Dating back to 1550 B.C., ancient civilizations used moldy bread and medicinal soil to treat infections and wounds. Today, antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections. Salvarsan, the first antibiotic, was developed in 1910, followed by penicillin in the late 1920s. However, the widespread use of antibiotics and limited research has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, posing a global threat. To address this, developing new antibiotics is crucial. Vancomycin, a potent antibiotic isolated in 1955 and synthesized in the late 1990s, is a target for this purpose. Despite its effectiveness, vancomycin is challenging to produce, with yields not exceeding 5%. Thus, this project aims to create a structure in four steps, with a yield greater than 50% that resembles vancomycin’s iconic 3-D bowl shape.

Platinum compounds play an important role as anticancer agents. Their ability to bind to DNA in the nucleus (by a process known as intercalation within DNA base pairs) result in DNA damage and cell death. Unfortunately, these platinum-containing compounds lack specificity toward cancer cells and attack normal healthy cells that results in significant side effects as a consequence (loss of hair, nausea, among others).
Our group has developed a method to incorporate platinum on the surface of our silicon Nanotubes using (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as a functional arm to the Nanotubes. The Silicon nanotubes have attracted great attention in applications relevant to diagnosis and therapy, owing in part to its biocompatibility and biodegradability in cells.
Once inside the cell, platinum is released slowly, thus allowing an interaction with DNA. Our previous results using this technology showed significant toxicity on a type of cancer cell known as HeLa. While these findings are promising, specificity has not yet been achieved.
Cancer activates signaling pathways that translates on overexpression of specific proteins/receptors. Particularly, folate receptors (FR) are present in 90-98% of ovarian, prostate, uterus, breast, as well as some adenocarcinomas. FR expression is very limited in normal cells and generally not accessible to blood flow which makes it a suitable and promising system to target cancer. These receptors are glycopolypeptides that present high affinity for folic acid (FA).
A viable strategy has been identified, involving the conjugation of a molecule known as glutathione to act as a linker to the surface of the silicon-based platinum nanoparticles through N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) activation, followed by substitution with folic acid.
The cellular evaluation of this material shown high cytotoxicity against Hela cells and selectivity, in compare with material without Folate.

Peptidomimetic macrocycles are of ever-growing interest to the field of pharmacology as candidates for inhibiting supposed "undruggable" sites (such as protein-protein interactions). An important property of pharmacophores within drug development is the partition coefficient (often expressed as logP or logD), which measures the ability of a molecule to partition between aqueous and organic media, effectively expressing the ability for a drug to diffuse into a cell from the bloodstream. Our group has previously synthesized several amino acid-containing triazine macrocycles through facile three-step procedure yielding folded, sometimes dynamic, macrocycles in good yields. With twelve macrocycles, a trend in logD values has emerged, allowing for the rapid prediction of the macrocyclic conformation per its respective logD values. Each macrocycle is folded, but the extent of triazine-triazine overlap, side chain van der Waals interactions, and shielding of its central proton is reflected in the divergence of the macrocycle's logD from a central trendline. The ability to predict the macrocycle's logD values via additive, atomistic, algorithms is also shown to reveal this divergent trend. Structures of these triazine macrocycles were elucidated through proton and nOesy/rOesy NMR.

Oxidative stress is caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body and is
a key player in many maladies, including neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) metalloenzymess are capable of transforming the common ROS molecule
superoxide (O2) into less toxic species such as H2O or O2, thus protecting the body from harmful reactions of
superoxide. Synthetic metal complexes have shown promise as SOD mimics and can be effective alternatives
to therapeutic dosing of SOD enzyme for oxidative stress. In this work, we present a series of 12-membered
tetra-aza pyridinophanes (Py2N2) and the corresponding copper complexes with substitutions on the 4-position
of the pyridine ring. The SOD functional mimic capabilities of the Cu[Py2N2]Cl series were explored using a
UV-Visible visible spectrophotometric assay. Spectroscopic, potentiometric, and crystallographic methods were
used to explore how the electronic nature of the 4-position substitution affects the electronics of the overall
complex, and the SOD biomimetic activity of each complex’s activity as a SOD mimic. This work is an initial
step toward developing these Cu[Py2N2]Cl complexes as potential therapeutics for neurological diseases by
mimicking SOD’s capabilities and protecting the body from oxidative stress.

