Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of The Ch Addition Product From Meta- And Ortho-Xylene + Ch Reaction And Direct Experimental Observation Of The Tetrabromine Cluster Br4 Using Synchrotron Photoionization Mass Spectrometry, Rory R. Mcclish

Master's Theses

This thesis is centered on the use of a unique gas-phase spectroscopy technique to characterize products and elucidate reaction mechanisms. Experiments were carried out at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline 9.0.2 of the Advanced Light Source located at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. Computational work was performed on the scientific supercomputer at USF to supplement experimental findings. Chapter 1 contextualizes the work spurred in response to the deleterious interactions of anthropogenic emissions on Earth’s climate. Chapter 2 describes the theoretical manipulations foundational to the experimental design and interpretation. Chapter 3 delves into the physical details of the experimental …

The Effects Of Activity-Based And Inquiry-Based Teaching Methods On Student Attitude And Perception Toward Geometry, Wade Hukriede

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This quantitative action research project evaluated high school students’ attitude and perceptions toward geometry before and after two units that were taught. The first unit was taught using a more traditional style of teaching while the second method incorporated activity-based and inquiry-based lessons into a traditional method of teaching. The students were surveyed by using a modified version of Bauer’s (2008) Attitude Toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory. The survey was changed to focus on the students’ attitudes and perceptions toward geometry. Survey scores in the subscales: interest and utility, anxiety, intellectual accessibility, fear and emotional satisfaction were compared through …

Modifying The Aspect Survey To Support The Validity Of Student Perception Data From Different Active Learning Environments, Nicole Naibert, Erin E. Shortlidge, Jack Barbera

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Measuring students’ perceptions of active learning activities may provide valuable insight into their engagement and subsequent performance outcomes. A recently published measure, the Assessing Student Engagement in Class Tool (ASPECT), was developed to assess student perceptions of various active learning environments. As such, we sought to use this measure in our courses to assess the students’ perceptions of different active learning environments. Initial results analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the ASPECT did not function as expected in our active learning environments. Therefore, before administration within an introductory biology course that incorporated two types of active learning strategies, …

Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationship And Antiviral Activity Of Indole-Containing Inhibitors Of Flavivirus Ns2b-Ns3 Protease, Shenyou Nie, Jidong Zhao, Xiaowei Wu, Yuan Yao, Fangrui Wu, Yi-Lun Lin, Xin Li, Alexander R Kneubehl, Megan B Vogt, Rebecca Rico-Hesse, Yongcheng Song

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Zika virus belongs to the Flavivirus family of RNA viruses, which include other important human pathogens such as dengue and West Nile virus. There are no approved antiviral drugs for these viruses. The highly conserved NS2B-NS3 protease of Flavivirus is essential for the replication of these viruses and it is therefore a drug target. Compound screen followed by medicinal chemistry optimization yielded a novel series of 2,6-disubstituted indole compounds that are potent inhibitors of Zika virus protease (ZVpro) with IC50 values as low as 320 nM. The structure-activity relationships of these and related compounds are discussed. Enzyme kinetics studies show …

The Rise Of The Cosmetic Industry In Ancient China: Insights From A 2700‐Year‐Old Face Cream, B. Han, J. Chong, Z. Sun, X. Jiang, Q. Xiao, J. Zech, P. Roberts, H. Rao, Y. Yang

KIP Articles

Cosmetics have a long history in China, but their origins remain unclear. Cosmetic industry potentially originated in the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 bce ), but little is known about the early manufacture and use of cosmetics. The Liujiawa site, located on the southern edge of the Loess Plateau in northern China, was the late capital of the ancient Rui state in the early to mid‐Spring and Autumn Period. During the excavation, a sealed small and exquisite container with suspected cosmetic use was unearthed from tomb M49 belonging to a male associated with the aristocratic class. We report in this …

Evaluating The Role Of Gender In Dementia-Related Language Deficiencies, Kelsey Bourque

