Preservice Elementary Teachers' Use of Mathematics in a Project‐Based Science Approach

The use of a project‐based science (PBS) approach to teaching encourages students to integrate mathematics and science in meaningful ways as they create projects. As a beginning study of how students use mathematics in such an approach, an analysis of 23 projects developed by preservice elementary teachers enrolled in an elementary science course was conducted. Findings showed that students made a number of different types of mathematical errors and underutilized data representation and summary forms. Implications included the importance of developing methods for supporting the use of mathematical tools in utilizing a project‐based approach and considering ways that such tools mediate scientific thinking.     

Novel Enantioselective Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Furan‐2‐yl Amines and Amino Acids

A new enantioselective synthesis of furan‐2‐yl amines and amino acids is described, in which the key step is the oxazaborolidine‐catalyzed enantioselective reduction of O‐benzyl (E)‐ and (Z)‐furan‐2‐yl ketone oximes to the corresponding chiral amines. The chirality of the furan‐2‐yl amines is fully controlled by the appropriate choice of the geometrical isomer of the O‐benzyl oxime. Oxidation of the furan ring furnished amino acids in high yields.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Electrochemical Behaviour of an Azido μ‐bridged Ni2+ Complex

A homo‐dinuclear Ni^II complex was prepared from 2, 6‐bis(3, 5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)pyridine (Me₄‐bpp) and azide ions in nonaqueous media. It was characterized by single crystal X‐ray structural analysis, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. In addition, the electrochemical properties of the compound were determined with cyclic voltammetry in DMF. The title compound crystallizes in the P2₁/n monoclinic space group, with unit cell parameters a = 8.978(1), b = 12.459(1), c = 17.764(1) Å, ß =100.603(3)°, V = 1953.0(3) ų, Z = 2. The Ni²⁺ ion has a distorted octahedral environment involving three nitrogen atoms of the Me₄‐bpp ligand, two nitrogen atoms from the bridged azide group, and one nitrogen atom from the terminal azide group. The Ni···Ni distance is 3.273(5) Å.     

Synthesis, spectral and thermal properties of homo- and copolymers of 2-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)amino]-2-oxo-ethyl methacrylate with styrene and methyl methacrylate and determination of monomer reactivity ratios

The methacrylate monomer, 2-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)amino]-2-oxo-ethyl methacrylate (IAOEMA), was synthesized by reacting 2-chloro-N-(5-methylisoxazol)acetamide dissolved in acetonitrile with sodium methacrylate in the presence of triethylbenzylammoniumchloride (TEBAC). The free-radical-initiated copolymerization of IAOEMA, with styrene (ST) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) solution at 65 °C using 2,2^′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator with different monomer-to-monomer ratios in the feed. The monomer (IAOEMA) and copolymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectral studies. The copolymer composition was evaluated by nitrogen content in polymers led to the determination of reactivity ratios. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were determined by the application of Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdös methods. The analysis of reactivity ratios revealed that ST and MMA are more reactive than IAOEMA, and copolymers formed are statisticalle in nature. The molecular weights (M_w and M_n) and polydispersity index of the polymers were determined using gel permeation chromagtography. Glass transition temperatures of the copolymers were found to increase with an increase in the mole fraction of IAOEMA in the copolymers. The apparent thermal decomposition activation energies (E_d) were calculated by Ozawa method using the SETARAM Labsys TGA thermobalance.     

Neuron-based microarray sensors for environmental sensing

We present a novel sensing scheme for detecting the effects of unburned fossil fuels by integrating microarray technology and dielectrophoresis to develop single-neuron arrays. These arrays have the capability to sense and identify the two fuels, at parts per billion (ppb) concentrations, as well to determine the associated physiological changes at the single-cell level. Identification is achieved through frequency domain analysis of the measured changes to the extracellular electrical activity due to the effect of the fossil fuels. This yields unique electrical identifiers known as "signature patterns". Simultaneous optical visualization to the physiological changes is obtained by specific fluorescent staining. The correlation between the signature patterns and the cellular biological behavior establishes the veracity of this identification technique.     

Microbial Screening of Copolymers of N‐Vinylimidazole with Phenacyl Methacrylate: Synthesis and Monomer Reactivity Ratios

N‐vinylimidazole (VIM), and phenacyl methacrylate (PAMA) copolymerized with different feed ratios using 1,4‐dioxane as a solvent and α,α'‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator at 60°C. Structure and composition of copolymers for a wide range of monomer feed were determined by elemental analysis (content of N for VIM‐units) and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy through recorded analytical absorption bands for VIM (670 cm^?1 for C‐N of imidazole ring) and PAMA (1730 cm^?1 for C?O of ester group) units, respectively. Monomer reactivity ratios for VIM (M₁)‐PAMA (M₂) pair were determined by the application of conventional linearization methods such as Fineman‐Ross (F‐R) and Kelen‐Tüdös (KT) and a nonlinear error invariable model method using a computer program RREVM. The molecular weights (_w and _n) and polydispersity indices of the polymers were determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Thermal behaviors of copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, the apparent thermal decomposition activation energies (ΔE_d) were calculated by Ozawa method using the SETARAM Labsys TGA thermobalance. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of polymers were also tested on various bacteria, fungi and yeast.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Chelating Resin: Adsorption Study of Copper(II) and Chromium (III) Ions

Acrylamide based monomer, 5-methyl-2-thiozyl methacrylamide (MTMAAm) was synthesized by the reaction of 2-Amino-5-methyl thiazole with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine(NR₃) at 0–5°C. The monomer MTMAAm was characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-and ¹³C-NMR spectral studies. A new chelating resin, poly(5-methyl-2-thiozyl methacrylamide-co-2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-divinylbenzene) [MTMAAm/AMPS/DVB] was synthesized. This resin was characterized by FT-IR. In order to determine the adsorption behavior of chelating resin, the adsorption isotherm of Cr(III) and Cu(II) were studied. It was found that the adsorption isotherm of the ions fitted with Langmuir-type isotherms. From the Langmuir equation, the adsorption capacity of chelating resin for Cr(III) and Cu(II) was found to be 7.77 mg g^{? 1} and 4.27 mg g^{? 1}, respectively. Binding equilibrium constant was calculated to be 0.155 L mg^{? 1} and 0.106 L mg^{? 1} for Cu(II) and Cr(III), respectively.     

An unusual case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis confined to brainstem

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disorder usually encountered in children or adolescents and characterized by multifocal neurological deficits of rapid onset. Typical target areas of demyelination include the corona radiata, centrum semiovale, periventricular white matter, cerebellar peduncles and brainstem. Involvement of deep gray matter nuclei is also frequent. We report a 6-year-old boy with ADEM who had only brainstem involvement. Serial magnetic resonance images representing the stage of disease and response to steroid treatment are presented.