Chemistry Department Of University Research Articles

Development of Learning Media Integrated Module Application Based on Socio-Scientific Issues Enriched Augmented Reality on Electrolysis Cell Material

This study aims to develop learning media integrated module applications based on socio-scientific issues enriched by augmented reality on electrolysis cell material and test the feasibility and validity of chemistry learning media products developed. The research method used is research and development (R&D) using the 3D model adopted from the 4D model developed by Thiagrajan et al. (1974: 5), which consists of 3 stages, namely: define, design, and development. This research is only limited to the development stage. The instruments used in this research are validation and readability test questionnaires. The validators consisted of 2 people, namely one lecturer from the Chemistry Department of the State University of Malang and one chemistry teacher from SMAN 2 Batu, as media and material experts. The readability test was conducted on 29 undergraduate students of the Chemistry Education class 2022 at the State University of Malang, assuming they had taken the subject during class XII in senior high school. The results showed that the validity of the material and media included very feasible criteria with 98.24% and 96.81%, respectively, in addition to the average of all aspects of the readability test assessed having a percentage of 91.77%.

Engaging and empowering graduate students and postdocs

Anniversaries are times to celebrate and reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going. A decade ago, the report Advancing Graduate Education in the Chemical Sciences was commissioned by 2012 American Chemical Society president Bassam Shakhashiri. It included recommendations for federal agencies, university chemistry departments, and ACS. In commemoration of the report’s 10th anniversary, the Society Committee on Education (SOCED) passed a resolution recognizing the progress that has been made in developing ACS resources and activities that support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. We all can play roles, individually and collectively, in engaging and empowering graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Inviting them to participate, listening to their questions and input, guiding them to appropriate ACS resources, helping them build their mentorship skills and networks, and involving them in developing plans for activities and resources are all ways to be more inclusive and more responsive to their needs and

Waste-free processing of lowland peat for production of liquid organomineral fertilizers

The Tyumen Region holds extensive resources of peat, which should be considered as a raw material for the production of organic and organomineral fertilizers. The purpose of this research is the development of a waste-free technology for the production of organomineral fertilizers based on humic substances of lowland peat. The tests of three grades of organomineral fertilizer were carried out in accordance with the State Test Methodology, and soil properties were determined in accordance with the relevant state standards (GOSTs). The humic acid extraction method developed at the General Chemistry Department of the Northern Trans-Ural State Agricultural University produces two types of waste in a large volume: a liquid sediment mixture after separation of humic substances from peat and a supernatant solution after precipitation of humic acids. At present, a non-waste method for obtaining organic-mineral fertilizers from lowland peat has been patented. From a liquid sedimentary mixture of peat and humic substances, a peat–humic fertilizer is prepared for application to the soil. This fertilizer increases crop productivity and humus content, and reduces soil acidity. From the supernatant solution with fulvic acids, a huminomineral fertilizer is prepared for foliar feeding of plants. After centrifugation, a humic product is prepared from the gel of precipitated humic acids for pre-sowing, foliar and root feeding of plants. The products were tested on spring wheat, spring rapeseed, onion and apple trees. All products increased the yield and quality of products. The profitability of the production of three grades of organomineral (one product of each stage of production) fertilizer in comparison with the production technology of only one biostimulant is increased by 2.3 times. Currently, the procedure for their state registration is underway.

Identifying University Chemicals That Pose Security Risks: A Simple Qualitative Approach

Various laboratory-focused tools and methodologies for completing a safety risk assessment have been published, yet few similar resources to address chemical security exist. Herein, we describe a chemical security risk assessment case study at a university in a developing country. In this case study, we demonstrate a chemical security risk assessment for a university chemistry department, using an original inventory of 645 entries which was condensed to 295 chemicals after removing duplicates and erroneous entries. We then prioritized to highlight 83 chemicals of interest based on hazardous or dual-use properties that could lead to unacceptable consequences. We further refined to a list of 34 high-risk chemicals that required action, 48 chemicals that may need further justification and consideration for additional protection, and 1 chemical that did not need further consideration for additional protection.

