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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Split Catalytic Probes For The Detection Of Monkeypox Virus, Jaehyun Ahn
Split Catalytic Probes For The Detection Of Monkeypox Virus, Jaehyun Ahn
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the important role that diagnostic tests play in the healthcare system. To reduce the impact of infectious disease outbreaks, the development of rapid and cost-effective point-of-care-tests (POCTs) is crucial. With the dissemination of the Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, it became a necessity to produce POCTS that are inexpensive and easy to use. This work explored the construction of two colorimetric assays that aim to detect Mpox genetic signatures. One is based on the split-peroxidase-like deoxyribozyme probes (sPDz), while the other utilizes a cascade system of split RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme (sDz) and peroxidase-like deoxyribozyme (PDz). Both rely on catalytic …
Development Of A Screening Methodology For The Analysis Of Rhodamine B In Foodstuffs, George T. Knecht
Development Of A Screening Methodology For The Analysis Of Rhodamine B In Foodstuffs, George T. Knecht
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Synthetic dyes that are used as color additives in foodstuffs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C). The use of synthetic dyes not approved by the FDA, or the addition of dyes approved by the FDA above their maximum concentration limits in foodstuffs necessarily constitutes illegal food adulteration. Recently, rhodamine B (RhB), a bright-pink synthetic dye not approved for use in foodstuffs, has become an adulterant of interest due to its discovery in a large variety of food samples, and its identity as a potential carcinogen. Numerous chromatographic and spectroscopic …
Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology To Study Chlamydia Occurrence On A College Campus, Jessie E. Chin Quee
Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology To Study Chlamydia Occurrence On A College Campus, Jessie E. Chin Quee
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, commonly affecting sexually active college-aged adults. Presently, opportunistic testing, self-testing, and information campaigns are methods to screen vulnerable populations and raise awareness about chlamydia. Chlamydia remains underdiagnosed and undertested due to a lack of participation by individuals who may have been exposed to it. Wastewater-based epidemiology is a rising biomonitoring tool that detects the presence of disease- and drug-specific biomarkers in a community's wastewater. In this study, wastewater-based epidemiology was used to detect the presence of C. trachomatis on the University of Central Florida campus. Wastewater samples were collected …
Investigation Of Catalysis Of Nitration By Cytochrome P450s, Lannika Johnson
Investigation Of Catalysis Of Nitration By Cytochrome P450s, Lannika Johnson
Honors Undergraduate Theses
TxtE is a protein related to cytochrome P450 enzymes, which catalyze a number of reactions that typically involve oxygen and not nitrogen. It has been discovered that TxtE can nitrate tryptophan through an unusual reaction in which it uses nitric oxide (NO) as a nitrogen donor to install the nitro group despite NO typically being considered toxic to bacteria. This project will determine if all cytochromes P450 can catalyze nitration as long as they are given NO. This will have an impact on understanding drug delivery and metabolism for which nitration is important.
Heterogenous Reduction Of Co2 Over Boron-Rich Alb2, Jose C. Berger
Heterogenous Reduction Of Co2 Over Boron-Rich Alb2, Jose C. Berger
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Evidence suggests that the recent drastic changes in the global climate have been caused by greenhouse gases, especially CO2. As a result, scientists are aiming to develop processes that either minimize the production of these gases or convert them into products of higher value. To that end, the catalytic properties of a two-dimensional boron-rich material were investigated. Herein is reported that such a material can reduce CO2 into benzene, C3 species, and C4 species at relatively low temperatures (225-450 ℃) and pressures (0.38 MPa). Current data suggest that a low-temperature induction period (e.g., 225 ℃) …
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Over Boron Rich Solids, Emma E. Blanco
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Over Boron Rich Solids, Emma E. Blanco
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The greenhouse emission produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), are linked to global warming crisis because of their ability to absorb heat emitted to space by the Earth’s atmosphere. Over the last century, methane is estimated to have the Global Warming Potential (GWP) estimated to be 28-36 times larger than carbon dioxide. Although it is released in smaller quantities, methane traps nearly 90 times more heat than CO2. While recent research efforts has focused on the capture and conversion of CO2, these efforts …
Investigation Of Dna Hybridization In Localized Systems In Close Proximity, Ashley M. Sewsankar
Investigation Of Dna Hybridization In Localized Systems In Close Proximity, Ashley M. Sewsankar
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Hybridization of two or more DNA or RNA strands is well documented for the process taking place with all strands free in solution or when one strand is immobilized on a substrate. This study contributes to the investigation of the hybridization process when two single DNA strands (ssDNA) are in close proximity. We took advantage of an X sensor in which hybridization of four DNA strands enables the formation of a DNA four-way junction (crossover or X) structure. We immobilized multiple layers of crossover structures to study its hybridization being triggered by short ssDNA coming from solution and further investigate …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Silver-Gold Nanocage With Enhanced Thermal Stability, Victoria Ten
