Bubble formation in physical and biological systems: a manifestation of counterdiffusion in composite media.

The counterdiffusion of gases across a composite layer can lead to supersaturation and development of bubbles within the layer. A physicochemical model has been derived to predict the extent of such supersaturation; experiments with inert liquid layers confirm predictions. These findings explain the evolution of cutaneous lesions observed in man during simulated deep-sea dives and the cutaneous lesions and intravascular bubbles experimentally induced in pigs by exchanging certain inert gases across the skin.

Lecithin aerosols generated ultrasonically above 25 degrees C.

Dl-Dipalmitoyl-alpha-lecithin, suspended in 0.15-molar sodium chloride solution by sonic cavitation at 20 kilohertz, can be aerosolized by an 800-kilohertz ultrasonic generator only at temperatures above 25 degrees C. The aerosol thus produced is exceptionally stable against evaporation even at particle radii of 0.

Successive reversals of a classically conditioned heart-rate discrimination.

Rats were trained to criterion in successive reversals of a classically conditioned heart-rate discrimination. Criterion was attained more rapidly in the later reversals in the series than in the early reversals and the inter-problem learning curve was of the same general form as that found with successive instrumental discrimination reversal in the same species.

Membrane filtration technique for isolating organisms from raw milk of normal udders.

The effectiveness of two methods for the isolation of bacteria from raw milk was investigated. Raw milk from normal udders was subjected to the direct membrane filtration technique and the 18-hr incubation technique. The results indicate that the membrane filtration technique gives a more complete picture of the flora of a normal udder than does the 18-hr incubation technique.