A Sample of Intermediate-Mass Star-Forming Regions: Making Stars at Mass Column Densities <1 g/cm^2

In an effort to understand the factors that govern the transition from low- to high-mass star formation, we identify for the first time a sample of intermediate-mass star-forming regions (IM SFRs) where stars up to - but not exceeding - 8 solar masses are being produced. We use IRAS colors and Spitzer Space Telescope mid-IR images, in conjunction with millimeter continuum and CO maps, to compile a sample of 50 IM SFRs in the inner Galaxy. These are likely to be precursors to Herbig AeBe stars and their associated clusters of low-mass stars. IM SFRs constitute embedded clusters at an early evolutionary stage akin to compact HII regions, but they lack the massive ionizing central star(s). The photodissociation regions that demarcate IM SFRs have typical diameters of ~1 pc and luminosities of ~10^4 solar luminosities, making them an order of magnitude less luminous than (ultra)compact HII regions. IM SFRs coincide with molecular clumps of mass ~10^3 solar masses which, in turn, lie within larger molecular clouds spanning the lower end of the giant molecular cloud mass range, 10^4-10^5 solar masses. The IR luminosity and associated molecular mass of IM SFRs are correlated, consistent with the known luminosity-mass relationship of compact HII regions. Peak mass column densities within IM SFRs are ~0.1-0.5 g/cm^2, a factor of several lower than ultra-compact HII regions, supporting the proposition that there is a threshold for massive star formation at ~1 g/cm^2.Comment: 61 pages, 6 tables, 20 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

The Big Crunch: A Hybrid Solution to Earth and Space Science Instruction for Elementary Education Majors

We describe the rationale and process for the development of a new hybrid Earth and Space Science course for elementary education majors. A five-step course design model, applicable to both online and traditional courses, is presented. Assessment of the course outcomes after two semesters indicates that the intensive time invested in the development of the course results in a manageable workload during the semester for faculty with an already full teaching load. We also found that average scores in proctored online exams for this cohort of students are identical to the average scores of students from the same major enrolled in a face-to-face (F2F) course. Exam scores significantly improved in the second semester after adjustments to the workload and the introduction of explicit test-taking tips at the beginning of the semester. We found that our students, at all stages of their studies, were not used to the self-guided instruction required for success in online courses, and were often not as comfortable using Web-based technology for instruction as we expected

Heavy Metals in Snow Crab (Chionoecetes Opilio) Bio-products

Several potential snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) bio-products have been identified having potential applications as feed ingredients (for terrestrial and aquatic animals), natural health products (e.g., nutraceuticals, dietary supplements), bio-medical and pharmaceutical products (e.g., drug delivery systems, wound healing products), and in cosmetics (e.g., shampoo, hair care, creams, lotions). Yet studies regarding the purity and safety of such bio-products remain limited. Due to growing concerns over heavy metal contaminants in the environment (air, soil, drinking water, food), their associated adverse health effects, and their tendency to bioaccumulate in marine crustaceans, we evaluated the levels of trace metal contaminants in crab processing byproducts and their transfer to selected crab bio-products: crab protein hydrolysate and crab chitin. Safety and toxicity concerns of residual heavy metals present in these snow crab processing bio-products are also discussed

Ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide using aluminum amine-phenolate complexes

Remarkably active (down to 0.001% Al) catalysts for ring-opening polymerization of cyclohexene oxide under neat reaction conditions are reported. High molecular weight polymers with uniform dispersity are produced. Kinetic data from NMR studies and MALDI-TOF MS data of the polymers provide some mechanistic insight

Catalytic conversion of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using zirconium-containing metal–organic frameworks using microwave heating

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) can be prepared by the catalytic dehydration of glucose or fructose using a range of homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts. For our research, a selection of closely related Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) were used as catalysts in the conversion of glucose to 5-HMF due to their chemical and thermal stability as well as the Lewis acidity of zirconium. Our initial study focused on the use of UiO-66–X (X = H, NH2 and SO3H), optimization of the dehydration reaction conditions, and correlation of the catalytic activity with the MOF's properties, in particular, their surface area. The highest yield of 5-HMF (28%) could be obtained using UiO-66 under optimal reaction conditions in dimethylsulfoxide and this could be increased to 37% in the presence of water. In catalyst recycling tests, we found the efficiency of UiO-66 was maintained across five runs (23%, 19%, 21%, 20%, 22.5%). The post-catalysis MOF, UiO-66–humin, was characterized using a range of techniques including PXRD, FT-IR, 13C Solid State NMR and N2 gas adsorption. We continued to optimize the reaction using MOF 808 as the catalyst. Notably, MOF 808 afforded higher yields of 5-HMF under the same conditions compared with the three UiO-66–X compounds. We propose that this might be attributed to the larger pores of MOF 808 or the more accessible zirconium centres