Why students leave Chinese elite universities for doctoral studies abroad: Institutional habitus, career script and college graduates’ decision to study abroad

Despite the growing research capacity and rise of Chinese universities in global rankings, the number of Chinese students going abroad to pursue doctorate degrees is still large. Previous studies argue that a series of pull–push factors at systemic and individual levels affect the motivation and outbound mobility of students. However, the factors at the institutional level and the changing landscape of Chinese higher education have been rarely examined. To fill this gap, this study interviewed 31 graduates from the chemistry department of an elite university in China, which ranks among the top universities in the world. The insights offered in this study are based on the concepts of institutional habitus and career scripts in academic career research and highlight the motivations of students to go abroad for doctoral education. One of the arguments of this article is that students’ motivation to go abroad is influenced by organisational factors (that is, institutional habitus) and career scripts, which are partly shaped by central government policy.

Developing and Evaluating a Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Training Course in the Chemistry Department of a Large American University

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) play an essential role in the teaching of introductory chemistry courses at many higher education institutions. On the basis of best practices suggested by the l...

Histidine Reactive Chemicals Modify the Thermus thermophilus CuA Redox Center

The electron transport chain is a series of redox protein complexes that couple the shuttling of electrons with the pumping of protons, in order to create the electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis. The first redox center of the terminal complex from the Thermus thermophilus bacteria has been isolated as TtCuA and has a binuclear copper center bridged by two cysteines and ligated by two histidines and two weak axial ligands. H157 of TtCuA, a solvent exposed ligating histidine, has demonstrated modification by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), an exogenous chemical modifier, that is facilitated by the residue’s fast proton exchange with the solvent. The H157‐DEPC adduct is reversible over 48 hours at room temperature, as supported by mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and visible CD spectroscopy. This is one of two modifications, out of 12, that becomes removed. Due to the lability of the H157‐DEPC bond, it is possible that the H157 Nɛ is primed for proton pumping in the electron transport chain.In order to model a possible in vivo modification, TtCuA was exposed to 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE), an endogenous lipid peroxidation product associated with multiple metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Exposure of TtCuA to 20 equivalents of HNE appears to reduce the protein over 48 hours and four modifications are observed via mass spectrometry. Exposure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin protein, a mononuclear blue‐copper denitrification protein with similar ligand groups to TtCuA, is not reduced by HNE, despite modification. Azurin also lacks a ligating histidine that can be modified by DEPC. In conclusion, the binuclear copper center of TtCuA has hyperreactivity in comparison to a similarly ligated mononuclear copper center.Support or Funding InformationMurchison Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Trinity University Chemistry Department, Mach Research Fellowship, Welch Foundation

Influence of Peer Learning on Students’ Academic Performance (The Case of 2010 E.C for the Course Chemical Thermodynamics at Assosa University)

Peer teaching is a suite of practices in which peers instruct each other in a purpose driven, meaning full interaction. Many universities are facing challenges due to the increasing number of young people attending higher education. Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort than a solo race. This study explores how peer learning influences the academic performance of students and it also resolves the negative attitude of teachers and students on the active teaching learning process. It increases student’s social interaction as well as subject matter knowledge. The study was conducted in Assosa university Chemistry department second year students on chemical thermodynamics course. The data was analyzed by using percentage and mean using tables. The tolls of data collection were mainly questionnaires, interview and observations. As peer learning is implemented frequently, the score of the student was increased. Students will learn from one another because in their discussion of the content, cognitive conflicts will arise, inadequate reasoning will be exposed, and higher-quality understanding will emerge. Finally, this finding recommends that in most chemistry courses, a team work is important to increase the academic performance of students and it could be applicable.

Catalyst: Can Systems Chemistry Unravel the Mysteries of the Chemical Origins of Life?

