environmental impacts …

The Whitehead Link On The Cubic Lattice, Elizabeth Haynes

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The cubic lattice is a graph in Â3 where the vertices are points with integer coordinates and edges are unit length line segments parallel to the x-, y-, or z-axis. A step is a line segment that connects one vertex to a neighboring vertex one unit away in the x-, y-, or z-direction. This thesis will show that the Whitehead Link needs at least 34 steps to be embedded on the cubic lattice.

Relationships Between Environmental Factors And Fungi On Occupants' Perceptions Of Indoor Air Quality, Monica Rodriguez

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In recent decades, concerns about potential health effects resulting from exposure to contaminants that cause indoor air pollution have dramatically increased. The purpose of this study was to assess the indoor air quality of three buildings at Western Kentucky University and to examine and characterize indoor levels of basic comfort parameters, carbon dioxide, and fungi as well as occupants' perceptions of poor indoor air quality and the role of fungi on reported health symptoms. The three buildings included in the study were: Tate Page Hall (TPH), Jones Jagger Hall (JJH) and Science and Technology Hall (STH). Fifty-three questionnaires were completed …

Exposure Assessment Of Mercury In Fish From Kentucky Surface Waters, Najla Gubari

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Consumption of fish contaminated with mercury is the primary exposure pathway by which humans are exposed to mercury. Mercury is known to be a neurological toxin that can cause attention and language deficits, impaired memory, and impaired visual and motor function, especially in children under the age of six. In addition, mercury exposure can lead to other health problems in adults, such as damage to the kidney and increased risk of coronary heart disease. This study assesses the exposure to mercury through consumption of fish from Kentucky surface waters. The exposure assessment is based on data collected by the Kentucky …

Evaluating Uranium Depth Versus Socio-Economic Statistics For Residential Radon Vulnerability In Warren County, Kentucky, Anthony Iovanna

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Residences in Warren County, Kentucky, are characterized by high levels of residential radon, which is one of the radioactive daughter products of uranium. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), radon exposure causes approximately 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States per year. The City of Bowling Green, in Warren County, is underlain by karst, an easily soluble limestone subsurface, which allows radon gas to travel easily through cracks and fissures. Carbonate rocks under Bowling Green are underlain by the Devonian Chattanooga Shale, a low-grade uranium ore and a potential source of radon gas. A digital …

Analysis Of Soil Lead Levels In An Historic District Of A South Central Kentucky City, Robert Cummins

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Lead in soil has been shown to be a significant pathway of lead exposure in children. Several factors including age of housing units, exterior composition, and paint loading may affect the amount of lead present in the soil. The purpose of this study was to analyze soil lead levels on properties located in an historic district and relate those levels to the variables previously mentioned. A total of 30 soil samples were collected from housing units in a nationally recognized historic district. Concentrations of lead in the soil were analyzed using a NITON X-ray Fluorescence Spectrum Analyzer, following EPA Method …

Study Of The Distribution And Variation Of The Herbicide Atrazine In Finished Drinking Water At A Small Community Water System In Kentucky, Vijay Golla

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examines the variation in the distribution of the concentration of atrazine, a triazine herbicide used in Kentucky to control weeds primarily in corn fields. Atrazine is known to have carcinogenic properties and is an endocrine disruptor in aquatic species even at low concentrations. Atrazine has the ability to be transported through the environment into water bodies due to its physical and chemical properties favoring its occurrence and distribution. Raw and Finished drinking water samples were collected from the Lewisburg water treatment plant which derives its drinking water supplies from a source water intake namely Spa Lake, which has …

Water Quality Assessment In Cypress Creek Nature Preserve, Jason Flora

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Swamps are unique ecological communities that provide many valuable ecosystem services. In Kentucky, however, many swamps were altered by cypress removal and land development in their watersheds. Cypress Creek Swamp, which lies near Paducah in western Kentucky, is a good example of a swamp whose ecological integrity may be threatened by past and current nearby land use practices. This study was conducted to assess the water quality and macro- and microinvertebrate communities in the swamp. Three sites were monitored for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, depth, phosphorus measured as orthophosphate, nitrite (NO2") and nitrate (NO3", NOx collectively), and ammonia …

Actiononaias Ligamentina As A Biomonitor In The Green River: An Unique Approach For Analysis Of Environmental Impacts, Robert Kirkland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Biomonitoring has become an important component in bioassessment programs. It is used to maintain high water quality standards, and determine contaminant levels and biological affects in areas that have been heavily disturbed. The objectives of this research were 1) to improve and apply certain modern biomonitoring techniques and 2) to locate possible contaminant sources affecting the flora and fauna of the Green River and of Mammoth Cave. Actinonaias ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819), a freshwater mussel, was used for interpretation of these impacts as well as refinement of biomonitoring techniques. The mussels were collected in the Lawler Bend region of the Green …