Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Utilizing Concept Mapping As A Teaching And Learning Tool To Prepare For The Science Taks Test, Rosa Linda Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Concept mapping was used with Donna High School students to determine its effect on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Concept mapping was used with models such as the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol model (SIOP), the 5- E model, and the Learning Groups model. This measure was taken because the models used have not helped students improve their TAKS scores significantly. The findings of this research reveals that using the process of concept mapping together with the SIOP model helps students clearly see related concepts and motivates them to think more deeply. Students quickly realize what concepts …

An Expeditious Synthesis Of 3-Amino B-Lactams Derived From Polyaromatic Compounds, Gildardo Rivera, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Sonam Jaggi, R. Christopher Gonzales, Bimal K. Banik

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

A simple an effective method for the synthesis of a few trans 3-amino B-lactams derived from polyaromatic compounds has been accomplished via the deprotection of phthalimido groups with ethylene diamine.

Effects Of Adding An Enhanced Material Instructional Model To A Collaborative Grouping Instructional Strategy In A College Preparatory Chemistry Course, Chinyere Fidelia Shaw-Nnajiofor

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This research study investigated comparable academic achievement outcomes between an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG) in a college preparatory chemistry course using a mixture of instructional pedagogies. The subjects comprised native and non-native English speakers, often identified as Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. The study found no statistically significant difference between the pre-test scores of EG and CG students and a significant difference between the post-test scores of students in the experimental group compared to those of the control group. No significant difference was observed when comparing the test scores of the post-tests of the LEP-EG students …

Excess Of Glucocorticoid Induces Cardiac Dysfunction Via Activating Angiotensin Ii Pathway, Sreerupa Ghose Roy, Priyanka De, Debasri Mukherjee, Vivek Chander, Aditya Konar, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Arun Bandyopadhyay

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Glucocorticoid is widely used as an anti-inflammatory drug in various diseases however excess of it often causes cardiovascular complications. The present study was undertaken to understand the molecular mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Methods: Rats were treated daily with synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone with or without mifepristone or losartan up to 15 days. Hemodynamic parameters were measured by PV-loop method using Millar's instrument. Cardiac remodelling, fibrosis and oxidative stress were monitored after 15 days.

Results: The systolic blood pressure was increased whereas the heart beat and cardiac output (n=6) were decreased by dexamethasone. Dexamethasone caused increase in the heart …

Luminescent Properties Of Ensemble And Individual Erbium-Doped Yttrium Oxide Nanotubes, Yuanbing Mao, Xia Guo, Thai Tran, Kang L. Wang, C. Ken Shih, Jane P. Chang

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The luminescent properties, including cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence, of the erbium-doped yttrium oxide (Er3+: Y2 O3) nanotubes (NTs) have been systematically studied. These NTs were synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment followed by a dehydration process. Cathodoluminescent measurements show that every Er3+: Y2 O3 NT is luminescent under electron excitation. In the near-infrared region, sharp, well-resolved, pump-power-dependent, and thermally stable photoluminescence was observed from ensemble NTs. Individual NTs also present characteristic luminescent emissions in the same spectral region. These properties make these NTs promising for applications in display, bioanalysis, and telecommunication.

Impact Of Flash Animation In Learning Concepts Of Matter Among Elementary Students, Rhodora S. Santos

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the instructional effect of flash animation on students' achievement in learning specific concepts of matter. The subjects used in this study were 5th-grade students of the researcher from Dan Ramirez Elementary. Each class or section of these students was randomly assigned as the control group (n = 20) and the experimental group (n =20). The subjects in the control group were exposed to traditional textbook reading while the subjects in the experimental group were exposed to flash animation. To measure the students' achievement from the concepts learned, a pre-test and a post test were both administered to …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Two Metal-Organic Frameworks, Roxanna Schaffino Moore

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Herein, the design and synthesis of two metal-organic frameworks, Zn 4O(FMA)3 (FMA = fumaric acid) and Zn2(CNC) 2(DPT) (CNC = 4-carboxycinnamic acid; DPT = 3,6-Di-4-pyridy1-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) via solvothermal methods are reported. Zn4O(FMA)3 was isolated as light yellow cubic crystals and Zn2(CNC)2(DPT) as light pink-block shaped crystals. The structures of both MOFs were characterized by single X-ray diffraction. Integrity of both MOFs were determined via powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis. Zn4O(FMA) 3 is an isoreticular MOF exhibiting 6.8 Å pores taking up 5.2 wt % of hydrogen gas at 40 bar and 77K. Zn2(CNC)2(DPT) is a 3D primative cubic net …

Completing Chemistry Taks Objective 4(9d): The Effect Of Flash Animation, Judith B. Dano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the effect of flash animation on learning effectiveness. The main goal of the study was to verify if using flash animation on learning chemistry concepts particularly Chemistry TAKS Objective 4 (9D) will have an impact on students learning achievement. The subjects in this study were 10th grade students from PSJA Memorial High School. Two class sections were randomly assigned as the treatment group each with 20 subjects (n=40) and another two class sections were assigned as the control group (n=40). The treatment group was exposed to flash animation while the control group had the traditional lecture type …

Electrospinning Polystyrene Reinforced With Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Parameters For Obtaining Nanofibers With Enhanced Thermal Properties, Ana Veronica Rodriguez Ybarra

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Various concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed in a polystyrene matrix in order to determine the optimal MWCNT concentration that would enhance the thermal properties of the composite. The MWCNTs were dispersed in the polystyrene matrix by high energy sonication and then electrospun. The microstructural characterization such as fiber diameter, fiber orientation, fiber morphology, porosity, cross-section shape, and surface roughness of the nanofibers electrospun from these composites were made by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Spectroscopic characterization for these nanofibers was conducted using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy was utilized to establish a nanotube/matrix …

Microwave-Assisted Ruthenium Trichloride-Catalyzed Synthesis Of Pyrrole Fused With Indole System In Water, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Antara Banik, Sahil Bhatta, Bimal K. Banik

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

A simple and efficient microwave-induced ruthenium trichloride-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrole fused with indole system in water is developed by reacting commercially available isatin and 4-hydroxyproline.

Gec1-Kappa Opioid Receptor Binding Involves Hydrophobic Interactions Gec1 Has Chaperone-Like Effect, Yong Chen, Chongguang Chen, Evangelia Kotsikorou, Diane L. Lynch, Patricia H. Reggio, Lee Yuan Liu-Chen

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

We demonstrated previously that the protein GEC1 (glandular epithelial cell 1) bound to the human κ opioid receptor (hKOPR) and promoted cell surface expression of the receptor by facilitating its trafficking along the secretory pathway. Here we showed that three hKOPR residues (Phe³⁴⁵, Pro³⁴⁶, and Met³⁵⁰) and seven GEC1 residues (Tyr⁴⁹, Val⁵¹, Leu⁵⁵, Thr⁵⁶, Val⁵⁷, Phe⁶⁰, and Ile⁶⁴) are indispensable for the interaction. Modeling studies revealed that the interaction was mediated via direct contacts between the kinked hydrophobic fragment in …

Highly Stereoselective B-Lactam Synthesis Via The Staudinger Reaction Using Poly Aromatic Imines, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Monica Xavier, Bimal K. Banik

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highly stereoselective synthesis of a few trans 3-phthalimido substituted B-lactams has been achieved following Staudinger reaction.