Surface Properties and Architectures of Male Moth Trichoid Sensilla Investigated Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

The surfaces of trichoid sensilla on male moth antennae have been sculpted over evolutionary time to capture pheromone odorant molecules emitted by the females of their species and transport the molecules in milliseconds into the binding protein milieu of the sensillum lumen. The capture of pheromone molecules likely has been optimized by the topographies and spacings of the numerous ridges and pores on these sensilla. A monolayer of free lipids in the outer epicuticle covers the sensillar surfaces and must also be involved in optimal pheromone odorant capture and transport.

Fabrication and characterization of thiol-triacrylate polymer via Michael addition reaction for biomedical applications.

Thiol-acrylate polymers have therapeutic potential as biocompatible scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Synthesis of a novel cyto-compatible and biodegradable polymer composed of trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate-trimethylolpropane tris (3-mercaptopropionate) (TMPeTA-TMPTMP) using a simple amine-catalyzed Michael addition reaction is reported in this study. This study explores the impact of molecular weight and crosslink density on the cyto-compatibility of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Fabrication and characterization of cell sheets using methylcellulose and PNIPAAm thermoresponsive polymers: A comparison Study.

Culturing cells on thermoresponsive polymers enables cells to be harvested as an intact cell sheet without disrupting the extracellular matrix or compromising cell-cell junctions. Previously, cell sheet fabrication methods using methylcellulose (MC) gel and PNIPAAm were independently demonstrated. In this study, MC and PNIPAAm fabrication methods are detailed and the resulting cell sheets characterized in parallel studies for direct comparison of human adipose derived stromal/stem cell (hASCs) sheet formation, cell morphology, viability, proliferation, and osteogenic potential over 21 days.

Assessing the hierarchical structure of titanium implant surfaces.

The physical texture of implant surfaces are known to be one important factor in creating a stable bone-implant interface. Simple roughness parameters (for e.g.

Solid-state water electrolysis with an alkaline membrane.

We report high-performance, durable alkaline membrane water electrolysis in a solid-state cell. An anion exchange membrane (AEM) and catalyst layer ionomer for hydroxide ion conduction were used without the addition of liquid electrolyte. At 50 °C, an AEM electrolysis cell using iridium oxide as the anode catalyst and Pt black as the cathode catalyst exhibited a current density of 399 mA/cm(2) at 1.

Queensland emergency medical system: a structural and organizational model for the emergency medical system in Australia.

Objective: The emergency medical system (EMS) can be defined as a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated system of care for patients suffering acute illness and injury. The aim of the present paper is to describe the evolution of the Queensland Emergency Medical System (QEMS) and to recommend a strategic national approach to EMS development.

Methods: Following the formation of the Queensland Ambulance Service in 1991, a state EMS committee was formed.

Evolution of the interface and metal film morphology in the vapor deposition of Ti on hexadecanethiolate hydrocarbon monolayers on Au.

The combination of in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared reflection spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry are used to probe the nature of the evolving interface chemistry and metal morphology arising from Ti vapor deposition onto the surface of a CH(3)(CH(2))(15)S/Au{111} self-assembled monolayer (SAM) at ambient temperature. The results show that for a deposition rate of approximately 0.15 Ti atom.

Chemical pathways in the interactions of reactive metal atoms with organic surfaces: vapor deposition of Ca and Ti on a methoxy-terminated alkanethiolate monolayer on Au.

In situ time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements have been used to characterize the interfacial chemistry that occurs upon physical vapor deposition of Ti and Ca atoms onto a -OCH(3) terminated alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on Au{111}. While the final result for both metals is near-exhaustive degradation of the methoxy terminal group and partial degradation of the alkyl chains to inorganic products such as carbides, hydrides, and oxides, the reaction mechanisms differ significantly. Titanium reacts in parallel with the -OCH(3) and -CH(2)- units, extensively degrading the latter until a metallic overlayer forms preventing further degradation.

The dynamics of noble metal atom penetration through methoxy-terminated alkanethiolate monolayers.

We have studied the interaction of vapor-deposited Al, Cu, Ag, and Au atoms on a methoxy-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of HS(CH(2))(16)OCH(3) on polycrystalline Au[111]. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, infrared reflection spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements at increasing coverages of metal show that for Cu and Ag deposition at all coverages the metal atoms continuously partition into competitive pathways: penetration through the SAM to the S/substrate interface and solvation-like interaction with the -OCH(3) terminal groups. Deposited Au atoms, however, undergo only continuous penetration, even at high coverages, leaving the SAM "floating" on the Au surface.

Nicotine's oxidative and antioxidant properties in CNS.

Nicotine has been reported to be therapeutic in some patients with certain neurodegenerative diseases and to have neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. However, nicotine administration may result in oxidative stress by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species in the periphery and central nervous system. There is also evidence suggesting that nicotine may have antioxidant properties in the central nervous system.

Bond insertion, complexation, and penetration pathways of vapor-deposited aluminum atoms with HO- and CH(3)O-terminated organic monolayers.

The interaction of vapor-deposited Al atoms with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of HS-(CH(2))(16)-X (X = -OH and -OCH(3)) chemisorbed at polycrystalline Au[111] surfaces was studied using time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Whereas quantum chemical theory calculations show that Al insertion into the C-C, C-H, C-O, and O-H bonds is favorable energetically, it is observed that deposited Al inserts only with the OH SAM to form an -O-Al-H product. This reaction appears to cease prior to complete -OH consumption, and is followed by formation of a few overlayers of a nonmetallic type of phase and finally deposition of a metallic film.

Knowledge of the national emergency telephone number and prevalence and characteristics of those trained in CPR in Queensland: baseline information for targeted training interventions.

Members of the community contribute to survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by contacting emergency medical services and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to the arrival of an ambulance. In Australia there is a paucity of information of the extent that community members know the emergency telephone number and are trained in CPR. A survey of Queensland adults (n=4490) was conducted to ascertain current knowledge and training levels and to target CPR training.

Detection of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) as a natural component in wine.

The compound gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) was found in extracts from samples of unadulterated wines. This finding indicates that GBL is a naturally occurring component in some wines and may be present in similar products. The concentration detected was approximately 5 microg/mL and was easily observed using a simple extraction technique followed by GC/MS analysis.

Delayed toxic acetaminophen level after initial four hour nontoxic level.

Antidotal therapy for acetaminophen poisoning is routinely based on a single acetaminophen level obtained four or more hours after ingestion. Some experts recommend additional acetaminophen levels if there are coingestants. This case report describes a 20-year-old woman who ingested acetaminophen 13 g, propoxyphene napsylate 2 g and naproxen sodium 3.

Contextual conditioning with massed versus distributed unconditional stimuli in the absence of explicit conditional stimuli.

Rats received unsignaled shocks in an observation chamber, with different groups varying with respect to time between shocks. Twenty-four hours later the rats were returned to the observation chamber for a test of conditioning to contextual stimuli. The freezing response served as the dependent variable.

A study of the homogeneity of the trabecular bone mineral density in the calcaneus.

In the past our laboratory has reported a method of measuring trabecular bone mineral density (TBMD) in the calcaneus in vivo by using the coherent-to-Compton scattering ratio. In the present work the distribution of TBMD in the calcaneus has been studied, and the reproducibility of this technique in vivo has been determined. It is found that although the TBMD may vary within the calcaneus, a region exists over which the variation in density is not large.