Daniela Kroiss obtained her MSc degree in biotechnology at BOKU and is currently a PhD student in the biochemistry program at CUNY, where she works on a joint project between the Nanoscience Initiative and the University of Strathclyde. Gonen Ashkenasy is head of the Laboratory for Systems Chemistry at the Ben-Gurion University Chemistry Department. His research focuses on the design and analysis of synthetic replication networks. Adam Braunschweig earned his PhD in organic chemistry at the University of California and is an associate professor in the CUNY Nanoscience Initiative. His research focuses on the interface of organic chemistry with biology and material science. Tell Tuttle obtained his PhD in theoretical chemistry at Goteborg University and is a professor of theoretical chemistry at the University of Strathclyde. His research focuses on the directed discovery of peptide-based materials. Rein Ulijn gained his PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Strathclyde and is founding director of the Nanoscience Initiative at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. His research focuses on nanotechnology inspired by living systems.

Isolation and Identification of C‐Mannosylated Hsc70 Conjugates in RAW 264.7 Macrophage‐Like Cells

Post‐translational addition of carbohydrate molecules is often necessary for proteins to be fully active. This process, known as glycosylation, usually involves a carbon‐nitrogen or carbon‐oxygen bond. There is, however, a form of glycosylation that involves formation of a carbon‐carbon bond. C‐linked glycosylation in higher organisms consists of the addition of α‐mannopyranoside from dolichyl‐phosphate mannose onto the C‐2 carbon of tryptophan's indole functional group, generating a residue known as C‐mannosyltryptophan. Though the function of this modification is not well characterized, the addition of α‐mannopyranoside to tryptophan residues is thought to play an important role in the innate immune response. (Muroi et al.; Hartmann and Hofsteenge; Hofsteenge et al.)It is known that the consensus sequence for C‐mannosylation is Trp‐x‐x‐Trp/Cys (x could be any amino acid), in which the first tryptophan is modified. (Furmanek and Hosteenge) This canonical sequence has been found in several signaling molecules such as cytokines and cytokine receptors.It has been shown that Hsc70 interacts with proteins containing the C‐mannosyltryptophan residue. With this in mind, Hsc70 pulldowns were done by the Rakus Lab in an attempt to capture some of these conjugates. Several proteins were identified using this procedure, and mass spectrometry showed a mass shift of 162 Da on tryptophan containing peptides – indicative of a C‐mannosyltryptophan residue.One of these modified peptides was identified as belonging to a Type I cytokine receptor – Interleukin 12 Receptor β2 (IL12Rβ2). Notably, one of its target molecules, interleukin‐12 (IL12), also contains the canonical sequence and has been shown to contain a C‐mannosyltryptophan residue. (Doucey et al.)Anti‐ IL12Rβ2 antibodies were used in an attempt to isolate IL12Rβ2 directly. The same was done for a similar protein IL12Rβ1. While IL12Rβ2 appeared to be present in western blots, mass spec data failed to confirm this. IL12Rβ1 was not seen in western blots or mass spec. Upon successful isolation, a more thorough mass spec analysis can confirm or deny the existence of C‐mannosyltryptophan residues in these receptors.Support or Funding InformationMarshall University Chemistry Department; NSF (OIA‐1738707)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Benefits to Secondary School Chemistry Teachers who have Brought their Students to Engagement Activities with a University Chemistry Department for Several Years; Continuing Professional Development by Diffusion?

Benefits to Secondary School Chemistry Teachers who have Brought their Students to Engagement Activities with a University Chemistry Department for Several Years; Continuing Professional Development by Diffusion?

In the News

Welcome to the January 2018 issue of C&RL News. Nearly every field or industry has experienced disruption over the past several years, and librarianship is no exception. Susan M. Ryan and W. Tandy Grubbs discuss the concept of “Library self-disruption” through the lens of their collaboration bringing 3-D printing to the Stetson University Library and Chemistry Department.

