Describes an inexpensive, easily constructed, and safe vertical slab gel kit used routinely for sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis research and student experiments. Five kits are run from a single transformer. Because toxic solutions are used, students are given plastic gloves and closely supervised during laboratory…

Describes fluorescence demonstrations related to several aspects of molecular theory and quantitized energy levels. Demonstrations use fluorescent chemical solutions having luminescence properties spanning the visible spectrum. Also describes a demonstration of spontaneous combustion of familiar substances in chlorine. (JN)

Suggests that second language programs are set up to meet the needs of language teachers, rather than learners, which accounts for the widespread failure rate among students learning a second language. (EKN)

Describes an experiment to give students exposure to digital control widely used in industry but not given much attention in most undergraduate process control curricula. Students write their own control programs and experimentally determine the transfer functions for all system components. Also describes experimental apparatus used in the…

Background information, procedures, and results of an experiment suitable for measuring subpart per million concentrations of anionic surfactants in natural waters and waste effluents are provided. The experiment required only a spectrophotometer or filter photometer and has been successfully performed by students in an undergraduate environmental…

Tandem electrostatic accelerators produce beams of positive ions which are used to penetrate atomic nuclei in a target, inducing nuclear reactions whose study elucidates varied properties of the nucleus. Uses of the system, which acts like a mass spectrometer, are discussed. These include radiocarbon dating measurements. (JN)

Self-concept and motor performance differences were examined between 28 handicapped children with various disabilities and 108 nonhandicapped children from kindergarten to third grade. Preliminary results indicate nonhandicapped children performed better on dynamic balance and gross lateral movement for all grades. Also, handicapped children…

The 150th anniversary of the naming of the nucleus by Robert Brown in 1831 was commemorated by re-creating some of his most important observations using two of his microscopes. Comments on Brown's career and the microtechnique employed during his time are provided. (Author/JN)

Unfilled engineering faculty positions and obsolete laboratory equipment continue to threaten the quality of U.S. engineering education, but improvements are being made, according to a progress report issued as a followup to the National Engineering Action Conference held in April (1982). Highlights on the report are provided. (Author/JN)

Discusses the basics of scientific glassblowing, including equipment needed, lighting a hand torch (which uses a gas and oxygen mixture), and cutting tubing. Also discusses preparation of butt joints, tee joints, and bends. Photographs illustrating various techniques are provided. (JN)

Current and post World War II scientific research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico) is discussed. The operation of the laboratory, the Los Alamos consultant program, and continuation education, and continuing education activities at the laboratory are also discussed. (JN)

Describes contruction of an instrument which measures effects of reversible physiological changes on the motor coordination of laboratory animals. The "rotarod" is used to perform carefully planned, humane experiments which produce quantifiable results. A photograph and diagram of the apparatus are provided. (JN)

Describes several diagnostic tools used to determine specific problems of students referred to a writing lab, including structured interviews, protocols (asking a student to compose aloud for 15 to 20 minutes on a short topic), and back-pedaling (questioning what a student already knows about a given topic). (AEA)

Describes three experiments (also useful as demonstrations) using a "thorium cow," a device which concentrates the daughter products from thorium compounds by precipitation on a charged electrode. (JN)

A chromatographic procedure for analyzing organophosphorus pesticides (such as PCB's, nitrosamines, and phthalate esters) in orange juice is described, including a summary of the method, instrumentation, methodology, results/discussion, and calculations. (JN)