Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Communicator-In-Chief: Presidential Use Of Television Past, Present, And Future, Jenna Wasson

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to determine how television has changed as a communication medium for presidents over the past half century. An evaluation of the evolving ways presidents use television to communicate with and to build support from the American people has been conducted. Presidential communication strategies have been identified by drawing primarily from primary sources written by presidents and White House staff. Television technology and the television audience have changed over the years. Presidents have taken a more pro-active, aggressive role in their efforts to harness television for their own purposes. Why have these changes occurred? What impact have these …

Synthesis And Dna Binding Of Cis And Trans-Rucl2 (Dmso)4, Thomas Curran

Honors Theses

The synthesis of both cis and trans-RuCl?(DMSO)? has been reported in literature, and is currently the only way of acquiring these compounds. Because these metallodrugs have shown similar antitumor properties to cisplatin, they are currently under investigation for use in clinical trials as potential chemotherapeutics. It is believed that these drugs act in a way similar to cisplatin by causing intrastrand crosslinking of adjacent guanine residues in DNA. In an attempt to better understand any Ru/DNA interaction for these compounds, both cis and trans-RuCl?(DMSO)? were synthesized with reasonable yields (~40%). The compounds were then characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), …

Improving The Campus Sustainability Assessment Process, Andrew Nixon

Honors Theses

The human enterprise is rapidly overwhelming the Earth’s ecological systems and draining its natural resources. According to Vitousek et al., as much as one-half of the planet’s land surface has been transformed by human activity; more than half of the world’s available fresh water is used by humans; and a quarter of the planet’s bird species have been driven to extinction by human activity (Vitousek et al, 1997). These and many other negative trends pose catastrophic implications for the future of our species and for the planet’s other inhabitants.

Self-Similarity In Network Traffic, Francisco Chinchilla

Honors Theses

It is critical to properly understand the nature of network traffic in order to effectively design models describing network behavior. These models are usually used to simulate network traffic, which in turn are used to construct congestion control techniques, perform capacity planning studies, and/or evaluate the behavior of new protocols. Using the wrong models could lead to potentially serious problems such as delayed packet transmissions or an increase in packet drop rates.

Traditionally, packet arrivals were assumed to follow a Poisson arrival process. Although Poisson processes have several properties that make them easy to work with, they do not accurately …

Western Michigan University Occupational Therapy Department Web Page, Holly Pietrzak, Melissa Byrne

Honors Theses

Website designed for WMU's Occupational Therapy department.

Modeling A Real-Time Economics Simulation With User-Coded Agents In An Object-Oriented Database, Kevin Simons

Honors Theses

A simulation tbat models the stock market with real-time stock quotes was created. Users can translate their own theories about investing into Java code, which is then used to create an intelligent agent. The agent is inserted into the simulation, which allows the agent to gather data from the model. Based on this data, the agent uses the algorithm the user wrote to buy and sell stocks. Such as model provides a means of testing investment theories before investing.

Local Participation As A Determinant Of Success In World Bank Environmental Projects: What Is The Evidence?, Catherine Benson

Honors Theses

The current impoverished, environmentally degraded state of Africa suggests that international aid projects have proven largely unsuccessful in tackling the enormous development and environment challenges faced by Africa. Africa has historically been inundated with groups trying to implement change in the form of political, economic, and environmental agendas, beginning in the colonial period and continuing today. The abundance of advice and financial assistance poured into this region have resulted in a continent lagging behind other developing regions to an even worse extent than prior to aid projects. The environment of development in Africa is complex; nowhere else in the world …

Effect Of 6-Thioguanine And Methyl-6-Thioguanine On Stability Of Dna Duplexes, Mabaera Rodwell

Honors Theses

6-Thioguanine (65G) has been used for the past thirty years as an anti-cancer agent in maintenance chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as acute myeloid leukemia. Despite its long-standing clinical use, little is understood of the molecular basis of the cytotoxicity associated with ?sG. Research has shown that ?sG is incorporated into DNA during replication after which it may exert its cytotoxicity by inducing rapid mutation or by affecting DNA-protein interactions. 65G has also been shown to impair HIV replication by inhibiting HlV-l reverse transcriptase and to inhibit human telomerase activity. To further understand the structural changes associated …

Photochemical Generation And Chemistry Of Α-Acetoxycarbene, Jonathan Mann

Honors Theses

Efforts have been made at generating the parent α-acetoxycarbene from a non-nitrogenous precursor. Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the ketone, 1-(1a,9b-dihydro-lHcyclopropa[1] phenanthren-1-yl)-ethanone, available in two steps from phenanthrene, led to the ester, 1-(1 a,9b-dihydro-lH-cyclopropa[/]phenanthren-l-yl)-acetate, which is a photochemical precursor of the parent α-acetoxycarbene intermediate. Photolysis of the ester in cyclohexene afforded an isomeric mixture of endo and exo acetates resulting from the carbene adding to the α-bond. Photolysis of the ester in trans-3-hexene yielded a single trans-cis acetate, a product of the same cycloaddition process. The formation of methyl glyoxal, via the l,2-acyl shift of the carbene, is observed through its derivatives. …

