Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

An Activity Promoting The Practice Of Quantitative Literacy For Pre– And In–Service Teachers Of Mathematics And Science, Timothy L. Sorey, Teri Willard, Duane Sholz

Numeracy

The purpose of this article is to describe a hands-on, laboratory activity that provided pre-service teachers in mathematics and science methods courses, and also some in-service mathematics teachers, with the opportunity to exercise quantitative literacy (QL) skills. The focus of the activity is electrical resistance, more particularly the resistance (in ohms) that is painted on small resistors by the use of color-coded bands, one of which is a band for % error. The activity consists of four parts. In the first, student teams familiarize themselves with the code, measure the ohmage of resistors for which the codes are visible, and …

Rfx2 Is A Candidate Downstream Amplifier Of A-Myb Regulation In Mouse Spermatogenesis, Gary C. Horvath, Malathi K. Kistler, Wilson Stephen Kistler

Faculty Publications

Background: Mammalian spermatogenesis involves formation of haploid cells from the male germline and then a complex morphological transformation to generate motile sperm. Focusing on meiotic prophase, some tissue-specific transcription factors are known (A-MYB) or suspected (RFX2) to play important roles in modulating gene expression in pachytene spermatocytes. The current work was initiated to identify both downstream and upstream regulatory connections for Rfx2.

Results: Searches of pachytene up-regulated genes identified high affinity RFX binding sites (X boxes) in promoter regions of several new genes: Adam5, Pdcl2, and Spag6. We confirmed a strong promoter-region X-box for Alf, a germ cell-specific variant of …

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 …

Wavepacket Approach To The Cumulative Reaction Probability Within The Flux Operator Formalism, Sophya Garashchuk, Tijo Vazhappilly

Faculty Publications

Expressions for the singular flux operator eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are given in terms of the Dirac δ-function representable as a localized Gaussian wavepacket. This functional form enables computation of the cumulative reaction probability N(E) from the wavepacket time-correlation functions. The Gaussian based form of the flux eigenfunctions, which is not tied to a finite basis of a quantum-mechanical calculation, is particularly useful for approximate calculation of N(E) with the trajectory based wavepacket propagation techniques. Numerical illustration is given for the Eckart barrier using the conventional quantum-mechanical propagation and the quantum trajectory dynamics with the approximate quantum potential. N(E) converges with …

Chemistry In Second Life, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

This review will focus on the current level on chemistry research, education, and visualization possible within the multi-user virtual environment of Second Life. We discuss how Second Life has been used as a platform for the interactive and collaborative visualization of data from molecules and proteins to spectra and experimental data. We then review how these visualizations can be scripted for immersive educational activities and real-life collaborative research. We also discuss the benefits of the social networking affordances of Second Life for both chemists and chemistry students.

Chemistry In Second Life, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

This review will focus on the current level on chemistry research, education, and visualization possible within the multi-user virtual environment of Second Life. We discuss how Second Life has been used as a platform for the interactive and collaborative visualization of data from molecules and proteins to spectra and experimental data. We then review how these visualizations can be scripted for immersive educational activities and real-life collaborative research. We also discuss the benefits of the social networking affordances of Second Life for both chemists and chemistry students.

Hierarchical Subject Inter-Relations In Physical Chemistry, Carl W. David

Chemistry Education Materials

Students mystified by the progression of topics in Physical Chemistry may gain insight into their path through the material if acquainted with the diagrams presented and discussed herein.

Succination Of Thiol Groups In Adipose Tissue Proteins In Diabetes: Succination Inhibits Polymerization And Secretion Of Adiponectin, Norma Frizzell, Mathur Rajesh, Matthew J. Jepson, Ryoji Nagai, James A. Carson, Suzanne R. Thorpe, John W. Baynes

Faculty Publications

S-(2-Succinyl)cysteine (2SC) is formed by reaction of the Krebs cycle intermediate fumarate with cysteine residues in protein, a process termed succination of protein. Both fumarate and succination of proteins are increased in adipocytes cultured in high glucose medium (Nagai, R., Brock, J. W., Blatnik, M., Baatz, J. E., Bethard, J., Walla, M. D., Thorpe, S. R., Baynes, J. W., and Frizzell, N. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 34219-34228). We show here that succination of protein is also increased in epididymal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous adipose tissue of diabetic (db/db) mice and that adiponectin is a major target for succination in both …

Cardiac And Renal Function Are Progressively Impaired With Aging In Zucker Diabetic Fatty Type Ii Diabetic Rats, John W. Baynes, David B. Murray

