Exploring the Link Between Preservice Teachers' Conception of Proof and the Use of Dynamic Geometry Software

This case study investigated how secondary preservice mathematics teachers perceive the need for and the benefits of formal proof when given geometric tasks in the context of dynamic geometry software. Results indicate that preservice teachers are concerned that after using dynamic software high school students will not see the need for proofs. The participants stated that multiple examples are not equivalent to a proof but, nonetheless, questioned the value of formal proof for high school students. Finally, preservice teachers found the greatest value of geometric software to be in helping students understand key relationships within a problem or theorem. Participants also tended to study a problem more deeply with the software than without it.     

Gas-phase thermal decomposition of peroxy-N-butyryl nitrate

The gas-phase thermal decomposition rate of peroxy-n-butyryl nitrate (n-C₃H₇C(O)OONO₂, PnBN) has been measured at ambient temperature (296 K) and 1 atm of air relative to that of peroxyacetyl nitrate (CH₃C(O)OONO₂, PAN) using mixtures of PAN (14–19 ppb), PnBN (22–46 ppb), and nitric oxide (1.35–1.90 ppm). The PnBN/PAN decomposition rate ratio was 0.773 ± 0.030. This ratio, together with a literature value of 3.0 × 10^?4 s^?1 for the thermal decomposition rate of PAN at 296 K, yields a PnBN thermal decomposition rate of (2.32 ± 0.09) × 10^?4 s^?1. The results are briefly discussed by comparison with data for other peroxyacyl nitrates and with respect to the atmospheric persistence of PnBN. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Hydroformylation in fluorous solvents

The hydroformylation of long chain alkenes under fluorous biphase conditions and in neat perfluorocarbon solvents is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed upon the authors' evaluation of the steric and electronic influence of perfluoroalkylation on catalyst activity, regioselectivity and retention in the fluorocarbon phase.     

Formation, isolation and characterization of an AB-biaryl atropisomer of oritavancin

Oritavancin is a semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotic which is structurally related to vancomycin. When oritavancin bisphosphate is dried in vacuo with heat, a new compound forms. This new compound is stable only in the solid state and reverts to oritavancin in solution. Highly enriched samples of this compound were obtained by preparative HPLC and the structure of this compound was elucidated by using one and two-dimensional (¹H and ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with computer-assisted molecular modeling. It has been determined that oritavancin adopts a conformation similar to that of vancomycin in solution, while the new compound is the unnatural R-AB-biaryl atropisomer of oritavancin. This is the first observation and isolation of an AB-biaryl atropisomer in an intact member of the vancomycin family of glycopeptide antibiotics.