Purification Of The Hmg1 Protein And Investigation Of Its Interactions With Diepoxide Cross-Linked Dna, Gayle Pageau

Honors Theses

HMG1 is a nonhistone chromosomal protein that binds preferentially to some types of globally modified DNA. HMG1 has been implicated in the cellular response to the anti-cancer agent cisplatin, functioning to block excision repair of specific distorted platinated DNA lesions and resulting in enhanced cytotoxicity. We have investigated whether other DNA-binding agents also produce lesions that are recognized by HMG1. Specifically, we used polyacrylamide gel shift assays to monitor the potential HMG1 binding of diepoxybutane interstrand cross-links, which have been suggested to induce DNA bending. We isolated the native protein from chicken erythrocytes and expressed engineered HMG domain proteins in …

Investigations Of Intramolecular Copper (I)-Arene Interactions Using A Ns2-Macrocyclic Ligand With Different Pendant Aryl Arms, Paul J. Lee

Honors Theses

Two macrocyclic ligands with a pendant phenyl group -N-[2-(l-phenyl)ethyl]-1-aza-4,8di thiacyclodecane (L1) and N-[2-0-phenyl)propyl]-1-aza-4,8-dithiacyclodecane, (L2) has been synthesized and characterized. The copper(I)-triphenylphosphine complex [LICu(PPhJ)]OTf , (2) was synthesized from L1 1/2(C6H6)[CuOTf]2, and PPh3. The complexes [LICu]OTf 1 and [L2Cu]OTf 3 were also synthesized and characterized using DC and IH NMR, UV-vis and lR spectroscopy, and ESI-MS. In CD2Cl2, 1 was found to have a fluxional behavior with the barrier ΔG to the process estimated at 9-11 kcal/mol. Variable temp. NMR spectroscopy of 1 gave compelling evidence that the phenylappended group is bound in an intramolecullar η2-fashion with the copper center. At …

Self-Assembled Aggregates Of Neutral Nonlinear Optical Dyes In Smectite Clay Films, Mark Kostuk

Honors Theses

The field of photonics relies on nonlinear optical (NLO) materials and their unique light interacting properties to guide and manipulate light for such uses as optical switches and optical data storage. Hybrid organic-inorganic composites offer excellent routes to such materials synthesis. We report herein the first study of neutral organic NLO chromophores adsorbed onto hectorite and laponite clay films. Seven different dyes (disperse red 1; disperse red 13; disperse red 19; disperse orange 3; disperse orange 13; disperse orange 25, and DANS, [4-dimethylamino-4' -nitrostilbene]), and two exchangeable cations (sodium and zinc), are used to create the hybrid films. The nature …

Separation Of Chiral Controlled Substances Using Capillary Electrophoresis, Tania Magoon

Honors Theses

The separation of the chiral narcotic propoxyphene by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is the goal of this work. A three-way collaboration between our research group, Professor lsiah Warner (LSU) and the New York State Forensic Investigation Center is underway to separate propoxyphene enantiomers and to develop a protocol for the Forensic Center. We are investigating the application of both polymer surfactants and cyclodextrins as CE additives for the separation of enantiomeric propoxyphene. We have synthesized or obtained several polymerized N-undecylenyl-L-amino acid and N-undecylenyl-L-dipeptide derivatives as a pseudo-stationary phase in capillary zone electrophoresis for the separation of chiral compounds. Though no separation …

Interactions Between Oxazine Dyes And Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Studied By Molecular Spectroscopy, Michael R. Webb

Honors Theses

We present the results of a fundamental investigation of how the presence of surfactant affects the self-interaction of cationic laser dyes in aqueous solution. Oxazine 1 and oxazine 170 are known to form non-fluorescent H-aggregates (n-stacked dimers). The interactions of each of these laser dyes with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a micelle forming, anionic surfactant, have been examined using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence anisotropy, and Rayleigh scattering. The colors of oxazine 170 solutions are visually distinguishable into three stages: solutions with no SDS, solutions with SDS below the erne (8mM), and solutions with SDS concentrations above the erne. …

Structural And Functional Analysis Of Mutant Matal Homeodomains By Multidimensional Nmr Spectroscopy, David F. Ott

Honors Theses

Homeodomain proteins are transcription factors that contain a conserved 60- residue sequence, beginning with an N-terminal unstructured arm, followed by an alpha helix, a loop, and a helix-tum-helix. The yeast protein MATa1 is unusual among homeodomains in that, as a monomer, it binds very poorly to its DNA operator. However, the a1- α2 heterodimer binds to the hsg operator with 3000 times the affinity it has for nonspecific DNA. Studies have shown that most of the heterodimer's binding specificity is due to a1 rather than α2 (1,2). To identify the structural changes that transform al into a strong, sequence-specific DNA …

