Education Commons^™

Learning Streams: A Case Study In Curriculum Integration, Mani Mina, Arun K. Somani, Akhilesh Tyagi, Diane T. Rover, Matthew Feldmann, Mack C. Shelley

Diane Rover

During 2004-2005, the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University in collaboration with educational colleagues in the Research Institute for Studies in Education piloted a new curricula model to improve student learning through vertical integration of educational activities using new program structures. We offered an experimental course sequence during Fall 2004 and Spring 2005, defined as a “learning stream.” A learning stream is a basic element of a novel program structure designed specifically to vertically integrate subject matter across courses. A learning stream merges and re-organizes material to more effectively present and reinforce key …

An Integrated Gray-Fuzzy Cause And Effect Approach To Determine The Most Significant Categories Of Project Risks, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Christian Salmon, Nikbakhsh Javadian

Mohammadsadegh Mobin

Identifying critical risks in projects has become a core step in project risk management process; however, the nature of this step can be complex and unstructured, suggesting a benefit in research towards prioritizing project risks on the basis of a cogent method. This paper presents a Gray Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (GDEMATEL) method for prioritizing sources of project risk within a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) framework. The framework categorizes sources of risk via the Project Management Institutes’ (PMI) Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS). For this study, project expert judgments and preferences are the source of knowledge about project risk. …

Inhibition Of Bacillus Cereus Growth By Bacteriocin Producing Bacillus Subtilis Isolated From Fermented Baobab Seeds (Maari) Is Substrate Dependent, Donatien Kaboré, Dennis S. Nielsen, Hagrétoui Sawadogo-Lingan, Bréhima Diawara, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Mogens Jakobsen, Line Thorsen

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Comparison Of Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Capacities Of Traditional Sorghum Beers With Other Alcoholic Beverages, Fatouma Abdoul-Latif, Romaric G. Bayili, Louis C. Obame, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Thirty samples of sorghum beers “dolo” were selected from traditionally fermented household manufacturers from Burkina Faso. Dolo samples were screened for their total phenolic content, proanthocyanidins and putative antioxidant capacities, and were compared with industrial beers and wines. Total phenols were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Proanthocyanidins content were determined by the method of HCl-butanol hydrolysis. Antioxidant activities were evaluated both with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) using 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical) (ABTS•+). The average contents of total phenols and proanthocyanidins were 506 μg GAE/ml of dolo and 45 μg APE/ml of dolo, respectively. An …

Toxicity Assessment And Analgesic Activity Investigation Of Aqueous Acetone Extracts Of Sida Acuta Burn F. And Sida Cordifolia L. (Malvaceae), Medicinal Plants Of Burkina Faso, Kiessoum Konate, Adama Hilou, Raïssa Rr Aworet-Samseny, Alain Souza, Nicolas Barro, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Jacques Datté, Bertrand M’Batchi

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Background Sida acuta Burn f. and Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) are traditionally used in Burkina Faso to treat several ailments, mainly pains, including abdominal infections and associated diseases. Despite the extensive use of these plants in traditional health care, literature provides little information regarding their toxicity and the pharmacology. This work was therefore designed to investigate the toxicological effects of aqueous acetone extracts of Sida acuta Burn f. and Sida cordifolia L. Furthermore, their analgesic capacity was assessed, in order to assess the efficiency of the traditional use of these two medicinal plants from Burkina Faso. Method For acute toxicity …

Antibacterial Activity Against Beta- Lactamase Producing Methicillin And Ampicillin-Resistants Staphylococcus Aureus: Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (Fici) Determination, Kiessoun K Onate, Jacques François Mavoungou, Alexis Nicaise Lepengué, Raïssa Rr Aworet-Samseny, Adama Hilou, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Bertrand M’Batchi

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

The present study reports the antibacterial capacity of alkaloid compounds in combination with Methicillin and Ampicillin-resistants bacteria isolated from clinical samples. The resistance of different bacteria strains to the current antibacterial agents, their toxicity and the cost of the treatment have led to the development of natural products against the bacteria resistant infections when applied in combination with conventional antimicrobial drugs. The antibacterial assays in this study were performed by using inhibition zone diameters, MIC, MBC methods, the time-kill assay and the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) determination. On the whole, fifteen Gram-positive bacterial strains (MRSA/ARSA) were used. Negative control …

Bacteriocin Formation By Dominant Aerobic Sporeformers Isolated From Traditional Maari, Donatien Kabore, Line Thorsen, Dennis Sandris Nielsen, Torben Sune Berner, Hagrétou Sawadogo-Lingani, Bréhima Diawara, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Mogens Jackobsen

