Children's Health Insurance

Includes bibliographical references.Children without health insurance are more likely to go without necessary medical care and attention, putting their development and health at risk. MC+ for Kids has positively impacted many of Missouri's children

Binding Studies of Near Infrared Cyanine Dyes with Human Serum Albumin and Poly-L-Lysine Using Optical Spectroscopy Methods

The sensitivity of biological studies performed between 190 and 650 nm is greatly reduced due to the autofluorescence of biomolecules and impurities in this region. Therefore, the enhanced signal-to-noise ratios encountered at longer wavelengths makes biological analysis within the near infrared (NIR) region from 650 nm to 1100 nm far more advantageous. This dissertation describes the noncovalent binding interactions of near-infrared (NIR) carbocyanine dyes with human serum albumin (HSA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) using UV-Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy, emission spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence detected circular dichroism (FDCD). The optical spectroscopy methods used in this work are described in detail in Chapter 1. The various applications of NIR dyes in protein analysis are introduced in Chapter 2. In general, the sensitivity of cyanines to the polarity of their local environment makes them quite suitable for protein labeling schemes. In aqueous media, cyanines have a high propensity for self-association. Yet in the hydrophobic binding sites of globular proteins, these aggregates often dissipate. Absorption and emission spectroscopy can be utilized to observe the differential spectral properties of monomer, intra-molecular and intermolecular aggregates. In Chapter 3, the photophysical properties of bis(cyanine) NIR dyes containing di-, tri-, and tetraethylene glycol linkers were each examined in the presence of HSA are discussed. Variations in chain length as well as probe flexibility were demonstrated through distinct differences in absorption and emission spectra. The observed changes in the spectral properties of the NIR dyes in the presence and absence of HSA were correlated to the physical parameters of the probes\u27 local environment (i.e., protein binding sites and self-association). All three bis-cyanines examined exhibited enhanced fluorescence in the presence of HSA. The bis-cyanine dye containing the tri(ethylene glycol) spacer allowed for a complete overlap of the benzene rings, to form π-π interactions which were observed as intra-molecular H-aggregate bands. The dye exhibited no fluorescence in buffer, owing to the H-aggregation observed in the absorption data. In the presence of HSA, the intra-molecular dimers were disrupted and fluorescence was then detected. The cut-on fluorescence displayed by the dye in the presence of HSA made it ideal for noncovalent labeling applications. The utility of several NIR dyes for use as secondary structural probes was investigated in Chapter 4. NIR dyes were screened thoroughly using UV-Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy dyes with spectral properties which were sensitive to protein secondary structure models of such as PLL in basic solution. Two NIR dyes were found to be quite sensitive to the structural features of uncharged α- and β-PLL. The chiral discrimination of these probes for basic protein secondary structures was also evaluated through CD measurements within the NIR probes\u27 absorption bands

Synthesis of an aryl phosphonate via the anionic phospho-fries rearrangement : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Zearalenone (1) is a mycotoxin, which reduces fertility in sheep and leads to substantial production losses in New Zealand. Catalytic antibodies are proposed as a potential approach to reducing the problem. This thesis describes progress toward the synthesis of the aromatic fragment of a transition-state analogue for the hydrolysis of the zearalenone lactone. The key step in the synthesis is an anionic phospho-Fries rearrangement; this relatively novel transformation is reviewed. α-Resorcylic acid (36) was converted to three different substrates, each with potential to undergo the O→C transfer of the dimethylphosphoryl moiety. Methyl 3-dimethylphosphato-5-[[(1,1- dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]benzoate (117) was prepared in three steps and 40% overall yield, but the tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) protecting group was found to be unstable to phenolate anions. (2-Bromo-3,5-dibenzyloxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane (154) was prepared but further elaboration required hydrogenolytic cleavage of the benzyl ethers which was incompatible with the Ar-Br linkage. Finally, Ethyl 3- dimethylphosphate-5-(p-methoxybenzoxy)benzoate (167) was prepared in three steps and 25% overall yield. Treatment with LDA at -78 °C led to the formation of 166, rather than the desired regioisomer 165, as a result of lithium preferentially coordinating to the phosphoryl and OPMB groups

Early Childhood Brain Development

Includes bibliographical references.We know that children need proper nutrition, safe homes, access to health care, and good parenting in order to thrive. With recent technological advances, we are also beginning to understand more about how a child's brain develops and what we can do to promote optimal brain development

Corporal Punishment in Schools

Includes bibliographical references.The United States is one of only three industrialized nations that still permit the use of corporal punishment in its public schools. Schools are the only American institution where this practice is allowed. It has been banned in our correctional institutions, military settings and psychiatric facilities. The national trend is to move away from the use of corporal punishment in schools. Currently, Missouri is one of 22 states in the United States that still allow the use of corporal punishment in their schools

Data Visualization: Tips & Tricks

Data visualization has quickly become a fixture in daily life, from presentations of charts and graphs by media organizations to presentations of data analytics and case relationships by legal database providers. This program will walk participants through the four conceptualizations of data presentation, as well as an exploration on using data visualization to persuade your audience. We will present law library examples for each concept, using free and low cost data visualization tools

How Police Officers Assess for Mental Illnesses

This study examined how police officers assess for mental illnesses and how those assessments vary by location. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 officers working in two police districts in one city. Findings from the study indicate that officers make assessments based on information from dispatch, collateral contacts and behavioral observations on the scene. The study also found that neighborhood context shaped the assessment process due to variations in types of information that were available to officers in different locations. The findings indicate that there is a need to improve the quality of all three sources of information

School Readiness: Implications for Policy

Includes bibliographical references.To prepare children for success in school, policies must provide support for all the contexts that influence child development starting from birth, and must seek to optimize children's functioning across all domains of development. This paper outlines a variety of factors affecting school readiness