Structure,morphology, and crystallization process of isotactic polypropylene/hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin blends

The structure, morphology, and isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization of isotactic polypropylene/low‐molecular‐mass hydrocarbon resin blends (iPP/HR) (up to 20% in weight of HR) have been studied, using optical and electron microscopy, wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray and differential scanning calorimetry. New structures and morphologies can be activated, using appropriate preparation and crystallization conditions and blend composition. For every composition and crystallization condition, iPP crystallizes in α‐form, with a spherulitic morphology. The size of iPP spherulites increases with resin content, whereas the long period decreases. In the range of crystallization temperatures investigated, HR modifies the birefringence of iPP spherulites, favoring the formation of radial lamellae and changing the ratio between tangential and radial lamellae. Spherulitic radial growth rates, overall crystallization rates, and melting temperatures are strongly affected by resin, monotonically decreasing with resin content. This confirms miscibility in the melt between the two components of the blends. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3368–3379, 2004     

Spirostaphylotrichin W,a spirocyclic γ-lactam isolated from liquid culture of Pyrenophora semeniperda, a potential mycoherbicide for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) biocontrol

A novel spirocyclic γ-lactam, named spirostaphylotrichin W (1), was isolated together with the well known and closely related spirostaphylotrichins A, C, D, R and V, as well as triticone E, from the liquid cultures of Pyrenophora semeniperda (anamorph: Drechslera), a seed pathogen proposed for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) biocontrol. Spirostaphylotrichin W was characterized as (3S*,4S*,5S*,6S*,9Z,10Z)-4,6-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-3-methyl-10-propyliden-2-azaspiro [4.5]dec-8-ene-1,7-dione, by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The relative stereochemistry of spirostaphylotrichin W was assigned using NOESY experiments and in comparison to those of spirostaphylotrichin V (2) and triticone E (6). In fact, the relative stereochemistry at C-3 was the same of that of 2, while that at C-4 and C-6 was inverted in respect to that reported, respectively, for 2 and 6. In a B. tectorum coleoptile bioassay at concentration of 10⁻³, spirostaphylotrichin A proved to be the most active compound, followed by spirostaphylotrichins C and D. Spirostaphylotrichin W and V showed mild toxicity while spirostaphylotrichin R and triticone E were not active. When tested on host and non-host plants by leaf puncture bioassay, spirostaphylotrichins A, C and D caused the appearance of necrotic spots while the other compounds were inactive.     

Zur Steigerung der Empfindlichkeit der Salpeters?urereaction mit Diphenylamin bei Wasseruntersuchungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

X-Ray Crystal Structure of Phyllostin,a Metabolite Produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllosticta cirsii</Emphasis>, a Potential Mycoherbicide of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirsium arvense</Emphasis>

Abstract  

The X-ray crystal structure of phyllostin (8-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxo-2,3,4a,5,8,8a-hexahydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester) is reported. Phyllostin was recently and for the first time isolated, together with phytotoxin phyllostoxin and the phyllostictines A–D, from the culture filtrates of Phyllosticta cirsii, a fungal pathogen isolated from diseased Cirsium arvense leaves and evaluated as biocontrol agent of this noxious perennial weed. Phyllostin crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with unit cell parameters: a = 8.371(2), b = 7.026(1), c = 9.918(1) ?, β = 92.013(8)°, Z = 2. The final refinement converged to R1 = 0.0530 for 1026 observed reflections having I > 2σ(I). In the molecule two trans joined six-membered rings are present. The cyclohexene ring adopts a half-chair conformation. The 2-oxo-1,4-dioxan ring adopts a distorted half-chair conformation. The relative stereochemistry of the four chiral centers turns out to be 3R,4aS,8R,8aS. In the crystal packing molecules form infinite chains through O–H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Chains run along the crystallographic a axis forming layers of molecules stacking in the [0 1 0] direction.     

Experimental check of the dispersion law for ultracold neutrons

An experiment to check the standard dispersion law for ultracold neutrons is described. The experiment is based on searching for a shift of the resonance line of a neutron interference filter as the neutron velocity component parallel to the filter surface is varied. The first results attest to a statistically significant effect. No mimicking effects were found in a control experiment, but their possible existence cannot be completely ruled out at present. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 10, 746–751 (25 May 1998)     

High density polyethylene/hydrogenated oligo(cyclopentadiene) blends: Phase structure,thermal and mechanical properties

The article discusses the influence of an oligomeric resin, hydrogenated oligo (cyclopentadiene) (HOCP), on the morphology and properties of its blends with high density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE/HOCP blends after solidification contain three phases: the crystalline phase of HDPE and two amorphous phases, one rich in amorphous HDPE and the other in HOCP. DSC thermograms and the loss modulus behaviors show that the γ transition is influenced by HOCP molecules and, in addition to the α_c transition of HDPE, there is another transition that is attributed to the HOCP-rich phase. The hypothesis of the two amorphous phases is confirmed by the optical microscopy observations performed on isothermally crystallized blend films. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On the metabolites produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides a fungus proposed for the Ambrosia artemisiifolia biocontrol; spectroscopic data and absolute configuration assignment of colletochlorin A

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is responsible for serious allergies induced on humans. Different approaches for its control were proposed during the COST Action FA1203 “Sustainable management of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe” (SMARTER). Fungal secondary metabolites often show potential herbicidal activity. Three phytotoxins were purified from the fungal culture filtrates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, isolated from infected leaves of A. artemisiifolia. They were identified by spectroscopic and chemical methods as colletochlorin A, orcinol and tyrosol (1, 2 and 3). The absolute configuration 6’R to colletochlorin A was assigned for the first time applying the advanced Mosher’s method. When assayed by leaf-puncture on A. artemisiifolia only 1 caused the appearance of large necrosis. The same symptoms were also induced by 1 on ambrosia plantlets associated with plant wilting. On Lemna minor, colletochlorin A caused a clear fronds browning, with a total reduction in chlorophyll content.     

Phenazines and cancer

Phenazines are a large group of natural and synthesised nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including more than 100 different compounds of natural origin and over 6000 synthetic compounds. Many of these compounds have been investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. Despite a large number of research publications, no recent attempt to summarise and critically evaluate the experimental findings relating to the anti-cancer activity of this class of compounds has been made. The present review fills this gap in the literature and discusses both natural and synthetic phenazines with a critical focus on in vitro, in vivo and available clinical anti-cancer activities of these compounds.