Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Methyl Jasmonate Advances Fruit Ripening, Colour Development, And Improves Antioxidant Quality Of ‘Yoho’ And ‘Jiro’ Persimmon, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Zora Singh, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Shah, Andrew Woodward, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) has potential to regulate fruit ripening and quality. ‘Yoho’ and ‘Jiro’ persimmons were sprayed with MJ (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM), four weeks before anticipated harvest to evaluate its effects on fruit colour and bioactive compounds. Preharvest MJ application significantly improved fruit colour with increased a*, b*, chroma, and colour index. The MJ 6 mM application had significantly enhanced soluble solids content (SSC), reduced total chlorophyll content in peel and pulp, and soluble and total tannins in persimmons. MJ treatments exhibited higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant activities. Additionally, MJ treatments enhanced the …

Confocal Raman Spectroscopy Coupled With In Vitro Permeation Testing To Study The Effects Of Formalin Fixation On The Skin Barrier Function Of Reconstructed Human Epidermis, Hichem Kichou, Franck Bonnier, Amanda C. Caritá, Hugh Byrne, Igor Choupra, Emilie Munnier

Articles

Confocal Raman Spectroscopy is recognised as a potent tool for molecular characterisation of biological specimens. There is a growing demand for In Vitro Permeation Tests (IVPT) in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic areas, increasingly conducted using Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE) skin models. In this study, chemical fixation of RHE in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin for 24 hours has been examined for storing RHE samples at 4°C for up to 21 days. Confocal Raman Spectroscopy, combined with Principal Components Analysis, revealed the molecular-level effects of fixation, notably in protein and lipid conformation within the stratum corneum and viable epidermis. IVPT by means …

Efficient Phosphate Removal From Water Using Ductile Cast Iron Waste: A Response Surface Methodology Approach, Mai Hassan Dr., Nada Alkhashab Eng., Ahmed Osman Dr., Dalia A. Ali Eng

Chemical Engineering

Water scarcity is a critical issue worldwide. This study explores a novel method for addressing this issue by using ductile cast iron (DCI) solid waste as an adsorbent for phosphate ions, supporting the circular economy in water remediation. The solid waste was characterized using XRD, XRF, FTIR, and particle size distribution. Wastewater samples of different phosphate ion concentrations are prepared, and the solid waste is used as an adsorbent to adsorb phosphate ions using different adsorbent doses and process time. The removal percentage is attained through spectrophotometer analysis and experimental results are optimized to get the optimum conditions using Design …

Enzyme Encapsulation Within The Hk97 Virus-Like Particle: An Investigation Of Substrate Inhibition Kinetics Within A Confined And Crowded Environment, Joseph B. Lively

Chemistry Theses

Substrate inhibition is a paradoxical phenomenon observed in enzyme kinetics where increasing substrate concentrations lead to a marked decrease in the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Affecting an estimated 20% of studied enzymes, substrate inhibition poses significant challenges to the understanding of their function in essential biological processes and to their exploitation in industrial and therapeutic contexts. Studies show substrate inhibition to be a real limitation in vitro and rational conclusions have been drawn to explain the relevance of substrate inhibition in the self-regulation of biological pathways. However, there is currently no consensus on what role substrate inhibition plays in vivo …

Bioluminesence-Induced Photoredox Catalysis And Its Mechanisms, Dominic Jeffrey Bates

Theses and Dissertations

The bioluminescence-induced photoredox reaction (BIPR) is a novel methodology developed to overcome the limitations of photo-induced chemistry by initiating chemical work using bioluminescent Escherichia coli as a photon source. In industry, photochemistry is superseded by thermochemical reaction processes. Despite its massive potential, there are very few applications in industry for photochemistry. Unlike thermochemistry, reaction scale-ups are not as easy as simple dimensional increases in a reaction vessel due to the nature of light. This deficiency is seemingly overcome through the development of flow technologies; however, the overall yield of such methods remains incomparable with those utilizing thermochemistry. This thesis focuses …

Immobilization Of Ni(Ii) On Amine-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica As Catalyst For Benzyl Alcohol Acetylation Reaction, Wardah Nabilah, Eko Sri Kunarti, Fajar Inggit Pambudi

Makara Journal of Science

In this study, amine-functionalized and Ni(II)-immobilized mesoporous silica materials were synthesized. This research aimed to synthesize mesoporous silica based on rice husk ash functionalized with amine and immobilized with Ni(II). The activity of amine-functionalized and Ni(II)-immobilized mesoporous silica materials was studied for the acetylation of benzyl alcohol with acetic anhydride as the acetylating agent. First, mesoporous silica was synthesized using rice husk ash using the sol–gel method, followed by amine functionalization using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and Ni(II) immobilization through ultrasonic treatment. The results obtained showed that amine-functionalized and Ni(II)-immobilized mesoporous silica (SiO₂/APTES/Ni(II)) were successfully synthesized, confirmed by Fourier transform …

