The Scientific World

Meaningful learning is the process of integrating new information with prior knowledge leading to increased retention and comprehension. Meanwhile, Novak’s theory of education states that a meaningful learning experience requires the integration of cognitive (thinking), affective (feeling) and psychomotor (acting) components. This research investigates the use of an alternative learning resource in the format of children’s books to promote meaningful learning in one of the most rigorous and notoriously difficult undergraduate courses: Organic Chemistry. These alternative books aim to reduce working memory overload and foster a positive attitude through their simple, concise, and familiar format. This study compares these alternative books to traditional textbooks when learning beginner bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) reaction mechanisms. Data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with professors and students to observe trends in student attitudes towards Organic Chemistry and examine the impact that course resources have on their meaningful learning experience. 

Research continues to highlight urgent consequences of climate change, underscoring the minimal progress that’s been made in counteracting its effects. Despite a significant proportion of the global population acknowledging the reality of climate change, a clear discrepancy remains between pro-environmental attitudes and actual behavior—a phenomenon known as the ‘green gap’ or ‘attitude-behavior gap.’ This thesis presents a literature scoping review that summarizes factors examined in empirical studies of the green gap and identifies areas of future research. This scoping review found a wide variation, with an emphasis on psychological factors versus a scarcity of structural factors. The findings provide researchers with clearer insight into where current gaps exist, facilitating a more targeted approach for future studies. This knowledge can ultimately aid in the development of effective interventions to promote pro-environmental behaviors and bridge the green gap.

Inflammatory caspases are cysteine-dependent enzymes that participate in immune responses and controlled cell death. Humans have three inflammatory caspases – caspase-1, caspase-4, and caspase-5. However, specificity between the human caspases’ roles and mechanisms are unknown, making it difficult to treat diseases linked to overexpression of these enzymes, like chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. To determine the kinetic pathways of caspase-1 and caspase-4, fluorescence data was collected for various peptide substrate sequences through a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay and fit to a Michaelis-Menten assumption of enzyme mechanisms using KinTek Explorer simulation software. This simulated model allowed for the calculation of specific parameters of the assumed kinetic pathways to determine the applicability of the Michaelis-Menten model to caspase-1 and caspase-4 activity. For better comparison, a mechanism involving the formation of an enzyme-product complex was investigated with each dataset as well. This is combined with an investigation of enzyme-substrate structures with the use of open-access computational software to get a clearer picture of enzyme binding activity, in the hopes of better understanding the interactions of the substrates with the human class of inflammatory caspases.

Black and Brown residents in Chicago have historically been disenfranchised and neglected. In particular, redlining and white flight have contributed to the lack of investment and the increase of dangerous exposure to pollutants from historical industrial activity. Urban farms and community gardens, meant to empower neighborhoods, are frequently established on abandoned lots that may contain contaminants. This research seeks to investigate what contaminants are found in urban farms and community gardens and understand how perceive the conditions of their agricultural land. The research plans to compile substantive considerations, best practices and/or a framework on handling urban farms and community gardens in contaminated areas for current and new farmers. Additionally, this project will highlight any gaps in legislation or agricultural guidelines.