Semiochemicals and Social Signaling in the Wild European Rabbit in Australia: I. Scent Profiles of Chin Gland Secretion from the Field

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) uses the secretion of the chin gland in the maintenance of social status. Previous work has concentrated on secretion collected directly from the animal. In this study, the analysis was conducted by collecting scent marks made by free-ranging animals. Scent marks were found to be concentrated at the center of the area controlled by a social group, and at the boundaries between two adjacent social groups. Only the mark from dominant animals could be identified. Marks were also collected from the skin of rabbits, where they had been placed by the dominant individual. The mark found on the head of a subordinate animal may, in the future, be used to identify the dominant animal of the social group, who placed the mark.     

Note: Heated sample platform for in situ temperature-programmed XPS

We present the design, fabrication, and performance of the multi-specimen heated platform for linear in situ heating during the Temperature-Programmed XPS (TPXPS). The platform is versatile, compatible with high vacuum (HV) and bakeout. The heater platform is tested under in situ linear heating of typical high surface area sorbent∕catalyst support--nanoporous TiO(2). The platform allows the TPXPS of multiple samples located on specimen disk that can be transferred in and out of the TPXPS chamber. Electric characteristics, temperature and pressure curves are provided. Heating power supply, PID temperature controller, data-logging hardware and software are described.     

Biodegradation of estrogen conjugates by bacteria isolated from river sediments

The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of E. coli in river sediments to degrade estrogen conjugates. Biodegradation experiments on glucuronide estrogens (E1-GLU, E2-GLU and E3-GLU) using E. coli, non-E. coli bacteria as well as sediment crude extracts were carried out in batch mode. A pure identified E. coli strain (KCTC 2571) was used for comparison of enzyme activity. The results showed that the degradation rate of estrogen conjugates by KCTC 2571 and E. coli isolated from sediments followed a similar trend. Fecal bacteria showed a high ability to deconjugate glucuronided estrogens. Approximately 50% of glucuronide moieties were cleaved within 4 h of contact time in experiments using pure E. coli. The degradation rate was slower in experiments using crude extracts of sediments, and conjugated estrogens were not completely degraded even after 12 h of reaction. These results provide a clear understanding of the fate and behavior of estrogen by bacteria in the environment.     

High-temperature ellipsometer system to determine the optical properties of materials

A high-temperature ellipsometer system was developed that permits determination of the optical properties of solid and liquid bulk samples for temperatures as high as 2300 °C. The angles of incidence may be varied from 40° to 50°. The system was tested with a silicon wafer sample in inert gas environments of helium, argon, and nitrogen. In addition the possible sources of error in the inferred refractive index, especially in the context of Faraday effects, were assessed.