Browsing by Author "Denton, Ryan"

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    THE EFFECTS OF A KNOWLEDGE BASE ON THE LOGICAL REASONING OF STUDENTS IN THE FIRST-SEMESTER ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LECTURE
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Skomp, Jordan; Smith, Rashod; Denton, Ryan; Elliott, Rob
    While several studies have been conducted on the correlation be-tween gains in students’ individual reasoning ability and using web-based learning tools, this is the first investigation of the effect of use of an online knowledge base on students reasoning ability in organic chemistry. The IUPUI Chemistry Knowledge Base (chemkb.cs.iupui.edu) was developed to provide a supplemental prob-lem-solving tool and information repository for organic chemistry lec-ture students. An initial Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT) test was given to establish a baseline of students’ reasoning ability and to form comparable group populations. The experimental group of stu-dents was encouraged to use the knowledge base and the control group of students was given no treatment. The GALT test was modified and re-administered to determine any potential gains in logical reason-ing ability. Two content specific tools, a written quiz and a group solved workshop problem, were used to determine content oriented reasoning and problem-solving between experimental and control groups. Statistical analysis of correlations between initial logical rea-soning ability, exposure to the knowledge base, and performance on the administered tools will be presented. 1Department of Computer Information and Leadership Technology, Indiana Universi-ty Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202 This study was sponsored by the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Institute (MURI)
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    HOMOLOGY MODELING, DOCKING, AND BIOLOGICAL ASSAY DEVELOPMENT FOR LYCOPENE CYCLASE ENZYMES IN FRUIT
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Nguyen, Tyler; Lee, Tat; Denton, Ryan
    Plants, as well as many bacteria and fungi, catalyze a ring-forming reac-tion to transform lycopene into a variety of carotenoids by utilizing β-lycopene cyclase among several related enzymes. Though this highly homol-ogous enzyme class has been studied in a variety of organisms, structural and functional characteristics of the enzymes still remain unsolved and no crystal structure is currently known. Introductory computational analysis on lycopene β-cyclase from Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) was performed due to the significant amount of available biological activity data. Computational work included regression analysis on molecular descriptors of several known inhibitors using JMP® Statistical Discovery Software, preliminary homology modeling on the above enzyme using SWISS-MODEL and Chimera Molecular Modeling and Drug Docking software, and preliminary docking experiments utilizing a small test set of known and synthesized inhibitors using ArgusLab software. In addition to the computational study, a whole fruit assay for ly-copene cyclases was developed on lemons. Analysis of known inhibitors led our group to synthesize a series of substituted chalcone inhibitors which were assayed along with known negative and positive control molecules. The extracted carotenoids were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spec-trometry (LCMS) to monitor the accumulation of lycopene upon inhibition.
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    Integrating Chemical Information Skills in a Problem-Based Second Semester Organic Chemistry Laboratory toward the Synthesis of Adipic Acid
    (2014) Denton, Ryan; Snajdr, Eric
    There is a continued need for laboratory experiments that integrally involve chemical information skills with designing and solving a laboratory research problem. Herein, we describe a learning experience where second semester organic chemistry laboratory students carry out their own research activities toward the synthesis of adipic acid. This lab was developed out of a strategic partnership between the University Library and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The primary objectives of this lab include integrating chemical information skills into a problem-based laboratory experiment, increasing scientific research ability for chemistry students by involving a research cycle, and bolstering student perceptions of research and laboratory work. The relevance, safety, cost, scalability, growth potential, and success of this learning experience are also discussed.
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    MOLECULAR SCAFFOLD DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY AMINE CHALCONES FOR INHIBITION OF LYCOPENE CYCLASE IN FRUIT
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Hartley, Danielle; Rickard, Timothy; Denton, Ryan
    Lycopene, a known anti-oxidant, is transformed into β-carotene and other carotenoids by a class of enzymes referred to as lycopene cyclases. Developing potential inhibitors of lycopene cyclases could yield further understanding of the structural and functional properties of these enzymes and eventually serve to manipulate lycopene levels in fruits and vegetables. Previously reported aryl tertiary amine-containing compounds, when protonated at physiological pH, act as transition-state inhibitors of these cyclizing enzymes. Our proposed scaffold yields a series of substituted chalcones containing the core structure of the known inhibitor N,N-diethyl-N-[2-(4-methylphenoxy)ethyl]amine (MPTA). However, the initial scaffold design involved the aldol condensation of a deactivated aldehyde and ketone under relatively harsh conditions. Though various methods exist for this specific transformation, we developed a novel, safe, cost-effective application of the aldol condensation using a domestic microwave and potassium carbonate with iodine impregnated alumina. Reaction conditions including catalyst, base, and microwave intensity were optimized. Herein, we report the molecular scaffold development and synthesis of several tertiary amine chalcones with the potential for activity against lycopene cyclases in fruits and vegetables.
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    USABILITY TESTING AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPUTER LITERACY AND EFFECTIVE USE OF A CHEMICAL KNOWLEDGE BASE BY FIRST-SEMESTER ORGANIC CHEMISTRY STUDENTS
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Matthews, Kristin; Glass, Derek; Elliott, Rob; Denton, Ryan
    Usability testing is a technique that allows for the examination of a spe-cific user’s effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in achieving goals (Law, Hvannberg, 2002). This user-focused design process has been found to be particularly important in early site development. In this study, multiple inter-faces of the knowledge base will be examined comparatively, changing only the aesthetics. Using a think-aloud process, users will be walked through seven scenarios in the IUPUI Chemistry Knowledge Base, and asked to vo-calize their thoughts as they attempt each situation. Completion of user questionnaires and a post-test System Usability Scale (SUS) will provide recommendations from which improvements may be made to the design, layout and management of the Knowledge Base (Brooke, 1996).