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Articles 27271 - 27300 of 34728

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Scas Officers And Council Members 2004 - 2005 Jan 2004

Scas Officers And Council Members 2004 - 2005

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.


Infrared Thermal Imaging Of Automobiles: Identification Of Cold Start Vehicles, Angela M. Monateri, Donald H. Stedman Jan 2004

Infrared Thermal Imaging Of Automobiles: Identification Of Cold Start Vehicles, Angela M. Monateri, Donald H. Stedman

Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test Publications

No abstract provided.


On-Road Motor Vehicle Emissions From Around The World, Donald H. Stedman, Gary A. Bishop Jan 2004

On-Road Motor Vehicle Emissions From Around The World, Donald H. Stedman, Gary A. Bishop

Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test Publications

No abstract provided.


On-Road Emissions In Asia Measured By Remote Sensing, Donald H. Stedman, Gary A. Bishop, Niranjan Vescio, Nitin Manawat, Peter Mcclintock Jan 2004

On-Road Emissions In Asia Measured By Remote Sensing, Donald H. Stedman, Gary A. Bishop, Niranjan Vescio, Nitin Manawat, Peter Mcclintock

Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test Publications

On-road emissions are precisely the emissions which are impacting the air quality and which need to be controlled if air quality improvements are desired. Remote sensing measures mass emissions of CO, HC, NO and smoke per kg (or per L) of fuel burned. On-road emissions are not certification emissions for new vehicles, although new vehicles measured on-road most often provide remote sensing readings well within their certification values. On-road emissions are not the same as readings from scheduled emission tests, although on average the two correlate very well. The major difference between scheduled emission tests and on-road emissions readings is …


A Molecular Switch Created By In Vitro Recombination Of Nonhomologous Genes, Sarah F. Mitchell Jan 2004

A Molecular Switch Created By In Vitro Recombination Of Nonhomologous Genes, Sarah F. Mitchell

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Works

We have created a molecular switch by the in vitro recombination of nonhomologous genes and subjecting the recombined genes to evolutionary pressure. The gene encoding TEM1 β-lactamase was circularly permuted in a random fashion and subsequently randomly inserted into the gene encoding Escherichia coli maltose binding protein. From this library, a switch (RG13) was identified in which its β-lactam hydrolysis activity was compromised in the absence of maltose but increased 25-fold in the presence of maltose. Upon removal of maltose, RG13's catalytic activity returned to its premaltose level, illustrating that the switching is reversible. The modularity of RG13 was demonstrated …


Part I: Evaluation Of Russian Synthetic Compounds As A Potential Source Of New Drug Leads Agains Breast And Colon Cancer Part Ii: Isolation Of Beta-Amyrin Formate From Eucalyptus Viminalis Labill And Investigation Of Its Colon Cancer Activity, Mihaela Cohanoschi Jan 2004

Part I: Evaluation Of Russian Synthetic Compounds As A Potential Source Of New Drug Leads Agains Breast And Colon Cancer Part Ii: Isolation Of Beta-Amyrin Formate From Eucalyptus Viminalis Labill And Investigation Of Its Colon Cancer Activity, Mihaela Cohanoschi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although modern medicine made great steps toward curing most diseases considered deadliest, yet cancer remains one of the major public health problems. The first part of this thesis investigates a new source of selective compounds that are potential candidates against cancer. Fifteen Russian compounds were tested in order to establish their efficiency against two types of cancer: human breast SK-Br-3 and colorectal carcinoma HT-29. The bioassay results show that seven of the new synthetic Russian compounds can be considered new drug leads, based upon their low toxicity and efficacy in slowing the growth of human breast cancer and colon cancer …


Comparison Studies Of The Mechanistic Formation Of Polyhalogentaed Dibenzo-P-Dioxins And Furans From The Thermal Degradation Of 2-Bromophenol And 2-Chlorophenol, Catherine Spearing Evans Jan 2004

Comparison Studies Of The Mechanistic Formation Of Polyhalogentaed Dibenzo-P-Dioxins And Furans From The Thermal Degradation Of 2-Bromophenol And 2-Chlorophenol, Catherine Spearing Evans