Rethinking industrial analytical chemistry

The analytical chemistry business is booming. Contract manufacturers have significantly expanded their analytical labs in recent years to keep pace with regulatory requirements and customer demand for data. At dedicated analytical service firms, business is growing as drug companies and customers in other industries seek out backup resources for their in-house labs and manufacturing plants. That growing demand is creating lots of analytical chemistry jobs. The sometimes-repetitive nature of the work, however, often leads chemists to move on to other fields, such as drug discovery or academic research, creating a serious churn in hiring and on-the-job training. But analytical chemistry is changing with the advent of new measurement and data tools. Quality management efforts, especially in the life sciences, have boosted the importance of analysis as well as the demand for chemists. University chemistry departments and companies that employ analytical chemists are working hard to breathe new life into the

Building BORIS – an outreach project on drug design and molecular modelling

Within university chemistry departments, organic chemists are formulating reaction pathways which will yield a desired chemical product. In most cases, it is often found that the targeted product exerts some beneficial biological effect towards cellular activity. In my organic chemistry lectureship within the University of Salford, I too am involved in the synthesis of potential biologically active compounds; namely a range of anti-cancer compounds and anti-bacterial agents. Using my professional knowledge, I have developed an outreach project known as BORIS designed to show GCSE and A-level students what proteins look like, their importance and role within the body and how drugs interact with them.

Molecular mechanism of JNK attenuation by parkin

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the disappearing pigmentation, accumulation of lewy bodies, and the ultimate degeneration of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. The most prevalent indication of hereditary PD is a mutation in the PARKIN gene. Parkin facilitates the proteasomal degradation of target proteins through its ubiquitination‐catalyzing activity. The E3 ubiquitin ligase has been further implicated in attenuating the activation of the c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, a pro‐apoptotic mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, implying neuroprotective characteristics. However, the mechanism whereby parkin regulates the JNK pathway remains obscure. Utilizing in vitro pull‐down assays in tandem with co‐immunoprecipitation methods, we have identified a novel interaction between parkin and apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase (ASK‐1), an upstream kinase in the JNK pathway. This interaction was characterized through co‐overexpression in HEK293T cells, which indicated the parkin‐induced degradation of ASK1. In vitro ubiquitination assays showed an enhanced activation of parkin in the presence of ASK1. Our results suggest the interaction with ASK1 is able to disrupt the intrinsic auto‐inhibition of parkin, enhancing its activation to carry out the ubiquitin‐signaled degradation of ASK1.Support or Funding InformationTennessee Technological University Chemistry Department Student Research Grant

Investigation of Affinity at Binding Site Between Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) and Herceptin

BackgroundHuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer results from uncontrolled synthesis of HER2 protein due to amplification of the HER2 gene and has a poor prognosis for patients. Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a receptor‐blocking monoclonal antibody that prevents downstream signaling and marks cancer cells for destruction by the immune system. Many patients often develop resistance to Herceptin caused by mutations on HER2 as cancer progresses, which allows the tumor cells to continue replicating. The current study investigated the binding free energies between the HER2 receptor and Herceptin at the three known binding sites to determine if the amino acid sequence can be mutated to create a stronger interaction between the HER2 receptor and the antibody. This research could potentially increase the efficacy of Herceptin and improve survival rates of patients with HER2‐positive breast cancer.MethodsThe investigated protein‐antibody complex was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB code: 1N8Z). Using the HER2 protein, the Herceptin molecule, and the HER2/Herceptin complex, three computational simulations were performed. These simulations were completed using the AMBER 14 Molecular Dynamics software package. After the simulations were performed, the binding sites of HER2 and Herceptin were analyzed at the atomic level. The Molecular‐Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM‐GBSA) method was utilized to determine the overall binding affinity between HER2 and Herceptin, as well as the per‐residue free energy decomposition values.ResultsThe binding affinity of Herceptin to the HER2 receptor was calculated as −68.55 kcal/mol, suggesting a strongly favorable interaction between the two molecules. Additionally, amino acids located at the interface between the HER2 protein and Herceptin were closely evaluated to determine if any could be replaced to create a stronger affinity between HER2 proteins and Herceptin. Results from the current study suggest that of the three binding sites/loops, the residues in the third loop (residues 1027–1037) have significantly less favorable energies than the first two binding loops (first loop: residues 991–995 and second loop: residues 1004–1007). The proposed residues Ser50 (+0.116 kcal/mol) and Asn30 (−0.999 kcal/mol) on Herceptin will be mutated to amino acids that will favor stronger binding and stabilize the third binding loop. Along with the proposed mutations the computational simulations will be extended to further evaluate the behavior of Herceptin when bound to the HER2 receptor.ConclusionsThe binding free energies generated for every residue in the HER2/Herceptin complex allowed close examination of each residue's contribution to binding. The least favorable residue in the complex was Lys1027, the starting residue of the third binding loop. The third loop will be further evaluated to determine if any other residues can be mutated to strengthen the total binding affinity of the HER2/Herceptin complex. Future research will work towards replacing old residues within the third loop and possibly creating another binding loop to further stabilize the HER2/Herceptin complex.Support or Funding InformationWe would like to acknowledge funding received from the Office of Student Research at Truman State University. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the space and resources provided by Truman State University and the Truman State University Chemistry Department.