Quantification Of Nanomolar Superoxide In Aqueous Solution : Flow Injection Analysis Using The Chemiluminescent Reagent Mcla., Nathan Boland

Honors Theses

A flow injection system using the chemiluminescent reagent 2-methyl-6-(4methoxyphenyl)- 3,7-dihydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-one (MCLA) was used to quantify aqueous concentrations of superoxide. Stock solutions of superoxide were produced by photolysis of a solution of 2-propanol and benzophenone. The concentration of superoxide was quantified in the stock solutions by direct measurement of the absorbance at 240 nm. Quantified additions of superoxide to the flow injection analysis system reacted with MCLA at pH 5.1 demonstrated a detection limit of 0.074 nM superoxide. Selective superoxide detection was confirmed by pH-dependent decay of superoxide, which was in excellent agreement with published rates.

Metal Ion Stabilization Of G-Tetrads Containing 6-Thioguanosine, Julia Drees

Honors Theses

As alternative structures to the double helix, G-tetrads are thought to occur in DNA with many repeating deoxyguanosines (dG). These tetrads have one dG on each corner of a plane and can stack into tetraplexes that can be aptamers and may be found in telomeres. G-tetrads are destabilized by incorporation of 6-thiodeoxyguanosine (?sdG). Addition of metal ions that bind sulfur may stabilize these ?sdG-tetrads. We have carried out a survey of metal ion titrations into ?sG. Stable ?sG:MD? complexes were found for Hg2? (2:1), Cd2? (4:1), Ag2? (0.7:1) and Pt2? (thought to be 2:1). UV/Visible spectrophotometry indicates that G-tetrads containing …

Photochemical Generation And Intramolecular Chemistry Of 2-Hydroxy-2-Methylpropylidene, Robin Farlow

Honors Theses

2-(1a,9b-Dihydro-lH-cyclopropa[l]phenanthren-1-yl)-propan-2-ol was synthesized by two different but related synthetic routes and characterized by melting point, IR GC/MS, CHN, and NMR spectroscopy. Photolysis of the alcohol in benzene d-6 led to the formation of 2-butanone, 1-methylcyclopropanol, and 2,2-dimethyloxirane in a 26:10:1 ratio via 2-hydroxy-2methylpropylidene, a novel ?-hydroxycarbene. These products are a consequence of intramolecular insertions of the carbene into C-C, C-H, and O-H bonds. Molecular orbital calculations performed at the Becke-3LYP/6-31G(d) level indicate that the singlet form of this carbene is more thermodynamically stable than the triplet. Furthermore, the transition states to the three products from the singlet species were modeled …

Conversion Of Virulent Cryphonectria Parasitica From The Lula Lake Land Trust To Hypovirulent Strains, Pearl Hwang

Honors Theses

For almost a century, the fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica has existed in the United States as a wound parasite to American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees. However, hypovirulence, evidence of spontaneous healing in Italy and Michigan, has given the American chestnut trees hope to one day be restored into its natural range. Viruses were the cause of such spontaneous healings. My hypothesis was that a viruscontaining hypovirulent strain of C. parasitica (in a brown background) would share alleles that control anastomoses with the local virulent strains, so a virus that causes hypovirulence could be transmitted into local virulent strains in vitro. Fifty …

A Study On The Effect Of Storage Time On Specific Gravity And Eggshell Quality, Brock Kendall Laborde

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Constructing Regular Ramanujan Graphs Via Graph Extension, Sage Michelle Accardo

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Study Of The Effects Of Co2(G) On The Fe(Ii)-Luminol Chemiluminescence System: Application To Ultra-Trace Analysis Of Fe(Ii), Sara Beth Lovitz

Honors Theses

The Fe(II)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol has been a well-accepted chemiluminescence method for the trace and ultra-trace analysis of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in natural waters. Investigation into this chemiluminescence system has shown that COlg) is essential to Fe-catalyzed luminol chemiluminescence. In absence of CO2(g) there is no chemiluminescent signal. These reactions worked well in the past because CO2 is present in most laboratory H20 supplies. Intentional saturation of CO2 results in a 5-fold increase for this conventional system. We propose a mechanism for CO 2(g) enhancement that includes formation of a CO2-superoxide intermediate, which serves as the oxidant of luminol to …

Probing The Capabilities Of Copper Complexes With Nitrogen And Sulfur Containing Macrocyclic Ligands As Aziridination Catalysts, Jonathan Natkin