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs) from hazardous waste incinerators, and many other sources for combustion have been considered environmentally hazardous and a major health threat. Recently, a growing number of materials containing brominated hydrocarbons, commonly used flame retardants, have been disposed in municipal and hazardous waste incinerators. This results in the increased potential for formation of PBDD/Fs and other hazardous combustion by-products. In contrast to chlorinated hydrocarbons, the reactions of brominated hydrocarbons have been studied only minimally. In fact, studies have shown that brominated phenols form higher yields of PBDD/Fs than the …


Microelectrophoresis System Utilizing Conductivity Detection Analyzing Biological Molecues, Michelle Galloway Jan 2004

Microelectrophoresis System Utilizing Conductivity Detection Analyzing Biological Molecues, Michelle Galloway

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Microfabrication technology has proven to be a valuable tool for creating polymer-based devices utilized in chemical and biochemical assays. Although, reducing the size of the device allows for short analysis times and reduces the reagent demand to ultrasmall volumes (< 1 nanoliter), a resulting consequence is the constraint placed on the limits of detection associated with the detector hardware required for readout. To overcome such constraints, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is often employed as a detection method as it provides low detection limits, which approach the single molecule level. Unfortunately, most LIF systems do not offer the benefits of miniaturization, with the detector components (i.e. laser, optics, filters) often times requiring a much larger footprint compared to the device. Another readout strategy that has shown promise for these devices is conductivity detection. Detection can be accomplished using either conventional-size or microfabricated electrodes, which can be integrated on the device. Although conductivity has been commonly used to detect inorganic or small organic species, the potential for detection of biological species has received little attention. In this work, an integrated conductivity detector was developed for the analysis of amino acids, peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides (double-stranded DNA). Using the detector, mass detection sensitivities in the range of 10-18 - 10-21 moles were achieved. To increase the throughput of the system a state-of-the-art, multichannel device with a conductivity array detector was devised. This device, which consists of a 16-channel fluidic network and a printed circuit board, is geared toward automating three-processing steps onto a single fluidic platform including purification, preconcentration and detection for downstream parallel processing.


Ndp Kinase Moves Into Developing Primary Cilia, Kimberly A. P. Mitchell, Betty C. Gallagher, Gabor Szabo, Angela De S. Otero Jan 2004

Ndp Kinase Moves Into Developing Primary Cilia, Kimberly A. P. Mitchell, Betty C. Gallagher, Gabor Szabo, Angela De S. Otero

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Inmunofluorescence staining of murine NIH3T3 fibroblasts grown at high density shows that conventional nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinases A and B localize to a sensory organelle, the primary cilium. Similar results are obtained with Xenopus A6 kidney epithelial cells, suggesting that NDP kinases are a universal component of the primary cilium. The translocation of NDP kinase into primary cilia depends on size, taking place only when cilia reach a critical length of 5-6 μm. In mature cilia, NDP kinases are distributed along the ciliary shaft in a punctate pattern that is distinct from the continuous staining observed with acetylated α-tubulin, a …


Methyl Bromide In Preindustrial Air: Measurements From An Antarctic Ice Core, Eric S. Saltzman, Murat Aydin, Warren J. De Bruyn, Daniel B. King, Shari A. Yvon-Lewis Jan 2004

Methyl Bromide In Preindustrial Air: Measurements From An Antarctic Ice Core, Eric S. Saltzman, Murat Aydin, Warren J. De Bruyn, Daniel B. King, Shari A. Yvon-Lewis

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

This paper presents the first ice core measurements of methyl bromide (CH3Br). Samples from a shallow Antarctic ice core (Siple Dome, West Antarctica), ranging in mean gas dates from 1671 to 1942, had a mean CH3Br mixing ratio of 5.8 ppt. These results extend the existing historical record derived from air and Antarctic firn air to about 350 years before present. Model simulations illustrate that the ice core results are consistent with estimates of the impact of anthropogenic activity ( fumigation, combustion, and biomass burning) on the atmospheric CH3Br burden, given the large current uncertainties in the modern atmospheric CH3Br …


Limulus In The Limelight: Exploring An Ancient Species, John Tanacredi Ph.D. Jan 2004

Limulus In The Limelight: Exploring An Ancient Species, John Tanacredi Ph.D.

