Chemistry Commons^™

Infrared Laser Ablation Of Biomolecules From Formalin-Fixed Tissue, Blessing Chisom Egbejiogu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the research described in this dissertation, a high-precision infrared laser ablation microsampling method was utilized for spatially resolved proteomic and lipidomic analyses of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue, a widely used archival sample in biomedical research. Despite its extensive use, FFPE tissue presents challenges for proteomic analysis due to protein cross-linking and modifications introduced during fixation, which can hinder extraction and identification. Developing a streamlined high-resolution method to recover biomolecules from FFPE samples is critical for advancing biomarker discovery, retrospective studies, and multi-omics research. To address these challenges, this study employs an infrared (IR) laser ablation microdissection system …

A Bland–Altman Comparison Of The Lead Care® System And Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry For Detecting Low-Level Lead In Child Whole Blood Samples, Christina Sobin, Tanner Schaub, Natali Parisi, Eva De La Riva

Departmental Papers (PH)

Chronic childhood lead exposure, yielding blood lead levels consistently below 10 μg/dL, remains a major public health concern. Low neurotoxic effect thresholds have not yet been established. Progress requires accurate, efficient, and cost-effective methods for testing large numbers of children. The LeadCare® System (LCS) may provide one ready option. The comparability of this system to the “gold standard” method of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the purpose of detecting blood lead levels below 10 μg/dL has not yet been examined. Paired blood samples from 177 children ages 5.2–12.8 years were tested with LCS and ICP-MS. Triplicate repeat tests …

Refining Chlorosulfonation Methods For The Synthesis Of A Perfluoroalkyl Arylsulfonimide (Pfsi) Monomer, Ainsley P. Foster, Ben Varney, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are sources of energy that are clean, quiet, and highly responsive to changes in power needs, making them promising for use in automobiles and other portable power devices. The electrolyte of a PEM cell–the layer responsible for conductivity–is a polymer membrane, commonly consisting of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers. In place of the PFSA polymers, perfluoroalkyl arylsulfonimide (PFSI) polymers are expected to improve the efficiency of PEM fuel cells with better stability and proton conductivity. The trifluovinylether (TFVE) aryl perfluorosulfonamide monomer is a new PFSI monomer proposed to fulfill these benefits once polymerized. The previous …

Consequences Of Oxidative Dna Damage: Base-Pair Dissociation, Singlet Oxygenation And Dna-Protein Crosslinking, May Myat Moe

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (OG) is a common DNA lesion resulting from oxidatively generated damage and pairs with complementary cytidine (C) in Watson Crick base-pairing within duplex DNA. The WC-OG·C lesion, if not recognized or repaired, not only leads to G⋅C→T⋅A transversion mutations (through Hoogsteen (HG) base pairing of OG⋅A), but also renders the base pair being more vlunerable to ionizing radiation and singlet oxygen (1O2) damage. Leveraging on our previous accomplishments on the study of gas-phase reactions of 1O2 with 2′-deoxyguanosine radical cations, my research thesis expanded to the investigation of reaction dynamics of 9-methyl-8-oxoguanine (9MOG) radical cations. The experiments of following …

Investigating Dna Damage Caused By Reactive Oxygen And Nitrogen Species Via Guided-Ion-Beam Scattering And Computational Techniques, Jonathan Benny

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Among DNA nucleobases, guanine (G) is the primary target for one-electron ionization and oxidation, generating G●+ through various processes, including photooxidation, electrocatalytic oxidation, DNA-binding transition metals, ionizing radiation, and photolysis. This is due to the low adiabatic ionization potential and oxidation potential of guanine. Electron holes from other nucleobases can move to guanine, proving that G●+ production traps oxidative DNA damage. G●+ formation can exacerbate DNA damages and cause secondary reactions from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during pathological processes. The following three projects were conducted using a customized electrospray ionization (ESI) guided-ion-beam tandem mass spectrometer, …

In Memoriam - Nora Sabelli: Master Orchestrator Of Grant Programs And Mentor For Advancing The Interdisciplinary Learning Sciences Field, Eric Hamilton, Jeremy Roschelle, Roy Pea, Barbara Means, Louis Gomez, Kim Gomez, Nancy Butler Songer