Honors Theses

Aziridines are three-membered rings containing one nitrogen atom. They are useful as synthetic intermediates in many organic reactions. Much work has been devoted to synthesizing their analogs, cyclopropanes and epoxides, but little work has been done on the aziridination reaction. This study endeavored to probe the efficiencies of novel copper aziridination catalysts with N3 and S3 macrocyclic ligands compared to an NS2 analog for the reaction with the nitrene precursor (N-(paratosylsulfonyl) imino)phenyliodinane, PhINTs, and the olefin styrene. The nitrogen containing catalyst complex gave higher yields than the sulfur containing catalyst complex. Both ligands were found to decrease the yield of …

Synthetic Approach To Hexaoxa[6]Peristylanes. A Novel Ddq-Induced Oxidative Rearrangement, Douglas Arthur Otte

Honors Theses

The structural beauty and interesting bonding properties of polycyclic cage compounds have been a source of fascination to many chemists. In this work, progress toward the synthesis of large oxabowl systems, such as hexaoxa[6]peristylane and its derivative dipbenylhexaoxa[6)peristylane, is described. Thus, the adduct obtained from the cycloaddition of maleic anhydride and cyc!ooctatetraene is converted into key dicarbonyl intermediates. Subsequently, the ozonolysis of these intermediates is carried out in order to generate hexaoxa(6)peristylane as well as diphenylhexaoxa[6]peristylane. Molecular modeling studies, performed at the semi-empirical level, are also described.

Exploratory Chemistry In Route To Aromatic Natural Products, Nicholas P. Bizier

Honors Theses

The focus of this research was the synthesis of two natural products, 1-methyl-s-(1,2,2-trimethy1cyclopentyl)-benzene (formally cuparene), and 3-(1,2dimethylcyclopenty1)-5-methylbenzene-l,2-diol (formally herbertene diol). Cuparene possesses anti-fungal and anti-arthritic properties. This molecule has been the target of a number of syntheses. Herbertene diol, a natural product itself, represents one retrosynthetic step back from mastigophorane; a compound isolated form the liverwort Mastigophora diaclolades. Mastigophorane has been shown to have neural network forming capabilities and has warranted complete synthetic efforts. Through the same chemistry involve in the formation of cuparene, we sought a route to herbertene diol in two steps. We report a successful route to …

Isolation And Characterization Of Chromium- And Cobalt-Binding Peptides, Michael J. Jose

Honors Theses

Metal substitution has been proposed as an aid in the characterization of the structure of Low-Molecular-Weight Chromium-binding substance (LMWCr), which appears to be the biologically active chromium species. Preparations of bovine liver were diced and suspended in an isolation solution containing either a cobalt or a chromium salt. Peptide samples from these preparations were isolated by precipitation and centrifugation and purified by liquid chromatography. Several methods were used to analyze these samples, which may contain LMWCr or the cobalt-substituted form (LMWCo), in order to determine their purity, molecular weight (MW), and metal-to-peptide ratio. Methods used to determine MW included sodium …

Photochemical Degradation Of 2,4-D And Atrazine In Well-Defined Media, Asher D. Ghertner

Honors Theses

Atrazine and 2,4-D are common herbicides used for crop, lawn, and rangeland management. Photochemical degradation has been proposed as one safe and efficient remediation strategy for both 2,4-D and Atrazine. In the presence of iron(llI) and hydrogen peroxide these herbicides decay by both thermal and light induced oxidation. Past studies have focused primarily on sun light as an energy source. This work provides a mechanistic description of herbicide degradation incorporating intermediate degradation products produced in the dark and under well-defined light conditions.

Performance Of Genetic Algorithms For Data Classification, Matthew E. Stine

Honors Theses

In today's world, the amount of raw data archived across multiple distinct domains is growing at an exponential rate. "Data Mining" is a continuously evolving family of processes by which individuals extract useful information from these data. Classification is one of these processes, and is the construction of varying types of descriptive models from labeled data objects, for the purpose of predicting the label of those objects with unknown labels. The construction of these modules is often adversely affected by the presence of incorrect values or outlier values within the data, a phenomenon known as noise. The original motivation of …

Iron Acquisition Systems And The Effect Of Iron On Virulence, Amy E. Noles

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Forensic Applications Of Capillary Electrophoresis, Jennifer A. Jakubowski

Honors Theses

The separation by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) of the chiral narcotic propoxyphene is the goal of this work. A three-way collaboration between our research group, Professor lsiah Warner (LSU), and the New York State Forensic Investigation Center is underway, with the goal of separating controlled substances and developing techniques that the Forensic Center can apply in it& investigations. Earlier studies by Warner's group have shown that using polymerized N-undecylenyl-L-amino acid and peptide derivatives as pseudo-stationary phases in CZE has resulted in the separation of chiral molecules. Our separations were attempted by combining the drug samples with polymerized N-undecylenyl-L-amino acid and …