Industrial applications of multiple bond-forming transformations (MBFTs)

Multiple bond-forming transformations (MBFTs) involving multicomponent reactions (MCRs) can be defined as processes in which three or more reactants introduced simultaneously are combined through covalent bonds to form a single product, regardless of mechanisms and protocols involved. Since MCRs are often highly compatible with a range of unprotected orthogonal functional groups, on a second level, scaffold diversity of MCR can be greatly enhanced by introduction of orthogonal functional groups into primary MCR product and react them in subsequent transformations, for example, ring-forming reactions. Some classes of densely functionalized small molecules have been shown to be particularly suited for use in these transformations, and in this context 1,2- and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds are exceptional synthetic platforms. The rapid and easy access to biologically relevant compounds by MCRs and their scaffold diversity have been recognized by synthetic community in industry and academia as a preferred method to design and discover biologically active compounds

Arab American College Students: What Predicts Their Engagement with the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict?

Arab and Jewish U.S. college students are impacted by the Israeli/Palestinian (I/P) conflict and heated interactions among students have erupted across campuses. There is a dearth of research on Arab American student perspectives on this conflict and on their interactions with Jewish students in higher education settings. This study seeks to further our understanding of these topics by reporting on a quantitative survey of Arab American college students (n=66). We examined dependent variables of Arab students seeking education on the I/P conflict, and interest in collaborating with Jewish students for peace. Independent variables were gender, religion, having Jewish friends, learning about Jewish history of oppression, growing up in Arab schools and communities, and parents’ and own views about Palestine. Multiple regression analysis indicates being male, believing Palestine is important, learning about Jewish history of oppression, and having parents with pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel attitudes predicted students’ seeking out education about the conflict. Being male, Christian, having friends who are Jewish and wanting opportunities to talk with Jews about the conflict predicted higher interest in Arab students’ wanting to collaborate with Jewish students for peace. Implications for working with these two groups on college campuses given both the tensions in the Middle East and experiences of Arab American college students are discussed and future recommendations are made for educational settings

Identification of a New Antibacterial Sulfur Compound from Raphanus sativus

Raphanus sativus L. (radish), a member of Brassicaceae, is widely used in traditional medicine in various cultures for treatment of several diseases and disorders associated with microbial infections. The antibacterial activity of the different plant parts has been mainly attributed to several isothiocyanate (ITC) compounds. However, the low correlation between the ITC content and antibacterial activity suggests the involvement of other unknown compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial potential of red radish seeds and identify the active compounds. A crude ethanol seed extract was prepared and its antibacterial activity was tested against five medically important bacteria. The ethanol extract significantly inhibited the growth of all tested strains. However, the inhibitory effect was more pronounced against Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract followed by HPLC, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 15N-NMR, and HMBC analysis revealed that the active fraction consisted of a single new compound identified as [5-methylsulfinyl-1-(4-methylsulfinyl-but-3-enyl)-pent-4-enylidene]-sulfamic acid, which consisted of two identical sulfur side chains similar to those found in ITCs. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of the isolated compound were in the range of 0.5–1 mg/mL. These results further highlight the role of radish as a rich source of antibacterial compounds

Educational digital technologies in developing countries challenge third party providers

In this conceptual paper, we consider issues and challenges of third party and governmental organisations in planning and implementing access to and uses of digital technologies for learning and teaching in developing countries. We consider failures and weaknesses in the planning and implementation processes highlighted by research in developed countries (as well as successes supporting implementation). We problematise these issues and challenges, conceptualise them in order to focus on longer-term rather than shorter-term ones, and offer new alternative models and ways of conceiving these practices for future sustainability

Intergroup Dialogue as a Just Dialogue: Challenging and Preventing Normalization in Campus Dialogues

The tensions from the Israeli occupation of Palestine reach around the globe and heated debates over the struggles of these two peoples are evident on U.S. college campuses. The power imbalance represented in the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis is replicated on college campuses. BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) is a response to this inequality, is a movement to end the occupation, and has raised the issue of normalization. Teaching about this conflict presents particular challenges for faculty who negotiate this highly contested issue in classrooms or campus communities, and intergroup dialogue is an important pedagogy that can be used. It is critical to address normalization in intergroup dialogue. We discuss examples and themes of normalization in intergroup dialogue, and present pedagogical and other strategies to prevent and address normalization in intergroup dialogue and in other similar intergroup contact approaches with Arab or Palestinian and Jewish or Israeli participants.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116007/1/dome12067.pd

Humanising ‘the other’

In the belief that teachers' attitudes toward the other have a 'ripple effect' on society as a whole, the researchers designed a course called ‘Dealing with Diversity’ offered to one class of Arab students and one class of Jewish students studying to become English teachers at two colleges of education in Israel. The course aimed to expose the student to theoretical material relating to diversity and to provide an authentic vehicle for application of the principles discussed in the literature. Students were required to complete joint projects in mixed groups (Arab and Jewish), in two face-to-face and a semester of virtual meetings. Attitudes and reactions towards ‘the other’— their Jewish or Arab peers-- were explored on the basis of journal and forum entries which were part of the course requirements. The students’ writings showed themes of apprehension (negative), expectancy (positive), or indifference (neutral), and evidence of change in attitude was documented. Key words 'the other'; cultural diversity; teacher education; Identity circles; collaborative Learning

Online Collaboration between Arab and Jewish Students: Fear and Anxiety

This study examines students in an online, collaborative, yearlong intercollege course. Arab and Jewish students from five colleges of education in Israel worked in virtual teams. The data includes pre and post questionnaires as well as open ended questions and ongoing reflective journals. The results of the t-test indicated that the perception of other participants  in the group improved significantly among Jewish and Arab participants -4.38. This was backed up by the qualitative data.  Initially, the students expressed apprehension towards working with people from the other culture and fear of leaving their comfort zone

Parallel synthesis of arrays of amino-acid-derived isocyanoamides useful as starting materials in IMCR

Arrays of amino-acid-derived isocyanoamides are conveniently produced on a multigram scale in one step by the solventless aminolysis of the corresponding methyl esters with primary or secondary aliphatic amines. Most of the corresponding isocyanides precipitate during the reaction and can be filtered to yield highly pure, colorless, and odorless solids. They are potentially useful in the combinatorial chemistry of multicomponent reactions. © 2006 American Chemical Society