This thesis describes the synthesis of sulfobetaines having the general structure $\rm RN\sp{+}(CH\sb3)\sb2(CH\sb2)\sb{x}SO\sb{3\sp{-}}$ as novel inhibitors of squalene synthase. Squalene synthase reductively couples two molecules of farnesyl...
Chapter 1: Munchnones and mesoionic heterocycles The reactivity, regioselectivity, and synthetic applications of munchnones (1,3-oxazolium-5-olates) is a common theme which runs through Chapters 2-5. The definition, structure, and reactivity of...
After decades of searching we have yet to find the progenitor systems for type Ia supernovae. In fact most of what we know about this homogeneous class of supernovae is from spectral features associated with the incinerated remains of the C+O white...
Regulatory linkage between epibiotic organisms and their host zooplankton populations is one of the least understood topics in zooplankton biology, despite the likely importance of epibionts to pelagic communities. These laboratory studies with...
I. Markovnikov-Selective Hydrothiolation of Styrenes: Application to the Synthesis of Stereodefined Olefins There have been few reports in the literature describing Lewis Acid-catalyzed hydrothiolations that furnish Markovnikov-selective C–S bond...
Chapter 1: The dimethylation of the C2-symmetric Pt-phosphido complex Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(IsPCH2PIs) (Is = 2,4,6-(iPr)3C6H2) to yield rac- and meso- [Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(IsMePCH2PMeIs)][OTf]2 represents an interesting case of the Horeau principle...
Identifying the determinants of reproductive success in small-scale societies is critical for understanding how natural selection has shaped human evolution and behavior. The available evidence suggests that status-accruing behaviors such as...
Genome sequencing technology has enabled the identification of genetic variants that are linked with cancer phenotypes, whether these are somatically acquired mutations or common inherited single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Whereas coding...
Sensing light from the environment using photoreceptors is of great adaptive significance to eukaryotes. A prominent feature of the photochemistry of these receptors is the photocycle length, the time taken to decay from the initial signaling light...
This dissertation examines the behavioral and physiological adaptations employed by modern humans to subsist in tropical rainforests. I employ various theoretical and methodological approaches to test hypotheses using empirical data from African...
I. (3 + 2) Cycloaddition Reactions of Oxyallyl Cationic Intermediates with Indoles Cyclopenta- and cyclohexa[b]indolines are ubiquitous molecular skeletons in natural products and pharmaceutical agents. We have developed (3 + 2) cycloaddition...
CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated) systems have been characterized as adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea, providing defense against mobile genetic elements, including bacteriophage,...
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) balance self-renewal with the continuous production of the suitable numbers of lineage-restricted progenitor cells. In this work we demonstrate that the Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (Mll1) gene is essential for this...
A new synthetic approach to both pyrrolo[2,3- b]indoles and pyrrolo[3,4- b]indoles by the reaction of 3-nitro-1-(substituted)indoles with functionalized isocyanides is presented. The reaction between 3-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)indole (185) and ethyl...
Part I. A photoprecursor for difluorocarbene . The goal of this research was to develop a more practical and efficient photoprecursor for difluorocarbene. The first approach was concerned with the synthesis of 4,4-difluoropyrazoline-3,5-dione ( 5...
Plant MADS proteins play critical roles in vegetative and reproductive development. DNA binding and yeast three-hybrid assays suggest that plant MADS proteins function as dimers or multimers. However, little is known about how plant MADS proteins...
Geology -- Guatemala -- Lake Atitlan area; Volcanism -- Guatemala -- Lake Atitlan area; Calderas -- Guatemala -- Lake Atitlan area.
Geological mapping, petrological and geophysical studies in the lake Atitlan area, Guatemala, have revealed four distinct periods of stratovolcano growth, each followed by major silicic eruptions and caldera collapse. The first period (12 - 11 my...
The furanosteroids are an important class of natural products that have been found to effectively inhibit various biologically important enzymes. These enzymes include the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) family and the polo-like kinase (PLK1)...
Free radicals (Chemistry). ; Electron donor-acceptor complexes. ; Ions.
In this study, the initial charge separation distance and its impact on free radical ion (FRI) formation are investigated in detail. Transient photocurrent techniques together with other spectroscopic methods were used with a series of donors and...
Primary care (Medicine) -- United States -- Evaluation. ; Medicine -- Specialties and specialists. ; Physicians -- Supply and demand -- United States.
Background. Strengthening the role of primary care is considered a key element in improving the outcomes and efficiency of health care delivery. Previous studies of the benefits of primary care have primarily examined the association of primary...
Colloidal nanoparticles are particles with sizes ranging from one nanometer to several hundred nanometers, which disperse evenly in a dispersion medium. In aqueous solutions, amphiphilic molecules organize themselves to form such colloidal systems...
Indole alkaloids -- Synthesis. Ring formation (Chemistry). Radicals (Chemistry).
A novel radical cyclization of 2-bromoindoles was examined, generating a series of hexahydropyrrolo[3,4- b ]indoles in fair yield. This process involved the generation of a variety of indole-3-carboxamides followed by the introduction of bromine at...
Naturally occurring macrocyclic tetrapyrroles of the chlorin and bacteriochlorin classes play important roles in essential biological processes, including photosynthesis and nitrogen cycling. The chromophores also show promise in various...
I. Intermolecular C-S Bond Forming Reactions
The relatively small number of efficient C-S bond forming reactions in the literature prompted an investigation into the synthesis of allylic thioethers. The technology that we developed allowed us, in...
The furanosteroid class of compounds issues a siren call to both chemists and biologists alike -- the intriguing pentacyclic skeleton, densely packed and highly functionalized, continues to entice synthetic minds to develop new and elegant methods...
The increasing demand for transportation energy coupled with the need to reduce carbon emissions for a sustainable future are driving forces to develop alternative fuels. One promising alternative to petroleum is conversion of lignocellulosic...