Education Division Scholarship

On Friday, September 6, 2024, the learning sciences field lost a giant in Dr. Nora Sabelli, 87 years old, a personal mentor to many researchers and an inspiration to so many learning scientists and STEM leaders. Nora’s first professional career was as a computational chemist, and later she became a passionate leader in research for improving STEM education. Nora’s time as a senior program officer at the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate was legendary; she was a force of nature who reshaped funding priorities for stronger science and a stronger connection of science to education …

Antimicrobial Effect Of Herbs Extracted With Ethanol Compared To Ampicillin, Brianna Neilan, Laura Rowe

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections within the medical field, however there are growing concerns of antibiotic resistance. Before the introduction of antibiotics herbs were commonly used to treat infections, and herbal medicine is still used in many communities and cultures. Bacteria’s increasing resistance to traditional antibiotics has caused herbal medicines to become a significant research topic recently. Methods of herbal medicine preparation include preparing teas using hot water, and tinctures that soak herbs in alcohol for several weeks. Previous research has shown significant antimicrobial effects of some herbs when soaked in water and other liquids. The aim …

Mechanism Of Napthenic Acid Binding To Dissolved Organic Matter, Clarissa Jules

Theses and Dissertations

The oil sands in Alberta, Canada are being destroyed by oil extraction because remediation methods have proven largely ineffective. One toxic byproduct of oil extraction is a family of cyclical surfactant organic acids known as naphthenic acids (NAs). They are toxic to aquatic life, including fish, frogs, and aquatic birds. It is suspected that NAs bind to humic acid, a major organic component of soil, in dissolved organic matter in natural water, making them difficult to remove by conventional remediation methods. This problem prompts the following question: what is the binding mechanism between NAs and humic acid when dissolved in …

Determining The Concentrations Of Trace Metals In Caffeinated Beverages By Icp-Aes, Lillian B. Gruss, James O'Donoghue, Maya Schram

Research and Creativity Symposium

A myriad of different caffeinated beverages are advertised and readily available to consumers. Previous research has identified the presence of elevated levels of metals unsafe for consumption in many of these beverages, energy drinks in particularly. We aim to analyze concentrations of chromium, aluminum, and lead, three such metals, in a variety of different caffeinated beverages. A calibration curve relating concentration of chromium, lead and aluminum to corrected peak height for five solutions of standardized concentration was created using a ThermoFisher iCAP 6000 Series. The same instrument was then used to analyze samples of eight different caffeinated beverages. The corrected …

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Induced Degradation Of Organophosphate Pesticides On Kevlar Swatches, Ta Chun Lin, Victor Somtochukwu Mbanugo, Boluwatife Stephen Ojo, Yue-Wern Huang, Marek Locmelis, Frank Daoru Han

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) was evaluated for degrading organophosphate pesticide (OP) residues (acephate, malathion, and dimethoate) from Kevlar fabrics. Fourier transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging and tensile strength testing confirmed that CAP treatment preserved Kevlar's structural integrity and mechanical properties. Results show degradation efficiency increased with higher power, shorter discharge gaps, and longer exposure duration. Hyperspectral imaging supported the detection of plasma-induced spectral changes, reinforcing the presence of reactive species. The strong oxidative potential of CAP facilitated the rapid breakdown of OPs into nontoxic byproducts. These findings demonstrate the potential of CAP as a portable, energy-efficient solution …

Mass Spectrometry Combined With Chemical Biology To Study Human Ailments, Eric Thomas Jacquerio Davis

Wayne State University Dissertations

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential as chemical changes that regulate protein function, activity, stability, interactions, and localization after protein synthesis. PTMs, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination, can activate or deactivate proteins, influence their interactions with other molecules, and determine their cellular location. This regulation is vital for numerous biological processes, such as cell cycle control, signal transduction, and gene expression. Abnormal PTMs are linked to various diseases in humans, including parasitic infection, blood disorders, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases, making their study crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing targeted therapies. In the Pflum lab, we are interested in the …

Identifying The Constituents Of Pyrolysis Oil Using Supercritical Fluid Chromatography- Fraction Collection (Sfc-Fc) And Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry/Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (Gc-Ms/Vuv), Sadid Morshed

