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A prior study showed that students best make predictions about the outcome of opening a valve between two flasks containing a fluid or vacuum when they view both a demonstration video and a particulate animation, but the study showed no influence from the order in which these visualizations were used. The purpose of this current research was to study the effect of the order of visualization on students' particulate-level explanations. For this study, first-year general chemistry students in a south-central university in the United States were asked to choose, or type in their own explanations, for three experiments involving diffusion-effusion. Student ability to focus on particulate explanations was investigated after viewing either a macroscopic demonstration or an animated particle view. Students were directed to a Web site where they received one of two randomly assigned treatments. One group of students was shown the particulate animation first, followed by the macroscopic demonstration. For the other group, the order was reversed. Student explanations were assessed after each view. Finally, both groups were shown a side-by-side view of the animation and demonstration and their explanation was assessed one final time. Results showed that the order of visualizations did make a difference, with the macroscopic view followed by the particle view yielding significantly more particulate explanations. (Contains 7 tables and 8 figures.)

The studies have shown that the metal/ligand approach to immobilizing oligonucleotide probes is extended to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) probes. The location of phosphate linkers in the duplex probes has resulted in different probe surface coverage and presentation on the surface, which has affected subsequent interactions with the target protein.

The ability to mitigate the costs of engaging in a fight will depend on an individual's physiological state. However, the experience of fighting itself may, in turn, affect an individual's state, especially if the fight results in injury. Previous studies have found a correlation between immune state and fighting success, but the causal direction of this relationship remains unclear. Does immune state determine fighting success? Or does fighting itself influence subsequent immune state? Using the beadlet anemone, Actinia equina, we disentangled the cause and effect of this relationship, measuring immune response once pre-fight and twice post-fight. Contrary to previous findings, pre-fight immune response did not predict fighting success, but rather predicted whether an individual used its weapons during the fight. Furthermore, weapon use and contest outcome significantly affected post-fight immune response. Individuals that used their weapons maintained a stable immune response following the fight, whereas those that fought non-injuriously did not. Furthermore, although winners suffered a reduction in immune response similar to that of losers immediately postfight, winners began to recover pre-fight levels within 24 h. Our findings indicate that immune state can influence strategic fighting decisions and, moreover, that fight outcome and the agonistic behaviours expressed can significantly affect subsequent immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Films of the photomagnetic Prussian blue analogue Rb0.7Co4(Fe(CN)6)3.0(Co–Fe PBA) were deposited onto a Melinex® substrate using two different multiple sequential adsorption methods. Film thickness, measured using atomic force microscopy, was controlled by the number of deposition cycles. The photoinduced magnetism known for the bulk Co–Fe PBA at low temperatures is also seen in the thin films, although the response is anisotropic. A photoinduced increase in magnetization is observed when the film is parallel (∥) to the applied magnetic field (H E), while a photoinduced decrease is observed when the film is perpendicular (⊥) to a weak H E. The relationship between the film thickness and the photoinduced decrease in magnetization is explored in this article. The photoinduced decrease is observed for films less than ∼200nm thick. The behavior is explained by invoking a dipolar interaction between primordial ferrimagnetic domains and the photoswitchable pairs arrayed in the quasi-2D thin film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new process for preparing oligonucleotide arrays is described that uses surface grafting chemistry which is fundamentally different from the electrostatic adsorption and organic covalent binding methods normally employed. Solid supports are modified with a mixed organic/inorganic zirconium phosphonate monolayer film providing a stable, well-defined interface. Oligonucleotide probes terminated with phosphate are spotted directly on to the zirconated surface forming a covalent linkage. Specific binding of terminal phosphate groups with minimal binding of the internal phosphate diesters has been demonstrated. The mixed organic/inorganic thin films have also been extended for use arraying DNA duplex probes, and therefore represent a viable general approach to DNA-based bioarrays. Ideas for interfacing mixed organic/inorganic interfaces to other bioapplications are also discussed.