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Typically, about 60% of dementia patients are women. Researchers have historically dismissed this imbalance as a result of the life expectancy for women being longer, and since age is the primary risk factor associated with dementia, and women’s longer lifespan equates to a higher percentage of the dementia patient population (Mielke, 2018). While the exact cause of dementia is unknown, researchers and clinicians have historically treated male and female populations the same, asserting that there is no significant difference between the two sexes in regards to detecting dementia. The present study aims to address this potential gap in dementia research, …

Modeling Vitexin And Isovitexin Flavones As Corrosion Inhibitors For Aluminium Metal, Abdullahi Muhammad Ayuba, Umaru Umar

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Theoretically, the aluminium corrosion inhibitive performance of vitexin (VTX) and isovitexin (SVT) were evaluated with a view of establishing the mechanism of the inhibition process. Calculations which include the consideration of several global descriptors were studied to describe and correlate the reactivity of the molecules with the computed descriptors. First and second-order condensed Fukui functions were employed to analyze local reactivity parameters, while simulations involving the adsorbed molecules on Al (1 1 0) surface were conducted through quench dynamic simulations and the mechanism of physical adsorption was established with SVT relatively been a better inhibitor on Al surface than VTX.

Unintended Consequences Of Air Cleaning Chemistry, Douglas B. Collins, Delphine K. Farmer

Faculty Journal Articles

Amplified interest in maintaining clean indoor air associated with the airborne transmission risks of SARS-CoV-2 have led to an expansion in the market for commercially available air cleaning systems. While the optimal way to mitigate indoor air pollutants or contaminants is to control (remove) the source, air cleaners are a tool for use when absolute source control is not possible. Interventions for indoor air quality management include physical removal of pollutants through ventilation or collection on filters and sorbent materials, along with chemically reactive processes that transform pollutants or seek to deactivate biological entities. This perspective intends to highlight the …

Thioredoxin Reductase Is A Major Regulator Of Metabolism In Leukemia Cells, Sheelarani Karunanithi, Ruifu Liu, Yongchun Hou, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Natasha Oldford, Anne Jessica Roe, Nethrie Idipilly, Kalpana Gupta, Chandra Sekhar Amara, Satwikreddy Putluri, Grace Kyueun Lee, Juan Valentin-Goyco, Lindsay Stetson, Stephen A Moreton, Vasanta Putluri, Shyam M Kavuri, Yogen Saunthararajah, Marcos De Lima, Gregory P Tochtrop, Nagireddy Putluri, David N Wald

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite the fact that AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults, patient outcomes are poor necessitating the development of novel therapies. We identified that inhibition of Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR) is a promising strategy for AML and report a highly potent and specific inhibitor of TrxR, S-250. Both pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of TrxR impairs the growth of human AML in mouse models. We found that TrxR inhibition leads to a rapid and marked impairment of metabolism in leukemic cells subsequently leading to cell death. TrxR was found to be a major and direct regulator of metabolism in AML …

Cureing Exposure To Environmental Chemicals From Personal Care Products, Erika L. Doctor, Cassandra S. Korte

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This series of laboratory modules presents students the opportunity to perform in-classroom research while building their working knowledge of the scientific process and growing their skills in analytical methods. In the laboratory, students analyze samples of urine collected as part of an intervention study focused on reducing exposure to potentially harmful compounds, phthalates, found in personal care products. Students propose methods of extraction and detection, analyze samples from the intervention study, analyze data, present results, and propose future iterations of the intervention-study. In this workshop, participants experience the online student experience through the steps of extracting phthalates from urine samples, …

Bpbl (Blended Problem-Based Learning) On Extraction And Chromatography Materials Using Coffee Topics To Measure Student Learning Outcomes And Soft Skills, Yismia Ikha Sari, Irma Kartika Kusumaningrum, Surjani Wonorahardjo

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This research and development study of BPBL (Blended Problem-Based Learning) teaching materials aimed to measure their effectiveness on students’ learning outcomes in extraction and chromatography courses, as well as on students’ soft skills. Based on a preliminary questionnaire regarding the need for developing BPBL teaching materials, students reported difficulties in understanding the concepts of extraction and chromatography, resulting in learning outcomes that did not meet the required standards. Students also recognized that improving soft skills is important for personal development, social participation, and success in the workplace. BPBL teaching materials combine blended learning and problem-based learning approaches. The use of …