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Plastic waste continues to accumulate as production increases and disposal methods remain insufficient. Even with recycling programs in place, much of the discarded plastic still ends up in landfills or waterways, eventually breaking down into harmful microplastics. One promising solution is the conversion of plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, which can also serve as an alternative feedstock for chemicals. Pyrolysis oil is produced by heating plastics to approximately 800 °C in the absence of oxygen, resulting in a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that includes paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics. Analyzing the amount of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur in these …

Complexometric Titration Of Terbium(Iii) Compounds: An Analytical Blast From The Past Gives Purity Assurance When Modern Instruments Fail Us., Jake E. Timbes, Cameron Bateman, Justin Stace

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Lanthanide ions have attracted attention for applications in microwave electronics, memory devices, lighting applications, and chemical sensors. Terbium(III)-centered homoleptic complexes show promise as potential fluorescence-based chemical sensing agents. Tb(phen)2(NO3)3 (phen = 1,10-phenothroline) exhibits striking visible emission when excited by short-wave ultraviolet light; this emission is completely quenched by exposure to water or strong acid. However, the luminescence returns under relatively benign conditions. Unfortunately, our array of terbium(III) complexes are notoriously insoluble; rendering standard analytical techniques useless to assess purity, notably, 1H and 13C-NMR. Titration is a useful technique to give us, an assurance of purity—in conjunction with the ad-hoc purity …

Estimating Vapor Pressures Of Pheromone Compounds Using Gas Chromatographic Retention, Bipasha Sarker

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses - Archive

Accurate determination of the vapor pressures of organic materials is important for predicting the sample’s environmental impact. It is difficult to directly measure accurate and precise vapor pressures of chemical compounds with direct experimental methods. Thus, indirect or predictive models for estimating vapor pressures are used. In this study, we follow a gas−liquid chromatography (GLC)-based approach, where retention data is correlated with vapor pressure using multiple reference standards. The method (GLC-RTyS) requires temperature-dependent retention factors (k-values) for test compounds and reference standards with known vapor pressures at matching temperatures. It has been observed that reference standards selected according to functional …

New Psychoactive Substances Detected In Wastewater Samples Collected Along The Interstate Highway Rest Areas In Kentucky, Durga Prasad Kodati

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The rapid emergence and proliferation of new psychoactive substances (NPS) pose significant challenges to public health and law enforcement. The potential for abuse and toxicity of these substances, which are intended to mimic the effects of controlled drugs, has been raising concerns as these compounds are designed to evade being regulated. There are traditional methods of tracking NPS, such as seizures and forensic toxicology, but they are delayed and seldom effective because these substances continue to evolve rapidly. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for real-time surveillance of drug consumption. The primary objective of this research was …

Characterization And Leaching Feasibility Studies Of Copper Flue Dust For The Recovery Of Main And Trace Metals, Fardis Nakhaei, Marek Locmelis, Lana Alagha, Michael S. Moats, Carlos Eyzaguirre, Cory Smith

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although copper smelter dust (CSD) is classified as hazardous waste, it also serves as a valuable secondary resource, offering potential for the recovery of critical elements. In this study, CSD samples were collected from the waste heat boiler (WHB) and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) units connected to the flash smelting furnace at a copper smelter. The representative samples were extensively characterized by particle size, and chemical and mineralogical analyses. Following sample characterization, leaching experiments were performed to evaluate the potential extraction of Cu, Fe, As, Zn, Pb, In, Ga, and Ge from the flue dusts. Distilled water, H2SO4, and HCl were …

Impact Of Y-Mixer Geometry And Flow Rate Modulation On Chemical Gradient Generators In Microfluidic Devices, Elizabeth Thurston Hutton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Various microfluidic structures are devised to generate tunable, stable spatiotemporal chemical gradients for single-cell studies. This work addresses the role of Y-mixer junctions in generating nonlinear gradients by increasing the width of one arm (bias), which is suspected to cause premature diffusion within the mixer. This study introduced a cinching feature to narrow the wider arm locally and redefine the junctions of these biased Y-mixers using four novel geometries defined by a 5-micrometer drawing rule. Furthermore, three flow rate factors allowed us to explore the impact on the generated gradient landscapes. The results showed that the four novel designs similarly …