Faculty Publications

This study investigated the temporal relationship between cardiomyopathy and renal pathology in the type II diabetic Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. We hypothesized that changes in renal function will precede the development of cardiac dysfunction in the ZDF rat. Animals (10 weeks old) were divided into four experimental groups: Lean Control (fa/?) LC(n = 7), untreated ZDF rats (n = 7) sacrificed at 16 weeks of age, and LC (n = 7) untreated ZDF rats (n = 9) sacrificed at 36 weeks of age. LV structural/functional parameters were assessed via Millar conductance catheter. Renal function was evaluated via markers of …

Mesoporosity And Functional Group Dependent Endocytosis And Cytotoxicity Of Silica Nanomaterials, Zhimin Tao, Jerry Goodisman, Tewodros Asefa, Bonnie B. Toms

Chemistry - All Scholarship

We report different mesoporosity-dependent and functional group-dependent cytotoxicity and endocytosis of various silica nanomaterials on suspended and adherent cells. This dependency further varied with incubation time and particle dosage, and appeared to be associated with the particles’ endocytotic efficiency and their chemical and physical properties. We studied two common mesoporous nanomaterials (MSNs), MCM-41 and SBA-15, and one type of solid-cored silica microsphere, paralleled by their quaternary amine functionalized counterparts. Compared to SBA-15, MCM-41 has a larger surface area but smaller pore size, whereas SMS exhibits low surface area and poor porosity. In Jurkat cells, SBA-15 and MCM- 41 exhibited different …

The Spectral Game: Leveraging Open Data And Crowdsourcing For Education, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley, Robert J. Lancashire, Anthony J. Williams

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

We report on the implementation of the Spectral Game, a web-based game where players try to match molecules to various forms of interactive spectra including 1D/2D NMR, Mass Spectrometry and Infrared spectra. Each correct selection earns the player one point and play continues until the player supplies an incorrect answer. The game is usually played using a web browser interface, although a version has been developed in the virtual 3D environment of Second Life. Spectra uploaded as Open Data to ChemSpider in JCAMP-DX format are used for the problem sets together with structures extracted from the website. The spectra are …

Solid Phase Amide Synthesis Using Staudinger-Vilarrasa Coupling And Microwave Irradiation, Ryan Patrick Schmidtz

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Amide bond formation is an already well documented area of organic chemistry, and is very useful in its application in medicine and pharmaceuticals. However, current methods have not been investigated with regards to optimization of reaction times, solvents, and energy sources. In addition, current methods also utilize toxic solvents to cleave the peptide from the solid phase resin. In our study, we combine the Staudinger and Vilarrasa coupling reactions with microwave irradiation to develop and optimize the synthesis of amide bonds through the use of a solid support. Instead of attaching the peptide to the solid support, our amide bond …

Investigating Ring Closing Metathesis Product Favorability By Varying The Alkyne Substituent On A Dienyne, Meagan E. Hinze

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Diene metathesis, which is also known as an olefin metathesis, has been very important for the development of synthetic strategies in organic chemistry since it's inception in the 1950s. The olefin metathesis reaction is when two alkenes exchange the carbons on their double bonds, thus producing two new carbon□arbon double bonds.

Optimization Of A Polydimethylsiloxane Based Passive Sampler Of Common Household Volatile Organic Compounds, Jennifer Lynn Osborne

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Dangerous volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, can accumulate as indoor air pollution within homes causing health problems in the habitants. In order to determine the concentration of VOCs in such areas a field-deployable sampler is necessary. The focus of this work has been to develop an inexpensive, reusable, sensitive fielddeployable passive sampler for monitoring VOCs in indoor air. We have devised a sampler that uses polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a common inexpensive, nonpolar adsorbent. The sampler is comprised of an aluminum bottle coated with the PDMS. In operation, the coated portion is exposed to the air to be sampled. The …

Copper(Ii) Catalyzed Aminomethylation Of Alkanes With Amine N-Oxides Via C-H Bond Activation, Matthew Cipolla

Senior Honors Projects

The formation of a C-C bond via double C-H bond activation is very challenging. There are only a few examples of such a coupling having been accomplished. Only one of these examples consists of a coupling of two sp3 hybridized carbons. I set out to reproduce this coupling, using substrates that would have a functional application to the synthesis of appealing molecules such as bioactive molecules. Cyclohexane and trimethylamine N-oxide were successfully coupled via a double C-H bond activation, catalyzed by copper(II). Current research now involves the coupling of toluene with trimethylamine N-oxide. As this work progresses, more interesting and …

Liquid Carbon Dioxide Extraction Of Various Food Flavors: Evaluation And Analysis, Deven Lee Shinholt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide has been utilized as an extraction solvent for a variety of natural compounds. This requires the use of specialized high-pressure vessels. It was reported recently that common laboratory apparatus (centrifuge tubes) could be utilized in liquid carbon dioxide extractions obviating the need for specialized equipment. Various herbs and spices (including orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit zest, oregano, rosemary, sage, spearmint, nutmeg, black peppercorns, cloves, caraway seeds, and vanilla beans) were used as substrates for liquid carbon dioxide extractions by this straightforward technique. The extracted oils, containing terpenes and terpenoids, were then analyzed through GC/MS. Liquid …

