Mannaric Acid and Mannaric Acid Polyamides: Synthesis and Characterization

D-Mannose, an aldohexose and a C-2 epimer of the common monosaccharide D-glucose, occurs in a pyranose ring form as a component of a variety of plant polysaccharides and is the third most abundant naturally occurring aldohexose after D-glucose and D-galactose, respectively. Historically, D-mannaric acid has been prepared by the nitric acid oxidation of D-mannose. The first published report comes from Haworth et al. in 1944 with D-mannaric acid isolated as crystalline D-mannaro-1,4:6,3-dilactone. Nitric acid has been employed for the conversion of aldoses to aldaric acid for decades because it is such a potent oxidant. A new method for the nitric acid oxidation of D-mannose has been developed using a Mettler Toledo RC-1 Labmax reactor. The reaction is monitored with GC-MS and IC to ensure complete oxidation. D-mannaric acid which has been isolated as a new derivative, N,N\u27-dimethyl-D-mannaramide, in a yield of 52%. Characterization of N,N\u27-dimethyl-D-mannaramide was accomplished with GC-MS, 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. D-mannaric acid has four chiral centers and a C-2 axis of symmetry but no plane of symmetry and consequently is a chiral molecule. Because of the C-2 axis of symmetry and chirality, polyamides derived from D-mannaric acid are chiral and stereoregular. D-Mannaric acid has been used here as an aldaric acid monomer for a new method of synthesizing polyhydroxypolyamides, PHPAs, based on a stoichiometrically balanced 1:1 ratio of aldaric acid: diamine. Alkylenediammonium salts of D-mannaric acid with varying alkyl chain lengths were synthesized and used as the starting material to give polyamides whose number average molecular weights were determined by 1H NMR end group analysis. All polyamides synthesized were subjected to a post-polymerization in hopes of increasing their size. As with the pre-polymers, the number average molecular weights of polyamides formed from post-polymerizations were determined by 1H NMR end group analysis. X-ray crystal analysis was carried out on octamethylenediammonium D-mannarate to better understand the conformation of the D-mannaryl unit of poly(alkylene D-mannaramides). Computational analysis has been carried out for D-glucaramides and its derivatives, but has never been attempted for D-mannaric acid or any derivatives thereof. In this work, MM3(96) computational analysis was performed on D-mannaric acid, its dimethyl ester, and three amide derivatives to learn more about the shapes and conformations of these molecules in solution with the hope of better understanding the polymerization reaction and gaining some insight into the three dimensional structures of the resultant polymers

Shannon Hunt and Kinsey Ann Carpenter in a Joint Voice Recital

This is the program for the joint senior recital of mezzo-soprano Shannon Hunt and soprano Kinsey Ann Carpenter. Ms. Hunt was accompanied on the piano by Susan Monroe and Ms. Carpenter was accompanied on the piano by John Briggs. This recital took place on October 28, 2011, in the McBeth Recital Hall in the Mabee Fine Arts Center

Formal and informal learning transfer in the workplace

Both employees and organizations invest significant amounts of time, energy, and funds while promoting knowledge development as a fulcrum for increasing reflexive transformation, gaining higher cognitive skills, and achieving both organizational and workforce members’ performance goals. Our paper advocates multi-faceted and interactionist adult learning approaches designed to stimulate learners’ motivational dispositions as they transition to and from formal and informal learning environments

Expansion of New Law in Southeast May Stave Off Black Land Loss

Landownership and homeownership are significant contributors to the creation of wealth and thus, drivers of intergenerational economic mobility. However, many people who have inherited family land are unable to realize these opportunities because of the legal effect of their particular form of landownership, often called heirs\u27 property. These landowners are more likely to lose their land through what is known as a partition sale—a property sale resulting from a dispute between co-owners, often ignited by an outside party with an investment interest in the land. This Partners Update article explores the repercussions of heirs\u27 property ownership and examines legislative solutions recently enacted in three southeastern states: Florida, Mississippi, and Virginia

Lower Extremity Functional Screen for Biomechanical Faults in Female Athletes

Background and Purpose: Injuries resulting from athletic participation have been extensively researched in an attempt to identify causative factors. Lower extremity injuries account for the greatest proportion of athletic participation injuries. Traditional medically based pre-participation screening lacks a performance assessment from which to determine athletic preparedness. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable functional screen in order to identify biomechanical faults in a female athletic population. Methods: Twenty-two female subjects (25.05 + 3.88 years) were recruited from the St. Catherine University Doctor of Physical Therapy, class of 2011. Hand-held dynamometry was used to assess hip strength. The modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) was used to assess single-leg balance. The Lower Extremity Functional Screen was developed based on clinical expertise and included the following tasks: double-leg squat (DLS), double-leg jump (DLJ), single-leg squat (SLS), single-leg hop (SLH), and a leap (LP). Each participant was videotaped performing the functional screen following a description and demonstration of each task. Recorded videotapes of all subjects were viewed and scored independently by five testers. The graded task was scored on a zero to three scale. Component scores were added to obtain a total possible score of 21 points with a higher score hypothesizing better leg mechanics and a lower risk of injury. Results: Inter-rater reliability for five raters was calculated using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability for each task ranged from moderate to good (ICC=0.63-0.84): DLS=0.835; DLJ=0.691; right SLS=0.812; left SLS=0.802; right SLH=0.745; left SLH=0.627; LP=0.716. Reliability for the total score was also identified as good (ICC=0.88). Weak to moderate correlations were found between single-leg squat tasks and either hip abduction or hip external rotation strength (p=0.016-0.088). Conclusion: These results indicate that the Lower Extremity Functional Screen developed for this study is a reliable tool. The data did not show a strong correlation between the functional screening tool, hip strength, and balance. This may suggest additional factors are involved beyond strength and balance during these functional tasks

Adult Learners Meaning Making of an Adult Education Master’s Degree Program

This paper discusses the results of a qualitative research study, which explored how adult learners make meaning of their lived experiences in an adult education master’s degree program. Eportfolio data and reflection requirements grounded within concepts of megacognition informed the assessmen