Invasiveness of LiTaO/sub 3/ and GaAs probes in external E-O sampling

Disturbances of signals on a coplanar waveguide (CPW) induced by the presence of LiTaO/sub 3/ and GaAs electrooptic probes in external electrooptic (EO) sampling have been simulated and compared quantitatively. The finite-difference-time-domain method is used to simulate the full wave field around a coplanar waveguide on a GaAs substrate in an external EO sampling configuration. The results indicate that the induced signal disturbance, or invasiveness, of a LiTaO/sub 3/ probe is almost ten times that of a GaAs probe in terms of the magnitude of S/sub 11/, but that LiTaO/sub 3/ yields about two times the EO response for a given S/sub 11/ and optical probing wavelength. The transparency of LiTaO/sub 3/ to shorter wavelengths, however, allows an even higher sensitivity for this material relative to GaAs. The results suggest that these probes do not exhibit significant invasiveness (magnitude of S/sub 11/ smaller than -40 dB), if they are removed from contact by the distance of CPWs center conductor width.<>     

Process and learning outcomes from remotely-operated,simulated, and hands-on student laboratories

A large-scale, multi-year, randomized study compared learning activities and outcomes for hands-on, remotely-operated, and simulation-based educational laboratories in an undergraduate engineering course. Students (N = 458) worked in small-group lab teams to perform two experiments involving stress on a cantilever beam. Each team conducted the experiments in one of three lab formats (hands-on, remotely-operated, or simulation-based), collecting data either individually or as a team. Lab format and data-collection mode showed an interaction, such that for the hands-on lab format learning outcomes were higher when the lab team collected data sets working as a group rather than individually collecting data sets to be combined later, while for remotely-operated labs individual data collection was best. The pattern of time spent on various lab-related activities suggests that working with real instead of simulated data may induce higher levels of motivation. The results also suggest that learning with computer-mediated technologies can be improved by careful design and coordination of group and individual activities.     

Quantifying blood flow and wall shear stresses in the outflow tract of chick embryonic hearts

Wall shear stresses (WSS) exerted by blood flow on cardiac tissues modulate growth and development of the heart. To study the role of hemodynamic conditions on cardiac morphogenesis, here, we present a methodology that combines imaging and finite element modeling to quantify the in vivo blood flow dynamics and WSS in the cardiac outflow tract (OFT) of early chicken embryos (day 3 out of 21-day incubation period). We found a distinct blood flow field and heterogeneous distribution of WSS in the chicken embryonic heart OFT, which have physiological implications for OFT morphogenesis.     

Genes, Race, and Psychology in the Genome Era: An Introduction.

The mapping of the human genome has reawakened interest in the topic of race and genetics, especially the use of genetic technology to examine racial differences in complex outcomes such as health and intelligence. Advances in genomic research challenge psychology to address the myriad conceptual, methodological, and analytical issues associated with research on genetics and race. In addition, the field needs to understand the numerous social, ethical, legal, clinical, and policy implications of research in this arena. Addressing these issues should not only benefit psychology but could also serve to guide such thought in other fields, including molecular biology. The purpose of this special issue is to begin a discussion of this issue of race and genetics within the field of psychology. Several scholars who work in the fields of genetics, race, or related areas were invited to write (or had previously submitted) articles sharing their perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Effect of Addition of High-Melting Monoacylglycerol and Candelilla Wax on Pea and Faba Bean Protein Foam-Templated Oleogelation

Use of oleogels prepared from hydrocolloids has recently gained considerable attention as an alternative for trans and saturated fats. Lately, pulse proteins such as faba bean protein and pea protein have been successfully used to prepare oleogels using a foam-templated approach. Although the pulse proteins are healthy oleogelators, high oil loss and low quality of cake baked using pulse protein-stabilized oleogels due to its poor rheological properties challenged its use. The present study explored whether the addition of small amount of high-melting monoglyceride (MAG) or candelilla wax (CW) can be used to improve the oil binding capacity, rheological properties, and baking qualities of pulse protein-stabilized oleogels composed of 5% faba bean or pea protein concentrate with 0.25% xanthan gum foams. Different concentrations (0.5–3%) of MAG or CW were dissolved in canola oil at 80 °C, followed by addition into the freeze-dried protein-polysaccharide foams (pH 7) and quickly transferred to a refrigerator to facilitate the formation of oleogels. The crystallized additives were found to be reinforcing the protein foam network in the oleogels. With increase in concentration of CW and MAG, the oil binding capacity, firmness, cohesiveness, and storage moduli of the oleogels were increased. Oleogels with and without MAG or CW were then characterized and tested for their performance as a shortening replacer in model baked cakes. Findings showed improved textural properties of cake upon addition of MAG in the foam-templated oleogels, however, compared to the shortening, negative effect on cake hardness and chewiness was still observed with the oleogels.     

Mechanical and physical properties of calcium-treated gellan films

The physicochemical properties of Ca²⁺-treated gellan films plasticized with glycerol were investigated as a function of CaCl₂ concentration (0–20%, w/w) in an aqueous soaking solution. Films were examined based on their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), swelling index (SI), thickness and opacity. The SI was lower for Ca²⁺-treated films relative to a control, however, above 13% (w/w) CaCl₂ no differences in SI were found. At 13% (w/w) CaCl₂, tensile and puncture strengths reached a maximum. Tensile elongation, puncture deformation, film thickness and WVP were lower for CaCl₂-treated films than untreated, however, all increased with CaCl₂ concentration. Opacity of gellan films increased with the Ca²⁺-treatment relative to the untreated film, however declined as CaCl₂ concentration increased. In general, Ca²⁺-treated gellan films were stronger, acted as better water vapor barriers, swelled less when in contact with water, and became less pliable and transparent.     

Tissue phenotype depends on reciprocal interactions between the extracellular matrix and the structural organization of the nucleus

What determines the nuclear organization within a cell and whether this organization itself can impose cellular function within a tissue remains unknown. To explore the relationship between nuclear organization and tissue architecture and function, we used a model of human mammary epithelial cell acinar morphogenesis. When cultured within a reconstituted basement membrane (rBM), HMT-3522 cells form polarized and growth-arrested tissue-like acini with a central lumen and deposit an endogenous BM. We show that rBM-induced morphogenesis is accompanied by relocalization of the nuclear matrix proteins NuMA, splicing factor SRm160, and cell cycle regulator Rb. These proteins had distinct distribution patterns specific for proliferation, growth arrest, and acini formation, whereas the distribution of the nuclear lamina protein, lamin B, remained unchanged. NuMA relocalized to foci, which coalesced into larger assemblies as morphogenesis progressed. Perturbation of histone acetylation in the acini by trichostatin A treatment altered chromatin structure, disrupted NuMA foci, and induced cell proliferation. Moreover, treatment of transiently permeabilized acini with a NuMA antibody led to the disruption of NuMA foci, alteration of histone acetylation, activation of metalloproteases, and breakdown of the endogenous BM. These results experimentally demonstrate a dynamic interaction between the extracellular matrix, nuclear organization, and tissue phenotype. They further show that rather than passively reflecting changes in gene expression, nuclear organization itself can modulate the cellular and tissue phenotype.