Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Degradation Of Ovulation Inhibitor Estrogens Using Hplc Chromatography, Jenna Holst

Research & Creative Achievement Day

In recent years, there has been a rise in observed intersex aquatic species along with a rise of reproductive issues in humans. This has been linked to the endocrine disrupting properties of over 200 chemicals that have estrogenic activity and persist in aquatic environments. The focus of our research is the estrogens that are used in hormonal birth control as ovulation inhibitors. Between 2015-2017, 14% of US women aged 15-49 were using hormonal birth control. According to a study published in 2002, three estrogens that are used in hormonal birth controls as ovulation inhibitors, 17α-ethynyl estradiol, mestranol, and 19-norethisterone, occur …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Double Cross-Linked Pvpms Aerogels, Olivia B. Zill

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Aerogels have been rising to the surface as a material of interest for many practical applications. Aerogels are classified as "dried gels with a very high relative pore volume".1 The practical applications of aerogels include thermal insulators, electrical conductors, sensors, as well as optical applications and more.2–5 Aerogels are typically created through supercritical drying, in which the liquid in a sol-gel is turned into gas without destroying the structure of the gel. However this process requires high pressures and temperatures and the solvents used are highly flammable and unsafe at these conditions.6 The purpose of this research experiment is to …

Validation Of Computational Methods For The Tautomerism Of Thiourea Dioxide, Mckenna Lund

Research & Creative Achievement Day

In solution, thiourea dioxide exists in an equilibrium between its dioxide and sulfinic acid forms. This tautomeric relationship, as they all are, is substantially influenced by the solvent's polarity and hydrogen bonding capabilities. More well-known systems, e.g., acetylacetone, have been extensively studied in this regard, while thiourea dioxide's equilibrium has not. We have initiated a hybrid computational-spectroscopic investigation of this system utilizing low-cost Hartree-Fock methods with the 3–21G, 3–21+G, 3–21G*, 3–21+G*, MINI, MIDI, SBKJC and HW basis sets. Beyond gas phase calculations, both tautomeric forms were modeled using the C-PCM implicit solvent model for water and toluene. Obtained modeling results …

Investigations Of The Effects Of Mutations In Inscuteable Mediated Pins-Mud Complex And Par Complex Functions In Drosophila Neuroblast, Ryan Liu

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Drosophila melanogaster central brain neuroblasts asymmetrically segregate proteins along the cell's apical-basal axil. Divisions along abnormal orientations or the complete failure to divide asymmetrically may result in overgrowth phenotypes. Neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest solid tumor diseases with extremely poor survival rate for late stages, is an example of this dysregulation. The protein Inscuteable (Insc) was previously found to bind with the protein Partner of Inscuteable (Pins; mPins or LGN in mammals), a receptor-independent G-protein activator, which is a subunit of the Pins-Gαi complex. The combined complex recruits Dlg to ensure correct spindle attachment on the cortex of the cell, …

Synthetic, Catalytic, And Mechanistic Studies Of Supermesityl Phosphiranes And Phosphines, Ryan M. Tipker

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Methylation of P-stereogenic phosphiranes Mes*PCH2CH(R) (Mes* = 2,4,6-(t-Bu)3C6H2, R = Me, Ph) with MeOTf gave P-stereogenic phosphiranium cations; [Mes*P(Me)CH2CH(Ph)][OTf] underwent syn-anti isomerization via P-epimerization. Mechanistic studies suggested ring opening gave a hyperconjugation-stabilized carbocation in which pyramidal inversion at P was promoted by s-interaction with the pendant cation. Attempted phosphirane protonation with HOTf resulted in ring opening and C-H activation of an o-t-Bu group to give phospholanium cations. Treatment of [Mes*P(Me)CH2CH(Ph)][OTf] with LiPPh2 gave bis(phosphino)ethanes. Copper- catalyzed P-alkylation of the secondary phosphine PHPh(Mes*) with benzyl bromides gave P-stereogenic tertiary phosphines with a supermesityl substituent.