Preliminary Molecular Study Of Chloramphenicol Anchoring On Laccase Enzyme From Trametes Hirsuta, Hanzhola Gusman Riyanto, Afiten Rahmin Sanjaya

Makara Journal of Science

Antibiotics are one of emerging pollutants generally emitted from livestock production and the food industry to the environment. The presence of this pollutant could initiate the development of resistant bacteria that can be fatal to human health. The degradation of antibiotics using enzymes or microbe could be an alternative because the residue or intermediate product is less harmful than of the conventional method. This research aims to support a preliminary study of the degradation of antibiotics using enzyme through molecular docking via Molecular Operating Environment software and molecular dynamics (MD) study via CABSFLEX 2.0 and WebGro macromolecular simulations. The molecular …

Economic Impacts Of Establishing A Neutron Source Facility In Windsor, Abdur Rahman

Major Papers

Cancer poses a significant health challenge in Canada, with two in five individuals likely to develop the disease. This paper explores the economic impacts of establishing a prototype compact accelerator-based neutron source (PC-CANS) facility in Windsor that will produce medical isotopes locally in Windsor, Ontario, rather than relying on centralized production and transportation from London, Ontario. Fluorine-18 medical isotopes, crucial for positron emission tomography (PET) scans, experience significant decay losses during transportation due to their short half-life of 109.8 minutes, increasing costs and restricting availability. Using a differential analysis approach, the study quantifies economic benefits, focusing on three main impacts: …

Synthesis Of Zno: Zro2 Nanocomposites Using Green Method For Medical Applications, Mohammed J. Tuama, Maysoon F. Alias

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

These days, nanocomposites are very popular, especially in medical applications. The spread of diseases in general, and those caused by microbes and cancerous diseases in particular, and the increased resistance of these diseases to antibiotics, have led to the need for the rapid, low-cost, and environmentally friendly production of nanocomposites. To create the chemical G-ZnO: ZrO2 and S-ZnO: ZrO2 (green technique), two different plant extracts were utilized: Z. officinal and S. aromaticum. The effective synthesis and acceptable properties features of the nanoparticles were confirmed using characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) , diffuse reflectance spectroscopy …

A Preliminary Fuzzy Inference System For Predicting Atmospheric Ozone In An Intermountain Basin, John R. Lawson, Seth N. Lyman

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

High concentrations of ozone in the Uinta Basin, Utah, can occur after sufficient snowfall and a strong atmospheric anticyclone creates a persistent cold pool that traps emissions from oil and gas operations, where sustained photolysis of the precursors builds ozone to unhealthy concentrations. The basin's winter-ozone system is well understood by domain experts and supported by archives of atmospheric observations. Rules of the system can be formulated in natural language ("sufficient snowfall and high pressure leads to high ozone"), lending itself to analysis with a fuzzy-logic inference system. This method encodes human expertise as machine intelligence in a more prescribed …

Systematic Review On Isolation, Purification, Characterization, And Industrial Applications Of Thermophilic Microbial Α- Amylases, Rugaiyah A. Arfah, Sarlan Sarlan, Abdul Karim, Anita Anita, Ahyar Ahmad, Paulina Taba, Harningsih Karim, Siti Halimah Larekeng, Dorothea Agnes Rampisela, Rusdina Bte Ladju

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The α-amylase enzyme, sourced from diverse organisms, including plants, animals, and bacteria, plays a crucial role in multiple industries, notably food processing sectors like cakes, fruit juices, and starch syrup. Research identifies thermophilic organisms as prime sources of this enzyme thriving at temperatures ranging from 41°C to 122°C. The enzyme purification was carried out using liquid-liquid extraction, which involved the exchange of substances between two liquid phases that were immiscible or partially soluble. The optimal temperature for α-amylase was 45 to 90°C. The best pH for bacterial and fungal α-amylases ranged from 5.0 to 10.5 and 5.0 to 9.0. Based …

The Effect Of Different Vegetable Oils (Macadamia Nut Oil And Walnut Oil) On The Coefficient Of Friction As A Finish For Oak Wood, Lee Dillon

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Slipping due to insufficient friction with flooring can cause fatal injuries in workplaces and homes. Oak wood flooring is commonly used in construction to build these environments. In the manufacturing process, wood finishing is conducted at the end of the process to strengthen the properties and longevity of the wood, although it could impact the coefficient of friction (COF) causing slip falls. Vegetable oils, such as macadamia nut and walnut oils, used as wood finishes have gained prominence due to their beneficial aspects to the environment. However, little is known about their effectiveness as a safe coating for wood floors. …

