Chemistry Commons^™

Raman Spectroscopy Study Of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol And Cannabidiol And Their Hydrogen-Bonding Activities, Kalee Sigworth

Honors Theses

Cannabis and products containing its cannabinoids have grown rapidly in acceptance and use in recent years with legalization of cannabis in many countries and US states. Cannabidiol and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol are two primary cannabinoids in Cannabis that have been shown to produce analgesic effects along with many other positive side effects for the user. These two cannabinoids interact with receptors in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. No spectroscopic study to our knowledge has been performed to analyze the hydrogen bonding effects of interactions between these two cannabinoids and solvents. Here, we employ theoretical Raman spectra through computational methods to study …

Small Island Taphonomy In Western Australia, Courtney J. Newberry

Honors Theses

Forensic death investigations rely on postmortem interval estimations to establish a timeline surrounding a decedent’s death. Several methods are used, often together, to make such estimations. One of the main methods is the evaluation of the stage of decomposition; although decomposition follows the same general steps, the length of the process can vary by location and environmental factors. Animal scavenging can also impact decomposition by consuming flesh and impacting insect activity on the remains.

This study investigates the scavenging guilds and rate of decomposition of pig (Sus scrofa) legs on Rottnest Island, Australia. Three sites with unique environments were selected …

Mineral-Surface Chemistry Of Hydroxyapatite And Urea-Rich Solutions, Estefania Garcia

Master of Science in Chemical Sciences Theses

On this planet the development of life requires six essential elements: C, H, O, N, P, and S. These elements are present in gaseous form, with the exception of phosphorus, which is primarily found in solid mineral sources. Phosphorus in biological systems is significant through its involvement in metabolic functions (e.g., Coenzyme A), cell structure (i.e., phospholipid membranes), and genetic storage/transfer (i.e., phosphodiester bonds in DNA and RNA). However, an ambiguity remains with the assimilation of phosphorus in biological systems, caused by its habitual presence in insoluble phosphate mineral sources. Recent research has found that insoluble phosphate …

Using A Novel Cell- Penetrating Peptide Technology To Induce Pluripotency, Laura-Maria Oja

Master of Science in Chemical Sciences Theses

Somatic stem cells have been used as a regenerative medicine tool to treat diseases like leukemia for decades, but they are limited in their ability to self-renew and differentiate. A better alternative, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has the ability to generate cells from all three germ layers and avoid tissue rejection as well as bypass the ethical concerns related to embryonic stem cells. In 2006, Takahashi and Yamanaka discovered that only four genes were required to induce pluripotency: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM). Since then, pluripotency has been induced with OSKM most effectively by transfection or transduction. However, …

An Atomistic Study Of The Effects On Mechanical Properties And Bonding Interactions Of Carbon Nanofillers In Nylon 6 Nanocomposites, Michael Roth

Dissertations

Polymers have potential for a wide range of applications. The effectiveness of polymers can be further enhanced through the addition of nanofillers that improve thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the polymer. Carbon based nanofillers such as carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, and carbon nanofibre (CNF) are of particular interest due to their high properties and high aspect ratios. However, limited understanding of the governing interactions of these nanofillers with polymers limits the effectiveness of the final nanocomposite.

The first facet of this dissertation focuses on determining the dominating interactions between pristine CNT and graphene with nylon 6 monomer and the …

Effect Of Selfsame Microparticles On Epoxide Amine Network Formation And Matrix Mechanics, Travis Palmer

Dissertations

Epoxide amine matrices are widely utilized in aerospace carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites having engendered significant reductions in weight and fuel consumption. This dissertation focuses on the effect of constrained space during network formation on the matrix mechanics of these highly complex composite systems. Precipitation polymerization conditions are developed to prepare epoxide amine microparticles (EMs) based on tetraglycidyl-4,4’-methylenedianiline (TGDDM) and isophorone diamine (IPDA). Surface functionality of EMs is tuned via control of epoxide to reactive amine hydrogen ratio, where unreactive, amine- and epoxide-functional EMs are prepared. We demonstrate that EMs are polydisperse, but can be filtered, yielding low dispersity …

Huisgen 1,3-Dipolar Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition “Click” Reaction In Polymer Synthesis And Curing, Jie Wu

Dissertations

This dissertation’s key focus is on utilizing Huisgen 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) reaction in copolymer synthesis and modification, including thermoplastic block copolymer and commercially available two-component polyurethane system. It can be divided into two major projects, introduced as follows.