Squaraine dyes are a class of small luminescent molecules with diverse applications in physical sciences, medicine, and engineering. Although widely used, the current synthetic approaches are neither modular nor environmentally friendly. Therefore, this poster will present our efforts to develop facile, diverse, and efficient synthetic methods for squaraine dyes, based on green chemistry and sustainability principles.

Yield of protein crystallization from metastable liquid-liquid phase separation
Aisha Fahim, Shamberia Thomas, Jenny Pham, Onofrio Annunziata

The high demand in pharmaceutical and biotechnological products has motivated the need for economically sustainable alternatives to chromatography for protein purification. One promising alternative for protein purification is protein crystallization. However, protein crystallization is a complex, not well understood process. In our previous work, a new strategy for enhancing protein crystallization from metastable protein-rich droplets was examined. This requires the use of two additives. The first additive (inducer) promotes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in a protein aqueous sample. The second additive (modulator) alters the composition of droplets and their thermodynamic stability. A protocol for determining yields of LLPS-mediated protein crystallization was developed. This protocol was used to examine the effect of various inducer-modulator pairs on crystallization of lysozyme, a model protein.

As urbanization continues to fragment landscapes, wildlife become more isolated and find it harder to access the necessary resources to survive. Finding ways to connect fragmented landscapes is necessary for wildlife, but it is important to know what areas wildlife currently occupy. Trees provide valuable habitat for many species, but it is important to know what tree species are the most beneficial, and where these are located. This study used point locations of five tree species, bobcats, and coyotes to identify the density of each in Tarrant County. We identified that cedar elms have the most overlap with both bobcats and coyotes. The areas with high densities of cedar elms are the best for and bobcats, which is an indicator that they will be good for other species. Therefore these areas should be targeted for conservation and restoration.

The expansion of urban areas is a threat to wildlife because it fragments habitat and reduces the access to resources. Consequently, there is a need to improve the quality of urban habitats by increasing connectivity between habitats and resources. For volant species like bats, birds, and flying invertebrates, linear features such as tree-lines and/or connected canopies can create corridors that allow these wildlife to move along. In an urban environment, the structure of the urban forest (essentially all the trees in an urban area) can provide connectivity, if appropriate, thereby increasing access to resources and landscape permeability. Thus, in this study we used behavioral observation and acoustics surveys to monitor the commuting activity of bats in Fort Worth, Texas along 15 potential commuting routes. At each route, we measured tree height, percent canopy cover, gap distance, number of gaps, and rugosity or ruggedness of the canopy edge to identify what tree canopy features aided bat movement. Using GLM, we found that routes surrounded with more linear canopy cover and less gap distance resulted in more bats commuting. Moreover, we found that an increase in rugosity negatively influenced route use, as undulating tree canopies increased obstacles that created an inefficient commuting route (i.e., straight lines save energy). Our study demonstrates that the urban environment can be managed to increase connectivity and we provide recommendations on how to better manage the urban forest to increase commuting corridors for bats in this landscape.

Currently over 1,400 households use the Roubidoux Aquifer in Northeastern Oklahoma as their main source of drinking water. Additionally, the total water demand is projected to increase 56% from 2010 to 2060. This increase in water demand is concerning due to the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers being highly susceptible to surface contamination, containing elements such as lead and zinc, from the Tar Creek Superfund site located (TCSS) in Picher, OK. This study seeks to determine, using spatial analysis tools in GIS, the contamination susceptibility of the Boone and Roubidoux aquifer recharge zones as a result of direct surface contaminants and processes that facilitate their propagation.