Volume 14, Ireland Seagle, Dalton C. Whitby, Cassandra Poole, Rachel Cannon, Heidi Parker-Combes, Devon G. Shifflett, Antonio Harvey

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Table of Contents:

• Introduction: Dr. Amorette Barber
• From the Editor: Dr. Larissa "Kat" Tracy
• From the Designers: Rachel English, Rachel Hanson
• Hungry Like the Wolf: The Wolf as Metaphor in Paramount Network’s Yellowstone: Ireland Seagle
• “Floating Cities”: Illustrating the Commercial and Conservation Conflict of Alaskan Cruise Ship Tourism: Dalton C. Whitby
• What Can You Do When Your Genes are the Enemy? Current Applications of Gene Manipulation and the Associated Ethical Considerations: Cassandra Poole
• La doble cara: un tema romántico en las obras de Larra y Hawthorne: Rachel Cannon
• Resolving a Conflict: How to …

Cooperative Heterometallic Platforms Enabling Selective C–H Bond Activation And Functionalization Of Pyridines, Manar M. Shoshani

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The development of methodologies for regioselective C–H functionalization of N-heterocycles has seen sustained growth over the last two decades. Cooperative reactivity stemming from the addition of Lewis-acidic metals to late-transition-metal complexes has enabled regioselective catalytic transformations. Progress in the design of ligands and Lewis-acidic metal precursors has led to development of in situ cooperative catalysts able to facilitate C–H functionalization of pyridine at C-2, C-3, and C-4 positions. Very recently, focused efforts toward well-defined heterometallic complexes facilitating C-H bond catalysis have been targeted. Transformations showcasing regioselective C-2 transformations have been achieved. This perspective examines select examples delineating the evolution …

Implementation Of Complex Low-Density Polyethylene Chemistry Into Rigorous Computational Fluid Dynamics Model, Elijah Yoder

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Applied

School Of Arts And Sciences, Alexandre Volkov

Annual Faculty Research Symposium

Multielectron Redox Reactions at the Plasma/Water Interphase

Study Of Protein Extraction Techniques For M. Foliorum Phages, Lola Sibaud, Anna Elgersma

Student Academic Conference

Characterizing phages is becoming increasingly important in biochemistry and biotechnology due to their potential to treat bacterial infections without need for antibiotics. Last year, students attempted to isolate proteins from Microbacterium foliorum infecting phages Babydotz and Rosadiaz. Proteins were successfully extracted; however, after further analysis it was shown that the obtained proteins belonged to the host bacteria and not the phages. The purpose of this study was to find a method to separate phage from host bacterial debris to successfully isolate phage proteins and analyze them later. Isolating phage proteins could help us characterize more phages and know more about …

Time Dependent Selective Esterification Of Free Fatty Acids For Algae Biofuel Testing, Margaret Tyler, Megan Mccoy

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Novel Tandem Reaction To Synthesize 2-Formalphenylboronic Acids, Sarah Bingham, Chinelo Emmanuela Nnadozie, Destiny Latia Keishara Braynen

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Inhibiting Nitroso Related Methylation Of Guanine Using Dietary Supplements And Flavonoids, Elijah Gocotano, Hannah Klose

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Detection Of Pfoa Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers, Luke Allen, Joseph Redding, Joshua Kim, Micah Lewis

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Column Chromatography Of An Oxepine Synthesized From Meldrum's Acid, Destiny Latia Keishara Braynen

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Presumptive Color Testing Of Aspirin Using The Marquis Reagent, Lynza Osorio

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Synthesis Of Mn(Co)3[1,2-Csh3(Co-(C4h3s))2] And X-Ray Crystallography Of Re(Co)3[1,2-Csh3(Co-(C4h3s))2 ], Wilmar Janusz, Abbye Morgan, Chloe Vernon

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

Activation Of Nrf2 Pathway By Natural Products, Genesis Schat, Madelyn Sedlachek

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Basic

New Alkyd Resins From Underutilized Indigenous Seed Oils: Synthesis And Characterization, Aliru O. Mustapha, Hakeem B. Ayoku, Halimah A. Amao

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The underutilization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus), and jatropha (Jatropha curcas) seeds indicates a significant resource waste. Nine different varieties of 25% (short), 40% (medium), and 60% (long) alkyd resins were produced from the cross-section of drying, semi-drying, and non-drying oils. A large amount of conversion occurred, with the extent of the reaction (Pav) decreasing as time progressed and the corresponding increase in alkyds' average degree of polymerization (Dp) showing synthesized alkyds. Surface drying from the set-to-dry and dry-through periods climaxed at 2 hours for all the alkyds. Except for alkali, synthesized alkyd resins demonstrated outstanding …