The first project involves the development of a modular synthetic approach toward polyisobutylene (PIB)-based triphasic pentablock thermoplastic elastomer with enhanced moisture permeability. This terpolymer consists of a poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) core and appended hydrophilic polymer blocks (HBs). The SIBS core was synthesized via living cationic polymerization (LCP) of isobutylene followed by sequential addition of styrene. AAC was utilized …

Temperature Dependence On Enzymatic Activity Of A82f F87a Mutant And Wild-Type Cytochrome P450 Bm-3, Sally Seder

Undergraduate Theses

Cytochrome P450 is an enzyme mainly found in liver cells. It plays a key role in the breakdown of drugs and toxins by hydroxylating substrates making the substrates more water soluble. P450s are also involved in cholesterol and hormone synthesis. The third P450 from bacterium Bacillus Megaterium (BM3) is used as a model P450 enzyme due to its structural similarity to human P450s and due to its efficiency in the hydroxylation of fatty acids. Within the enzyme’s active site, substrates can occupy a distal or proximal conformation monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy. The proximal conformation is more effective when it comes …

Extraction Of Thyme Leaves And Analysis Of Antibacterial Properties: An Adaptation For Usf Analytical Chemistry Lab Course, Kevin Do, Matthew Barnett

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

We streamlined and adapted the thyme leaf extraction and analysis experiment developed by Purcell et al. at the University of California, Berkeley for the analytical chemistry lab course at the University of San Francisco. This experiment used the extraction and analysis of thyme leaves to familiarize students with an integrated laboratory approach, which is becoming increasingly popular in undergraduate chemistry education. The first goal of our research was to adapt the parameters of the experiment to the science writing heuristic (SWH), which moves away from verification-based activities and towards problem-based learning. A lab manual formatted for the SWH gives students …

Effect Of Quinoline Amide Substituents On The Luminescence And Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mri) Properties Of Bimodal Europium (Iii) Complexes, Brooke Aloe, Marisa Poveda

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Surgical intervention is often necessary in the management of cancer; however, sufficient tumor resection is reliant on adequate discrimination between malignant and healthy tissues. A dual-modality imaging agent with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Optical Imaging capabilities has the potential to improve tumor visualization before and during surgery. Administration of the agent would provide preoperative MR images that localize the bulk of the tumor and intraoperative fluorescence imaging would elucidate tumor margins. Macrocyclic lanthanide complexes possess long-lived luminescent lifetimes, making them ideal candidates for this class of imaging probe; however, the use of high energy lasers to directly excite these …

Oxidation Of Alpha-Pinene Initiated By O(3p) And Analyze Via Synchrotron Radiation, Ryan Rodriguez

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

Alpha-pinene oxidation is initiated via photolytically generated atomic oxygen O(3P). Reactions were analyzed at 550 K under 4 torr and 750 K at 5 torr. Reaction products are analyzed using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. Vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation is generated at the Advanced Light Source at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Kinetic time traces are used to identify primary products, which are then characterized by comparing the experimental photoionization spectra to literature and/or simulated spectra. Calculations using the CBS-QB3 composite method suggest oxygen addition is the favorable pathway vs hydrogen abstraction, agreeing with experimental data. Branching fractions have determined for …

A Ficellomycin Inspired Platform: Modulating Cytotoxicity By Tuning The Instability Of Substituted Azabicyclo[3.1.0]Hexanes, Nathaniel Garrison

