Styrene polymerization in the presence of the CpTiCl3/Al2O3–SiO2/MAO catalytic system

Syndiotactic polymerization of styrene in the presence of heterogenized hemititanocene catalysts CpTiCl₃/Al₂O₃–SiO₂/MAO (Cp = cyclopentadienyl; MAO = methylaluminoxane) showed that the yield and selectivity of this reaction depend on the support composition, i.e. on the Al₂O₃ content in the support. The most active catalysts contained Al₂O₃ in a quantity of 50 to 70 wt%. Despite a relatively lower selectivity of 75–59%, the amount of syndiotactic polystyrene in the presence of those catalysts was the greatest. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BVφ-solutions of nonlinear integral equations

In this paper we investigate solutions of nonlinear Hammerstein and Volterra-Hammerstein integral equations in the space of functions of bounded φ-variation in the sense of Young. We prove the existence and in some cases the existence and uniqueness of local and global solutions in this class. Real-valued as well as vector-valued functions are under our consideration. The method of our proofs is based on an application of the Banach contraction principle as well as the Leray-Schauder alternative for contractions.     

Bounded pluriharmonic functions on symmetric irreducible Siegel domains

Let be an irreducible, symmetric Siegel domain and let S be a solvable group which acts simply transitively on . We exhibit three S-invariant, real, second order, degenerate elliptic operators such that a bounded function F on is pluriharmonic, if and only if . The three operators are the same as in our former paper [DHMP], however there we needed a considerably stronger condition on F to derive the same conclusion. Received: 26 October 2000; in final form: 10 September 2001 / Published online: 28 February 2002     

Stress equivalence principle for saturated porous mediaPrincipe d'équivalence en contrainte pour milieux poreux saturés

The stress equivalence principle for saturated porous media is studied in the plastic domain using a homogenization approach. The skeleton is composed of a micro-isotropic and micro-homogeneous material. The stress localization law in saturated porous media is first obtained. This makes it possible to define an appropriate effective stress tensor in the sense of the stress equivalence principle. The form of the effective stress tensor is examined for two particular yield functions of skeleton material. To cite this article: D. Lydzba, J.-F. Shao, C. R. Mecanique 330 (2002) 297–303.     

Sarracenia alata (Alph.Wood) Alph.Wood Microcuttings as a Source of Volatiles Potentially Responsible for Insects’ Respond

Rare carnivorous plants representing the genus Sarracenia are perceived as very interesting to scientists involved in various fields of botany, ethnobotany, entomology, phytochemistry and others. Such high interest is caused mainly by the unique capacity of Sarracenia spp. to attract insects. Therefore, an attempt to develop a protocol for micropropagation of the Sarracenia alata (Alph.Wood) Alph.Wood, commonly named yellow trumpets, and to identify the specific chemical composition of volatile compounds of this plant in vitro and ex vivo was undertaken. Thus, the chemical volatile compounds excreted by the studied plant to attract insects were recognized with the application of the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with the GC-MS technique. As the major volatile compounds (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (16.48% ± 0.31), (E)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate (19.99% ± 0.01) and β-caryophyllene (11.30% ± 0.27) were identified. Further, both the chemical assumed to be responsible for attracting insects, i.e., pyridine (3.10% ± 0.07), and whole plants were used in in vivo bioassays with two insect species, namely Drosophila hydei and Acyrthosiphon pisum. The obtained results bring a new perspective on the possibilities of cultivating rare carnivorous plants in vitro since they are regarded as a valuable source of bioactive volatile compounds, as including ones with repellent or attractant activity.     