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

The antimicrobial activity of 8 Bacillus spp. and 2 Lysinibacillus spp. representing the predominant aerobic sporeformers during traditional maari fermentations, a traditional fermented baobab seeds product fromBurkina Faso,was investigated. The antimicrobial activitywas assessed against a total of 31 indicator organisms representing various Gram-negative and positive pathogens. The screening showed that 3 Bacillus subtilis strains (B3, B122 and B222) in particular had antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive organisms and were selected for further studies. Itwas found that the antimicrobial substances producedwere heat stable, in-sensitive to catalase, sensitive to protease and trypsin but resistant to the proteolytic action of papain and proteinase …

Acid Resistance, Bile Tolerance And Antimicrobial Properties Of Dominant Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Traditional “Maari” Baobab Seeds Fermented Condiment, Donatien Kabore, Hagrétou Sawadogo-Lingani, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Bréhima Diawara, Mogens Jacobsen

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Maari is a fermented food condiment obtained by spontaneous fermentation of seeds from the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata). Nine dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, isolated from traditional maari fermentation were examined for their resistance to pH 2.5, their tolerance to 0.3% bile and their antimicrobial activities against pathogenic bacteria. The agar spot test was used to screen the dominant LAB for antagonistic activity against a total of 21 indicator organisms including Bacillus cereus strains, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus. It was observed that all LAB strains survived in 0.3% bile and exhibited antimicrobial …

Syllabus - Writ 150 - Writing In The Digital Age: Crafting Multimedia, Elizabeth C. Scheyder

Elizabeth C Scheyder

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Baobab (Adansonia Digitata) Products: Effect Of Processing Techniques, Medicinal Properties And Uses, Donatien Kabore, Hagrétou Sawadogo-Lingani, Bréhima Diawara, Clarise Compaoré, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof., Mogens Jacobsen

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

A general literature review including the effect of processing techniques, medicinal value and uses of baobab tree is reported in this manuscript. Baobab tree has multi-purpose uses, as it produces food and non-food products such as medicines, fuel, timber, fodder. Every part of the baobab tree is reported to be useful. The seeds, leaves, roots, flowers, fruit pulp and bark of baobab are edible. Baobab leaves are used in the preparation of soup. Seeds are used as a thickening agent in soups, but they can be fermented and used as a flavouring agent or roasted and eaten as snacks. The …

Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activities Of Essential Oil And Methanol Extract Of Matricaria Chamomilla L. From Djibouti, Fatouma M. Abdoul-Latif, Mohamed Nabil, Prosper Edou, Adwa A. Ali, Samatar O. Djama, Louis-Clément Obamé, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

The essential oil and methanol extracts of Matricaria Chamomilla L. were subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by two complementary test systems, namely 2,2-diphenykpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. BHT was used as positive control in both test systems. In the DPPH test system, the IC50 values of essential oil and methanol extracts were 4.18 and 1.83 μg/ml, respectively. In the β-carotene-linoleic acid system, oxidation was effectively inhibited by M. Chamomilla, the RAA value of essential oil and methanol extracts were 12.69 and 11.37 %, respectively. When compared to BHT, the essential oil and methanol …

Biodepollution Of Wastewater Containing Phenolic Compounds From Leather Industry By Plant Peroxidases, Mamounata Diao, Nafissetou Ouedraogo, Lamine Baba-Moussa, Paul W. Savadogo, Georges N'Guessan Amani, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

This study deals with the use of peroxidases (POXs) from Allium sativum, Ipomoea batatas, Raphanus sativus and Sorghum bicolor to catalyze the degradation of free phenolic compounds as well as phenolic compounds contained in wastewater from leather industry. Secretory plant POXs were able to catalyze the oxidation of gallic acid, ferulic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, pyrogallol and 1,4-tyrosol prepared in ethanol 2% (v:v). Efficiency of peroxidase catalysis depends strongly on the chemical nature of phenolic substrates and on the botanical source of the enzymes. It appeared that POX from Raphanus sativus had the highest efficiency. Results show that POXs can also …

Understanding Student Pathways In Context-Rich Problems, Pavlo Antonenko, John Jackman, Piyamart Kumsaikaew, Rahul Marathe, Dale Niederhauser, Craig Ogilvie, Sarah Ryan

Sarah M. Ryan

In this paper we investigate the ways that students' problem-solving behaviors evolve when solving multi-faceted, context-rich problems within a structured, computer-based learning environment. During the semester, groups of two or three students worked on several problems that required drawing on more than one concept and, hence, could not be readily solved with simple "plug-and-chug" strategies. The problems were presented to students in a data-rich, online problem-solving environment that tracked which information items were selected by students as they attempted to solve the problem. The students also completed a variety of tasks, like entering an initial qualitative analysis into an online …

Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activities Of Essential Oil And Methanol Extract Of Jasminum Sambac From Djibouti, Fatou Abdoul-Latif, Prosper Edou, François Eba, Nabil Mohamed, Adwa Ali, Samatar Djama, Louis-Clément Obame, Mamoudou Hama Dicko

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

The essential oil of jasminum sambac from Djibouti was subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by two complementary test systems, namely DPPH free radical scavenging and beta-carotene-linoleic acid assays. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as positive control in both test systems. In the DPPH test system, the IC50 value of essential oil and methanol extract were respectively 7.43 and 2.30 μg/ml. In the beta-carotene-linoleic acid system, oxidation was effectively inhibited by Jasminum sambac, the RAA value of essential oil and methanol extract were respectively 96.6 and 93.9%. When compared to BHT, the essential oil and methanol extract had …

Writing Research Proposal: Literature Review And Database Search, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

K-12 And University Collaboration: A Vehicle To Improve Curriculum And Female Enrollment In Engineering And Technology, Janis P. Terpenny, Thomas Gralinski

Janis P. Terpenny

In 1993, the State of Massachusetts enacted the Educational Reform Act to improve student performance and to increase school accountability. One of the curriculum frameworks of this initiative is titled Science and Technology/Engineering. One of the strands within that framework, Technology/Engineering, outlines standards in seven curriculum areas to be assessed at the high school level on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). This framework is somewhat controversial but supported by numerous surveys focusing on national needs. The movement of traditional Industrial Arts programs to a Technology/Engineering approach in both delivery and content has created a new set of problems with …

Utilizing The Internet To Improve Student Learning In A First Course In Engineering Economy With Real-World Unsolved Problems In Collaboration With Industry, Janis P. Terpenny, William G. Sullivan, Harpreet Singh, Kimberly Sward

Janis P. Terpenny

This paper reports on results of an experiment to investigate whether technology and the Internet facilitate student learning of Engineering Economy through real world problems in collaboration with industry. An overview of the organization and administration of the collaborative projects is presented. Learning aids and Internet tools are included in this discussion. Assessment results of student performance and perception are also presented. It was found using a bootstrap sample, at a significance level of 0.05, that the grade point average (GPA) of students working on projects in collaboration with industry administered through a variety of tools over the Internet (Experimental …

Virtual Classroom For Teaching The Economics Of Engineering Design, Janis P. Terpenny, Kimberly Sward

Janis P. Terpenny

As decision-makers, engineers must be knowledgeable and competent in multiple aspects of design. Engineering is more than a problem solving activity focusing on simply the expected performance of designed artifacts. Consideration must also be given to the economic consequences of design decisions on life-cycle issues. A major challenge to undergraduate engineering education is to increase student competency in the economic elements that are such a critical part of the engineering process. Many believe that success in this endeavor requires new methods and materials that actively engage students in learning, are more closely aligned with engineering decision-making, and include real-world problems …

Senior Design Projects To Aid The Disabled, Janis P. Terpenny, Robert Gao, John Ritter, Donald Fisher, Sundar Krishnamurty

Janis P. Terpenny

A new two-semester capstone senior design course sequence in the area of assistive technology has been developed and integrated within the established curriculum of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst. Entitled “Senior Design Projects to Aid the Disabled,” the capstone sequence includes close collaborations with the Lemelson Assistive Technology Development Center (LATDC) at Hampshire College and Adaptive Design Services (ADS) under the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR). The new design course allows students to work directly with collaborators and disabled clients to solve specific assistive technology design problems. Through these …

Phd Thesis (Doctorat De Spécialité): Université De Ouagadougou, 1999. Dr. Mamoudou H. Dicko. Purification Et Propriétés Physico-Chimiques Des Enzymes De Curculigo Pilosa, Gladiolus Klattianus Et Boscia Senegalensis Catalysant L'Hydrolyse Des Polysaccharides (Amidon Et Béta-Glucanes), Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

The objective of this study was the research of novel and inexpensive sources of polysaccharides degrading enzymes such as amylases and glucanases from local plants in order to justify their biotechnological applications. The isolation of two l3-amylases and an endo-1,3-ß-D-glucanase was reached using common protein purification methods such as buffer extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ionexchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The methods used were simple and easily reproducible, suggesting the possibilfty of large-scale production. ln the crude extract of Curculigo pilosa tuber, only ß-amylase was detected as starch degrading enzyme and its activity was approximately 282 Uig of fresh material. The …