Dynamic properties of molecularly thin liquid films

An experimental technique is described for simultaneously measuring the static and dynamic interactions of very thin liquid films between two surfaces as they are moved normally or laterally relative to each other. Film thickness can be measured and controlled to 1 angstrom. Initial results are presented of the transition in the physical properties of liquid films only one molecular layer thick to thicker films whose properties are practically indistinguishable from the bulk. In particular, the results show that two molecularly smooth surfaces, when close together in simple liquids, slide (shear) past each other while separated by a discrete number of molecular layers, and that the frictional force is "quantized" with the number of layers.     

Soil acidity, and the growth, biomass partitioning and leaf mineral composition of honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) seedlings

Honeylocust seedlings (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) were grown in cylinders containing soil adjusted to pH 4, 5 or 6, and harvested every 10 days for 40 days for dry weight and leaf mineral analysis. Total weight of plants grown at pH 4 was less than that of plants grown at pH 5 or 6. Root weight accounted for a greater proportion of total weight in plants grown at pH 4 than in plants grown at pH 5 or 6. Root growth as a function of total plant growth was higher in plants grown at pH 4 than in plants grown at pH 5 or 6, whereas leaf growth as a function of total plant growth was less in plants grown at pH 4 than in plants grown at pH 5 or 6. However, the relationships between root biomass and root length and between leaf biomass and leaf area were the same in all treatments. An analysis of total leaf concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn and Al indicated that Al accumulation in leaves was significantly related to a decrease in plant growth at pH 5. A leaf tissue aluminum concentration of 35 microg g(-1) was associated with toxicity symptoms and a 25% reduction in total plant weight.     

Simple, rapid method for determination of total extractable fat in canned pet foods

The rapid column method described, unlike AOAC method 7.056, determines both neutral ("crude") and total fat in canned pet foods, and uses nonflammable solvent mixtures and simple laboratory equipment. Neutral fat values are obtained by eluting the column with dichloromethane, whereas total fat values are determined by using dichloromethane-methanol (9 + 1). For 7 samples analyzed in triplicate, fat ranged from 2.9 to 10.8%. Neutral fat values by the dry column method were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than were those by 7.056 (6.29 vs 6.49), although these differences were practically unimportant. Total fat determinations by the dry column method and by 7.056 yielded overall means of 7.40 and 6.49%, respectively. The 0.91% mean difference is significant (P less than 0.01) and represents a more complete extraction of polar lipids by the proposed method.