Investigating The Effect Of Medium Chain Triglycerides On The Elasticity Of Pulmonary Surfactant, Maksymilian Dziura, Stuart R. Castillo, Mitchell Dipasquale, Omotayo Gbadamosi, Piotr Zolnierczuk, Michihiro Nagao, Elizabeth G. Kelley, Drew Marquardt

Chemistry and Biochemistry Publications

In recent years, vaping has increased in both popularity and ease of access. This has led to an outbreak of a relatively new condition known as e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). This injury can be caused by physical interactions between the pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the lungs and toxins typically found in vaping solutions, such as medium chain triglycerides (MCT). MCT has been largely used as a carrier agent within many cannabis products commercially available on the market. Pulmonary surfactant ensures proper respiration by maintaining low surface tensions and interface stability throughout each respiratory cycle. Therefore, any impediments to this system …

Magnetic Slime, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Students learn chemistry and physics by making magnetic slime.

Invisible Ink, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Students create invisible ink to hide and reveal a message using chemistry.

Candy Heart Experiment, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Students practice the scientific process by running an experiment to discover how well candy hearts dissolve in different liquids.

Kinetic Analysis Of Glu115ala Cytosolic Human Malate Dehydrogenase Mutation Shows A Change In Activity On Non-Native Substrate Phenylpyruvate, Kailey Paar

Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Scholarship

The cytosolic human enzyme, malate dehydrogenase (MDH1), is believed to have a significant effect on the proliferation of cancerous cells. This enzyme oxidizes NADH to NAD+ as it converts oxaloacetate (OAA) to malate. This oxidation of NADH provides the needed NAD+ to cancer cells, which require NAD+ as they upregulate glycolysis in aerobic conditions. Targeting MDH1 can reveal new therapeutic treatments for cancer by preventing the conversion of OAA to malate and depleting NAD+ stores in cancer cells, which can be done by mutating residues in the enzyme and assessing the change in activity. Here we show the replacement of …

Science Club, Danielle Gibson, Krista Andersen

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

Honors After School program for elementary age children to engage with scientific principles. Students performed hands-on experiments to explore various STEM fields. Each weekly lesson consisted of a different concept to be learned or explored by early elementary aged students.

Sugar Water Density Activity, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

In this activity students learn about density using sugar water. Attached is the activity's lesson plan and a teacher reflection on the activity.

Conformational Comparison Of Urea And Thiourea Near The Ccsd(T) Complete Basis Set Limit, Kayleigh R. Barlow, Gregory S. Tschumper

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global minima of urea and thiourea were characterized along with other low-lying stationary points. Each structure was optimized with the CCSD(T) method, and triple-ζ correlation consistent basis sets followed by harmonic vibrational frequency computations. Relative energies evaluated near the complete basis set limit with both canonical and explicitly correlated CCSD(T) techniques reveal several subtle but important details about both systems. These computations resolve a discrepancy by demonstrating that the electronic energy of the C2v second-order saddle point of urea lies at least 1.5 kcal mol−1 above the C2 global minimum regardless of whether the structures were optimized with MP2, …

Physical And Chemical Changes Lesson Plan, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Lesson plan and video for an activity on the difference between physical and chemical changes.

The Science Of Baking Bread, Admin Stem For Success

STEM for Success Showcase

Activity plan to teach biology and chemistry using a lesson on the baking of bread.

Selective Preservation Of Structural Carbohydrates During Peat Formation, Lauren Bryan, Rachel Shaw, Madison Smith, Erik Schoonover, Trevor Hile, Christian Lundy, Alexis Koehl, Grace Behrens, Madeleine O'Donnell, Mackenzie Dole

22nd Annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2023)

The structural carbohydrate "sphagnan" has been hypothesized to play a role in slowing the degradation of Sphagnum moss, and therefore contribute to carbon sequestration in peatlands. Sphagnan is composed of a galacturonic acid and rhamnose backbone. However, it is currently unclear whether sphagnan persists beyond early-litter degradation and plays a role in the long-term preservation of organic matter in peatlands. In this study, we analyzed hydrolyzable neutral sugars, using rhamnose as a proxy for sphagnan content, and tracked the concentration of rhamnose present within moss before and after a 270-day period of decomposition, as well as the concentration of rhamnose …