A rat's first bite: The nongenetic, cross-generational transfer of information.

94 weanling Sprague-Dawley albino rats, when first exposed to solid food, showed relatively elevated intake if offered the same diet as eaten by their foster dams. Results suggest that maternal caretakers pass some specific food-related information to their offspring. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reconceptualizing social influence in counseling: The Elaboration Likelihood Model.

Previous investigations of attitude change in counseling based on S. R. Strong's (see PA, Vol 42:12025) social influence model have yielded mixed and inconclusive results. Such findings resemble the state of attitude change research that until recently existed in social psychology. In this article we introduce a model of attitude change from social psychology, the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion, which has served to unify some of the conflicting results in social psychology. The ELM may potentially account for the inconsistent findings within counseling psychology, providing a reconceptualization of the social influence process that builds upon Strong's (1968) theory and subsequent research. We also provide guidelines for the integration of recent social and counseling literatures in regard to the interpersonal influence process as represented by the ELM. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rauchgasreinigung mit trockenen Sorbentien – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen

Purification of flue gases by dry sorbents – possibilities and limits. The desired level of purification of the gases, even with smaller amounts of exhaust gases, requires technically straightforward methods. Purification of flue gases using socalled ?dry”? methods offers the advantage that no problems associated with waste water arise. The gaseous impurities are deposited onto dry sorbents, which can subsequently be disposed of in the dry state. In the article the advantages and disadvantages of ?dry”? methods are contrasted using examples from plant both at the planning stage and that already commissioned.     

Coal structure characterization and analysis by digital texture processing

Coal is a non-homogeneous substance; it consists of different constituents called macerals, each one characterized by its own set of properties. Macerals differ from mineral constituents of rocks because they do not have a well defined chemical composition. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of digital processing techniques based on the analyses of sample images to characterize coals taking into account the reflectance-textural characteristics of macerals. These characteristics were recognized, analysed and modelled. A pattern vector characteristic of each maceral was thus identified. The procedure is based on the processing of data (digital images) acquired by means of reflected light optical microscopy. Polished specimens of coal ores are considered for the study. In such a way it is pointed out a suitable procedure for a quantitative characterization of the different macerals constituting the coal.     

A Suitable Tool for Sustainable Groundwater Management

Artificial recharge is used to increase the availability of groundwater storage and reduce saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, where pumping and droughts have severely impaired groundwater quality. The implementation of optimal recharge methods requires knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena involving water and wastewater filtration in the subsoil, together with engineering aspects related to plant design and maintenance operations. This study uses a novel Decision Support System (DSS), which includes soil aquifer treatment (SAT) evaluation, to design an artificial recharge plant. The DSS helps users make strategic decisions on selecting the most appropriate recharge methods and water treatment technologies at specific sites. This will enable the recovery of safe water using managed aquifer recharge (MAR) practices, and result in reduced recharge costs. The DSS was built using an artificial intelligence technique and knowledge-based technology, related to both quantitative and qualitative aspects of water supply for artificial recharge. The DSS software was implemented using rules based on the cumulative experience of wastewater treatment plant engineers and groundwater modeling. Appropriate model flow simulations were performed in porous and fractured coastal aquifers to evaluate the suitability of this technique for enhancing the integrated water resources management approach. Results obtained from the AQUASTRESS integrated project and DRINKADRIA IPA CBC suggest the most effective strategies for wastewater treatments prior to recharge at specific sites.     

Oxidation at boron doped diamond electrodes: an effective method to mineralise triazines

The electrochemical oxidation of cyanuric acid (CA) is examined by bulk electrolyses at boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode. The influence of operating conditions on the reaction trend is investigated and suitable conditions for oxidative demolition of CA are individuated. In particular a strong effect of current density and pH is evidenced, being neutral pH and high current the most favourable conditions to achieve CA mineralisation. The paper also presents the results from atrazine (2-Cl-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) and 2-Cl-4,6-diammino-1,3,5-triazine oxidation at BDD anode. Triazine compounds are scarcely degraded even with powerful methods such as photocatalytic TiO₂-mediated processes, being CA generally obtained as final product of their oxidation. Individuation of favourable conditions for CA demolition has allowed to find suitable conditions to mineralise also triazine compounds.     