Faculty Works: CERCOM (1977-2016)

In an era when sports numbers shatter historical ceilings (especially in baseball) and fall by the wayside like fall leaves, a most enduring record of life continues to crawl along emerging from the sea early each spring pronouncing their incredible "record" of existences... over 350 million years. Now there is a number that even the rarified air of baseball salaries can admire. Yet, today the remarkable sea creature which endured over 100 million years of dramatically changing earth history prior to the existence of the dinosaurs, and which is comprised of only four species globally, is being tested for its …


Gated Electron Transfer As A Probe Of The Configurational Dynamics Of Peptide-Protein Complexes, Liu Liu, Jing Hong, Michael Y. Ogawa Jan 2004

Gated Electron Transfer As A Probe Of The Configurational Dynamics Of Peptide-Protein Complexes, Liu Liu, Jing Hong, Michael Y. Ogawa

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Gated electron-transfer measurements are used to probe the configurational dynamics of complexes formed between small metallopeptides and cytochrome c. The results show that that an apparently subtle chemical alteration of the metallopeptide produces significant changes to the dynamics of the peptide−protein complex.


Development Of A Gene Transfer System In Clostridium Scindens Vpi 12708, Rashmi Ramasubbaiah Jan 2004

Development Of A Gene Transfer System In Clostridium Scindens Vpi 12708, Rashmi Ramasubbaiah

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Clostridium scindens VPI 12708 (previously known as Eubacterium sp. VPI 12708) is a bile-acid dehydroxylating bacterium originally isolated from the feces of a colon cancer patient. Many genes required for bile acid 7-a dehydroxylation are found on a large bile acid inducible operon (bai) that has been extensively studied. However the bai promoter, which directs expression of the bai operon, has yet to be characterized due, in part, to a lack of a functional genetic transfer system for this strain. A spontaneous rifampinresistant Clostridium scindens VPI 12708 mutant was used as a recipient to determine the efficacy of conjugation as …


Development Of An Analytical Method For Distinguishing Ammonium Bicarbonate From The Products Of An Aqueous Ammonia Co2 Scrubber And The Characterization Of Ammonium Bicarbonate, Lingyu Meng Jan 2004

Development Of An Analytical Method For Distinguishing Ammonium Bicarbonate From The Products Of An Aqueous Ammonia Co2 Scrubber And The Characterization Of Ammonium Bicarbonate, Lingyu Meng

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The link between anthropogenic emissions of CO2 with increased atmospheric CO2 levels and, in turn, with increased global temperature has been well established and accepted. Using aqueous ammonia to capture CO2 and produce an inexpensive nitrogen fertilizer, ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) has been thought as a feasible approach to CO2 sequestration.

Due to the different concentrations of reactants and reaction conditions, different carbon-ammonium composites can be produced. In view of achieving a maximum of NH3 utilization in the capture of CO2, the product of ABC will be ideal. Hence the ABC in the products needs to be identified. Various analytical techniques …


Increased Frequency Of The Mthfr A1298c Mutation In An Irish Population, Cathal Mccarthy, Fergus Ryan, Joseph Vaughan Jan 2004

Increased Frequency Of The Mthfr A1298c Mutation In An Irish Population, Cathal Mccarthy, Fergus Ryan, Joseph Vaughan

Articles

No abstract provided.