Synthesis And Characterization Of Silver-Gold Nanocage With Enhanced Thermal Stability, Victoria Ten
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Silver-gold nanocages have attracted considerable research interest recently due to their excellent performance in the fields of biomedicine and photocatalysis. These applications oftentimes manipulate at elevated temperatures and therefore impose demands on the thermal stability of the cage structures. To better understand this subject, in this work, we systematically evaluated the thermal stability of two nanocages with different wall thicknesses of 3.8 nm and 13 nm, both in the solution-phase (diethylene glycol) and solid-phase (in-situ STEM). The results revealed that the nanocages with thicker walls exhibited better thermal stabilities in both phases. By monitoring and analyzing the morphology changes of …
Analysis Of Lubricants At Trace Levels Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Tanmai Bandarupalli
Analysis Of Lubricants At Trace Levels Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Tanmai Bandarupalli
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Analysis of trace evidence involved in sexual assault investigations holds considerable potential as a newer avenue of identification when bulk, larger evidence is not found or unreliable. Trace analysis of forensic materials involves common findings such as strands of hair, residues left on clothing, shards of paint or glass, etc. In recent research focused on the analysis of trace materials found as evidence in a sexual assault, there has been promise in condom and bottled lubricant classification based on their chemical profiles that can provide an associative link in an investigation. Few studies have considered the examination of lubricant evidence …
Applications Of The Match Model To Analyze Student Problem-Solving, Barbara Chiu
Applications Of The Match Model To Analyze Student Problem-Solving, Barbara Chiu
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Problem-solving has been recognized as a critical skill that students lack in the current education system, due to the use of algorithmic questions in tests that can be simply memorized and solved without conceptual understanding. Research on student problem-solving is needed to gain deeper insight into how students are approaching problems and where they lack proficiency so that instruction can help students gain a conceptual understanding of chemistry. The MAtCH (methods, analogies, theory, context, how) model was recently developed from expert explanations of their research and could be a valuable model to identify key components of student problem-solving. This project …
Seaweed As A Carrier For Microplastics, Stephanie M. Rodriguez
Seaweed As A Carrier For Microplastics, Stephanie M. Rodriguez
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Analysis of seaweed as a vector for microplastics is an integral part of understanding the formation and deposition of micro-sized plastic waste in seawater. The project itself originated due to the influx of seaweed (and mismanaged plastic waste) residing on the shores of St. Kitts and Nevis and the constant deposition of plastic pollution intertwined within the seaweed. The natural occurrence of the two together lead to the consideration of fragmented plastics remaining on the seaweed. The objective of this research is to stain, identify, and quantify the concentration of microplastics sourced from both store-bought and environmental seaweed samples. A …
Detection Of A Peptide Hormone - Somatostatin - Label-Free Split-Aptameric Probes, Charles A. Dowis
Detection Of A Peptide Hormone - Somatostatin - Label-Free Split-Aptameric Probes, Charles A. Dowis
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Peptide hormones are important biomolecules that transduce downstream effects such as cell proliferation, regulation, and gene expression. Their levels have been upregulated in various disorders such as cancer, yet detection methods are lacking. We designed two split aptamer-based assays for the detection of a peptide hormone – Somatostatin (SST) – with different signal readouts: fluorescent readout based on light-up aptamers and the colorimetric readout of ABTS peroxidation from a G-quadruplex. We used an already selected split-aptamer –SSTA5–for SST for our designs and we had expected the developed detection systems to exhibit detection and quantification capabilities that would hopefully allow their …
A Model Experiment To Investigate The Possibility Of Glyphosate Contamination In St. Kitts And Nevis, Winston Fu
A Model Experiment To Investigate The Possibility Of Glyphosate Contamination In St. Kitts And Nevis, Winston Fu
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is used globally to combat the spread of weeds among crops. Not all countries around the world have been using the herbicide. For example, island countries such as Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis do not use the herbicide on their crops. However, St. Kitts and Nevis imports food and other agricultural products from around the world, leading to the hypothesis that glyphosate is contaminating the soil through those imported products. The aim of this research project was to determine if glyphosate is present in the island country of St. Kitts and Nevis. A …
Development Of A Computer Algorithm For Generation Of Primers For Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification (Nasba), Rohit Karnati
Development Of A Computer Algorithm For Generation Of Primers For Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification (Nasba), Rohit Karnati
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) is a primer based isothermal method of RNA/DNA amplification. Currently, primer design for NASBA has been restricted to hand creating sequences of oligonucleotides that must follow a set of rules to be compatible for the amplification process. This process of hand-creating primers is prone to error and time intensive. The detection of mutants, post amplification, also offers a benefit in point of care scenarios and the design of hybridization probes for sequences in the region of amplification is also an erroneous and time intensive process. By creating a program to design primers and hybridization …