Hybrid inorganic-organic polymer electrolytes: synthesis, FT-Raman studies and conductivity of {Zr[(CH2CH2O)8.7]ρ/(LiClO4)z}n network complexes

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of three-dimensional hybrid inorganic-organic networks prepared by a polycondensation reaction between Zr(O(CH₂)₃CH₃)₄ and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400). Eleven hybrid networks doped with varying concentrations of LiClO₄ salt were prepared. On the basis of analytical data and FT-Raman studies it was concluded that these polymer electrolytes consist of inorganic-organic networks with zirconium atoms bonded together by PEG400 bridges. These polymers are transparent with a solid rubber consistency and are very stable under inert atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a smooth glassy surface. X-ray fluorescence microanalysis with energy dispersive spectroscopy demonstrated that all the constituent elements are homogeneously distributed in the materials. Thermogravimetric measurements revealed that these materials are thermally stable up to 262 °C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry measurements indicated that the glass transition temperature T_g of these inorganic-organic hybrids varies from −43 to −15 °C with increasing LiClO₄ concentration. FT-Raman investigations revealed the TGT (T=trans, G=gauche) conformation of polyether chains and allowed characterization of the types of ion-ion and ion-polymer host interactions in the bulk materials. The conductivity of the materials at different temperatures was determined by impedance spectroscopy over the 20 Hz-1 MHz frequency range. Results indicated that the materials conduct ionically and that their ionic conductivity is strongly influenced by the segmental motion of the polymer network and the type of ionic species distributed in the bulk material. Finally, it is to be highlighted that the hybrid network with a n_Li/n_O molar ratio of 0.0223 shows a conductivity of ca. 1×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 40 °C.     

Kinetics of the electrochemical oxidation of organic compounds at BDD anodes: modelling of surface reactions

This paper presents the results of a numerical study of the kinetics of electrochemical oxidation of different organic substances at boron doped diamond (BDD). It is well established that oxidation of organics at BDD anodes takes place in the potential region of oxygen evolution, through reaction steps in which OH radicals are involved: these radicals can react with organic compounds to give more oxidised substances, or with water to give oxygen. Because of the high reactivity of OH radicals these reactions are confined to a thin film adjacent to the electrode surface. A mathematical model was implemented, which accounts for chemical and electrochemical reactions, as well as for the transport phenomena involved in the process: the parameters of the model were derived from experimental data. The model allowed calculation of the trend with time of reactant concentration, reaction intermediates and oxidisable agents: their space profiles in the reactor were also obtained. The numerical predictions of the model were compared with experimental results obtained from galvanostatic electrolyses of different organic compounds: (a) 2,4,6-trihydroxy-1,3,5 triazine also known as cyanuric acid (CA), which is well known to be refractory to oxidation with OH; (b) atrazine (ATR) the most oxidisable precursor of CA, and (c) phenol which is considered as an OH scavenger because of its high reactivity. The agreement between experimental and model predicted data was good in all the examined conditions.     

The role and perspective of ab initio molecular dynamics in the study of biological systems

Ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) allows realistic simulations to be performed without adjustable parameters. In recent years, the technique has been used on an increasing number of applications to biochemical systems. Here we describe the principles on which ab initio MD is based. We focus on the most popular implementation, based on density functional theory and plane wave basis set. By a survey of recent applications, we show that despite the current limitations of size and time scale, ab initio MD (and hybrid ab initio MD/MM approaches) can play an important role for the modeling of biological systems. Finally, we provide a perspective for the advancement of methodological approaches which may further expand the scope of ab initio MD in biomolecular modeling.     

Liver Δ5 and Δ6 desaturase activity differs among laboratory rat strains

This study was designed to examine the variations among rat strains in hepatic fatty acid desaturase activities and to determine the correlations between the activities of these enzymes and the levels of each microsomal fatty acid. Wistar rats from two different sources as well as Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats were selected to assess, under standard and identical experimental conditions, the liver Δ5 and Δ6 desaturase activities. Both desaturase activities were significantly reduced by 56% in Sprague-Dawley rats when compared to BB-Wistar control rats, whereas intermediate reduced values were detected in Wistar (CR) and Long-Evans strains. The activities of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases were significantly and positively correlated with each other. However, no significant correlations were detected between either Δ5 or Δ6 desaturase activities and levels of any of their fatty acid substrates or any other of the major microsomal fatty acids. Fatty acid composition of microsomal total lipids showed strain dependency. A positive correlation was detected between the microsomal levels of the two major final products of both desaturases, namely 20∶4n−6 and 22∶6n−3. In general, the sum of n−3 or n−6 fatty acids but not the ratio of one to the other, varied among rat strains. The study demonstrated that Δ6 and Δ5 desaturase activities are strain-related. The data also suggested that (i) the desaturation activity should be measured and not predicted from the fatty acid composition and (ii) different rat strains should be used for lipid metabolic studies before conclusions are drawn for rats in general.