Cortisol And Alpha-Synuclein Stability In Saliva Under Varying Storage And Handling Conditions, Mo Zheng, Sujata Srikanth, Jeremiah Carpenter, Delphine Dean

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor impairments and non-motor symptoms, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Currently, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the primary biofluid used for PD biomarker studies, notably α-synuclein, despite the invasive nature of lumbar puncture procedures. Recent work has shown that some of these PD biomarkers have been measured in saliva. As an alternative to CSF, saliva can be non-invasively self-collected by patients repeatedly over time to monitor biomarker levels. However, the stability of these biomarkers in saliva needs to be evaluated before saliva can be considered for patient self-collection studies. Therefore, …

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Alphafold2 Modeling And Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of The Conformational Ensembles For The Sars-Cov-2 Spike Omicron Jn.1, Kp.2 And Kp.3 Variants: Mutational Profiling Of Binding Energetics Reveals Epistatic Drivers Of The Ace2 Affinity And Escape Hotspots Of Antibody Resistance, Nishank Raisinghani, Mohammed Alshahrani, Grace Gupta, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

AlphaFold2-based atomistic predictions of structures and conformational ensembles of the SARS-CoV-2 spike complexes with the host receptor ACE2 for the most dominant Omicron variants JN.1, KP.1, KP.2 and KP.3 to examine the mechanisms underlying the role of convergent evolution hotspots in balancing ACE2 binding and antibody evasion. Using the ensemble-based mutational scanning of the spike protein residues and computations of binding affinities, we identified binding energy hotspots and characterized the molecular basis underlying epistatic couplings between convergent mutational hotspots. The results suggested the existence of epistatic interactions between convergent mutational sites at L455, F456, Q493 positions that protect and restore …

Examination Of Oncogenic Effects Of Environmental Pollutants, Andrew Ackerman, Matthew Behling, Brock Earley, Janay Vacharasin

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Chemical byproducts produced by surrounding industrial complexes have polluted the local estuaries of Georgetown, South Carolina for several decades¹. Previous studies completed by the EPA and SCDNR showed that the estuaries contained carcinogenic pollutants released from the local manufacturing plants¹. One of the mentioned pollutants was dioxins which are produced during the paper bleaching process². Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that have various carcinogenic effects on the organisms that inhabit the area. These previous studies were conducted over thirty years ago. Therefore, a current study to determine if chemical byproducts are contaminating local estuaries …

Striatal Beat Frequency Interval Timing Model With Microgravity Stressor, Jason Michael Fitzgerald, Sorinel Oprisan

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The Striatal Beat Frequency (SBF) model of interval timing uses frontal cortex (FC) neural oscillations to record the state of the brain at the reinforcement time Tc during fixed interval (FI) procedures in the long-term memory (LMEM). The state of the FC oscillators at any given time is stored in a short-term memory (SMEM) buffer. The SBF model uses the spiny neurons of the basal ganglia (BG) as coincidence detectors to produce beats between the content of the SMEM and LMEM. Across multiple species that can perform interval timing, there are two invariant properties: (a) the timing is precise, and …

Potential Nec2/Nek1 Inhibitor And Inh1 Analog N-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2-Thiazolyl]-4-Pyridinecarboxamide Via Hantzsch Thiazol Condensation, Robert E. Lee Sr, Isabella G. Mcdonald, Paige E. Heiple, Lukas D. Shelton

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The potential active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), N-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2-thiazolyl]-4-pyridinecarboxamide (6) is a cancer cell metabolism mitosis inhibitor via the Nek2 and Hec1 enzymes. The three-step synthesis starts with the bromination of 1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)ethan-1-one (1) using CuBr₂ to produce 2-bromo-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)ethan-1-one (2) with a yield of 90%.[i]^,[ii],[iii] Followed by Hantzsch thiazol ring synthesis as (2) reacts with thiourea (3) and, resulting in 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)thiazol-2-amine (4)[iv] in 80% yield. Finally, isonicotinoyl chloride hydrochloride (5) and (4) reacted to form the amide (6).[v]^{,[vi],[vii],[viii],[ix],[x]} Characterization of the final product was determined …

The Reveal: A Technical Study And Conservation Treatment Of An Overpaint Portrait, Camille Ferrer

Art Conservation Master's Projects

A severely damaged 19th-century oil painting depicting a portrait of a woman was treated at Patricia H. and E. Garman Art Conservation Department. A typed letter provided by the owner mentioned that it has been previously restored yet returned with unsatisfactory results. After further examination, the painting appeared to have been previously treated multiple times by different people. There was overpaint distinctly present on the face and later discovered to be present overall. The full state of condition of the painting was initially unknown due to the sum of the surface being overpainted. However, there were evidence of paint loss …

Incorporating Solvation Thermodynamic Mapping In Computer-Aided Drug Design, Yeonji Ji

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Advancements in computational techniques have revolutionized structure-based drug design, substantially improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug discovery process by reducing time, costs, and labor requirements. These advancements include various methods, such as investigating small molecule ligands binding to proteins, exploring alternative protein conformations, and solvation mapping on the protein surfaces. Among these methods, understanding the correlation between protein-ligand binding and the role of solvation is important.