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

DNA-damaging natural products, despite their promising activity, are often too toxic for clinical use as anti-cancer chemotherapies. Novel strategies to effectively modulate their cytotoxicity could expand the arsenal of usable drugs. Ficellomycin, a cytotoxic, DNA-alkylating antibiotic with a rare and unstable azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane core, undergoes an intramolecular cyclization to render itself inert outside of a narrow pH range. Exploration of ficellomycin’s natural capacity for self-regulation may present a novel strategy for modulation of cytotoxicity more generally. Toward this end, we have synthesized a protected ficellomycin precursor in four steps and 6% overall yield. Key steps in the sequence include Sharpless asymmetric …

Diammonium Potassium Citrate, (Nh4)2kc6h5o7, Nilan V. Patel, Joseph T. Golab, James A. Kaduk

Student Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Computational Study Of Novel Fxbn Spin Trap Analogs With Hydroxyl Radicals, Alexis Harvey

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Free radicals are reactive molecules, which makes them difficult to study. Learning more about free radicals is necessary since they are implicated in many diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Spin traps are molecules that can be used to stabilize free radicals to allow time for the free radicals to be characterized. The purpose of this research was to examine four novel spin traps that combine the properties of existing spin traps to possibly create more effective spin traps. The four novel molecules in question were designed by taking the 4-methylfuroxanyl ring from the α(Z)-(3-methylfuroxan-4-yl)-N-t-butylnitrone spin trap …

Heteroatom-Doped Chemical Vapor Deposition Carbon Ultramicroelectrodes, Alexis Sanwick

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Metal nanoparticles have been a primary focus in areas of catalysis and electrocatalysis applications as a result of their large surface area-to-volume ratios. While there is an increased interest in understanding the properties and behaviors of metal nanoparticles, they can become expensive over time. Recent research has incorporated the idea of using heteroatom-doped materials as a cheaper catalytic alternative to metal nanoparticles. In this study nitrogen-doping and phosphorous-doping techniques were applied to chemical vapor-deposited carbon ultramicroelectrodes in order to study the electrocatalytic properties toward the oxygen reduction reaction and the enhanced affinity for the deposition of gold nanoparticles onto the …

Effect Of Charged Lipids On The Ionization Behavior Of Glutamic Acid Containing Transmembrane Helices, Brooke Nunn

Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses

Transmembrane proteins make up critical components of living cells. Protein function can be greatly impacted by the charged state of its respective components, the side chains of amino acid residues. Thus far, in the lipid membrane, little is known about the properties of residues such as glutamic acid. To explore these properties, I have included glutamic acid in a suitable model peptide-lipid system for fundamental biophysical experiments. Within the system, I have placed a glutamic acid residue instead of leucine in the L14 position of the helical hydrophobic peptide GWALP23 (acetyl-GGALWLALALALAL¹⁴ALALWLAGA-amide). Substitutions of glutamine and aspartic acid serve …

Synchrotron Photoionization Study Of The O(3p) + Alpha-Angelica Lactone (Aal) At 550 And 700k, Golbon Rezaei

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

The purpose of this research is to study the oxidation of alpha-angelica lactone (AAL) initiated by O(3P) using the synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The reaction species are investigated by multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry. Mass-to-charge ratios, time traces, and photoionization spectra are collected for each primary product to help in their identification. Their adiabatic ionization energies are also obtained. The observed primary products at 550 K are ketene (m/z 42), acetaldehyde (m/z 44), methyl ketene (m/z 56), methyl vinyl ketone (m/z 70), methylglyoxal (m/z 72), dimethyl glyoxal (m/z 86), and 5-methyl-2,4 …

Side-Chain Effects On The Mri And Optical Properties Of Bimodal Imaging Agents, Marisa Poveda

