Carbothermal transformation of a graphitic carbon nanofiber/silica aerogel composite to a SiC/silica nanocomposite

Carbon nanofiber/silica aerogel composites are prepared by sol-gel processing of surface-enhanced herringbone graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNF) and Si(OMe)4, followed by supercritical CO2 drying. Heating the resulting GCNF/silica aerogel composites to 1650 degrees C under a partial pressure of Ar gas initiates carbothermal reaction between the silica aerogel matrix and the carbon nanofiber component to form SiC/silica nanocomposites. The SiC phase is present as nearly spherical nanoparticles, having an average diameter of ca. 8 nm. Formation of SiC is confirmed by powder XRD and by Raman spectroscopy.     

Rapid preparation of Pt-Ru/graphitic carbon nanofiber nanocomposites as DMFC anode catalysts using microwave processing

Pt-Ru/graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) nanocomposites have been prepared on two different GCNF supports, with the use of a bimetallic precursor as a source of metal and microwave processing for thermal treatments. Pt-Ru nanoparticles appear as the major metal-containing component of these nanocomposites along with variable trace amounts of Ru metal. Use of microwave heating permits rapid preparation of these nanocomposites and affords metal nanoclusters of nearly uniform size. The performance of these nanocomposites as anode electrocatalysts in direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is compared with that of unsupported Pt-Ru colloid at identical total metal loading. The Pt-Ru/narrow tubular herringbone GCNF nanocomposite shows DMFC performance comparable to that recorded for an unsupported Pt-Ru colloid.     

Types of dissociation and dissociative types: A taxometric analysis of dissociative experiences.

This article examined evidence for dimensional and typological models of dissociation. The authors reviewed previous research with the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES; E. B. Bernstein-Carlson & F. W. Putnam; see record 1987-14407-001) and note that this scale, like other dissociation questionnaires, was developed to measure that so called dissociative continuum. Next, recently developed taxometric methods for distinguishing typological from dimensional constructs are described and applied to DES item-response data from 228 adults with diagnosed multiple personality disorder and 228 normal controls. The taxometric findings empirically justify the distinction between two types of dissociative experiences. Nonpathological dissociative experiences are manifestations of a dissociative trait, whereas pathological dissociative experiences are manifestations of a latent class variable. The taxometric findings also indicate that there are two types of dissociators. Individuals in the pathological dissociative class (taxon) can be identified with a brief, 8-item questionnaire called the DES-T. Scores on the DES-T and DES are compared in 11 clinical and nonclinical samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic Encoding of a Photocaged Histidine for Light-Control of Protein Activity

The use of light to control protein function is a critical tool in chemical biology. Here we describe the addition of a photocaged histidine to the genetic code. This unnatural amino acid becomes histidine upon exposure to light and allows for the optical control of enzymes that utilize active-site histidine residues. We demonstrate light-induced activation of a blue fluorescent protein and a chloramphenicol transferase. Further, we genetically encoded photocaged histidine in mammalian cells. We then used this approach in live cells for optical control of firefly luciferase and, Renilla luciferase. This tool should have utility in manipulating and controlling a wide range of biological processes.     

Method for rapid and sensitive detection of Enterococcus sp. and Enterococcus faecalis/faecium cells in potable water samples

We have developed a rapid and robust technological solution including a membrane filtration and dissolution method followed by a molecular enrichment and a real-time PCR assay, for detecting the presence of Enterococcus sp. or Enterococcus faecalis/faecium per 100 mL of water in less than 5 h and we compared it to Method 1600 on mEI agar in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and limit of detection. The mEI and the Enterococcus sp.-specific assay detected respectively 73 (64.0%) and 114 (100%) of the 114 enterococcal strains tested. None of the 150 non-enterococcal strains tested was detected by both methods with the exception of Tetragenococcus solitarius for the Enterococcus sp. assay. The multiplexed E. faecalis/faecium assay efficiently amplified DNA from 47 of 47 (100%) E. faecalis and 27 of 27 (100%) E. faecium strains tested respectively, whereas none of the 191 non-E. faecalis/faecium strains tested was detected. By simultaneously detecting the predominant fecal enterococcal species, the E. faecalis/faecium-specific assay allows a better distinction between enterococcal strains of fecal origin and those provided by the environment than Method 1600. Our procedure allows the detection of 4.5 enterococcal colony forming units (CFU) per 100 mL in less than 5 h, whereas the mEI method detected 2.3 CFU/100 mL in 24 h (95% confidence). Thus, our innovative and highly effective method provides a rapid and easy approach to concentrate very low numbers of enterococcal cells present in a 100 mL water sample and allows a better distinction between fecal and environmental enterococcal cells than Method 1600.     

Development of a Model System to Mimic Beef Bone Discoloration

ABSTRACT: Some current practices used in the meat industry (blast chilling, enhancement, modified atmosphere packaging [MAP]) appear to result in darkening of the bone in fresh meat. The objective of this study was to develop a model system that could be used to evaluate intervention strategies to prevent this discoloration. Beef rib bones were removed from carcasses, split along the transverse plane from the proximal to the distal end of the rib, and then frozen (−20 °C) or held at 4 °C for 24 h. Half were exposed to a phosphate/salt enhancement solution while half served as the control. Samples were packaged in air or modified atmosphere packaged (MAP: 80% O₂/20% CO₂) and displayed in a retail case (4 °C, 24 h). Visual discoloration occurred during the 1st 10 h of display. More darkening (brown, green/black) was observed in previously frozen samples, whereas samples held at refrigeration temperature were redder. CIE L *, a *, and b * values determined after 24 h indicated that samples held in refrigeration before packaging were lighter and redder. After 24 h at 4 °C, previously frozen samples contained more methemoglobin/g protein in the bone marrow than did bone samples that had never been frozen.