New species of Actinomadura coeruleoviolacea sp. nov. and its antagonistic properties

Eight strains of actinomycetes isolated from soil samples were described as representatives of Actinomadura coeruleoviolacea sp.nov. The species was characterized by straight and sometimes branching short chains of spores, smooth spores, blue aerial mycellium and violet soluble pigment. All the strains showed antibacterial activity when cultivated in liquid media. The pigment differed from all known pigments. It is probably a new natural compound.     

Morphological changes in the midpiece of wooly opossum spermatozoa during epididymal transit

Several ultrastructural changes were found to occur in the midpiece region of wooly opossum spermatozoa during epididymal maturation. The changes include alterations in mitochondrial morphology, development of structural specializations of the plasma membrane, and acquisition of a prominent extracellular coating. The lamellar membrane network which is wound about the periphery of the mitochondria becomes more densely packed during sperm development and the reticular network of membranes noted in the center of the mitochondria of immature sperm disappears leaving a homogeneous electron dense central zone. During epididymal transit the plasma membrane over the sperm midpiece region shows extensive structural modification. In cross sections of paired spermatozoa the plasma membrane of the midpiece regions shows a very regular, repetitive scalloping. In longitudinal sections the scalloping is observed as continuous parallel ridges which extend slightly obliquely to the flagellar long axis. Each ridge appears to be greater in density than the interridge areas. In the epididymis a prominent extracellular coating of dense material is deposited over the midpiece surface; this material is similar in appearance to dense material seen in restricted areas of the epididymal lumen. At the proximal and distal ends of the midpiece the plasma membrane comes into intimate contact with underlying structural specializations and it is suggested that these zones of fusion may serve to preserve regional differences in membrane composition.     

Pyrolysis and combustion of cellulose. I. Effects of triphenyl phosphate in the presence of nitrogenous bases

The ability of selected phosphorus-containing compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds to act as flame retardants for cotton cellulose was investigated using flame tests, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The effectiveness of the organophosphorus compounds was found to correlate with the changes which they induced in the pyrolytic degradation of the cellulose as indicated by DTA. Many of the samples containing nitrogen were found to exhibit DTA curves having pronounced exotherms. The presence of nitrogen-containing compounds in conjunction with the organophosphorus systems enhanced their ability to retard flame propagation but did not produce significant changes in the pyrolytic endotherm as observed by DTA. More conclusive evidence for a chemically based phosphorus-nitrogen synergism was obtained by the use of TGA. These data can be interpreted in terms of the phosphorus-nitrogen synergistic effects and flame retardance mechanisms which have been proposed in the literature.     

Characterization of silane-modified immobilized gold colloids as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Immobilized gold colloid particles coated with a C-18 alkylsilane layer have been characterized as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies of adsorption onto hydrophobic surfaces. Atomic force microscopy images, optical extinction spectra, and SERS measurements are reported as a function of accumulation of gold colloid on glass. As the metal particles become increasingly aggregated on the surface, the SERS enhancement increases until the plasmon resonance shifts to wavelengths longer than the excitation laser. The gold colloid substrates are stable and exhibit reproducible SERS enhancement. When octadecyltrimethoxysilane is self-assembled over the gold, the metal surface is protected from exposure to solution-phase species, as evidenced by the inhibition of chemisorption of a disulfide reagent to the overcoated gold surface. The results show that interactions with gold can be blocked by a silane layer so as not to significantly influence physisorption of molecules at the C-18/solution interface. The SERS enhancement from these C-18-overcoated gold substrates is reproducible for different films prepared from the same colloidal suspension; the substrates are also stable with time and upon exposure to laser irradiation.     

The ideology of logic in contemporary psychology.

Comments on the article "Psychology and Phenomenology: A Clarification" by H. H. Kendler (see record 2005-05480-003). In this article, Kendler sought to resolve the methodological issue that divides much of contemporary psychology--namely, the difference between natural science and human science in their respective views of psychological life. Whereas Kendler provided an evocative historical account of conflicts over how psychology has interpreted consciousness, the force of his analysis depends on the extent to which the proverbial "is/ought" distinction, invoked any time the question of "science" is at stake, can have any meaningful purchase in the face of a radical phenomenology like that of Martin Heidegger. Regrettably, Kendler's position in the end eclipses any intention to clarify our understanding of the relationship between "natural" and "human" science. The consequence of his article will not likely resolve the controversy he put before us, but if it does nothing more than provoke further discussion, Kendler will have provided our profession with an opportunity to understand more fully this business we call psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)