Universal Scaling Of Nonequilibrium Transport In The Kondo Regime Of Single Molecule Devices, G D. Scott, Z K. Keane, Jacob W. Ciszek, J M. Tour, D Natelson

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Scaling laws and universality are often associated with systems exhibiting emergent phenomena possessing a characteristic energy scale. We report nonequilibrium transport measurements on two different types of single molecule transistor devices in the Kondo regime. The conductance at low bias and temperature adheres to a scaling function characterized by two parameters. This result, analogous to that reported recently in semiconductor dots with Kondo temperatures two orders of magnitude lower, demonstrates the universality of this scaling form. We compare the extracted values of the scaling coefficients to previous experimental and theoretical results.

The Equation, Spring 2009, College Of Science And Mathematics, Wright State University

College of Science and Mathematics Newsletters

This 8 page newsletter discusses various happenings within the College of Science and Mathematics. It begins with a letter from the dean, and continues on with news, events, alumni news, and other community news.

Visualizing Atomic Orbitals Using Second Life, Andrew Lang, David C. Kobilnyk

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Visualizing Atomic Orbitals Using Second Life, Andrew Lang, David C. Kobilnyk

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

We demonstrate the usefulness of Second Life as a platform for enlivening major concepts in chemistry education. These concepts include absorption spectra, selection rules, quantum numbers, and atomic orbital shapes. We have built several exhibits in Second Life which provide 3-dimensional interactivity for each of those areas: an interactive experiment showing the absorption spectrum of hydrogen, an interactive model of selection rules showing allowed and forbidden transitions for each state, a 3-dimensional grid of orbitals showing the constraints on the values of quantum numbers, and a large-scale interactive orbital display allowing the user to choose and rotate to-scale atomic orbitals …

Mammaglobin As A Potential Molecular Target For Breast Cancer Drug Delivery, Lian Zuo, Ly Li, Qian Wang, Timothy P. Fleming, Shaojin You

Faculty Publications

Background Mammaglobin (MAM) has been used as a specific molecular marker for breast cancer diagnosis. Recently, several groups of researchers proposed a number of therapeutic strategies targeting this molecule. Some of the strategies are based upon an essential but not demonstrated hypothesis - mammaglobin is associated with the surface of breast cancer cells, which strongly disputes the therapeutic strategies. Results We conducted a computer-based predictive analysis and identified a small fragment at the N-end of MAM as a potential transmembrane domain. We provided several evidences to demonstrate the presence of the membrane-associated MAM. We isolated the membrane protein components from …

Tetraquabis(5-Fluorosaccharinato)Nickel(Ii), Larnelle Peterson, Jennifer Kelley, Leroy Peterson Jr., Mark D. Smith, Hans-Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

In the centrosymmetric title complex, [Ni(C₇H₃FNO₃S)₂(H₂O)₄], the Ni^II atom exhibits a slightly distorted trans-NiN₂O₄ octahedral coordination. The nitrogen donors are provided by two 5-fluorosaccharinate ligands and the oxygen donors are provided by four water molecules. The crystal structure features O-HO and bifurcated O-H(F,O) hydrogen bonds, the latter involving the F atom of the 5-fluorosaccharinate ligand.

Diaquabis(5-Fluoro-2-Hydroxybenzoato-Κo1)Zinc(Ii), Diana Rishmawi, Jennifer Kelley, Mark D. Smith, Leroy Peterson, Hans-Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

The title compound, [Zn(C₇H₄FO₃)₂(H₂O)₂], is a monomeric Zn^II complex. The Zn^II atom, which lies on a twofold rotation axis, is situated in a distorted tetrahedral environment composed of two monodentate carboxlyate O atoms and two water O atoms. O-HO hydrogen bonds link these units, forming sheets that are stacked along the c axis.

Development Of Novel Dart Tofms Analytical Techniques For The Identification Of Organic Contamination On Spaceflight-Related Substrates And Aqueous Media, Kathleen Loftin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Organic contamination on spaceflight hardware is an ongoing concern for spaceflight safety. In addition, for the goal of analyzing for possible evidence of extra-terrestrial life, it is necessary to consider the presence of terrestrial contamination. This paper will introduce and evaluate a new method using a direct analysis real time (DART) ionization source paired with a high resolution time of flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) for the determination of organic contamination involved in spaceflight hardware and ground support materials. This novel analytical technique has significant advantages over current methodologies. Materials analyzed in this study were historically considered as probable contaminants in …

Come For The Content, Stay For The Community, Hilary J. Eppley

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty publications

No abstract provided.