The views of students regarding the communication lesson

This study was conducted with 12 students from chemistry department of a state university in the academic year of 2012-2013 in order to identify the views of the university students regarding of communication lesson. In the study, the students were asked by open-ended questions and their answers were evaluated. In addition, the expressions of the students gave in the examples. As a result, it stated that the communication lesson has improved the basic communication techniques of the students; and also increased the tolerance, respect and empathy skills of them.

School-university partnerships: Lessons learned from 10 years of spectroscopy for teachers and post 16 students

Spectroscopy covers a wide range of analytical techniques, a small sub-set of which UK pre-university chemistry students are required to study. The expense of such equipment means that it is not available to the vast majority of schools whilst it is commonplace in university chemistry departments. This article discusses the evolution of the Bristol ChemLabS spectroscopy outreach activities. The advantages and disadvantages of this method of engagement for both the participants and the providers are discussed from 10 years of activity.

Software resources for remedial physics teaching in UK university chemistry departments

There is a substantial minority of students who do not have the necessary physics background to tackle parts of most first year physical chemistry courses and for whom some kind of remedial action is required.Software tools have been developed to address the problem with priority beingassigned to topics most frequently occurring in the curricula. After discussion with colleagues, the topic of ‘Particles and Waves in Chemistry’ was selected. The tools consist of simulations (and high quality diagrams with relevant animations) designed to accompany tutorials or workshops. They are not ‘stand-alone’ programs and assume that the teacher has covered the basic groundwork. In this way, the material does not impose any learning style and should be treated as a simple resource similar to an illustration or photograph. Substantial numbers of numerical problems (in practice, an infinite number) are included for use as reinforcement learning tools – a technique that has been shown to be extremely effective in tackling specific numerical shortcomings.Given that the overwhelming majority of the targeted students have chosen to avoid physics, great care has been taken to ensure that the context enclosing the materials is identifiable as chemistry only.

University Polymer Education in Thailand

SummaryThe scope in Thailand of education in Polymer Science and Technology is reviewed. Five technical colleges offer a diploma in rubber science and technology. Several universities offer a bachelor degree in Polymer or Rubber Science and Technology or Engineering. Others offer degrees in Industrial Chemistry or Materials Science which emphasize polymer technology. A number of universities in Thailand are registered to offer postgraduate degree courses in polymer science/technology/engineering. Of course many universities are authorized to teach polymer science or engineering in their degree courses, or are engaged in polymer research, but do not offer degrees specific to Polymer Science and Technology. Masters degrees have been offered for several decades and now a number of doctoral programs are authorized. Instruction is mainly in reasonably equipped university Chemistry Departments, although there is some in Materials Science programs. Most lecturers have a doctoral degree from a developed country, although Thai PhD graduates are now entering employment. In the instructional process attention has to be paid to problems arising from the nature of teaching in Thai schools. Postgraduate instruction must realize the limited coverage of the first degree as well as certain cultural factors. The majority of the Polymer Bachelor graduates move into industry each year. 80% of Master graduates enter industry. Of the PhD graduates, each year 30% work in industry, about 50% become university lecturers particularly at new universities in the provinces and about 20% work in government research institutes.