Using Tattoo Inks To Develop Undergraduate General Chemistry And High School Level Chemistry Students’ Understanding Of Atomic Emission, Emma Horoszewski

Undergraduate Honors Theses

An effective way to promote student engagement in the laboratory is to substitute traditional reagents for recognizable, real-world products. In this work, two laboratory experiments are outlined – one geared toward undergraduate general chemistry students and one for high school introductory level chemistry students – which replace solutions of metal salts with tattoo inks in the classic flame test experiment. The main objective of both experiments is to familiarize students with the subatomic mechanism occurring during atomic emission. Additionally, the undergraduate level experiment features the use of spectroscopy to identify metals present within tattoo inks through analysis of atomic emission …

Three Students Selected For Prestigious Nsf Research Fellowships, Shea Stewart

University of Mississippi News

UM trio to use Graduate Research Fellowship Program to further explorations

Squaramide Structure And Interactions With Benzene, Serina Tressler

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

The chemical industry’s continued reliance on expensive and toxic metal catalysts has driven the search for greener and more sustainable alternatives. One such option is hydrogen bonding organocatalysts, a group of inexpensive compounds made from renewable feedstocks. However, the interactions of these compounds with aryl groups is not currently understood, limiting their overall effectiveness. Dual hydrogen bond donors such as squaramide and thiourea have been a focus of study for some time, but the structure and interactions of unsubstituted squaramide have not been thoroughly reported and present an unknown in catalyst design. This study seeks to understand the structure of …

Anion–Anion Interactions In Aerogen-Bonded Complexes. Influence Of Solvent Environment, Anna Grabarz, Mariusz Michalczyk, Wiktor Zierkiewicz, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Ab initio calculations are applied to the question as to whether a AeX₅− anion (Ae = Kr, Xe) can engage in a stable complex with another anion: F−, Cl−, or CN−. The latter approaches the central Ae atom from above the molecular plane, along its C₅ axis. While the electrostatic repulsion between the two anions prevents their association in the gas phase, immersion of the system in a polar medium allows dimerization to proceed. The aerogen bond is a weak one, with binding energies less than 2 kcal/mol, even in highly polar aqueous solvent. The complexes are …

Structure, Function And Inhibition Of Critical Protein-Protein Interactions Involving Mixed Lineage Leukemia 1 And Its Fusion Oncoproteins, Xin Li, Yongcheng Song

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1, also known as MLL or KMT2A) is an important transcription factor and histone-H3 lysine-4 (H3K4) methyltransferase. It is a master regulator for transcription of important genes (e.g., Hox genes) for embryonic development and hematopoiesis. However, it is largely dispensable in matured cells. Dysregulation of MLL1 leads to overexpression of certain Hox genes and eventually leukemia initiation. Chromosome translocations involving MLL1 cause ~ 75% of acute leukemia in infants and 5-10% in children and adults with a poor prognosis. Targeted therapeutics against oncogenic fusion MLL1 (onco-MLL1) are therefore needed. Onco-MLL1 consists of the N-terminal DNA-interacting domains …

Multi-Institutional Study Of Self-Efficacy Within Flipped Chemistry Courses, Nicole Naibert, Kerry D. Duck, Michael M. Phillips, Jack Barbera

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Active learning environments have been shown to be beneficial for student learning; however, including such activities can be limited by the class time available. One method that can provide more opportunities for active learning during face-to-face class time is the flipped learning approach. However, studies on the impacts of flipped learning environments on student motivation are limited. Therefore, in this multi-institutional study, general chemistry students enrolled in flipped courses at three institutions responded to measures of self-efficacy and self-regulatory strategies. The results from these measures were used to evaluate how students’ academic self-efficacy (ASE) and chemistry self-efficacy (CSE) changed over …

Covid-19 Vaccine And Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, Mohammed A. Abu-Rumaileh, Ahmad M. Gharaibeh, Naser Eddin Gharaibeh

Faculty and Staff Publications

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multi-system disease that causes multiple complications. It is linked to the development of new-onset diabetes or unmasking of underlying diabetes. Despite the uncertain exact mechanism, pancreatic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, the main enzyme related to COVID-19 pathophysiology has been implied. COVID-19 vaccine was authorized to help control the rapid spread of COVID-19 disease. We report a case of new-onset diabetes type 2 presenting as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) in a patient after receiving COVID-19 vaccine with some literature review of the potential mechanisms by which COVID-19 may cause new-onset diabetes type 2.

Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationships, And Antiviral Activity Of Allosteric Inhibitors Of Flavivirus Ns2b-Ns3 Protease, Shenyou Nie, Yuan Yao, Fangrui Wu, Xiaowei Wu, Jidong Zhao, Yuanda Hua, Jingyu Wu, Tong Huo, Yi-Lun Lin, Alexander R Kneubehl, Megan B Vogt, Josephine Ferreon, Rebecca Rico-Hesse, Yongcheng Song

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Flaviviruses, including Zika, dengue and West Nile virus, are important human pathogens. The highly conserved NS2B-NS3 protease of Flavivirus is essential for viral replication and therefore a promising drug target. Through compound screen followed by medicinal chemistry studies, a novel series of 2,5,6-trisubstituted pyrazine compounds are found to be potent, allosteric inhibitors of Zika virus protease (ZVpro) with IC50 values as low as 130 nM. Their structure-activity relationships are discussed. The ZVpro inhibitors also inhibit homologous proteases of dengue and West Nile virus and their inhibitory activities are correlated. The most potent compounds 47 and 103 potently inhibited Zika virus …

Synthesis, Core-Shell Growth, And Surface Chemistry Of 2-Dimensional Cadmium Telluride And Cadmium Selenide Nanocrystals, Haochen Sun

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the synthesis, shell deposition, and surface ligand-exchange chemistry of 2-dimensional cadmium telluride and cadmium selenide nanocrystals. Flat, colloidal 2-dimensional CdTe and CdSe nanoplatelets are promising materials for optical and electronic applications. The research presented here will enable better understanding of their properties and facilitate further applications.First, a new tellurium precursor, tris(dimethylamino)phosphine telluride is readily prepared and is found to have superior reactivity than the trialkylphosphine tellurides that are commonly used for nanocrystal synthesis. Wurtzite CdTe nanoplatelets, (CdTe)13 magic-size nanoclusters, and CdTe quantum wires are synthesized with this precursor, and are fully characterized. It is demonstrated that in …

From Ideas To Items: A Primer On The Development Of Ordered Multiple-Choice Items For Investigating The Progression Of Learning In Higher Education Stem, Katherine Lazenby, Morgan E. Balabanoff, Nicole M. Becker, Alena Moon, Jack Barbera

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Identifying effective methods of assessment and developing robust assessments are key areas of research in chemistry education. This research is needed to evaluate instructional innovations and curricular reform. In this primer, we advocate for the use of a type of assessment, ordered multiple-choice (OMC), across postsecondary chemistry. OMC assessments are grounded in a developmental perspective, which treats students’ knowledge as developing in sophistication over time. This is in contrast to a dichotomous perspective, which asserts that students’ knowledge is either aligned or misaligned with scientifically accepted knowledge. By drawing on a developmental perspective, OMC assessments offer insights into student understanding …

The Anchor Index, Hope College Archives And Special Collections

Newspaper Indexes

This index contains listings of articles in The Anchor. The Anchor is a newspaper put out by Hope College students. It contains articles written by students about Hope College events, people, issues, etc. Note: This is a rough index. It contains tens of thousands of references and was prepared by past and present volunteer staff.

