A multiple chemostat system for consortia studies on microbially influenced corrosion

A multiple chemostat system has been developed in which metal specimens can be exposed to a consortium of bacteria. The system comprises a single test chemostat containing the test specimen operated at a high dilution rate to facilitate the wash out of planktonic bacteria, selecting for attached or biofilm growth. This chemostat is fed at a steady low rate by a number of separate chemostats each of which contains a pure axenic culture of one member of the consortium being tested. This system has the advantage of providing a continual inoculum of the test species to the test specimen allowing both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria to be grown in the same system. Constant levels of three bacterial types were maintained in the system: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Exposure of 316L stainless steel electrodes to this system resulted in increased corrosion of coupons exposed biotically, as compared to those exposed abiotically. A current monitoring technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate effects of bacteria on metallic corrosion.     

The Maleny ‘Fire Event’: Rehearsals Toward Neo-liminality

Although the anthropological literature on ritual is extensive, little theoretical attention has been paid to recent attempts to (re)create rituals among mainstream groups in post-industrial, secularised societies. The authors address this issue by examiuning the annual Fire Event, which is constructed as a ritual climax to the Maleny Folk Festival in southern Queensland, Australia. Using the work of Victor Turner and John MacAloon as a point of departure, we argue that at best such celebrations constitute a neo-liminal framework within which participants can achieve a consensus of belief and action. By showing that some Fire Events have been more successful ‘rituals’ than others, we also highlight the factors which tend to impede participation and ‘con-subjectivity’ in such settings. In the process we identify some of the cultural divisions at Maleny, such as those between artists and ‘folk’, feral hippies and ‘hoons’, Aboriginals and Anglos, and begin to reflect on how these may relate to more general patterns of interaction in Australian society at large.     

A Rapid Method for Preparing High Quality Alizarin Stained Skeletons of Adult Mice

A simple three-day technique is described for preparing completely cleared and high quality alizarin stained total skeletons of adult mice. Unfixed specimens are partially macerated during staining. Older specimens are heated for 15 min in 1% KOH. A heated solution of benzyl and ethyl alcohol, glycerin, and water is used for final clearing and hardening. This procedure requires about 10 min work per specimen and greatly simplifies preparation of stained and cleared skeletons of adult mice. Another technique, giving slightly better preparations, but requiring 11-14 days, is also described.     

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) as a commercial crop in Brazilian Amazonia

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) is a woody vine or sprawling shrub native to the central Amazon Basin. The seeds are commercially produced on some 6,000 ha in the state of Amazonas near Manaus. The principal article of commerce is an amber-colored, carbonated soft drink. It is also widely used as a high caffeine stimulant and in local medicines. The plant is monoecious and is damaged by a number of diseases, the most severe being anthracnose. Prospects are excellent for greatly expanded international markets.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-(aminoalkyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives: a novel series of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonists. Part 2.

Following the programme started at Janssen Research Foundation searching for 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonists, we now report on the synthesis of a series of substituted 2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives. The 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C) and H(1) receptor affinities as well as the mCPP antagonistic activity of the compounds synthesised is described.     

Genetic basis of ultraviolet-B effects on contact hypersensitivity

The genetic basis of the effects of ultraviolet B(UVB) radiation on the induction of contact hypersensitivity (CH) to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) has been explored in genetically defined mice. It was found that acute, low-dose UVB radiation produced profound depletion of epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) at UVB-treated sites in all strains of mice tested. However, when DNFB was applied to UVB radiation sites, unresponsiveness developed in some strains of mice, but vigorous contact hypersensitivity was induced in others. The UVB-susceptible phenotype proved dominant or codominant in F₁ hybrids derived from parental strains of the susceptible and UVB-resistant phenotypes. Experiments conducted in one set of F₁ hybrids derived from two UVB-susceptible parental strains displayed UVB resistance, suggesting gene complementation, and showed that more than one genetic locus was involved. Segregant backcross populations, analyzed for the capacity to develop CH after UVB treatment and skin painting with DNFB, revealed that at least two, and probably three, independent genetic loci participate in determining UVB resistance. Results of experiments with H-2 congenic and recombinant mice derived from the B10 background implicated class I genes of the major histocompatibility complex as relevant genetic factors. These results indicate that there is a dissociation between the effects of UVB radiation on epidermal Langerhans cells and the capacity of a cutaneous surface to support the induction of contact hypersensitivity. The data indicate that the induction of CH to haptens is dependent on normal numbers of functional LC at the skin painting site only in some strains of mice. The data imply that in the so-called UVB-resistant strains of mice, alternative (non-Langerhans cell-dependent) mechanisms allow for the induction of CH. Several independent genetic loci, one of which appears to be H-2, govern this UVB-related effect.