Molecular recognition on acoustic wave devices

Microporous thin films composed either of zeolite crystals embedded in sol-gel derived glass or of a molecular coupling layer, zeolite crystals and a porous silica overlayer, were formed on the gold electrodes of Quartz Crystal Microbalances (QCM). The microporosity of the thin films was characterized by in situ nitrogen and vapor sorption isotherms. Both preparation methods result in thin films with substantial microporosity. Selective adsorption based on molecular size exclusion from the microporous films could be achieved

Canola-Wheat Rotation versus Continuous Wheat for the Southern Plains

Crop rotations are not common in the wheat belt of the Southern Plains. After years of continuous wheat, weeds have become increasingly difficult and expensive to manage. Yield data were elicited from farmers and used to determine if canola-wheat-wheat rotations are economically competitive with continuous wheat in the region.crop rotation, wheat, canola, elicited yield distributions, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Q10, Q12,

Using Available Volume to Predict Fluid Diffusivity in Random Media

We propose a simple equation for predicting self-diffusivity of fluids embedded in random matrices of identical, but dynamically frozen, particles (i.e., quenched-annealed systems). The only nontrivial input is the volume available to mobile particles, which also can be predicted for two common matrix types that reflect equilibrium and non-equilibrium fluid structures. The proposed equation can account for the large differences in mobility exhibited by quenched-annealed systems with indistinguishable static pair correlations, illustrating the key role that available volume plays in transport.Comment: to appear in Physical Review E (12 pages, 4 figures

Thermodynamics predicts how confinement modifies hard-sphere dynamics

We study how confining the equilibrium hard-sphere fluid to restrictive one- and two-dimensional channels with smooth interacting walls modifies its structure, dynamics, and entropy using molecular dynamics and transition-matrix Monte Carlo simulations. Although confinement strongly affects local structuring, the relationships between self-diffusivity, excess entropy, and average fluid density are, to an excellent approximation, independent of channel width or particle-wall interactions. Thus, thermodynamics can be used to predict how confinement impacts dynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Repurposing of Meropenem and Nadifloxacin for Treatment of Burn Patients?

The escalating number of multidrug resistant pathogens has demanded the swift development of new and potent antibiotics (ref. 2). Metallo-[beta]-lactamases (MBLs) continue to evolve, rendering the latest generation of carbapenem antibiotics useless (ref. 8). SPM-1, a recently discovered MBL, was isolated from a juvenile leukemia patient residing in a hospital in San Palo, Brazil just prior to the patient succumbing to septicemia brought on by Pseudomonas aeruginosa expressing SPM-1 (ref. 8). Screening of the Johns Hopkins Compound library of 1,514 FDA or FAD approved drugs (ref. 1) identified a novel SPM-1 inhibitor that is synergistically compatible with meropenem. Using clinically achievable concentrations, meropenem coupled with nadifloxacin inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa expressing SPM-1. This shotgun approach to new drug discovery provided a prompt solution to the grave problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens that are thriving in hospitals today

Atmospheric circulation patterns, cloud-to-ground lightning, and locally intense convective rainfall associated with debris flow initiation in the Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy

The Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy experience debris flows with great frequency during the summer months. An ample supply of unconsolidated material on steep slopes and a summer season climate regime characterized by recurrent thunderstorms combine to produce an abundance of these destructive hydro-geologic events. In the past, debris flow events have been studied primarily in the context of their geologic and geomorphic characteristics. The atmospheric contribution to these mass-wasting events has been limited to recording rainfall and developing intensity thresholds for debris mobilization. This study aims to expand the examination of atmospheric processes that preceded both locally intense convective rainfall (LICR) and debris flows in the Dolomite region. 500 hPa pressure level plots of geopotential heights were constructed for a period of 3 days prior to debris flow events to gain insight into the synoptic-scale processes which provide an environment conducive to LICR in the Dolomites. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash data recorded at the meso-scale were incorporated to assess the convective environment proximal to debris flow source regions. Twelve events were analyzed and from this analysis three common synoptic-scale circulation patterns were identified. Evaluation of CG flashes at smaller spatial and temporal scales illustrated that convective processes vary in their production of CF flashes (total number) and the spatial distribution of flashes can also be quite different between events over longer periods. During the 60 min interval immediately preceding debris flow a majority of cases exhibited spatial and temporal colocation of LICR and CG flashes. Also a number of CG flash parameters were found to be significantly correlated to rainfall intensity prior to debris flow initiation