A fundamental concept in protein-ligand binding is shape and electrostatic complementarity, which is complicated by the inherent flexibility of proteins. In the absence of small molecule ligands, proteins are complementary to surface …

Highly Toxic Aβ Begets More Aβ, Merc M. Kemeh, Noel Lazo

Chemistry

No abstract provided.

Protein And Water Modeling In Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, Mossa Ghattas

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The field of Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) is continuously evolving to improve protein modeling, a crucial step in the drug discovery process. However, limitations exist in how CADD accounts for the various configurations a protein can adopt due to different rotamer and protonation states of its residues. This thesis explores advancements in CADD to address this challenge, focusing on protein modeling and water interactions.

In Chapter 1, I introduce the drug discovery process with a brief overview of its history, the purpose of FDA clinical trials, and the cost and time duration for bringing a drug to the market. I …

Antioxidant, Photoprotective, And Cytotoxic Activities Of Tristaniopsis Merguensis Leaf Fractions With Molecular Docking Study Of Potential Fraction, Boima Situmeang, Respati Tri Swasono, Tri Joko Raharjo

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Through experimental along with molecular docking techniques of potential fraction, this study intended to evaluate the essential phytochemical elements of Tristaniopsis merguensis leaflets as well as potential antioxidant, photoprotective, along with cytotoxic activities. The DPPH and ABTS tests were used to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of the n-hexane (HPF), ethyl acetate (EPF), and methanol (MPF) fractions. Using an in-vitro solar protection factor (SPF) assessment, the photoprotective ability of T. merguensis components against UV damage was examined. Subsequently, invitro cytotoxic research were carried out against MCF-7 cell line (breast cancer line) assay. This was followed by molecular docking stimulation testing against …

Winning Results Of The 2nd Xiamen University Short Video Abstract Contest For Science And Technology Papers, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Winning Works From Journal Of Electrochemistry: The 2nd Xiamen University Short Video Abstract Contest For Science And Technology Journal Papers, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Upcoming Meeting-The 1st Young Investigator Symposium On Electrosynthesis, Chinese Chemical Society, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Numerical Analysis Of Explosion Characteristics Of Vent Gas From 18650 Lifepo4 Batteries With Different States Of Charge, Shi-Lin Wang, Xu Gong, Li-Na Liu, Yi-Tong Li, Chen-Yu Zhang, Le-Jun Xu, Xu-Ning Feng, Huai-Bin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The combustion and explosion characteristics of lithium-ion battery vent gas is a key factor in determining the fire hazard of lithium-ion batteries. Investigating the combustion and explosion hazards of lithium-ion batteries vent gas can provide guidance for rescue and protection in explosion accidents in energy storage stations and new energy vehicles, thereby promoting the application and development of lithium-ion batteries. Based on this understanding and combined with previous research on gas production from lithium-ion batteries, this article conducted a study on the combustion and explosion risks of vent gas from thermal runaway of 18650 LFP batteries with different states of …

Recent Advances On Ruthenium-Based Electrocatalysts For Lithium-Oxygen Batteries, Yu-Zhe Wang, Zhuo-Liang Jiang, Bo Wen, Yao-Hui Huang, Fu-Jun Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries have attracted wide attention due to their high energy density. However, the sluggish cathode kinetics results in high overvoltage and poor cycling performance. Ruthenium (Ru)-based electrocatalysts have been demonstrated to be promising cathode catalysts to promote oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It facilitates decomposition of lithium peroxide (Li₂O₂) by adjusting Li₂O₂ morphologies, which is due to the strong interaction between Ru-based catalyst and superoxide anion (O₂^–) intermediate. In this review, the design strategies of Ru-based electrocatalysts are introduced to enhance their OER catalytic kinetics in …

Rate Law For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Over Cuo, Bo-Yuan Gao, Wen-Hua Leng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Photocatalytic splitting of water over p-type semiconductors is a promising strategy for production of hydrogen. However, the determination of rate law is rarely reported. To this purpose, copper oxide (CuO) is selected as a model photocathode in this study, and the photogenerated surface charge density, interfacial charge transfer rate constant and their relation to the water reduction rate (in terms of photocurrent) were investigated by a combination of (photo)electrochemical techniques. The results showed that the charge transfer rate constant is exponential-dependent on the surface charge density, and that the photocurrent equals to the product of the charge transfer rate constant …

2024 Electrochemical Research Paradigm Summer School Was Successfully Held, Editorial Office Of J.Electrochem.

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.