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  A Brief Measure of Attitudes Toward the Liberal Arts

  Karen O'Quin, Howard M. Reid, and Jill M. Norvilitis

  Three studies were used to develop a brief (5-item) measure of Attitudes Toward the Liberal Arts, based on the original 24-item ALAS (Reid, Kline, & O’Quin, 2014). The Brief ALAS was reliable (a range = .75 to .83) and encouraging evidence for its validity was found.

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  How to estimate true compositions of volatile compounds in headspace determined by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)

  Joonyeong Kim

  The compositions of volatile compounds in headspace (HS) analyzed by a solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling method usually differ from true compositions mainly because the partition coefficients of these compounds between headspace and a SPME fiber are not equal. In this paper we report an analytical strategy to more accurately quantify relative compositions of selected hydrocarbons present in gasoline residue by employing inverse gas chromatography (IGC) coupled with a HS-SPME sampling method. First, IGC measurements using a column packed with a solid support coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were conducted to obtain the thermodynamic and chromatographic data needed for the estimation of the relative partition coefficients of n-heptane, toluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (TMB) between headspace and a PDMS SPME fiber at 100 and 130 °C. Then, chemical analysis of headspace containing different compositions of vaporized n-heptane, toluene, and TMB were carried out via a PDMS SPME sampling method at 100 and 130 °C. Finally, the relative compositions of these vaporized compounds in headspace were estimated using compositions from a PDMS SPME sampling method and the relative partition coefficients from IGC. Our results showed that the estimated relative compositions of these compounds in headspace are comparable to true compositions obtained from direct headspace vapor analysis within reasonable relative errors.

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  Synthesis of Library of N-t-boc Amino ester

  Sujit Suwal

  Buchwald–Hartwig Amination (BHA), which establishes C−N bonds between aryl halides and amines via Pd (0)-catalyst, has widely used as an indispensable technique in numerous basic and applied chemistry, such as syntheses of natural products, ligands, and heterocyclic molecules. The synthetic utility of Buchwald Hartwig Amination has emerged primarily due to the shortcomings of other aromatic C-N bond formation synthetic approaches due to functional group intolerance. Using BHA, a large pool of structurally and functionally diverse products can be synthesized in a single step which otherwise requires a multi-step complex synthetic method.

  Recent advancements in Pyridine-Enhanced Pre-catalyst Preparation Stabilization and Initiation (PEPPSI) Palladium-catalyst has significantly simplified the synthetic utility of BHA that allows the reactions to take place under an ambient condition offering high overall yield. Using Pd-PEPPSI-IPr catalyst, we successfully synthesized a series of N-protected amino esters by coupling a variety of heterocyclic halo-esters and N-protected piperazine derivatives. In particular, we found interesting reaction outcomes while carrying out BHA with a variety of differentially pre-disposed heterocyclic and aryl halo-esters under similar reaction conditions. However, most of the reactions were accomplished without a need of harsh reaction condition. Following the successful synthesis of N-protected amino esters, we are currently testing the compatibility of the molecules for solid-phase peptidomimetic synthesis following saponification and validating the purity of the products using HPLC.

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  Identifying Academic Majors and Certifications of Health Teachers in the United States

  Catherine Cardina Ph.D. and Leah Panek-Shirley Ph.D.

  Specific to the health education component, the WSCC model includes recommendations for K-12 comprehensive school health education that includes curricula and instruction to address a variety of health topics and the National Health Education Standards (CDC, 2018). As stated by the CDC (2018), health education, when provided by qualified, trained teachers, helps students attain the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to make healthful decisions, achieve health literacy, and advocate for the health of others. Qualified trained teachers, often synonymous with quality teachers, provide students with the necessary formal and structured health education instruction. Two widely used standards that describe quality teachers are demonstrated subject-matter competency (i.e. passing a subject knowledge test or having a baccalaureate degree or better in the subject) and full state teacher certification or licensure in the area they teach. Current research supports the relationship between teachers’ subject area knowledge and certification as they contribute to student academic achievement. This study identified trends in academic majors and subject-area certifications of K-12 public school staff in the United States who were teaching health education during this century (years 2003-04, 2007-08, 2011-12, & 2015-16). Data were extracted from a comprehensive nationally representative survey of school employees conducted regularly by the National Center for Educational Statistics of the Unites States Department of Education. A poster presentation style was chosen in an effort to present current trends in teacher certification and academic major among staff teaching health education and to allow participants to discuss why these trends are occurring and to make recommendations for professional preparation.

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  Application of quantum crystallography methods to structures of macrocyclic 3d-transition metal complexes

  Alexander Y. Nazarenko

  The vast majority of complex structures are currently accomplished using the Independent Atom Model (IAM), in which atoms are assumed to be spherical, and no chemical bonds exist. Emerging quantum crystallography methods process the same experimental data in better approximation, allowing for deformation of electron density resulting from different types of chemical bonds. This presentation provides several examples of macrocyclic complexes of Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu refined using Tonto and NoSpherA2 software packages. The most visible improvement over existing IAM procedures is reasonable positions of hydrogen atoms; the precision of bond distances is also significantly improved.