College Students Conceptions Of Particulate Nature Of Matter And The Impact On Research Instrumentation, Bridget Klutse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this research was to explore the understanding and conceptions of Particulate Nature of Matter (PNM) with Chem 115 L students as the participants. Conceptions were defined specifically as beliefs and alternative beliefs about topics. The research also assessed the impact of analytical instrumentation in the chemistry laboratory on learning chemistry concepts. Eight questions (8) with multiple choice answers were administered to 10 students at the beginning and after the Fall 2018 semester via selective/purposeful sampling. Data were collected using surveys (pre- and post-surveys) and interviews (pre- and postinterviews), then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The eight questions …

Chem 361-002: Environmental Chemistry, Alexei Khalizov

Chemistry, Environmental and Forensic Science Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Physicochemical Properties Of Atmospheric Aerosols And Their Effect On Ice Cloud Formation, Nurun Nahar Lata

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Atmospheric aerosols play a vital role in the Earth's energy budget-directly by scattering and absorbing solar radiation and indirectly by acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice-nucleating particles [1, 2]. The cloud formation potential of aerosol is driven by multiple factors, including surface properties, size distribution, composition, mixing state, phase state, and morphology [3]. The interaction of aerosols with clouds alters the aerosol's physicochemical properties. Those properties can also evolve during transport due to atmospheric processing, in turn, affect the aerosol's ice nucleation and cloud formation activities. This thesis presents experimental studies to understand the role of physicochemical properties of …

Effects Of Stepwise Guided Inquiry On Students' Attitudes And Depth Of Knowledge From Written Lab Reflections In High School Chemistry, Melissa Rae Campbell Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

Many teachers find it challenging to embed guided inquiry into high school chemistry courses. Although guided inquiry provides excellent opportunities for students to engage in data analysis, misconceptions and loss of class time are teacher stated problems with guided inquiry. A stepwise inquiry project can slowly introduce students to the inquiry process of data analysis in high school chemistry.

This stepwise inquiry project examined three different inquiry labs designed around the anchoring phenomenon, “ Which toothpaste protects our teeth the best?”Each lab progressed in inquiry level. Lab one was written at inquiry level one,confirmation. The second lab was written at …

Ossr Administrative Program Review-2016-2021, Kean University

Evidence Inventory

Administrative Program Review, OSSR, 2016-2021

Study Of Student Resource Use In Introductory Chemistry Courses, Sarah E. Melvin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), college textbook prices have increased by 186% from 1986 to 2004.1 The impact of rising cost of textbooks is increasingly apparent as students are becoming more selective in the courses they enroll in, as well as more concerned with the quality of the learning experience they receive once enrolled in a course.¹ In response to high textbook prices, open-education resources (OER) are increasingly becoming more accepted for student use as an alternative to traditional textbook options. OERs are open-source textbook and/or materials that are free to use without worrying about copyright …

Volcanological Evolution Of Pantelleria Island (Strait Of Sicily) Peralkaline Volcano: A Review, Silvio G. Rotolo, Stéphane Scaillet, Fabio Speranza, John C. White, Rebecca Williams, Nina J. Jordan

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Pantelleria volcano has a particularly intriguing evolutionary history intimately related to the peralkaline composition of its explosively erupted magmas. Due to the stratigraphic complexity, studies over the last two decades have explored either only the pre-Green Tuff ignimbrite volcanism or the post-Green Tuff activity. We here focus on the whole evolutionary history, detailing the achievements since the first pioneering studies, in order to illustrate how the adoption and integration of progressively more accurate methods (40Ar/39Ar, paleomagnetism, petrography, and detailed field study) have provided many important independent answers to unresolved questions. We also discuss rheomorphism, a distinct feature at Pantelleria, at …

Accident Tolerant Fuels Claddings And The Evolution Of Their Surface Characteristics Under Critical Heat Flux, Rajnikant V. Umretiya

Theses and Dissertations

Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATFs) systems for light water reactors require higher temperature oxidation resistance in steam environments than the current UO₂ – zirconium fuel system. Investigating the ATF materials’ surface properties is needed as they have evidenced to affect the Critical Heat Flux (CHF), which is an important parameter of the thermal-hydraulic performance required to provide safety margins. In this dissertation, the surface properties of FeCrAl alloys (APMT and C26M), Zircaloy-2, Zircaloy-4, and Cr-coating on Zircaloy-4 substrates produced by Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Cold Spray (CS) were investigated according to their chemistry, topography, and wettability. The static …