Synthesis Of Polyacrylic Acid - Dopamine Nanoparticles As Radical Scavengers For Antioxidant Applications, Russell D. Cox
Synthesis Of Polyacrylic Acid - Dopamine Nanoparticles As Radical Scavengers For Antioxidant Applications, Russell D. Cox
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The antioxidant activity of novel drugs has been of increasing interest in recent years. Free radicals are linked as a cause to many diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer,1 so development of drugs that can scavenge and break down free radicals is needed. One such potential solution is using dopamine, which is water-soluble and an antioxidant. However, the tendency of antioxidant drugs reacting undesirably with proteins and other biochemical compounds is a big issue for the drugs' antioxidant potential. One solution is by encapsulating the antioxidant compound in biocompatible polymer nanoparticles. In this project, dopamine is bound to the polymer …
In Situ Cultivation Of Potential Pah Degrading Bacteria From Coastal Sediment, Kyle Benkel
In Situ Cultivation Of Potential Pah Degrading Bacteria From Coastal Sediment, Kyle Benkel
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Oil spills can introduce potentially carcinogenic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), into coastal environments. Bioremediation uses the natural microorganisms in the environment to remove these pollutants. Traditional studies of these organisms are limited in the types of bacteria isolated due to the limitations of traditional culturing methods. In this study, diffusion chambers were used to culture and isolate potential PAH degrading bacteria from the coastal sediment obtained from the Chandeleur Islands. The diffusion chambers trapped bacteria in agar that contained 1 ppm benzo[a]pyrene. The bacteria were isolated from the diffusion chambers, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced …
Conformations Of Tricyanofuran-Type Metastable-State Photoacids, Juan E. Arias
Conformations Of Tricyanofuran-Type Metastable-State Photoacids, Juan E. Arias
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Tricyanofuran-type metastable-state photoacids, relative newcomers to the field of photochromism, outperform traditional light-controlled molecular switches in regards to applicability in biological systems. In a preliminary attempt to understand the underlying processes that govern these compounds, this thesis project establishes the isomeric identity of an unsubstituted tricyanofuran-type metastable-state photoacid, referred to as TCF 1 in this work. Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance experiments are employed to experimentally determine the presence and identity of the open-form TCF 1 isomers. Electronic structure calculations are then used to provide quantitative insight into the experimental results. Experiment and theory show that four out of eight possible …
Urinalysis Screening Of Drugs In Adulterated Samples Via Direct Analysis In Real Time -- High Resolution/ Mass Spectrometry (Dart-Hr/Ms), Bianca E. Olivieri
Urinalysis Screening Of Drugs In Adulterated Samples Via Direct Analysis In Real Time -- High Resolution/ Mass Spectrometry (Dart-Hr/Ms), Bianca E. Olivieri
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Current screening methods for drug analysis with urine samples includes examination of the sample with an immunoassay. These methods are used to determine the concentration of drug metabolites contained within the sample prior to further confirmatory testing. Drug testing plays a crucial role in maintaining safe workplace environments and safety of individuals. However, a positive result can lead to heavy consequences for the employee including suspension or removal from the workplace. Therefore, a majority of individuals add commonly known products into the sample to evade detection by developing a false negative result. Although specimen integrity examinations are performed to identify …
Split Probe Detection Of The Influenza A Virus For Improved Diagnostics In A Point Of Care System, Tamar Yishay
Split Probe Detection Of The Influenza A Virus For Improved Diagnostics In A Point Of Care System, Tamar Yishay
Honors Undergraduate Theses
A group of Influenza viruses, RNA containing viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family, consists of Influenza virus types A-D and has been known to cause the Flu, a respiratory illness associated with numerous detrimental symptoms that can lead to death. Influenza A virus (IAV) is constantly changing and is capable of causing pandemics. Currently used diagnostic methods include virus culturing, immunoassays including rapid influenza detection tests (RIDTs), and molecular assays including those based on RT-PCR. Most of the methods can be only performed in the certified diagnostic laboratories equipped with sophisticated instrumentation and/or special biosafety facilities. The results using these methods …
Mechanochemically Synthesized Cobalt Oxide-Based Particles For The Reduction Of Nitrophenols And Impacting Factors To Its Mechanism, Lorianne R. Shultz
Mechanochemically Synthesized Cobalt Oxide-Based Particles For The Reduction Of Nitrophenols And Impacting Factors To Its Mechanism, Lorianne R. Shultz
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Mechanochemically synthesized cobalt oxide-based particles are employed for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4NP), a toxic water contaminant. This reduction produces 4‑aminophenol (4AP), a less toxic, pharmaceutical precursor for drugs such as paracetamol. The indicated reduction has been completed previously using noble metals and/or catalysts requiring extensive solvent use, and time as part of their preparation. The cost and synthesis of these noble metal catalysts hinders the sustainable broad scale application as an environmental remediation solution. The catalyst synthesis explored in this study utilizes the green chemistry technique of vibratory ball-milling and annealing cobalt oxide-based particles at different temperatures, producing …