Synthesis And Characterization Of Superparamagnetic Silica--Homopolypeptide Composite Particles, Sibel Turksen Jan 2004

Synthesis And Characterization Of Superparamagnetic Silica--Homopolypeptide Composite Particles, Sibel Turksen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hierarchical construction and characterization of core-shell composite particles of interest are presented. The research described shows interest in new types of polymers that provide chirality and responsiveness which have been ignored for so long. The general synthetic design described in this document can be readily used as a model for other systems. Core-shell composite systems of interest consist of silica or silica-coated cobalt cores grafted with a homopolypeptide shell, mostly poly(epsilon-carbobenzyloxy-L-lysine) or poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate). Core particles were decorated with amino groups through a silylation reaction. The amino groups initiated the polymerization (with attachment) of N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomers, resulting in a homopolypeptide …


The Syntheses Of Novel Indicators And Materials For Chiral Separation, Rolanda Johnson Jan 2004

The Syntheses Of Novel Indicators And Materials For Chiral Separation, Rolanda Johnson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The colorimetric properties of resorcinarene solutions had not been fully investigated since von Baeyer's initial synthesis. We find that the solutions containing resorcinarene macrocycles develop color upon heating or standing. In the presence of saccharides, these solutions exhibit significant color changes which are readily observable by visual inspection. We determined that the solution color is due to macrocycle ring opening and oxidation. The optical responses to saccharides are due to complexation of the sugar with the acyclic chromophores. We have applied these mechanistic insights towards the challenging problems of the visual detection of saccharides and other important biologically analytes. In …


Dynamics Of Complex Polymer Solutions: Putting Diffusion To Work And Exploring Rigid Rod Diffusion, Garrett John Doucet Jan 2004

Dynamics Of Complex Polymer Solutions: Putting Diffusion To Work And Exploring Rigid Rod Diffusion, Garrett John Doucet

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation is concerned with random coil and rodlike polymer diffusion in complex solutions. The development of fluorescence photobleaching recovery, FPR, as a technique to determine polymer molecular weight distributions by measuring the diffusion distribution and converting it to a molecular weight distribution using a calibration curve is first covered. Fluorescently tagged probes were individually dissolved in polymer solutions at negligible amounts and measured with FPR to construct the calibration curve of self-diffusion vs. molecular weight. Once calibration curves were constructed, bimodal distributions were separated using the matrices corresponding to the calibration curves. The diffusion of the probes and separation …


Synthesis, Separation And Reactivities Of Multidentate Phosphine Ligands And Investigation Into Dirhodium Hydroformylation And Hydrocarboxylation Catalysis, David Aubry Jan 2004

Synthesis, Separation And Reactivities Of Multidentate Phosphine Ligands And Investigation Into Dirhodium Hydroformylation And Hydrocarboxylation Catalysis, David Aubry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A dirhodium homogeneous hydroformylation catalyst based on a tetraphosphine ligand, rac-Et2PCH2CH2P(Ph)CH2P(Ph)CH2CH2PEt2, rac-et,ph-P4, is under investigation. The ligand synthesis produces a racemic mixture and a facile and efficient method of separation of the racemic and meso diastereomers was achieved through reaction of et,ph-P4 with two equivalents of NiCl2 in EtOH to yield an almost quantitatively isolable precipitate of meso-Ni2Cl4(et,ph-P4) and the soluble rac-Ni2Cl4(et,ph-P4). Subsequent cyanolysis of these complexes liberates the et,ph-P4 ligand, and the …


Investigation Of Structure-Property Relationships Of Heavy-Fermion Materials, Robin Macaluso Jan 2004

Investigation Of Structure-Property Relationships Of Heavy-Fermion Materials, Robin Macaluso

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work focuses on how local structural features influence large effective masses, magnetism, and superconductivity that are yet to be understood in heavy-fermion materials. Three sets of structurally-related materials are discussed in light of dimensionality, layering effects, choice of transition metal, coordination, and structural distortions: LnnMIn3n+2 (Ln = La, Ce; n = 1, 2, ‡; M = Co, Rh, Ir), CePdGa6, and Ce2PdGa12, and CeNiSb3. The LnnMIn3n+2 (n = 1, 2, ‡; Ln = La, Ce; M = Rh, Ir) intergrowth homologous series presents a unique opportunity to study structure-property relationships. LnnMIn3n+2 (Ln = La, Ce; n = 1, 2; …


Tuning Polymeric Chiral Surfactants For Enhanced Enantiomeric Recognition In Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography, Jepkoech Tarus Jan 2004