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

In the management of cancer distinguishing tumor margins is an ongoing issue that can lead to insufficient removal of cancerous cells or excision of healthy tissue. To overcome this, bimodal imaging agents can be used for preoperative MR imaging to localize the bulk of a tumor, while intraoperative fluorescence imaging illuminates tumor margins for more accurate removal of diseased tissue. Lanthanide ions such as Tb(III) and Eu(III) display luminescent capabilities with long-lived luminescence lifetimes, and when chelated with a chromophore containing ligand, these compounds have the potential to act as both MR and optical imaging probes. The goal of this …

Nano-Scintillators As Next Generation Tools For Optogenetics, Ashley Dickey

All Dissertations

Optogenetics is a technique that is used to study neural pathways and has the ability to activate or silence synaptic behavior using visible light. Currently, the visible light sources used for optogenetics are surgically implanted into the brain tissue, but this harmful and invasive technique may be avoided if suitable scintillating nanoparticles can be inserted via injection. The proposed nano-scintillator particles must adhere to rigorous parameters including being under 100 nm, uniform, nontoxic, and dispersible to be successful in this biological system. The phase, crystallinity, and dopant concentration must be optimized to absorb X-ray radiation and emit photons of the …

Development Of Capillary-Channeled Polymer (C-Cp) Fiber As Stationary Phase For Biological Sample Application, Lei Wang

All Dissertations

Capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fibers as an alternative support/stationary phase for biomacromolecule separations on analytical and preparative scales have been developed by Marcus research group. The combination of the fiber micro- and macro-structures and in-column orientation allows operation at comparably high linear velocities (~100 mm s-1) without excessive system backpressure. The ability to move fluid efficiently through the structure is complemented by the fact that the fiber physical structure is effectively nonporous with respect to the size of proteins, therefor there is no significant intrafiber diffusion. Ultimately, these factors combine for protein separations that are devoid of appreciable van Deemter C-term …

Probing Nanoelectroporation And Resealing Of The Cell Membrane By The Entry Of Ca2+ And Ba2+ Ions, Wenfei Bo, Mantas Silkunas, Uma Mangalanathan, Vitalij Novickij, Maura Casciola, Iurii Semenov, Shu Xiao, Olga N. Pakhomova, Andrei G. Pakhomov

Bioelectrics Publications

The principal bioeffect of the nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) is a lasting cell membrane permeabilization, which is often attributed to the formation of nanometer-sized pores. Such pores may be too small for detection by the uptake of fluorescent dyes. We tested if Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions can be used as nanoporation markers. Time-lapse imaging was performed in CHO, BPAE, and HEK cells loaded with Fluo-4, Calbryte, or Fluo-8 dyes. Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ did not change fluorescence in intact cells, whereas their entry after nsPEF increased fluorescence within <1 ms. The threshold for one 300-ns pulse was at 1.5–2 kV/cm, much lower than >7 …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Carbon Monoxide Producers Bipyridine Flavonolate Palladium(Ii) And Platinum(Ii) Complexes: Potential Anti-Cancer Agents, Sarah Whitfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Novel designed metal ligand complexes as prodrugs are useful in the effort to find more effective and selective anti-cancer treatments. Carbon monoxide, CO, is known to induce mitochondrial collapse in cancer cells. Herein is described the synthesis of seven novel bipyridine flavonolate palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with the property of releasing carbon monoxide, and their characterization with FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, NMR, and ESI mass spectra. Their ability to release carbon monoxide was investigated through oxygenation reaction under various conditions of temperature and light irradiation. The nitroxygenation reaction of the palladium complexes was also studied with nitrosyl hydride, HNO, generated in …

3d-Printed Structured-Illumination Neutron Optics For Phase Contrast Imaging With A Triga Neutron Source, Bridget Cadigan

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

In Situ Plant Uptake Of Excess Nutrients And Consequential Alteration Of Rhizosphere Dynamics, Srusti Maddala

