Diamond nanoseeding on silicon: Stability under H2 MPCVD exposures and early stages of growth

Detonation nanodiamond dispersed on silicon surfaces underwent different H₂ MPCVD exposures. The induced changes at the surface have been characterized in situ by XPS and XEELS. Then, a short CH₄/H₂ growth step was applied. This sequential study revealed an excellent stability of detonation nanodiamond. The sp³ etching rate is insufficient to remove nanodiamond even under intense H₂ plasma. The H₂ exposure could be successfully used to remove C–C sp² carbon without altering sp³ seeds. Moreover, the formation of silicon carbide observed after the hydrogen treatment is thought to be helpful to enhance the adhesion of nanodiamond particles on the substrate.     

Flavor Fade in Peanuts During Short-term Storage

ABSTRACT: Flavor characteristics of roasted peanuts over short-term storage were explored through sensory and chemical analyses. The volatiles from freshly roasted peanuts were evaluated over short-time (21 d) storage using gas chromatography, chemosensory techniques, and a sensory panel to quantify and identify pyrazines and hexanal over a 21-d storage period. A significant decrease ( P < 0.05) was noted in 2,3-diethylpyrazine, 2-methoxypyrazine, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine concentrations over a 21-d period. No significant difference ( P > 0.05) was noted in the 2-methylpyrazine and 2-ethylpyrazine concentrations. The hexanal concentration significantly increased ( P < 0.05) over the 21-d period. The peroxide values and sensory analysis agreed with these results. A significant increase ( P < 0.05) in peroxide value was seen at days 14 and 21, and a significant decrease ( P < 0.05) in fresh roasted peanuty flavor from day 0 to 21 and significant increases ( P < 0.05) in painty, cardboardy, and bitter flavors from day 7 to 21 with the sensory analysis. The electronic nose successfully separated day 0 and 21 samples from day 7 and 14 samples, which were also separated but with some overlap.     

Dual immunodetection and hybridisation in situ of opsin mRNA and rhodopsin protein in retinal sections

We describe a simple method for combining in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry on the same retinal section. The technique was developed using a radiolabelled cDNA probe for opsin and an antibody (ROS1F4) against rhodopsin. This method retains the antigenic sites if immunocytochemistry is performed prior to in situ hybridisation. Opsin mRNA was found in the photoreceptor inner segment with rhodopsin immunolocalised to the photoreceptor outer segments. The technique should be applicable to numerous situations including analysis of the sequence of events in the expression and synthesis of the various opsins during retinal development and degeneration.     

Barriers to Increased Engineering Graduate Enrollments: Counterforces and Their Implementation

This paper highlights the role of the faculty member in recruiting students currently enrolled in B.S. programs in engineering and the sciences into full-time pursuit of a graduate-level engineering degree. The faculty member is demonstrated to be in a unique position to influence such students, providing strong counterforces to a confluence of attitudes and pressures experienced during the B.S. experience which effectively create a barrier to full-time engineering graduate study. We analyze this barrier via the method of force field analysis, and demonstrate that effective recruitment into full-time graduate study must be based on a four-fold strategy of education, expectations, improved B.S. experience and better control of the B.S. environment. Approaches to implement these strategies are discussed.     

Glucuronidation of N-hydroxy heterocyclic amines by human and rat liver microsomes

The food-borne carcinogenic and mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amines undergo bioactivation to the corresponding N-hydroxy (OH)-arylamines and the subsequent N-glucuronidation of these metabolites is regarded as an important detoxification reaction. In this study, the rates of glucuronidation for the N-OH derivatives of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) by liver microsomal glucuronosyltransferase were compared to that of the proximate human urinary bladder carcinogen, N-OH-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP) and the proximate rat colon carcinogen N-OH-3,2'-dimethyl-4-amino-biphenyl (N-OH-DMABP). Human liver microsomes catalyzed the uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA)-dependent glucuroidation of N-OH-IQ, N-OH-PhIP, N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-MeIQx at rates of 59%, 42%, 35% and 27%, respectively, of that measured for N-OH-ABP (11.5 nmol/min/mg). Rat liver microsomes also catalyzed the UDPGA-dependent glucuronidation of N-OH-PhIP, N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-IQ at rates of 30%, 20% and 10%, respectively of that measured for N-OH-DMABP (11.2 nmol/min/mg); activity towards N-OH-MeIQx was not detected. Two glucuronide(s) of N-OH-PhIP, designated I and II, were separated by HPLC. Conjugate II was found to be chromatographically and spectrally identical with a previously reported major biliary metabolite of PhIP in the rat, while conjugate I was identical with a major urinary metabolite of PhIP in the dog. Hepatic microsomes from rat, dog and human were found to catalyze the formation of both conjugates. The rat preferentially formed conjugate II (I to II ratio of 1:15), while the dog and human formed higher relative amounts of conjugate I (I to II ratio of 2.5:1.0 and 1.3:1.0 respectively). Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of conjugates I and II gave the corresponding molecular ions and showed nearly identical primary spectra. However, collision-induced spectra were distinct and were consistent with the identity of conjugates I and II as structural isomers. Moreover, the UV spectrum of conjugate I exhibited a lambda max at 317 nm and was essentially identical to that of N-OH-PhIP, while conjugate II was markedly different with a lambda max of 331 nm. Both conjugates were stable in 0.1 N HCl and were resistant to hydrolysis by rat, dog and human liver microsomal beta-glucuronidases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The isolated air perfused rat heart

A simple method has been developed for continuous monitoring of metabolic activity of an isolated, perfused rat heart by O2/CO2 respirometer. Since respirometer provides vital data on oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of a preserved organ on a continuous basis over a long period of time, it will be possible to use this method to monitor viability of not only isolated heart but also any given donor organ under preservation.     

A new protocol for training severely impaired patients in the usage of memory journals

Although memory disorders are frequently seen in survivors of brain injuries, remediation of patients with severe memory disorders is still relatively neglected in clinical practice due to pessimism by clinicians regarding the efficacy of such remediation. With respect to memory journal training, a further reason for this neglect is likely the lack of readily accessible protocols that therapists can use to work with these patients. The purpose of the present paper is to describe a new memory journal training protocol that was developed to teach brain injury survivors how to compensate for severe memory impairments by using three strengths of most brain injury survivors: immediate attention, procedural memory, and old learning. A training protocol is described that involves baseline testing and a needs assessment, five levels of training exercises, and discharge probe testing. It is concluded that patients with severely impaired memory abilities can learn the present system when care is taken to individualize journals, conduct proper needs assessments, and provide structured training exercises geared to the strengths of memory impaired persons.