Tuning Polymeric Chiral Surfactants For Enhanced Enantiomeric Recognition In Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography, Jepkoech Tarus

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The research presented in this dissertation involves the synthesis, modification, characterization, and the application of polymeric surfactants in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). Sodium undecenoyl-L-Leucinate (L-SUL) was synthesized and modified by use of alkali metal counterions, alcohols, and Triton X-102. Characterization of the modified poly-L-SUL was performed in order to elucidate the structural changes on the surfactants by use of four techniques. While surface tensiometry was used for the determination of the critical micelle concentration (cmc), fluorescence measurements were used for the determination of the polarity of the modified polymeric surfactants. The information about the size of the polymeric surfactants was …


Diffusional Interactions At Dual Disk Microelectrodes: Comparison Of Experiment With Three-Dimensional Random Walk Simulations, John E. Baur, Perry N. Motsegood Jan 2004

Diffusional Interactions At Dual Disk Microelectrodes: Comparison Of Experiment With Three-Dimensional Random Walk Simulations, John E. Baur, Perry N. Motsegood

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

Three dimensional random walk simulations were used to model the diffusional interactions between coplanar dual disk microelectrodes. Working curves for the dependence of shielding factor, collection efficiency, and amplification factor on the size of the gap between the electrodes were developed. The simulations showed that when the gap size was ≥22 radii, the electrodes could be considered as independent and diffusionally isolated. Empirical equations for determining the gap size from simple shielding and generator-collector experiments were established. The simulation was used to model the collector electrode response for square waves of various frequencies applied to the generator electrode. Simulation results …


Synthesis And Antibacterial Assessment Of Water-Soluble Hydrophobic Chitosan Derivatives Bearing Quaternary Ammonium Functionality, Mrunal R. Thatte Jan 2004

Synthesis And Antibacterial Assessment Of Water-Soluble Hydrophobic Chitosan Derivatives Bearing Quaternary Ammonium Functionality, Mrunal R. Thatte

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chitosan is a naturally occurring, bio-degradable, non-toxic, non-allergenic bio-polysaccharide derived from chitin, found in abundance in nature. Studies aimed at deriving newer applications of chitosan are hence of interest. Among these, one of the focuses of investigations is aimed at excellent antimicrobial activity demonstrated by chitosan. In this context, certain quaternary ammonium derivatives of chitosan have been shown in the past to be highly effective antibacterial materials. In the present study, substituted chitosan derivatives were synthesized and further quaternized using Quat-188 to produce water soluble derivatives at neutral pH. The antibacterial assessments of the quaternized derivatives of substituted chitosan were …


New Insights Into The Binding Site Formation And The Performance Of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers, Hyunjung Kim Jan 2004

New Insights Into The Binding Site Formation And The Performance Of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers, Hyunjung Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are finding important applications in the field of separation science, catalysis, sensor, and immunoassays. To optimize the performance of the MIPs, it is essential to understand the underlying mechanism of the process. This research focuses on understanding binding site formation and performance, and improvement of the MIPs. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of the MIPs, and binding isotherm and affinity distribution of heterogeneous binding sites in the MIPs. Chapter 2 describes fundamental studies conducted to understand the binding site formation of the MIPs. The number of binding sites (N) and the number average association constant (Kn) …


Spectroscopic And Synthetic Studies Relating To A Dirhodium Hydroformylation Catalyst, Petia Gueorguieva Gueorguieva Jan 2004

Spectroscopic And Synthetic Studies Relating To A Dirhodium Hydroformylation Catalyst, Petia Gueorguieva Gueorguieva

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The main goal of this dissertation research was to further study and characterize our bimetallic hydroformylation catalyst, rac-[Rh2(nbd)2(et,ph-P4)](BF4)2, and to fully identify the catalytically inactive mono- and dirhodium complexes formed upon fragmentation of the catalyst under hydroformylation conditions. Various in situ NMR methods such as 1D 1H and 31P, and 2D COSY, HMBC, and HMQC were employed and indicated the formation of the key catalyst, [rac-Rh2H2(μ-CO)2(CO)4(et,ph-P4)]2+, 4, and a number of other Rh-phosphine species on and off the catalytic cycle. …