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The use of phytoremediation in ecological remediation projects has numerous benefits including soil stabilization and nutrient uptake. Recently, microdialysis, a diffusion-based sampling technique commonly used in biomedical research, has been recognized as a candidate for monitoring chemical changes in the rhizosphere. The real-time, in situ data it provides about nutrient diffusion may improve the management and success of restoration projects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to employ the technique of microdialysis in the novel application of quantifying the diffusive flux of inorganic nitrogen compounds in the rhizosphere of native plants of Arkansas. The microdialysis technique was first optimized …

A Study And Synthesis : Bronze Compounds, Patricia Rose Olsen

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The focus of this thesis is the investigation of ternary and quaternary reduced metal oxide compounds termed “bronzes.” The name bronze originally arose from the metallic-like luster of these compounds. Examples of these compounds range from sodium tungsten oxides to the more complex potassium cesium molybdenum oxides. These compounds are crystalline solids at room temperature.

The “bronzes” are compounds that have been studied since their initial synthesis by Wohler in 1824. These compounds belong to a class of compounds that are known as “nonstoichiometric” compounds. The general formula for reduced ternary transition metal oxides is AxMyOz. In this general formula, …

Discovery Of Single-Stranded Dna Aptamers For The Detection Of Ranavirus, Allyssa Angel

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

A key problem when developing molecular diagnostic techniques is procuring target detection probes. The need of a stable and selective probe is necessary for accurate target identification in disease detection. Antibodies are widely used but they are unstable at ambient temperatures and are expensive and time consuming to develop. The use of aptamers (short singlestranded DNA) as molecular probes provides several advantages over protein-based methods because they are more stable, easily selected and modifiable. The need of a reliable and stable probe is necessary for accurate detection tests in the field for disease monitoring. Currently, field methods are limited in …

Determining Donor Age Through Blood Analysis Using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform-Infrared (Atr Ft-Ir) Spectroscopy For Forensic Purposes, Samantha Leigh Giuliano

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Chapter 1 of this thesis is an overview of the use of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform-infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy in industry and for examination of body fluids with emphasizes on examination of blood. It covers recent developments for analysis of samples with ATR FT-IR spectroscopy for forensic purposes.

Resolution Of Portable Raman Spectrometers And Its Effect On The Analysis Of Biological Specimens, Jalissa Thomas

Chemistry

Body fluid traces are a common and a major form of evidence that can be found at a crime scene, as it is a good source of DNA. As such, it is vital that body fluid evidence is properly detected and identified. Issues with the current methods of identifying body fluids and the large backlog of evidence in most forensic labs call for more accurate on-scene (in situ) body fluid identification. Past research has demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy is an advantageous tool for accurately and quickly identifying body fluids, namely in the laboratory. Portable Raman instruments have been …

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy For Cocaine Detection, Kiersten Jo Mead

Chemistry

The detection of drugs of abuse using Raman spectroscopy is of particular interest to forensic researchers at the moment. Raman spectroscopy is highly specific, fast, non-destructive, and can be adapted for in-situ measurements, making it the ideal forensic technique. Researchers working under the guidance of Doctor Igor Lednev have been able to use UV resonance Raman spectroscopy to detect cocaine in oral fluid without the need for sample pretreatment. They were however unable to detect the cocaine at forensically relevant levels. To overcome this limitation, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used in this proof of concept study for the detection …

Hplc Detection Of Organic Gunshot Residues With Silicone Wristbands, Yelyzaveta Zuy

Honors Theses

The analysis of gunshot residue (GSR) is frequently used to aid in investigating firearm-related crimes. Typically, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is applied for inorganic analysis of elements such as lead, barium, and antimony to study GSR. However, heavy metal-free ammunition creates the need for a different type of approach. This research focuses on studying the potential of detecting organic gunshot residue (OGSR) collected with silicone wristbands through passive sampling. This study has been directed towards the development of an optimal High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) procedure for the detection and separation of five selected compounds typically found in OGSR. The …