Sequential and Spontaneous Star Formation Around the Mid-Infrared Halo HII Region KR 140

We use 2MASS and MSX infrared observations, along with new molecular line (CO) observations, to examine the distribution of young stellar objects (YSOs) in the molecular cloud surrounding the halo HII region KR 140 in order to determine if the ongoing star-formation activity in this region is dominated by sequential star formation within the photodissociation region (PDR) surrounding the HII region. We find that KR 140 has an extensive population of YSOs that have spontaneously formed due to processes not related to the expansion of the HII region. Much of the YSO population in the molecular cloud is concentrated along a dense filamentary molecular structure, traced by C18O, that has not been erased by the formation of the exciting O star. Some of the previously observed submillimetre clumps surrounding the HII region are shown to be sites of recent intermediate and low-mass star formation while other massive starless clumps clearly associated with the PDR may be the next sites of sequential star formation.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 8 pages, 10 figure

Iron amino-bis(phenolate) complexes for the formation of organic carbonates from CO2 and oxiranes

A series of iron(III) compounds supported by tetradentate amino-bis(phenolate) ligands were synthesized and characterized using electronic absorption spectroscopy, magnetic moment measurement and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The solid-state structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction and reveal iron(III) square pyramidal compounds. The complexes were studied as catalysts for the reaction of carbon dioxide and epoxides in the presence of a co-catalyst, under solvent free conditions to yield cyclic carbonates. Catalytic testing with TBAB as a co-catalyst shows that 4 bearing electron withdrawing groups in the ortho and para-positions of the phenolate ring exhibits the highest catalytic activity. Kinetic studies using 1 revealed that the cycloaddition reaction is affected by temperature as expected and the activation energy for propylene carbonate formation is 98.4 kJ mol−1

Conversion of chitin and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine into a N-containing furan derivative in ionic liquids

Direct conversion of chitin to 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF) in a range of ionic liquids (ILs) has been systematically investigated. 10 ILs with different cations and anions were tested as the solvent and 25 additives were screened. The results revealed that the presence of Cl in the IL is essential. In addition to the solubility enhancement of chitin in Cl containing ILs, the Cl anion appeared to participate in the chitin reaction cycle in IL solvents. 3A5AF can be obtained in some ILs, such as [BMIm]Cl, without any additive. Significantly enhanced yields of 3A5AF were obtained in [BMIm]Cl using boric acid and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as additives at 180 �C, a lower temperature than using organic solvents (215 �C). Kinetic studies showed that the product formed very quickly within 10 min, with much higher initial rate than using organic solvents. Recovered chitin was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis (EA). In an effort to improve the yield, extraction and distillation were attempted for both chitin and chitin monomer, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG). Further studies were performed on NAG to see if acidic ILs would lead to enhanced reactivity. However, these were less effective

Halodehydroxylation of alcohols to yield benzylic and alkyl halides in ionic liquids

Background: Alcohols are widely used, and sometimes renewable, reagents but the hydroxyl moiety is a relatively poor leaving group under mild conditions. Direct nucleophilic substitution of alcohols is a desirable reaction for synthetic and process chemists. Results: Synthesis of twelve alkyl and benzyl halides was achieved in [Bmim]PF6 (Bmim = 1-butyl-3 methylimidazolium) from their parent alcohols using ammonium halides as the halogenating agents. Trends in reactivity based on the alcohol and halide were discovered. Mechanistic evidence suggests that the reaction proceeds via SN2 substitution of the hydroxyl group, which is activated via hydrogen-bonding with the acidic proton of the imidazolium cation. Also, for benzyl substrates, equilibria involving formation of dibenzyl ether complicate the reactions and reduce optimum yields. Conclusions: Ammonium halides are useful, solid and relatively safe reagents for the conversion of some primary alcohols to organohalides in ionic liquids (yields up to 81 %). Indanol under the same conditions yields biindenylidene (GC yield 63 %)