Cluster Analysis Classification of Honey from Two Different Climatic Zones Based on Selected Physicochemical and of Microbiological Parameters

The geographical origin of honey affects its composition, which is of key importance for the health-promoting properties and safety of the product. European regulations clearly define the physicochemical requirements for honey that determine the microbiological quality. On the other hand, legislation abolishes microbiological criteria. In the study 40 honey samples originating from two different climatic zones were analyzed. The water content, pH, water activity analysis and the microbiological quality of honey samples have been tested using the reference plate method (total viable count, yeast and molds, lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus spp.). The cluster classification showed that total viable count of bacteria could be used as a measure alternative to the count of Bacillus spp. and 70% of honeys from the tropical climate zone had different microbiological quality than honeys from the temperate climate zone but still under the level 3.0 log cfu/g. The study has revealed that geographical origin of honey may significantly affect the quality and safety of honey. It was considered that water content can be the most informative and handy marker of the microbiological quality of honeys. Analysis of lactic acid bacteria showed temperate climate zone honeys as a source of beneficial bacteria in the diet.     

Sambucus Nigra Extracts–Natural Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Compounds

Due to the health-promoting properties of elderberry fruits, which result from their rich chemical composition, this raw material is widely used in herbal medicine and the food industry. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of the elderberry fruit extracts. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The research showed that the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in the extracts determined their antibacterial activity. The following phenolic acids were predominant: chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, and t-cinnamic acid. Their average content was, respectively, 139.09, 72.84, 51.29 mg/g extract. Rutin and quercetin (their average content was 1105.39 and 306.6 mg/g extract, respectively) were the dominant flavonoids. The research showed that the elderberry polyphenol extracts exhibited activity against selected strains of bacteria within the concentration range of 0.5–0.05%. The following bacteria were the most sensitive to the extracts: Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas fragii, and Escherichia coli. Of the compounds under analysis, apigenin, kaempferol and ferulic, protocatechuic, and p-coumarin acids had the greatest influence on the high antibacterial activity of elderberry extracts. The results of the microbiological and chemical analyses of the composition of the extracts were analyzed statistically to indicate the bioactive compounds of the greatest antimicrobial significance.     

Modulatory Effects of Caffeine and Pentoxifylline on Aromatic Antibiotics: A Role for Hetero-Complex Formation

Antimicrobial resistance is a major healthcare threat globally. Xanthines, including caffeine and pentoxifylline, are attractive candidates for drug repurposing, given their well-established safety and pharmacological profiles. This study aimed to analyze potential interactions between xanthines and aromatic antibiotics (i.e., tetracycline and ciprofloxacin), and their impact on antibiotic antibacterial activity. UV-vis spectroscopy, statistical-thermodynamical modeling, and isothermal titration calorimetry were used to quantitatively evaluate xanthine-antibiotic interactions. The antibacterial profiles of xanthines, and xanthine-antibiotic mixtures, towards important human pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae were examined. Caffeine and pentoxifylline directly interact with ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, with neighborhood association constant values of 15.8–45.6 M⁻¹ and enthalpy change values up to −4 kJ·M⁻¹. Caffeine, used in mixtures with tested antibiotics, enhanced their antibacterial activity in most pathogens tested. However, antagonistic effects of caffeine were also observed, but only with ciprofloxacin toward Gram-positive pathogens. Xanthines interact with aromatic antibiotics at the molecular and in vitro antibacterial activity level. Given considerable exposure to caffeine and pentoxifylline, these interactions might be relevant for the effectiveness of antibacterial pharmacotherapy, and may help to identify optimal treatment regimens in the era of multidrug resistance.     

Internal friction phenomena in composites based on PZT-type ferroelectric powder and ferrites

The aim of the work was to determine the phenomena of internal friction (mechanical losses) occurring in ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composites created based on PZT-type ferroelectric powder and ferrite. The composites were obtained using ceramic powders – multi-component PZT-type solid solutions with ferroelectric properties. Their magnetic component included zinc-nickel powder Ni_0.64Zn_0.36Fe₂O₄. 30 × 10 × 1 mm³ test specimens were obtained using free sintering. Temperature Q^-1(T) and amplitude Q^-1(ε) internal friction dependencies were determined. Wide high temperature maxima were observed with regard to the internal friction temperature dependencies obtained for the tested specimens. The conducted measurements of amplitude (isothermal) dependencies of internal friction Q^-1(ε) for the tested composites have allowed for interpreting the previously observed maximum on the temperature dependencies of internal friction.