In this report, three studies are presented that utilize computations to predict transformations, identities, and properties of environmental organic molecules. Each study shows how computations can lead to models of chemical behavior. The importance of this research is rooted in the need for understanding how human behavior and health intersect...
The first area of investigation involves the electron transport
of sub-mitochondrial particles and their components. The second
area is the synthesis of ATP and other energy linked reactions and
components of the energy conservation and transfer apparatus.
Investigations on the nature of the tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine
(TMPD) shunt indicated that tetrachlorohydroquinone (TCHQ)...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of environmental contaminants consisting of fused benzene rings. Parent-PAHs, methylated-PAHs (MPAHs), and PAHs with molecular weight of 302 a.m.u (MW302-PAHs) are considered as unsubstituted-PAHs. These unsubstituted-PAHs undergo transformation reactions resulting in the formation of PAH-transformation products (PAH-TPs), or substituted-PAHs, including nitrated-, oxygenated-, and...
Previous investigations of the biosynthesis of sterols by the
arterial wall have shown that the intact aorta is capable of low level
incorporation of labeled precursor into a sterol digitonide. The biosynthesis
of sterols and related lipids by a cell-free preparation of
bovine aorta was investigated in the present study....
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous contaminants formed from the incomplete combustion of organic material. These contaminants are of concern because of their widespread presence in the environment and toxic properties. In addition, PAHs encompass a class of diverse compounds with varying physicochemical properties and exist in the environment as...
A method was developed to quantify organochlorine pesticides in whale scat. This method would ideally replace analysis of pesticides in blood and tissue samples, which are difficult to acquire. Scat samples were collected from one stranded gray whale and three live whales. The samples were extracted with pressurized liquid extraction,...
Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to the death of 7 million people per year around the planet. The organic portion of PM2.5 is responsible for increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, mutation and carcinogenesis. Anthropogenic activity releases more organic material into the atmosphere, and has increased the amount...
The adsorption of uranium ions from seawater could be of importance
as reserves of uranium are depleted. The structure, chemical
state, and concentration of uranium in seawater have been previously
determined. Uranium exists as a charged ion, UO₂(CO₃)₃⁴⁻. The concentration
in seawater is 3.3 parts per billion.
Previous studies with...