Electrophysiological and chemical analysis of sex pheromone communication system of the mottled umber,Erannis defoliaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

(Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9–19Hy) and (Z,Z)-3,9-cis-6,7-epoxy-nonadecadiene (Z3,Z9-cis-6,7-epo-19Hy) were identified in pheromone gland extracts from femaleErannis defoliaria. The two components were found in a 13 ratio, with the main component,Z3,Z9-cis-6,7-epo-19Hy present at an amount of about 1.5 ng per female. The components were identified by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-electroantennography and gas chromatography-single sensillum recordings. Single sensillum measurements on the male antenna showed two physiological types of sensilla. One type was characterized by a large spike amplitude cell responding toZ3,Z9-cis-6,7-epoxy-19Hy and a small spike amplitude cell responding toZ3,Z6,Z9–19Hy. A second type responded only with a large spike amplitude cell to the epoxide, and this cell was inhibited by the triene. Of the two pheromone components, the epoxide gave the higher response in the EAG tests. Preliminary field tests support the identification of the pheromone components. The epoxide was also found to be present in the extract of the pheromone gland ofColotois pennaria, and males ofC. pennaria andAgriopis marginaria were trapped by the mixture of the identified compounds.     

Family functioning and mood disorders: A comparison between patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar I disorder.

Within a sample of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 121) and bipolar affective disorder (BPAD; n = 69), the authors examined (a) diagnostic differences in family functioning at acute episode, (b) diagnostic differences in family functioning at episode recovery, (c) within-group changes in family functioning from acute episode to recovery, and (d) whether within-group changes from acute episode to recovery varied by diagnosis. Using a multidimensional model, the authors evaluated interviewer, patient, and family ratings. Overall, patients with MDD and BPAD evidenced similar levels of family impairment at acute episode and recovery. Generally, patients in both groups experienced improvement in family functioning over time, yet mean scores at recovery continued to range from fair to poor. Although certain specific differences emerged, diagnostic groups appeared to be more similar than different in level and pattern of family functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tree representation of digital picture embeddings

It is often the case that the same object is imaged in different ways, resulting in digital pictures of (some parts of) it at different resolutions. This leads to the combinatorial problem of “embedding” one of these pictures into the other in a way that corresponds to physical truth. In this paper we present a mathematical formulation of this intuitive concept of embedding. We also show, using a tree representation of digital pictures, how picture embedding relates to tree embedding, which has been a subject of much study in combinatorial computer science (mostly for reasons other than application to digital pictures).     

In-situ X-ray absorption study of evolution of oxidation states and structure of cobalt in Co and CoPt bimetallic nanoparticles (4 nm) under reducing (H2) and oxidizing (O2) environments

In-situ near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy was performed to monitor the oxidation states of Co and CoPt nanoparticles (NPs) of 4 nm size in the presence of H(2) and O(2) in the pressure range of 1 bar and 36 Torr respectively. Platinum helps the rapid reduction of cobalt oxides in hydrogen at a rather low temperature (38 °C). In addition, reversible changes of the oxidation states of cobalt in the Co and CoPt NPs as a function of cycling oxygen pressure (in the range of millitorr to 36 Torr) are quantified and compared. The role of Pt in the process of Co reducing and oxidizing was explored. Our findings permit the prediction of the cobalt oxidation states as the reaction conditions are altered. The experimental results also suggest the presence of tetrahedral structure of Cobalt oxide that differs from the Co(3)O(4) spinel structure.     

Structure, reactivity, and mobility of carbonaceous overlayers during olefin hydrogenation on platinum and rhodium single crystal surfaces

The hydrogenation of olefins (ethylene, propylene, and isobutene) and a cyclic olefin (cyclohexene) has been characterized on platinum and rhodium single crystal surfaces under conditions ranging from ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) to elevated pressures. A carbonaceous overlayer, formed by C–H bond activation, exists on the metal surface during catalytic hydrogenation, and the structure of this overlayer has been characterized using sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy. The dehydrogenated carbonaceous species are unreactive even in the presence of excess hydrogen, while the intermediates that turnover are weakly bonded to the metal surface. The formation of this carbonaceous overlayer is accompanied by a restructuring of the metal surface. The overlayer is mobile on the surface during hydrogenation, as shown by high pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (HP-STM) results. Coadsorbed CO induces ordered surface structures, and as a consequence poisons the reaction.     

Random speckle modulation technique for laser interferometry

In spite of its obvious advantages over conventional contact and immersion techniques, laser interferometry has not yet become a practical tool in ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation since its sensitivity is insufficient in most practical applications. Part of the problem is that the maximum signal-to-noise ratio often cited in scientific publications and manufacturers' specifications cannot be maintained on ordinary diffusely reflecting surfaces. Although these surfaces reflect a fair amount (5–50%) of the incident laser light, this energy is randomly distributed among a large number of bright speckles. Unless the detector happens to see one of these bright speckles, the interferometer's signal-to-noise ratio will be much lower than the optimum. This adverse effect is almost completely eliminated by the suggested random speckle modulation technique. The conventional interferometric technique was modified to assure random occurrence of a few very bright speckles and to move the whole speckle pattern around at an appropriate speed. Random but frequent bright flashes detected from the surface of the specimen resulted. The bright periods are 0.1 ms or longer, sufficient to trigger the ultrasonic pulser and detect the transmitted signals before the flash subsides. As much as 5–10 times improvement of the optical sensitivity was achieved by this novel approach and close to maximum signal-to-noise ratio was maintained everywhere on the surface of a diffuse object.     

Near-infrared probe for in situ characterization of nafion thin films

A near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing cyanine dye was used as a probe for in situ characterization of Nafion thin films. This NIR dye was very sensitive to changes in the hydrophobicity of the environment and proved to be very suitable for probing the Nafion coatings, which involve a two-Phase structure of hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones. Sorption phenomena of water and aqueous alkali salt solutions by Nafion were investigated. For our study systems of thin-coating films prepared from 5% wt alcoholic solution of Nafion 117, the absorption spectrum was dominated by higher-order aggregates when in dry form. In pure water, the absorption maximum of the monomer dye appears at 773 nm and can be used as an indication of the swelling process of the film. The water uptake reaches saturation in only a few seconds. After the swelling process, an additional absorption band with a maximum at 555 nm appears primarily at the expense of the NIR monomer dye absorption band. The peak transition process, which is a very slow process and is a strong function of the water content inside the matrix, can be used as an indication of the establishment of equilibrium between the two-phase structure due to the water uptake. Since the absorption maximum of the study system is around 800 nm, semiconductor lasers can be used. This technique shows high potential in other applications where polymers are used as support material, e.g., in situ thin-film thickness measurements. In the study, the feasibility of this approach was illustrated.