Flood is a major threat to many communities worldwide, despite many areas lacking flood hazard mapping due to data scarcity. Under such a scenario, remote sensing and GIS-based approaches could be a promising solution for assessing and characterizing flood hazard risk. Therefore, the objectives of this research project are to develop a flood hazard risk map for Rowlett Creek Watershed using remote sensing data and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techniques to identify and evaluate flood risk areas over the study site. The research will involve development of complied flood hazard index (FHI) using GIS software based on flood causative factors such as slope, flow accumulation, drainage network density, distance from drainage channel, geology, land use/cover, soil moisture and rainfall intensity. Filed data of geology will be obtained from SSURGO and other data will be extracted from remote sensing product such as SRTM, NLCD, CROPCASMA and PERSIAN. The expected outcome of the research is the development of flood hazard risk thematic map and further verify it with the inundation area of a historical flood events in the study area, which will help to purpose proper mitigation and management strategies in flood-prone area. This research looks over a remote sensing and GIS-based approach for characterizing flood hazard risk, which will provide valuable information for policymakers, disaster management agencies, and other stakeholders working towards reducing the impact of floods even in data-scarce areas.

Water represents one of the required resources for wildlife to live and thrive in an area. Due to urbanization, we have seen an increase in the transformation of natural water sources (i.e. lakes, streams, and rivers) to semi-natural (i.e. retention ponds, reservoirs, and drainage ditches), for which we create for the urban infrastructure and for animals. The objective of the following study was to assess whether water quality influences the direct use of water sources by terrestrial wildlife in an urban environment utilizing bats as our indicator species. We, therefore, hypothesize that water sources with higher water quality will have an abundant and diverse community of bats using them (i.e., foraging and drinking), while lower quality water sources will have little to no bat activity and lower species diversity. We conducted this study using thermal cameras and acoustic monitoring to determine whether water quality has discernible influences for water resource use by bats at water sources across six urban parks and greenspaces in Fort Worth, Texas. We observed increased bat activity at water sources that were listed as areas with higher water quality standards with very slow moving water, and little activity in areas that have been known to have lower water quality. Understanding how the water quality of urban sources impacts bats, may not only be used as an indicator of water availability for other wildlife species in urban areas, but also provide insights into the environmental health of local parks and surrounding neighborhoods.

Sinkhole hazards pose a major threat to key infrastructure and human lives in Taylor and Jones counties in West Central Texas. These counties are underlain by soluble evaporite and carbonate rocks. In this study, a data fusion approach was adopted in which multi-source datasets and techniques were combined to detect and map the spatial distribution of sinkholes, quantify their displacement rates, and identify the processes and factors controlling their occurrence. Preliminary results indicate: (a) there is a spatial correspondence between depressions (area: 625 m2 - 2500 m2) identified using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) datasets and previously- mapped sinkholes; (b) deformation rates over the mapped depressions derived using Persistent Scatterer Interferometry technique applied on 53 level-1 Sentinel-1 images (2016 – 2021) and calibrated using long-term (2006 – 2021) GNSS data indicate an average and peak subsidence rates of -6 mm/yr and +5 mm/yr, respectively; (c) clusters of high subsidence rates were noted over areas underlain by evaporites belonging to the Clear Fork Group; (d) efforts to validate the accuracy of the sinkhole detection techniques are currently underway using 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys carried out on the identified subsiding depressions. In addition, groundwater level and discharge time series and other relevant datasets are being integrated to assess the processes and factors that induce the formation of these features. Results of this study could be used to develop an early warning system to implement mitigation strategies to curtail the impacts of the sinkhole hazards in Texas and other parts of the globe.

The Mendocino National Forest was affected by fire in August 2020. It devastated a substantial area of land over the period of three months, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and the evacuation of thousands of people. Moreover, many of the local plantations were destroyed. To evaluate the severity of the impacted area for rehabilitation and restoration, severity data and maps are crucial. This study will combine several geospatial data including multitemporal remote sensing data to identify changes in forest structure and moisture content affected by the fires through burn severity maps. This study will use the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) technique to identify burned areas and provide a measure of burn severity. The NBR is calculated as a ratio between the NIR and SWIR values bands 5 and 7 obtain from pre-fire and post-fire Landsat 8 imageries. This will be followed by generating the Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (ΔNBR) for pre and after-imageries to map the fire severity. The result of the NBR analysis will be integrated with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to map vegetation greenness over the study area that will be helpful to validate the accuracy of the NBR analysis. Moreover, elevation dataset (Digital Elevation Model (DEM)) will be used to assess factors that exacerbate emerging wildfires such as topography and slope.