A Colorimetric Sensor Array For Differentiating Emerging Material Contaminants Based On Surface Chemistry, Ifunanya Chiamaka Ede

All Master's Theses

Emerging materials contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs) and engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), are now recognized to contaminate oceans, seas, freshwater, and drinking water through many different exposure pathways. The extent of the materials' water contamination problem has only begun to be properly appreciated in the last decade. While comprehensive global data on the exact quantity of nano- and microcontaminants in drinking water is challenging to ascertain, studies have shown that microplastics and nanoparticles can now be found in drinking water sources worldwide.  Indeed, a well-publicized recent study has shown that 93% of bottled water around the world contains microplastic contamination.

Detecting …

Multi-Attribute Characterization Of Polymeric And Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems By Column Switching Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Brady W. Drennan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Drug delivery systems (DDS) are an increasingly relevant technology, owing to their ability to provide controlled release and to enable the use of otherwise toxic or labile therapeutics. However, these modalities are complex, containing a multitude of species with diverse chemical and physical properties. Their characterization, which involves the assessment of critical quality attributes (CQAs), requires numerous analytical techniques. The high-throughput demands of the biopharmaceutical industry have driven the need to consolidate these characterizations into a single analytical method. Consequently, novel analytical technologies are needed to support multi-attribute characterization. A multimodal liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) system was developed to facilitate …

Geochemical Assessment Of Sediment Flux In A Sediment Core From A Tidal Flat In A Tropical Estuary, Olumide Ajulo

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Sediment flux in estuaries is influenced by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Understanding the historical and current trends in sediment flux inputs and geochemical composition are essential for evaluating the estuary’s response to natural and human-induced changes and for developing effective environmental management strategies. The tropical Wouri Estuary in Cameroon receives water and sediment inputs from three main rivers draining urban, industrial, and agricultural areas, as well as different rock terrains. The complex inputs into the estuary can significantly affect sediment flux, consequently impacting the ecosystem. Thereby making an understanding of the temporal variations in sediment inputs in the …

Characterization Of Methodological Variability In Compound Specific Isotope Analysis Of Amino Acids (Csia-Aa), Audreyana Brown-Nash

Open Access Dissertations

The use of isotopes in the natural sciences stems from the principle that chemical reactions predictably alter the isotopic composition of a given sample. Recent advances in compound specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) have paved the way for studies of increasingly complex ecological relationships, including the identification and characterization of organismal physiology, consumer-resource linkages, biogeochemical cycling, and movement ecology. The analytical power of CSIA-AA has caused an exponential increase in the number of application-based studies since its inception in the 1990s. With the technique constantly evolving to accommodate new research goals, it is important to understand how variation …

Valorizing Municipal Solid Waste For Sustainable Aviation Fuel And Polyhydroxyalkanoate Bioplastics: Pyrolysis And Microbial Pathways, Emon Das

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The escalating global burden of municipal solid waste (MSW), projected to reach 3.88 billion tons annually by 2050, calls for innovative valorization strategies to mitigate environmental impacts and promote a circular bioeconomy. This thesis investigates the conversion of MSW into two high-value products: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics. Chapter one presents comprehensive physicochemical characterization and pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis of MSW feedstocks. The physicochemical results reveal that densification enhances handling and storage properties, while pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis indicates that plastic-rich MSW streams produce bio-oils with favorable hydrocarbon profiles suitable for SAF production, potentially contributing to decarbonization efforts in the aviation …

The Chemical Nature Of Colors, Bryant Corbin, Bryant Corbin

Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal

No abstract provided.

High Throughput, Solid Sample Analysis With Cone-Based Mass Spectrometric Ionization Sources, Emily J. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread presence of environmental and consumer-product contaminants (e.g. trace metals, opium alkaloids) has underscored the need for rapid, reliable, and high-throughput analytical techniques that are capable of handling complex solid samples. While traditional mass spectrometric (MS) methods tend to have high sensitivity and accuracy, they often require labor-intensive and time-consuming sample preparation steps that limit throughput and field applicability. This thesis investigates the use of 3D-Printed Cone Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (3D-PCSI-MS) as an ambient ionization technique for the direct screening of contaminants from solid matrices, eliminating the need for traditional sample preparation and allowing for real-time analysis.

