Please join the Biology Department for the seminar "Climate-Induced Shifts in Species Distributions and Pond Drying in Alpine Ponds: Population, Community, and Ecosystem-Level Impacts," presented by Scott Wissinger, professor of biology at Allegheny College, on Friday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center East.

All faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Kayleigh Bemisderfer, a master's degree candidate in forensic science at Buffalo State, will present her master's thesis seminar, "Synthesis and Characterization of Pyrazole-Substituted Tetraazamacrocyclic Ligands for Contrast Enhancement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)," at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in Science Building 272. Light refreshments will be served before the seminar. This seminar is supported by the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become one of the most important diagnosis tools available in medicine. Typically MRI is not capable of sensing biochemical activities. However, recently emerged activatable MRI contrast agents (CAs), whose relaxivity is variable in response to a specific parameter change in the surrounding physiological microenvironment, potentially allow for MRI to indicate biological processes. This has inspired our efforts to synthesize and characterize ligands based on the tetraazamacrocyclic framework of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) with functional pendant arms. Cyclam possesses four nitrogen donor atoms that can be arranged to form a chelate ring, which is able to complex with a metal center. Complexes of macrocyclic ligands are of great importance in enhancing a various number of biological processes such as photosynthesis and dioxygen transport, catalytic properties, and potential applications as metal extractants, radiotherapeutic, and medical imaging agents.

The obtention of several isomers: tris(t-butyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,11-tricarboxylate (1,4,11-triboc cyclam), bis(t-butyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,11-dicarboxylate (1,11-diboc cyclam) and bis(t-butyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-dicarboxylate (1,8-diboc cyclam) was made possible from reacting cyclam with the tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) protecting group. The different isomers were then each appended with pendant arms by reaction with the corresponding equivalents of either 1-(2-bromoethyl)-1H-pyrazole or 1-(2-bromoethyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole. Thereafter, the protective Boc groups were removed from the compound by heating in water for an extended time to afford the unprotected macrocycles with 2 or 3 pyrazole pendant groups. The resulting ligand systems could potentially be further functionalized if desired. Synthesis of a structurally similar ligand, 5,12-methyl-7,14-bis-methyl-tetra-1,4,8,11-(pyrazoylethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (Tet-A), was also carried out. A crystal structure of the Tet-A ligand was acquired having cell lengths of a 10.2359(6) b 16.9312(11) c 15.9755(10) and angles of ? 90 ? 100.170(2) ? 90. The crystals of the Tet-A ligand belong to the space group P 21/c. The proton NMR spectra of all synthesized ligand systems show highly dispersed and relatively sharp proton resonances.

Anjuli Bhandari, a master's degree candidate in forensic science at Buffalo State, will present her master's thesis seminar, "Pyrazole Pendant Tetraazomacrocylic Ligands for Possible Medical Applications," at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in Science Building 272. Light refreshments will be served before the seminar. This seminar is supported by the Faculty-Student Association.

Abstract
Gadolinium is the element typically used for MRI contrast agents, which are sometimes injected prior to performing an MRI. The element accumulates in inflamed areas, which indicates where there may be an infection or a tumor. However, gadolinium is more toxic to the body than preferred, and the potential long-term effects have been studied in individuals who experience health issues. Metal complexes containing metals that are naturally occurring have been proposed to replace gadolinium use. Complexing a metal (i.e., copper or iron) to a macrocyclic ligand that has a high water exchange rate would potentially be able to replicate gadolinium–based dye conditions while also having a higher excretion rate and lower toxicity. A research project was proposed based on the findings of Morrow et al. that an iron-containing complex could function as a PARACEST MRI contrast agent.

Tetrazomacrocyclic ligands such as cyclam and cyclen are useful  macrocyclic ligands for new research in drug therapy and imaging techniques. The addition of pyrazole pendant arms has been proposed as a possible option to improve their ligating properties. For this research, pyrazole pendant arms were synthesized using a procedure stated by Attarian et al., and ligands based on both cyclam and cylen were then synthesized. These ligands could then be used to attempt to form a stable metal complex using a variety of metals and solvents. New compounds were characterized using a combination of NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Compounds of the type synthesized show promise in one day being a strong contender for use in MRI contrast and possibly therapy for cancerous tumors.

The rental order deadline for academic regalia for Commencement marchers has been extended to Friday, April 22, for guaranteed hood colors and standard shipping charges.* Please visit the Commencement website to register for the processional and for regalia order instructions. Your participation as a faculty or staff marcher is deeply appreciated, and additional marchers are still needed. Thank you.

*Note: Some orders may still be taken after April 22, but hood colors may vary and late shipping charges will apply.

When meal expenses are incurred at Campus House that are in compliance with the Buffalo State Food and Beverage Policy, Campus House will provide a detailed order form. Please retain the form until you receive the official invoice from Campus House. Please provide both documents with your payment request, as they are required to process payment. Please contact Paula Mis, assistant to the director of Accounts Payable and Travel Services, at 878-4117, with questions.

Come and visit the Dietetics Students' Wellness Fair on Thursday, April 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Butler Library 210. The wellness fair will focus on the relationship between human health and the Earth's environment. Free samples will be provided by Ashker's on Elmwood and other vendors. Come and learn about the WNY Food Bank and EatSmart NY.

Celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day at Buffalo State's ninth annual Environmental Information Fair on Tuesday, April 26, in the Student Union Plaza from noon to 1:30 p.m. (rain location: Butler Library lobby).

The celebration will include food, plant, bike-light giveaways, informational materials, and a bicycle fix-it station demonstration. Faculty, staff, and students will have many opportunities to learn more about the emerald ash borer and local green initiatives. Come use the "Fender Blender" to make pedal-powered fruit smoothies!

This event is hosted by EVERGREEN and BSCenery. For more information, please contact Lauren Morse, staff assistant in Campus Services, 878-6835.

Jenn Hunt, associate professor of psychology, will give the final presentation in this year's Women and Gender Studies Brown Bag Series: "How Well-Intentioned People Think about Gender vs. Race," on Thursday, April 21, at 12:15 in Butler Library 181B. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome. Please feel free to bring your lunch; cookies will be provided.

Campuses of the State University of New York adhere to schedules for records retention and disposition to ensure that records are retained appropriately and, once their retention periods have lapsed, disposed of routinely. The campus website for records retention and disposition provides links to the schedules, the accompanying SUNY policy, and information about how to comply.

All Buffalo State offices and departments should document their records destruction activities during the 2015–2016 academic year using the certificate of records destruction and forward the completed certificate to the campus records management officer, Cleveland Hall 508, or via e-mail to Jill Powell, by Friday, July 15. 

Once a certificate of records destruction has been submitted, Business Services staff members will be available to help offices dispose of large quantities of records.

If you are new to the records retention and disposition process, or if you would like a refresher for 2016, you are invited to attend a one-hour information session on one of these dates. All sessions will take place in Cleveland Hall 418:

Monday, April 25, 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, June 9, 10:00 a.m.

Please register by e-mail, indicating the date of the session you plan to attend. You may also use this e-mail address to request a presentation tailored for your office or department.

Thank you.

Please join us for the inaugural religious studies panel discussion, "Reconciliation of Reason and Revelation: Is It Possible?" hosted by Yunus Kumek, coordinator of the religious studies minor program, on Tuesday, April 19, at 12:15 p.m. in Butler Library 210.

Currently, as well as historically, the relationship between reason and revelation has been viewed as critical in the cause or solution of many social conflicts. This panel will provide a glimpse at this sophisticated relationship in our current diverse and globalized society by analyzing the traditional and contemporary discourses.