The greater East Texas Basin represents the portion of the Cretaceous Texas Shelf north of the San Marcos Arch, proximal to the Woodbine siliciclastics sourced from the Ouachita and Sabine uplifts. During the Early to Middle Cenomanian the basin underwent a time-transgressive transition from an oxygenated carbonate platform to an anoxic shelf. The Cenomanian-Turonian aged Woodbine and Eagle Ford Groups have been studied since the late 1800’s; a confusing nomenclature system has been developed for them due to outdated biostratigraphic studies and inaccurate age interpretations, obscuring the age relationships of the various lithostratigraphic units. To study this time-transgressive transition and better understand and define the Woodbine-Eagle Ford contact in north Texas, stratigraphic and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) geochemical data will be collected from USGS near-surface cores drilled in Dallas and Grayson counties, and paired with X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and core spectral gamma ray data provided by the USGS, and biostratigraphic data provided by Denne. Field work will also be conducted on several outcrop locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex for detailed descriptions and measured sections to be made as well as sample collection for thin section, detrital zircon, and further XRF analysis. The data collected for this study will be used to lithostratigraphically and geochemically define the Woodbine-Eagle Ford transition zone in north Texas with the intent of determining the paleoceanographic conditions during deposition, and determine if this transition is time-transgressive across the DFW Metroplex and North Texas region.

Current in-situ assessments of water quality in lakes can be significantly improved by leveraging recent advances in remote sensing and algorithm development for a faster and more cost-effective approach. This study leveraged satellite- (Landsat 7/8 and Sentinel-2) and UAV-based remote sensing datasets to detect and monitor changes in key water quality parameters (Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and turbidity) within the epilimnion of Lake Arlington (Texas) during the past 20 years. In addition, remote sensing algorithms were developed to capture the spatial variability of the water quality parameters across the entire extent of the water body. The investigation period was divided into two segments: before and after the EPA-established Watershed Protection Plan program (WPP) in 2012 to mitigate the lake's water quality deterioration. A regression model, using satellite-based and historical in-situ observations (2002 – 2020), was developed to predict the targeted water quality parameters across the extent of the lake. Our preliminary results indicate: (1) Chl-a levels at the lake's inlet decreased significantly after 2012 (before: 32.1ug/L; after: 9.2ug/l); also turbidity (via Secchi Disk Depth) across the lake decreased after 2012 (before: 0.6 m; after: 0.5 m); and the spring season had the highest levels of Chl-a followed by the summer season for both before and after 2012 while high turbidity values also coincided with high Chl-a values in the summer, (2) regression analysis revealed a high correlation between the in-situ Chl-a and Landsat (before 2012: spring R2 = 0.62, summer R2=0.66; p-value < 0.01; after 2012: spring R2 = 0.54, summer R2=0.73; p-value < 0.01) and Sentinel-2 bands (2015-2020: spring R2 = 0.99, summer R2=0.82; p-value >0.05). Similarly, the regression analysis revealed a high correlation (2015-2020: spring R2 = 0.98, summer R2=0.57; p-value >0.05) between reflectance from Sentinel-2 bands and in-situ turbidity levels; (3) The optimum spectral band to detect Chl-a was found to be between 590-880nm for Landsat and 665-940 nm for Sentinel-2 while for turbidity it was between 450-670nm for Landsat and 560-705nm for Sentinel-2. Therefore, Sentinel-2 bandwidth was better at detecting Chl-a and turbidity levels in the lake because of its wider bandwidth; (4) Water quality controlling factors in lake Arlington include landcover change, precipitation rates, and the EPA WPP measures. Landcover change between 2001 and 2019 shows an overall 25% increase in urban areas, a 9.5% increase in wetlands, and a 10.7% decrease in grassland which may have contributed to the decline in Chl-a and turbidity values. Finally, efforts to calibrate and improve the accuracy of the satellite-based observations are underway with UAV-acquired multispectral imagery obtained at the time of the Sentinel-2 overpass over the lake.