In …

Site-Specific Modification Of Antibodies Utilizing Microbial Transglutaminase For Improved Immunoassay Performance, Emily Beitello

Theses and Dissertations

Immobilization strategies used for fixing antibodies to solid phase surfaces significantly contribute to the antigen capture capacity and influences the performance and sensitivity of immunoassays. Traditional methodologies result in the random orientation and/or the weak attachment of immobilized antibodies. Different formats of immunoassays scope in applicability to many fields of research and everyday use. Improving the efficiency of immobilizing antibodies in immunoassays is a beneficial endeavor to increase assay sensitivity. Here, we investigated the use of enzyme-mediated conjugation of antibodies to facilitate a highly oriented immobilization. Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) catalyzes the covalent bond formation between a plethora of primary amine …

Generational Exposures To Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles And Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid Affect The Performance Of Daughter Plants, Preston Clubb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The effects of parental stress on the performance of next generation exposed to another contaminant were investigated. Wheat was exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) in first and second generations and exposed to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the third generation. Phenotypic or metabolic responses were assessed at 21-day (short-term exposure) or 90-day (long-term exposure) exposure periods. Biomass production, chlorophyll content, enzyme activity, and membrane damage were measured at short-term exposure, while elemental and PFOS concentrations, and grain metabolites were analyzed in long-term exposure. Results showed that continued exposures to CeO2-NPs and PFOS enhanced chlorophyll content but reduced concentrations of important …

The Effect Of Polyethylene Glycol Surface Density Of Dense Brush Gold Nanoparticles On Insulin Fibrillation, Ethan Patrick Grier

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The development of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to the fibrillation of various proteins within the brain. Parkinson’s disease is specifically linked to the fibrillation of α-Synuclein. During the fibrillation process, the proteins take the form of oligomers, and exposure to these oligomers has been linked to various cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Once the fibrillation process is complete, the fibrils made have been shown to be much less toxic than the oligomer stage. This fibrillation process is thermodynamically favorable and is largely irreversible, so one course of action for treatment of these …

Lc-Ms Discriminates Between Effects Of Sulfur Nanoparticles Vs Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles On Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa), Mary Fakunle

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Nanotechnology is gaining attention in agriculture, majorly due to their potential benefits in farming practices. Sulfur and molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles are reported to enhance plant growth, protection, and nutrient delivery. However, there is a need to understand how nano-fertilizers affect the metabolites and nutritional benefits of plants. Here, lettuce was cultivated under greenhouse in one of three treatments: control, 50 ppm S NPs, and 20 ppm MoS2 NPs. A method was developed on Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) instrument to quantify the concentration of amino acids and antioxidants in the harvested lettuce plants. Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry …

Rwanda's Natural Remedies: A Fresh Look At The Fight Against Malaria, Leandre Nsabimana Ndisanze

Pomona Senior Theses

Malaria remains one of the most devastating parasitic diseases globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where Rwanda continues to face high transmission rates and rising resistance to conventional interventions. Despite decades of control efforts, the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes threatens to reverse recent gains. This research responds to the urgent need for sustainable and culturally relevant alternatives by exploring the therapeutic potential of Rwandan traditional medicinal plants. These indigenous remedies, long used by local healers, offer an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds that may provide the basis for novel antimalarial drugs.

The central hypothesis of this …

Molecular Characterization Of Humic And Fulvic Acids On Watterlogged And Well-Drained Amazonian Podzols, Amanda M. Tadini, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Stéphane Mounier, Débora M.B.P. Milori, Célia R. Montes, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Amazonian Podzol soils, characteristic of this region, are known to store substantial amounts of organic carbon in both their surface and deep horizons. Despite decades of research, the molecular-level composition of these soils remains uncharacterized. This study addresses this knowledge gap by employing ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, namely, Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance–mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), to determine the molecular composition of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) fractions from two Amazonian Podzol profiles of varying levels of groundwater exposure (waterlogged vs well-drained). In the waterlogged soil compounds containing nitrogen, …