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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Novel Fabrication Technique For Three-Dimensional Nanostructures, Ravi Kiran Bonam Jan 2012

A Novel Fabrication Technique For Three-Dimensional Nanostructures, Ravi Kiran Bonam

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Three dimensional micro- and nano-structures are commonly used in the field of Photonics, Optoelectronics, Sensors and Biological applications. Although numerous physical models are developed, a major challenge has been in their fabrication which is commonly limited to conventional layer-by-layer techniques. In this dissertation, a novel method for fabricating three dimensional structures using Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) will be presented.


The Application Of Raman Spectroscopy As A Confirmatory Blood Test In The Presence Of Sodium Hypochlorite Cleaners In In Comparison With Presumptive Blood Tests, Aliea Anoshaa Afnan Jan 2012

The Application Of Raman Spectroscopy As A Confirmatory Blood Test In The Presence Of Sodium Hypochlorite Cleaners In In Comparison With Presumptive Blood Tests, Aliea Anoshaa Afnan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Popular presumptive tests for blood include: Luminol, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), leucomalachite green (LMG), phenolphthalein, and Hemastix® [3]. These presumptive tests have been reviewed with respect to their sensitivity, specificity, and DNA degradation. In this study, the aforementioned presumptive tests were subjected to bloodstains deposited on cotton contaminated with all-purpose bleach and compared with Raman spectroscopy as an application of a confirmatory blood test. Samples were tested for interference with the all-purpose bleach to determine the selectivity of the presumptive tests. Tetramethylbenzidine, leucomalachite green, and phenolphthalein all yielded inconclusive results when applied to a contaminated sample. Luminol and Hemastix® yielded a positive …


Fractional Comparison Of Arson Accelerants Using Advanced Distillation, Sarah Clickner Jan 2012

Fractional Comparison Of Arson Accelerants Using Advanced Distillation, Sarah Clickner

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Detection of accelerants is often critical in proving a fire was intentional. Establishing a fire was intentionally set is not an easy task and hinges on the preservation of accelerant present in fire debris. Various accelerants have previously been studied using the advanced distillation method to get fractional composition information. The resulting fractions from advanced distillations were compared to evaporation and burn samples to determine if there were any similarities.


Statistical Analysis Of Gasoline As An Accelerant Using Principal Component Analysis, Carolyn Frantz Jan 2012

Statistical Analysis Of Gasoline As An Accelerant Using Principal Component Analysis, Carolyn Frantz

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Arson is one of the most difficult crimes to investigate, as much of the physical evidence is destroyed by the fire. Evidence of an accelerant at a scene is often vital in determining whether a fire was intentional or accidental. Gasoline is one of the most commonly used accelerants, due to its wide availability and low cost. Neat gasoline samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify the components present in each gasoline and differentiate between gasoline samples based on their seasonal blend and grade. Advanced distillations were executed to compare regular and premium grade gasolines and determine …


Structural And Thermodynamic Anaylsis Of Self-Assembled Dna Cross-Tiles, Lauren Hakker Jan 2012

Structural And Thermodynamic Anaylsis Of Self-Assembled Dna Cross-Tiles, Lauren Hakker

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A thermodynamic and structural analysis of DNA nanostructures was performed, following the replacement of the unpaired thymine bases within a central loop to determine their effect on the self-assembly process. Specifically this study focused on DNA cross-tile nanostructures. Self-assembly of DNA cross-tiles occurs by means of Watson-crick base-pairing interactions between designed single-stranded DNAs from which lattice structures assemble through sticky-end cohesion. These cross-tile structures were constructed from nine single-stranded DNAs and consisted of a central loop containing 16 unpaired thymine bases, four shell strands, and four arms. Modifications were introduced to replace the central unpaired thymine base loop. The modifications …


Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Spectroscopy For Characterization Of Rna Structure And Thermodynamics, Joseph Dustin Handen Jan 2012

Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Spectroscopy For Characterization Of Rna Structure And Thermodynamics, Joseph Dustin Handen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Raman spectroscopy is a technique well suited for the study of biological molecules such as proteins, peptides, or RNAs. By utilizing an ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) instrument, we are afforded a tremendous increase in sensitivity because of resonance enhancement. Additionally, this technique does not require any labeling. Moreover, this technique is better suited for studying biological systems than infrared absorption due to reduced interference from water. In this study, we apply techniques we have developed for the study of protein and peptide fibrillation to a model RNA homodimer. We demonstrate that UVRR spectroscopy is uniquely suited to monitoring the free …


Inhibition Of Glutamate Receptors By Constructing Bipartite Rna Aptamers, Jeffrey Hebert Jan 2012

Inhibition Of Glutamate Receptors By Constructing Bipartite Rna Aptamers, Jeffrey Hebert

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The relationship of excessive activity of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, and cell death, has long provided researchers a means of investigating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Inhibitors of AMPA receptor channels, including chemical and nucleic acid molecules such as RNA aptamers, have served as potential therapeutic agents and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, building bipartite aptamers to enhance inhibitory potency, as compared with a monomeric aptamer of AMPA receptor, is described. An enhanced potency is due, at least in part; to the proximity effect in bipartite structures or binding of a monomeric …


Interactions Of The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsid Protein With Non-Hiv-Derived Nucleic Acids : Implications For The Viral Replication Cycle, Abhijit Padmakar Jadhav Jan 2012

Interactions Of The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsid Protein With Non-Hiv-Derived Nucleic Acids : Implications For The Viral Replication Cycle, Abhijit Padmakar Jadhav

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

During attempts to develop aptamers that bind to the nucleocapsid protein of HIV-1 (i.e. NCp7) with high affinity, a heretofore unreported property of the protein--the ability to mediate degradation of nucleic acids, was discovered. Using λ DNA as a model nucleic acid system, it was shown that NCp7-mediated degradation of nucleic acids is non-specific, depends on incubation time, the concentration of NCp7, and the presence of divalent and monovalent cations. It was further demonstrated that degradation can be abrogated if NCp7 is pre-incubated with NCp7-inhibitors. Lyophilization of NCp7 can induce irreversible changes in its secondary structure that result in loss …


Amyloid Fibril Polymorphism : Structure, Supramolecular Chiraliy And Spontaneous Interconversion, Dzmitry Kurouski Jan 2012

Amyloid Fibril Polymorphism : Structure, Supramolecular Chiraliy And Spontaneous Interconversion, Dzmitry Kurouski

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Specific protein aggregation has been linked to more than 25 severe human maladies including prion, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. These important malfunctions are often referred to as 'conformational' disorders and result from the conversion of a normal isoform of a protein into a specific b-sheet rich polymeric amyloid form. This work elaborates a comprehensive characterization of amyloids and dedicated to the investigation of the fibril polymorphism using advanced microscopic tools, such as Atomic Force and Scanning Electron microcopies, together with several vibrational spectroscopy techniques, such as Raman, Infrared and Vibrational Circular Dichroism. A new type of protein folding-aggregation phenomenon, spontaneous …


Short-Term Associations Between Pm2.5, Black Carbon, Delta-C, And Cardiovascular Diseases In A Large Developing Megacity, Daniel Malashock Jan 2012

Short-Term Associations Between Pm2.5, Black Carbon, Delta-C, And Cardiovascular Diseases In A Large Developing Megacity, Daniel Malashock

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Introduction: Association between ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been demonstrated by many epidemiological studies in developed countries, however few studies have been performed in developing countries of Asia.