In Tarrant County, Texas, food deserts affect approximately 275,000 residents. Chronic health conditions affect households living in food-insecure communities, leading the government to spend billions of dollars treating preventable diseases. Implementing sustainable urban agriculture in areas of high need to produce food using geospatial technology to aid in soil management can play an important role in helping farmers. The objective is to create an urban soil analysis map from the data collected on the soil properties, distribution, and variability of how these properties affect landscapes.

The aim for this project is centered around understanding carbon sequestration and the potential for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in the United States of America. An in depth look at the CO2 emissions for given areas of the U.S. will be looked at to gain an idea of where localized hotspots for emissions are located and how the impact of these emissions can be reduced using CCUS. By coupling emission data with existing infrastructure data (such as active and abandoned wells, pipelines, storage facilities, etc.) an outlook on the possibility of CCUS and reduction of emissions can be achieved. Geologic formations also play a specific role in how CCUS works. Understanding the various rock formations below and how the injected CO2 will be sealed away deep in the ground is a vital piece for any CCUS project. Combining the geological data with the emissions and infrastructure data will piece together a variety of information to better understand the possibility of reducing carbon emissions in various areas around the United States.

The Middle Cenomanian Woodbine sandstones act as a major reservoir system for many large oil fields throughout East Texas. Although numerous studies have been completed on Woodbine outcrops within DFW Metroplex, none have used modern techniques or tools, or utilized facies model concepts to study their reservoir characteristics or environment of deposition. Prior studies interpreted these outcrops as a shelf-strandplain coastal setting or a fluvial-dominated delta plain. However, this study of Woodbine outcrops along Lake Grapevine identified evidence of significant tidal influence.
The focus of this project was to determine the depositional environment and obtain a better understanding of the reservoir characteristics of the upper Woodbine (Lewisville) sandstones found in outcrop along the southeastern shores of Lake Grapevine in Tarrant County, TX. A detailed study of the lithofacies, ichnofacies, and biofacies, along with handheld spectral gamma ray and permeameter analyses, from 8 measured sections were conducted to identify representative lithofacies. Oversized thin-sections were made to estimate porosity ranges for each lithofacies, and to identify the types and extent of cement in the sandstones. Photomosaics were utilized to delineate sand body geometries by tracing out the lateral extent of the units and identifying significant surfaces and potential fluid barriers or baffles.
Seven lithofacies were distinguished in the outcrops of the study area: Bioclastic, massive bioturbated sandstone, mudstone, heterolithic sandstone and mudstone, crossbedded sandstone, flaser-bedded sandstone, and cemented sandstone. Two of the most common and laterally continuous lithofacies, the massive bioturbated and crossbedded sandstones, also had the best reservoir characteristics, with average porosities of 26% and 27%, and average measured permeabilities of 6,300 mD and 10,700 mD, respectively. The lower permeabilities in the massive bioturbated sandstone are related to clay-rimmed burrows. The bioclastic, mudstone, and cemented sandstone lithofacies are potential barriers to fluid flow, as they all have low porosities (less than 2%) and permeabilities (less than 200 mD).
The data acquired during this study were all consistent with an interpretation of a tidally-influenced estuarine to shallow marine depositional environment for the upper Woodbine in the study area, which differs from previous studies. The high abundance of trace fossils that are commonly found in tidally-influenced depositional systems, including Conichnus/Bergaueria, Cylindrichnus, Planolites, Palaeophycus, Rosselia, Rusophycus, Skolithos, and Thalassinoides, coupled with the presence of heterolithic deposits and common oyster shells led to this interpretation.
This study is the first to analyze outcrops of the Lewisville (upper Woodbine) sandstones in their type area specifically for their reservoir characteristics, and to document tidal influences during deposition. Considering the considerable volumes of hydrocarbons that have been produced from the Woodbine in the adjacent East Texas Basin, this study could provide valuable data for building reservoir models of upper Woodbine sandstones for both hydrocarbon production and potential CO2 sequestration.