Fabricating New Miniaturized Biosensors For The Detection Of Dna Damage And Dna Mismatches, N. Indika Perera

ETD Archive

A large number of genetic diseases and genetic disorders are simply caused by base alterations in the genome. Therefore, developing efficient and cost effective techniques for routine detection of these alterations is of great importance. Different methods involving gel electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction have been widely employed, but majority of these methods are costly, time consuming, and lack throughput, creating a fundamental gap between the current state-of-the-art and desired characteristics of low-cost, high-speed, simplicity, versatility, and potential for miniaturization. In this study, we attempt to bridge this gap by developing new sensing platforms to detect DNA base mismatches and …

Validation Of Ozone Measurements From The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (Ace), Nicholas B. Jones, David W. Griffith, M Wolff, E Mahieu, G Bodeker, I Boyd, M De Maziere, P Demoulin, T Blumenstock, Y. Murayama, A. Kagawa, J Jin, Christopher Mcelroy, J Hannigan, M Coffey, M Hopfner, H W. Fischer, T Kerzenmacher, I Kramer, J Mellqvist, R Sussmann, K Strong, J R. Taylor, K Mizutani, Y Kasai, J Urban, D Murtagh, E Dupuy, V Catoire, S Chabrillat, P Baron, C Brogniez, G L. Manney, C Piccolo, C Randall, C Robert, C Senten, C Tetard, N J. Livesey, A Kleinbohl, S Godin-Beekmann, T Borsdorff, James Drummond, C De Clercq, J C. Lambert, U Cortesi, K W. Jucks, C Boone, H Oelhaf, M Schneider, T Steck, K A. Walker, P Bernath, T Von Clarmann, R Hughes, C Vigouroux, J Kuttippurath, A Bracher, J Mcconnell, C Mclinden, H Kullmann, L Froidevaux, J Dodion, F Vanhellemont, J P. Burrows, J Kar, F Goutail, D G. Dufour, J M. Zawodny, F Nichitiu, J-P Pommereau, C Nowlan, D Fussen, J Zou, A R Klekociuk, G Forbes, H Bovensmann, R M Bevilacqua, C Haley, S Ceccherini, S D Mcleod, P Gerard, R Skelton, B Firanski, A E Bourassa, D A Degenstein, J Davies, T Christensen, J Granville, A Parrish, C Roth, J W. Waters, C Von Savigny, A Standberg, M Mchugh, A M. Thompson, E J Llewellyn, P Von Der Gathen, M B. Tully, J C. Witte, C Roth, B T. Marshall, K B. Strawbridge, E Kyrola, M P. Mccormick, D P J Swart, N D Lloyd, D W. Tarasick, S V. Petelina, L W. Thomason, A Jones, I S. Mcdermid

Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive)

This paper presents extensive bias determination analyses of ozone observations from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite instruments: the ACE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) and the Measurement of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation (ACE-MAESTRO) instrument. Here we compare the latest ozone data products from ACE-FTS and ACE-MAESTRO with coincident observations from nearly 20 satellite-borne, airborne, balloonborne and ground-based instruments, by analysing volume mixing ratio profiles and partial column densities. The ACEFTS version 2.2 Ozone Update product reports more ozone than most correlative measurements from the upper troposphere to the lower mesosphere. At altitude levels from …

A Comparison Of Cationic Surfactant Immobilized Ion Exchange Membranes In Their Application For Use In Extraction Of 4-Nitophenol, Robert Derrek Brown

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Solid Phase Extraction has replaced distillation and liquid-liquid extraction as the most widely used method for extraction from solution. Though traditional SPE has seen great success, its downfalls are that it requires meticulous preparation procedures requiring funtionalized silanes and silica or polymerization courses. An alternative is ion exchange membranes to which long carbon chain ionic surfactants have been attached. The S1000 membrane ion exchange capacity was measured to be approximately 110 micro-equil/disc while the P81 membrane was 150 micro-equil/disc. Octadecyltri-methylammonium surfactant was immobilized on the membrane surface, qualitated through the use of ATR-FTIR, and quantified through elemental analysis. Kinetic adsorption …

Raman Spectroscopy Of Body Fluids : A Nondestructive Identification Technique For Forensic Applications, Kelly Virkler

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The analysis of body fluid evidence during forensic investigations is a complicated process, yet it is a critical step in determining the key facts of a crime. There is no doubt that DNA analysis is an extremely useful tool that can identify a suspect or victim, but crime scene investigators must first locate and identify potential body fluid stains that can be collected for DNA analysis. Current screening tests are destructive to the sample and can give false positive results, so a nondestructive technique such as Raman spectroscopy, that can possibly confirm the presence of a particular fluid, could lend …