The Analytic Reconciliation Of Classic Mayan Elite Pottery : Squaring Pottery Function With Form, Adornment, And Residual Contents, Jennifer Ann Loughmiller-Newman Jan 2012

The Analytic Reconciliation Of Classic Mayan Elite Pottery : Squaring Pottery Function With Form, Adornment, And Residual Contents, Jennifer Ann Loughmiller-Newman

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation presents a multidisciplinary means of determining the actual content (foodstuff, non-foodstuff, or lack of contents) of Classic Mayan (A.D. 250-900) vessels. Based on previous studies that have identified the residues of foodstuffs named in hieroglyphic texts (e.g. cacao), this study is designed to further investigate foodstuff residues in the elite vessels indicated by text or image to contain those residues, and the methods employed for residue characterization. Prior to studies utilizing residue analysis, the content of Classic Maya vessels largely had long been inferred largely by ethnographic analogy, associating specific vessel forms with specific uses based on ethnographic …


Trace Element Analysis Of Environmental And Clinical Materials Using Novel Instrumentation Based On X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry : New Capabilities For Public Health Laboratories, Kathryn G. Mcintosh Jan 2012

Trace Element Analysis Of Environmental And Clinical Materials Using Novel Instrumentation Based On X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry : New Capabilities For Public Health Laboratories, Kathryn G. Mcintosh

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a well-established analytical technique for determining the elemental content of many different materials. XRF has long been used for public health applications, particularly for identifying lead-based paint hazards. The primary advantage of XRF over other atomic spectrometric techniques is that it is nondestructive. In addition, little sample preparation is required, so results are obtained rapidly and at low cost. The principal aim of this study was to characterize the utility and reliability of current XRF instrumentation for use in the environmental health sciences. Interest in the use of XRF for detecting lead in children's toys …


An Application Of Camx Process Analysis Tools : Exploring Process Contributions To Extreme Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides And Sulfur Dioxide, David-Anthony Murray Jan 2012

An Application Of Camx Process Analysis Tools : Exploring Process Contributions To Extreme Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides And Sulfur Dioxide, David-Anthony Murray

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The University at Albany Air Quality Forecasting Modeling System (AQFMS) is a state-of-the-art model that generates reliable daily and "day-ahead" air quality forecasts for the Northeastern United States. The three major categories of processes which dictate regional air quality are production from emission sources, horizontal and vertical transport driven by the prevailing meteorology, and chemical transformations. The Advanced Research WRF (ARW) produces meteorological fields. The Sparse Matrix Operator for Kernel Emissions (SMOKE) processes available emission inventories for air quality modeling. The Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extension (CAMx) handles both chemical processes and the integration of ARW-WRF and SMOKE in …


Selection Of Chemically Modified Rna Aptamers Against The Glua2q Flop Ampa Receptor, Hyojung Seo Jan 2012

Selection Of Chemically Modified Rna Aptamers Against The Glua2q Flop Ampa Receptor, Hyojung Seo

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The á-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors play an important role in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Excessive activity of these receptors has been implicated in some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, ischemic stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). AMPA receptor inhibitors are therefore drug candidates for potential treatment of these neurological disorders and diseases. The objective of my MS thesis work is to develop a stable aptamer so that it can be tested and used in vivo where the aptamer must be exposed to ribonucleases. To do this, I prepared a library containing RNAs with 2'-Fluoro …


Mechanism Of Inhibition Of The Glua2 Receptors By N-3 Derivatives Of 2,3-Benzodiazepines With C-4 Methyl Group, Congzhou Wang Jan 2012

Mechanism Of Inhibition Of The Glua2 Receptors By N-3 Derivatives Of 2,3-Benzodiazepines With C-4 Methyl Group, Congzhou Wang

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors are one of the three subtypes of ionotropic glutamate receptors. AMPA receptors mediate fast synaptic neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Over-activation of calcium permeable AMPA receptors causes intracellular calcium overload, which leads to neurodegeneration and cell death. As such, AMPA receptors have been implicated in a number of neurological disorders and diseases, such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's disease. 2,3-Benzodiazepine derivatives (or GYKI compounds) are a group of structurally similar compounds synthesized as inhibitors of AMPA receptors, and they have been used as potential drug candidates for the treatment of various …