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Maddie Jacobs; Gina Hill, PhD, RD, LD; Kelly Fisher, DCN, RD, LD; Kristi Jarman, PhD

Background - The USDA defines food insecurity (FI) as when individuals lack the resources to obtain food in socially acceptable ways. According to the USDA, 10.2% of the U.S. population was food insecure in 2021. According to current literature, university campuses have an average of 36% FI. There are limited studies regarding FI at private universities, likely because FI is assumed to be low.

Objective – This study aimed to identify the rate and distribution of FI at a private university in North Texas and to analyze the demographic, socio-economic, and other factors associated with FI among college students.

Design – In this cross-sectional study, participants completed a one-time online survey.

Methods – The survey included sociodemographic questions and the validated USDA Adult Food Security Survey Module to measure FI status among current university students >18 years of age. Ordinal logistic regression, based on the Proportional Odds model, was conducted to determine the association between FI and sociodemographic variables.

Results – The majority of participants were white (82%, n=288), non-Hispanic (83%, n=293), and women (77%, n=271) with a mean age of 22.5±6.6. Of the 353 participants in the study, 22.4% (n=79) were classified as food insecure and 9.6% (n=34) were classified as having very low food security with evidence of reduced intake and disrupted eating patterns. Participants who were underclassmen (p=0.029), receiving more financial aid (p=0.016), international (p=0.081), Hispanic/Latinx (p=0.478), and older (p=0.283) were more likely to have greater FI. Among the food insecure participants, 30.4% (n=24) were aware of resources to obtain food on or near campus.

Conclusions - More research is needed regarding FI at private universities. However, this study provides sufficient data to take action to address FI by means of advocacy, dissemination of resource information, and the addition of new resources, such as an on-campus food pantry.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) can lead to decreased quality of life (QOL), medical complications, and death, with the second highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. ED treatment can include psychologists, registered dietitians (RD), and/or physicians. Insufficient research exists regarding RDs’ effects on ED treatment.
Objective: Describe the impact of RDs on ED treatment and QOL.
Design: A cross-sectional sample of participants with a history of ED completed a one-time, online survey.
Methods: Healthcare providers were emailed with recruitment materials for clients >18 years. Survey included demographic, validated Eating Disorder Quality of Life scale (EDQOL), and RD effects and helpfulness questions. In SPSS, paired t-test was used to assess QOL post-treatment for RD vs non-RD groups, plus effect size. Independent-samples t-tests were used to compare post-treatment QOL scores and mean differences in pre- and post-treatment QOL scores for RD vs non-RD groups. Using conventional qualitative analysis, narrative responses to the question “How has working with a registered dietitian (RD) affected your eating disorder recovery?” were coded by two researchers separately, then consensus was reached for final themes.
Results: Participants (n=70) were 87.1% (n=61) white, 90% (n=63) female, and RD treatment group (n=60). Most participants had positive perceptions of RD impact on ED recovery and described RDs as helpful, supportive educators. Over 62% of participants (n=35) reported that the RD helped reduce disordered eating behaviors a great deal/a lot. Statistically significant improvement in QOL after treatment existed for both RD treatment (-22.68, n=56, p < 0.001) and non-RD treatment groups (-14.9, n=10, p=0.008), without a significant difference between groups (p=0.193).
Conclusions: Results suggest RDs contribute to certain aspects of recovery. Participants reported that RDs helped decrease ED behaviors, shame, and meal skipping. Future research needs include the effects of RDs on ED treatment in larger, diverse samples.