An Investigation Of Textile Fibers By Means Of Rgb Analysis Of Birefringence, Olivia F. Feild
An Investigation Of Textile Fibers By Means Of Rgb Analysis Of Birefringence, Olivia F. Feild
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Fiber analysis using birefringence has been around for years but has only recently been looked at more closely under a microscope. Recent scientists have proposed methods to correct issues found with fiber analysis using birefringence, yet there has not be a defined perfect method. This research will focus on correcting previously found issues with works by Michel-Lévy and Sorensen's, as well as other scientists involved and perfecting the analysis of fiber through birefringence. The goal will be to take this research one step further into the analysis of textile fibers by RGB value analysis and birefringence. The RGB values will …
Surfactant Driven Assembly Of Freeze-Casted, Polymer-Derived Ceramic Nanoparticles On Grapehene Oxide Sheets For Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes, Ali Zein Khater
Surfactant Driven Assembly Of Freeze-Casted, Polymer-Derived Ceramic Nanoparticles On Grapehene Oxide Sheets For Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes, Ali Zein Khater
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Traditional Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) are a reliable and cost-efficient choice for energy storage. LIBs offer high energy density and low self-discharge. Recent developments in electric-based technologies push for replacing historically used Lead-Acid batteries with LIBs. However, LIBs do not yet meet the demands of modern technology. Silicon and graphene oxide (GO) have been identified as promising replacements to improve anode materials. Graphene oxide has a unique sheet-like structure that provides a mechanically stable, light weight material for LIB anodes. Due to its structure, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is efficiently conductive and resistive to environmental changes. On the other hand, silicon-based …
Literature Review On The Use Of Nucleic Acid-Based Logic Gates For The Detection Of Human Diseases, Enrique J. Blanco Martinez
Literature Review On The Use Of Nucleic Acid-Based Logic Gates For The Detection Of Human Diseases, Enrique J. Blanco Martinez
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Conventional methods for diagnosis of human disease are, at times, limited in different regards including time requirement, either experimental or data processing, sensitivity, and selectivity. It is then that a Point of Care Criteria, which considers the true utility and usefulness of the device, is employed to propose new diagnostic devices capable of overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional tools. Nucleic acid, characterized for its predictable base-pairing nature, is considered to be a highly-selective, yet greatly modifiable device. Its behavior is then described through Boolean Logic, where “true” or “false” outputs are mathematically described as “1” and “0”, respectively. This …
Using Low-Coherence Interferometry To Monitor Cell Invasion In An In-Vitro Model System, Behnaz Davoudi Nasab
Using Low-Coherence Interferometry To Monitor Cell Invasion In An In-Vitro Model System, Behnaz Davoudi Nasab
Honors Undergraduate Theses
In an optically random system, such as naturally occurring and man-made media, light undergoes pronounced multiple scattering. This phenomenon has shown a remarkable potential in characterizing complex materials. In this regime, scattering occurs from each individual center of the scattering and independent scattering events lead to multiple light scattering. This phenomenon is often described as a random walk of photons and can be modeled in terms of a diffusion equation based on the radiative transfer theory. In this thesis, we used optical path-length spectroscopy (OPS), which is an experimental method to obtain the path-length probability density of the propagating light …
Micro-Spectroscopy Of Bio-Assemblies At The Single Cell Level, Jeslin Kera
Micro-Spectroscopy Of Bio-Assemblies At The Single Cell Level, Jeslin Kera
Honors Undergraduate Theses
In this thesis, we investigate biological molecules on a micron scale in the ultraviolet spectral region through the non-destructive confocal absorption microscopy. The setup involves a combination of confocal microscope with a UV light excitation beam to measure the optical absorption spectra with spatial resolution of 1.4 μm in the lateral and 3.6 μm in the axial direction. Confocal absorption microscopy has the benefits of requiring no labels and only low light intensity for excitation while providing a strong signal from the contrast generated by the attenuation of propagating light due to absorption. This enables spatially resolved measurements of single …
Plasma Temperature Measurements In The Context Of Spectral Interference, Brandon Seesahai
Plasma Temperature Measurements In The Context Of Spectral Interference, Brandon Seesahai
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The path explored in this thesis is testing a plasma temperature measurement approach that accounts for interference in a spectrum. The Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) technique used is called Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and involves focusing a laser pulse to a high irradiance onto a sample to induced a plasma. Spectrally analyzing the plasma light provides a "finger print" or spectrum of the sample. Unfortunately, spectral line broadening is a type of interference encountered in a LIBS spectrum because it blends possible ionic or atomic transitions that occur in plasma. To make use of the information or transitions not …