Protein Aggregation Studies: Inhibiting And Encouraging Β-Amyloid Aggregation, Jed Paul Aucoin Jan 2004

Protein Aggregation Studies: Inhibiting And Encouraging Β-Amyloid Aggregation, Jed Paul Aucoin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work demonstrates peptide-based aggregation mediation of fibril forming peptides, notably β-amyloid (1-40), Aβ1-40. To achieve the goals of this work, Aβ1-40 aggregation was governed by ionic strength, temperature, and pH. After controlling and reproducing Aβ1-40 aggregate formation (fibrils), each peptide-based aggregation mediator was evaluated for its ability to self-aggregate and to possess surface-active properties. The incorporation of these mediators in Aβ1-40 solutions changed the surface tension and produced aggregate complexes of mediator and Aβ1-40. Evidence that Aβ1-40 fibril formation may be mediated by disorder-to-order transitions has been observed by layer formation …


Gas Phase Studies Of Molecular Clusters Containing Metal Cations, And The Ion Mobility Of Styrene Oligomers, Edreese Housni Alsharaeh Jan 2004

Gas Phase Studies Of Molecular Clusters Containing Metal Cations, And The Ion Mobility Of Styrene Oligomers, Edreese Housni Alsharaeh

Theses and Dissertations

This study is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the mechanism of the self-initiated polymerization (or thermal polymerization) of styrene in the gas phase. In this work, we present the first direct evidence for the thermally self-initiated polymerization of styrene in the gas phase. Our approach is based on on-line analysis of the gas phase Oligomers by mass-selected ion mobility. The mobility measurements provide structural information on the ionized oligomers based on their collision cross-sections (Ω) which depend on the geometric shapes of the ions. Theoretical calculations of possible structural candidates of the Oligomers ions are then used …


Structural Effects Of Carbon Monoxide Coordination To Carbon Centers. Π And Σ Bindings In Aliphatic Acyl Versus Aromatic Aroyl Cations, M. G. Davlieva, Sergey V. Lindeman, Ivan S. Neretin, Jay K. Kochi Jan 2004

Structural Effects Of Carbon Monoxide Coordination To Carbon Centers. Π And Σ Bindings In Aliphatic Acyl Versus Aromatic Aroyl Cations, M. G. Davlieva, Sergey V. Lindeman, Ivan S. Neretin, Jay K. Kochi

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The binding of carbon monoxide to carbon centers has been examined with two series of aromatic and aliphatic oxocarbonium ions that are successfully isolated as crystalline and highly reactive (hygroscopic) aroylium and acylium salts with poorly coordinating counteranions. X-Ray crystallographic analyses at −150 °C afford precise structural parameters for the characteristic linear carbonyl bond (rCO) and the bond to the carbon centers (r). The correlations of these structural parameters evaluated for alkyl (Me, Et and i-Pr) and aryl (p-Me, 2,4,6-trimethyl, p-MeO and p-fluorophenyl) oxocarbonium ions with the corresponding carbonyl …


Thermal Properties Of Thermoplastics, Charles A. Wilkie, Michael A. Mckinney Jan 2004

Thermal Properties Of Thermoplastics, Charles A. Wilkie, Michael A. Mckinney

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Multiple Mutations In The Hydrophobic Core Upon The Stability Of Staphylococcal Nuclease, Rebecca L. Danforth Jan 2004

The Effects Of Multiple Mutations In The Hydrophobic Core Upon The Stability Of Staphylococcal Nuclease, Rebecca L. Danforth

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Previous work in the laboratory of my research advisor, Dr. Wesley Stites, has investigated the core packing of the protein staphylococcal nuclease. The core of a protein is critical in determining a protein's structure and stability. The hydrophobicity of the core has long been thought to be the principal driving force for folding, but recent work in the Stites lab has shown that optimization of van der Waals contacts and minimization of cavities, in our shorthand term, packing, is at least as energetically important. We are building upon this information in our attempt to better pack the protein core. If …