Second-harmonic generation in monolayers of hemicyanine dyes at the air/water interface: Observation of chemical degradation

In situ studies of second-harmonic generation (SHG) in monolayers of pure hemicyanine dyes and their mixtures with arachidic acid at the air/water interface were performed. The studies revealed an unexpected chemical instability of the hemicyanine dyes involving a cleavage of the stilbene double bond when deposited onto the water surface. This reaction occurred especially rapidly in the presence of the arachidic acid. Dilution with arachidic acid did not lead to a significant enhancement of the harmonic intensity.     

Studies on the properties of the variants of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human urine

Both the high molecular weight and the low molecular weight variants of urinary Y-glutamyl transpeptidase, displayed transpeptidase (pH optimum 8.6) and autotrans-peptidase (pH optimum 9.4) activities. Iodoacetamide inhibited the transpeptidase activity more efficiently than the autotranspeptidase activity with respect to both variants of Y-glutamyl transpeptidase. The high molecular weight form utilized L-glutamine as a better acceptor than L-cystine during the transpeptidation reaction whereas the reverse was the case with the low molecular weight variant. While phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride-treated enzymes retained full activitiesper se, addition of maleic acid to the modified enzyme was found to inhibit the catalytic activities indicating a maleic acid-induced conformational change of the modified enzyme.     

Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of Heliconius butterflies across a large geographic range

In many animals, mate choice is important for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between species. Traits important for mate choice and behavioral isolation are predicted to be under strong stabilizing selection within species; however, such traits can also exhibit variation at the population level driven by neutral and adaptive evolutionary processes. Here, we describe patterns of divergence among androconial and genital chemical profiles at inter‐ and intraspecific levels in mimetic Heliconius butterflies. Most variation in chemical bouquets was found between species, but there were also quantitative differences at the population level. We found a strong correlation between interspecific chemical and genetic divergence, but this correlation varied in intraspecific comparisons. We identified “indicator” compounds characteristic of particular species that included compounds already known to elicit a behavioral response, suggesting an approach for identification of candidate compounds for future behavioral studies in novel systems. Overall, the strong signal of species identity suggests a role for these compounds in species recognition, but with additional potentially neutral variation at the population level.     

Comparison of different biological indices for the assessment of river quality: application to the upper river Moselle (France)

The aim of our study was to assess the water quality of the upper Moselle river by using biological indices. Simultaneous physico-chemical surveys were also undertaken from May 1999 to April 2000. Twelve sampling sites were selected in order to provide a wide range of potential pollution. Chemical analysis did not reveal any major problem of pollution. However a lower water quality resulting from domestic pollution was established for some sampling sites. A biological monitoring combining both macroinvertebrates and macrophytes was performed. Biological indices based on plant community structure and macrophyte composition were not pertinent tools, whereas simple indices based on taxonomic richness of particular groups of macroinvertebrates were strongly correlated with several chemical parameters, showing that such simple biological variables should represent powerful indicators of ecosystem degradation.     

朝鲜毛球蚧蜡泌物的超微形态与红外光谱特征

采用扫描电镜和红外光谱技术研究了朝鲜毛球蚧Didesmococcus koreanus在不同发育阶段蜡泌物的超微形态和化学成分。结果发现：该虫在低龄期的蜡泌物的形态是长丝状,到3龄和成虫期是由湿蜡凝结成不同大小的颗粒,块状和片状。雄虫蜡壳是薄蜡片构成,表面呈鱼鳞状凹凸。低龄期若虫蜡泌物的红外光谱特征与雌成虫的十分相似,说明二者所含的主要化学成分是相同的,雄虫和低龄若虫及雌成虫蜡壳萃取物的红外光谱的吸收峰型基本一致,但在1 240.7 cm^-1处出现一个中等强度的特征峰,这充分说明3种蜡泌物的有机化合物种类和结构一致,只是雄虫分泌物与另二者比较具有特征官能团,从而,利用该吸收峰可以区别出雄虫。此外,根据红外光谱特征分析,可以知道该虫蜡泌物的化学成分主要为长链脂肪酸、脂肪醇和一些带芳香环的化合物。     

Process of Making Three-dimensional Microstructures using Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component

Vascular structures in natural systems are able to provide high mass transport through high surface areas and optimized structure. Few synthetic material fabrication techniques are able to mimic the complexity of these structures while maintaining scalability. The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is able to do so. This process uses sacrificial fibers as a template to form hollow, cylindrical microchannels embedded within a matrix. Tin (II) oxalate (SnOx) is embedded within poly(lactic) acid (PLA) fibers which facilitates the use of this process. The SnOx catalyzes the depolymerization of the PLA fibers at lower temperatures. The lactic acid monomers are gaseous at these temperatures and can be removed from the embedded matrix at temperatures that do not damage the matrix. Here we show a method for aligning these fibers using micromachined plates and a tensioning device to create complex patterns of three-dimensionally arrayed microchannels. The process allows the exploration of virtually any arrangement of fiber topologies and structures.     

Anthocyanin pigments in Callistephus chinensis

Identification of the anthocyanin pigments in the flowers of six genotypes of Callistephus chinensis has confirmed that a series of multiple alleles, R, r′ and r are responsible for the production of delphinidin, cyanidin, and pelargonidin derivatives respectively. However, mixtures of anthocyanidin types were present in all genotypes. In the presence of gene M, mainly 3,5-diglycosides were found; in recessive genotypes (mm) there were only 3-mono-glucosides. Unstable acylated derivatives of these pigments were also present.