A novel approach is presented that increases sensitivity and specificity for detecting minimal traces of DNA in liquid and on solid samples. Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from YOYO to Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) substantially increases signal from DNA bound EtBr highly enhancing sensitivity and specificity for DNA detection. The long fluorescence lifetime of the EtBr acceptor, when bound to DNA, allows for multi-pulse pumping with time gated (MPPTG) detection, which highly increases the detectable signal of DNA bound EtBr. A straightforward spectra/image subtraction eliminates sample back-ground and allows for a huge increase in the overall detection sensitivity. Using a combination of FRET and MPPTG detection an amount as small as 10 pg of DNA in a microliter sample can be detected without any additional sample purification/manipulation or use of amplification technologies. This amount of DNA is comparable to the DNA content of a single human cell. Such a detection method based on simple optics opens the potential for robust, highly sensitive DNA detection/imaging in the field, quick evaluation/sorting (i.e., triaging) of collected DNA samples, and can support various diagnostic assays.

Galaxies, like our Milky Way, harbor stars and planets that are created out of gas. We utilize observations from Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to inspect the gas in and outside of galaxies. We then use these data to compare against the rate at which these galaxies are forming stars. We use ratios of spectral emission and absorption lines from MaNGA to determine whether a particular point in the galaxy best resembles a star-forming region, an active galactic nucleus, or something in between. We will further assess the star-formation activity in the galaxies based on their ionized gas and stellar spectral indices. We will use HST observations of the same galaxies to quantify the amount and properties of the gas surrounding them to better understand how the environments of galaxies impact the activity occurring within them. Through this work, we will contribute to our understanding of the galactic gas cycle and its connection with star formation within these galaxies.

When massive stars in a galaxy die, they explode and create clouds of gaseous debris. If these clouds of debris break out of the galaxy, they can create galactic winds. The nearby Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) galaxy is ideal for studying galactic winds as it is oriented face-on and is driving out 85 million Sun’s worth of gas. Using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope, we are studying chemical absorption fingerprints from the light that passes through the LMC’s galactic winds. These chemical fingerprints enable us to assess the physical properties of the winds. We are using the light from 150 young, massive stars in the LMC to probe through the LMC’s galactic winds. In order to determine where the LMC’s disk ends and the winds begin, we utilize the Galactic All-Sky Survey observations to trace the motions of the neutral hydrogen gas. Together, these observations will allow us to measure how fast the winds are moving, how much gas they contain, and their ionization states. Exploring the LMC’s galactic outflows will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between a galaxy’s environment and its evolutionary progression.

The antimicrobial properties of ZnO are well documented. Demonstrated effectiveness against various strains of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in addition to being an abundant and inexpensive material leave it well positioned for application as an antibacterial agent. ZnO based antibacterial agents see current usage in biomedical, water treatment, food storage and various other industries. Despite the significant promise and proven application, realization of both novel and efficient, targeted applications is hindered by a lack of understanding in the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the antimicrobial properties of ZnO. In particular the role and nature of components of the local bacterial environment in mediating/hindering these antibacterial interactions. Phosphate-rich environments in particular have been observed to inhibit antimicrobial behavior in ZnO though the manner in which this occurs has not been adequately described. To elucidate the environmental interactions relevant to the antimicrobial action of ZnO we investigated the effects of interactions with both bacteria and the bacterial environments on the physicochemical and optoelectronic properties of the free crystalline surface of ZnO microparticles (MPs). This involves exposing hydrothermally grown ZnO MPs to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) media both with and without the presence of Newman strain S. aureus bacteria. Changes in the surface electronic structure and charge dynamics due to these exposures are monitored via both time and energy dependent surface photovoltage (SPV) conducted prior to and following biological assays. In doing so we demonstrate significant changes in the characteristic timescales of long-lived processes in the SPV transients after exposure to phosphate-rich environments. Such findings point to significant phosphate adsorption at the free crystalline surface. This is further supported by suppression of oxygen rich defect centers after exposure to PBS media. We also comment on the interaction of bacteria as the presence of S. aureus suppresses this adsorption and influences charge transfer processes at short and intermediate timescales.

Excitation and emission (observation) conditions heavily impact fluorescence measurements. Both observed spectra and intensity decay (fluorescence lifetimes), when incorrectly measured, may lead to incorrect data interpretations. The necessity of using so-called total fluorescence intensity or intensity measured under magic angle (MA) conditions is demonstrated for both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) in two solvents - ethanol and glycerol have been used in order to demonstrate the general importance of Magic Angle observation.