Blogs

Ursus arboreus can be found in the rainforests on the eastern side of the island of Madagascar. These east side rainforests receive an average rainfall of 80 inches per year, with some regions receiving up to 230 inches of rain per year (Crowley, 2018). These eastern Madagascar rainforests are dense as well as extremely vertical, with evergreen canopies exceeding 30m high (Chepkomi, 2016). The vegetation is 83% endemic to the island, but the plants fill much the same niches typical of a tropical rainforest (Crowley, 2018). As is typical of a rainforest there are fewer smaller plants under the canopy cover, due to lack of sunlight, and large evergreen trees covering the landscape and providing the canopy.

    N-propyl propanoate (n-propyl propionate) was synthesized using propanoic acid and 1-propanol in the presence of sulfuric acid, resulting in a 62.5 % yield. The initial odor of the mixture of propanoic acid and 1-propanol was very unpleasant and strong. After the reaction was complete, the odor was like that of rubbing alcohol (Table 1). IR spectroscopy was used to determine the purity and identity of the product. The IR spectroscopy revealed the presence of an ester, which correlates to the strong, sharp peak at around 1741 cm-1. In addition, the peak at 2968 cm-1 indicates the presence of the C=O bond commonly found in esters. Lastly,  there was a broad peak at 3550 cm-1, which indicates the presence of -OH groups. Because of the presence of alcohol impurities, this suggests that some of the reagents had not undergone the reaction.

N-propyl propanoate (n-propyl propionate) was synthesized using propanoic acid and 1-propanol in the presence of sulfuric acid, resulting in a 62.5 % yield. The initial odor of the mixture of propanoic acid and 1-propanol was very unpleasant and strong. After the reaction was complete, the odor was like that of rubbing alcohol (Table 1). IR spectroscopy was used to determine the purity and identity of the product.

There are several ways in which the percent yield could be improved, considering that Le Chatelier's principle and that esterification is a reversible reaction. Esterification is an exothermic reaction and as a result by lowering the temperature during the reflux steps, the reaction will move forward and will produce more ester in the product. Another way to increase the percent yield would be to use a stronger acid than sulfuric acid so that the ester will form faster and water will be removed at a faster rate.

The contents were transferred into a centrifuge tube that contained water (1 mL) and was mixed thoroughly with a pipet before the lower aqueous layer was removed. Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (1 mL) was added and mixed thoroughly with a pipet before the lower layer was removed. This was repeated once more with sodium bicarbonate (1 mL). The step was then repeated with saturated aqueous sodium chloride (1 mL). To a vial was added the organic layer and 5 spheres of calcium chloride. The vial was then swirled gently. Afterwards, the liquid was transferred into a dry tared capped vial and the odor was observed. The IR spectroscopy was then determined.

The mixture was refluxed for an additional 15 minutes. The upper phase in the side arm was again poured back into the flask. The reaction mixture was refluxed for another 15 minutes and then was cooled for 10 minutes before all the contents in the side arm was returned to the flask.

To a 5 mL round-bottomed flask was added propanoic acid (0.975 mL), 1-propanol (0.82 mL), 4 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid, and a few boiling chips. After being mixed thoroughly, the solution was brought to a gentle boil after the apparatus was set up to a 45˚ angle. After the solution was refluxed for 15 minutes, the apparatus was removed from the heat and was tipped back so about ½ to ¾ of the upper organic phase in the side arm returned back into the flask.

Corals live in nutrient poor waters and have certain zones of tolerance to water temperature, salinity, UV radiation, opacity, and nutrient quantities. Scleractinian corals build skeletons of calcium carbonate and when the coral polyp dies, this skeleton remains incorporated in the reef framework.  Scleractinian corals are in the Phylum Cnidaria, and they receive their nutrient and energy resources in two ways. They use the traditional cnidarian strategy of capturing tiny planktonic organisms with their nematocyst capped tentacles, as well as having a obligate symbiotic relationship with a autotrophic microalgaes known as zooxanthellae.  Zooxanthellae live symbiotically within the coral polyp tissues and assist the coral in nutrient production through photosynthetic activities. These activities provide the coral with fixed carbon compounds for energy, enhance calcification, and mediate elemental nutrient flux. The host coral polyp in return provides its zooxanthellae with a protected environment to live within, and a steady supply of carbon dioxide for its photosynthetic processes.  This symbiotic relationship between polyps and zooxanthellae can be disturbed by anthropogenic impacts including overfishing, increased sedimentation and nutrient overloading.

Thomson takes it a step further by saying if the woman has bars installed but the robber still gets in through her open windows, it would be absurd to call it her fault that the robber got in. However, when women get pregnant because of malfunctioning birth control, they are often seen as voluntarily getting pregnant. Thomson also brings up the people-seed scenario, where there are people-seeds floating around outside, so you install very fine mesh screens to prevent them from getting in once you open your window. However, when one gets past the screen and takes root in your house, Thomson asks if it is your responsibility to keep the plant. The only way to really prevent those seeds from getting in, is to never open your windows in the first place. In summary, Thomson is saying that there are scenarios where the fetus has right to its mother body, and some scenarios where it doesn’t. It is impossible to make a blanket statement specifying when a pregnancy is voluntary or involuntary and when an abortion is just or unjust.  

On pages 58-59, Thomson writes about how some opponents of abortion support the independence of the fetus, and how the fetus has a right to the mother’s body when it was conceived through voluntary intercourse. People often say the only case of involuntary pregnancy comes from rape. However, Thomson writes that it is a slippery slope to choose when a woman voluntarily or involuntarily becomes pregnant, as details can make a huge difference. First, Thomson describes a scenario where a woman opens her window because her room is stuffy, which allows a burglar to get in. Thomson then says how absurd it would be to say that the burglar has a right to stay in the room now that they have gotten in, even though the women technically allowed him to get in by opening her window. Although that may be absurd, a parallel could be drawn between this situation and woman becoming pregnant.