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  Analyzing Instruction in Mathematics via Teaching for Robust Understanding

  David C. Wilson

  The NSF-funded AIM-TRU project involves studying Professional Learning Communities as a mechanism for supporting teachers engaged in deepening their content knowledge and refining their instructional practice. The presentation will describe the professional development model (learning cycle) that is at the center of our Professional Learning Community’s work. The PLCs meet monthly to explore the OER Formative Assessment Lessons (FALs) using the Teaching for Robust Understanding (TRU) framework as a lens for their study (map.mathshell.org). Video case studies provide opportunities for teachers to study episodes of student's reasoning and communication that took place while completing FALs. (tle.soe.umich.edu/MFA/) Discussion structures based on the TRU dimensions support enhanced content and pedagogical knowledge. The work shared in this presentation is based on a multiyear partnership between Math for America, SUNY Buffalo State, Montclair State University and DePaul University. The project both creates video case studies of select FALs and uses those video cases to prompt reflections on practice based on the dimensions of the TRU framework (Schoenfeld, 2016).

  Our research focus is on teacher learning within the community (Wenger, 1998) and how the reflection and analysis structured along the five dimensions of TRU fosters deep mathematical conversations and pedagogical insight. Early findings from professional learning communities in Chicago, New York City and Buffalo provide support for the learning cycle being an effective tool for professional development within the mathematics teacher community.

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  Electro-Optical Effects in YbFe2O4 Thin Films

  Ram Rai

  YbFe2O4 shows interesting physical properties mainly due to its triangular lattice structure occupied by the equal number of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. Here, we present the optical and electro-optical properties of YbFe2O4 thin films. The electronic excitations in YbFe2O4 display strong temperature dependence and these excitations can also be modified by applied electric fields. The field-induced changes in optical properties (up to ~10%) vary almost linearly with applied electric fields at low temperatures, but they disappear above 120 K. The observed electro-optical effects can be interpreted as the effects of external electric fields on the orbital-charge ordering of Fe ions.

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  College health providers’ knowledge and confidence in addressing college students’ vaping

  Jessica A. Kulak, Hannah E. Voit, and Gregory G. Homish

  Aims: There has been a call for health providers to increase their awareness and confidence when discussing vaping with college students. This may be particularly relevant given the rapidly changing vape landscape. Vaping nicotine or cannabis products is popular, and rates of vaping are typically higher among younger adults compared to mid-aged or older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and confidence of college healthcare providers regarding vaping among college students.

  Methods: Pilot data was collected from 51 college health providers located at 26 colleges in the 64-campus State University of New York (SUNY) system. Knowledge of vaping was assessed using a number of items, including, “Do you find students on your campus use electronic cigarettes more often for vaping nicotine or for vaping cannabis?” Response options were: nicotine, cannabis, don’t know. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study findings.

  Results: College health providers agree (76%) that vaping is a problem on their campus. They largely felt knowledgeable (80.9%) and confident (87.8%) in discussing vaping. However, the majority (67%) of these health providers reported they “don’t know” what product college students are vaping. Importantly, most indicate learning about vaping is a priority area (74%), and indicate they have time to learn more about vaping (82%).

  Conclusions: Overall, findings indicate a potential disconnect between providers’ perceived and actual knowledge of college student vaping. Understanding what products students are using, whether alone or in combination, will help to tailor messaging to students and inform prevention and intervention initiatives. These findings, as a whole, demonstrate areas of opportunity to assist college health providers in comprehensively addressing vaping with their college student populations. Future research is needed to better understand from where health providers are obtaining their knowledge of vaping, and if this knowledge is, in fact, accurate.

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  Heterogeneous Catalysis for Organic Fine Chemical Synthesis

  Sourav Biswas

  Heterogeneous catalysis has been established as a fundamental pillar supporting the advances in ‘green chemistry’, from the perspective of cost and waste minimization. However, propensity for precious metals, promoters/ additives and harsh reaction conditions hinder the widespread use of heterogeneous catalysts over traditional pathways for chemical synthesis. This talk will introduce some of our current research in the field of heterogeneous catalysis encompass many of the topics of ‘Green and Sustainable Chemistry’. The absence of precious metals and additives, use of air as the sole oxidant, and easy isolation of products, along with proper catalyst reusability, make our catalytic protocol attractive for the selective oxidation reactions for fine chemical synthesis.

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  Erie County Low Income Program for Sustainable Energy (ECLIPSE): Dashboard Design

  Alan M. Delmerico, Scott Martin, and John Petrocelli

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  Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act Grant

  Jonathan Lindner and Lisa Peterangelo

  The goal of this project is to reduce underage drinking by youth on the West Side of Buffalo, NY. Two evidence-based approaches to reduce underage alcohol use and consequences are being implemented. The objectives are to enhance the existing BPS alcohol policy to be developed in within the Buffalo Public Schools and the 553 students attending BPS 204 and 305.This policy will be an amendment and expansion of the current Buffalo Public Schools Wellness Parent Policy to include Mandated Parent Awareness Education (alcohol, Rx drugs, and mental health). The second is alcohol sales compliance checks that are being done in cooperation with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The WSYDC and Erie County Sherriff’s office are focusing on enforcing underage drinking laws through compliance checks on the West Side of Buffalo. This poster will detail grant specifcs and initial findings.

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  Worker Self-Care as a Service Delivery Best Practice

  Catherine M. Mazzotta Dr. and Wendy S. Mornelli

  This brief presentation is based on a literature review that highlights the need for self-care for those in helping professions, such as social services, as well as strategies that can be used in an integrated self-care model.