Chromophore production in lignin model compounds — Anaerobic reactions

The anaerobic photochemistry of a number of plausible lignin model compounds (i.e. I: 3,4-Dimethoxy-α-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-β-hydroxypropiophenone;II: 1-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-propan-1,3-diol;Pol A: Poly(4-methoxyacrylophenone);Pol B: Poly(3,4-dimethoxyacrylophenone);St 1: 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene; andSt 2: 3,5,3′,5′-Tetramethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene) was studied, thin films of these materials being exposed to long-wave (λ≥300 nm) radiation under high vacuum conditions (10^?6 torr). In all cases, the only low molecular weight products formed were methane and ethane, and quantum yields were estimated for these reactions. All materials underwent colouration (yellow) and a number of changes were also observed in both the absorbing and emitting characteristics. The colouration was attributed to the presence ofo-quinones which were formed (by further photolysis) from the phenoxy radicals, which were, in turn, produced by O?CH₃ fission, the resulting methyl radicals being the precursors of methane and ethane. The stilbenes were in all cases much more reactive (by a factor of about 100); however, they also absorbed higher intensities of radiation in the 300<λ<350 nm region on account of the greater extent of red-shifting of the longest-wave π-π′ aromatic transitions. Gel permeation data indicate the formation of products of cyclization and isomerization of stilbenes and the dimerization of phenoxy radicals while new absorbances in the infrared and¹³C NMR confirm the presence ofo-quinones in all the models.     

An evaluation of trapping compounds used for determining14CO2 by liquid scintillation counting

Four commonly used trapping agents for scintillation counting of¹⁴CO₂ (Hyamine, Primene, ethanolamine and β-phenylethylamine) were assessed under identical conditions, the progress of trapping being measured directly by pressure changes and by liquid scintillation counting. It was found that quantitative absorption required considerably longer periods of time than those previously reported and that absorption at low¹⁴CO₂ pressures was very slow. The effects of pressure and stirring rate were also studied.     

Laser raman and infrared spectrum of poly-p-xylylene

The dipole moments μ_ab of some forty complexes between substituted phenols and substituted pyridines were determined, using the Onsager relation. The dipole increment Δμ, vector difference between μ_ab and the dipole moments μ_a and μ_b of the components, show a coherent evolution with the pK_a of the donor and of the acceptor and with the complexation enthalpy, when such orientations of the molecules which correspond to a hydrogen bond between the O-H group of the phenol and the lone pair of electrons of the nitrogen atom of the base are chosen. This evolution with respect to the ΔpK_a is given by a unique curve for all the complexes. This shows that the difference in pK_a between the donor and the acceptor is the main factor determining Δμ for these complexes. This curve presents a sigmoidal aspect in agreement with a model assuming a tautomeric equilibrium between two forms of the hydrogen bond: A-H·B ? A^?·H⁺-B. The corresponding equilibrium constant K_s was computed for the complexes lying in the transition region and obeys the linear relation, log K_s = 0.7pK_a-2.25. The data also permit the evaluation of the angle θ_a between the O-H direction and the dipole moment of the 3,4-dinitrophenol. This angle is of the order of magnitude of 70°, showing the presence of appreciable amounts of different rotamers around the C-O direction in the complexes composed of this acid with pyridines.     

Radiation damage by soft β-particles self-irradiation of β-tritiated polystyrene

The effect of self-irradiation of β-tritiated polystyrene under high vacuum at 25°C was studied, and simultaneous random chain scission and cross-linking were observed. Analyses of the gaseous products and the colored polymer residue showed that hydrogen was the only volatile product, while spectroscopic measurements indicated that the coloration was associated with the presence of main-chain double bonds.

G values for hydrogen formation GH₂, cross-linking, G _XL and chain scission, G _CS were obtained as follows: GH₂=0.031; G _CS=0.044; G _XL=0.061. Possible mechanisms of radiation damage are discussed.     

Equation of state and electrical resistivity of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn<Subscript>5</Subscript> to 51 GPa

We have used X-ray diffraction to study the structural phase of CeCoIn₅ in external pressure. Using high-pressure X-ray diffraction, we find that the crystalline phase is stable in the P4/mmm phase for pressures ≤51.2 GPa. From our measured equation of state, we find a bulk modulus given by B ₀ = 72.8 ± 2.9 GPa and a first pressure derivative of B ^′ = 5.1 ± 0.3. Measurement of the electrical resistivity of CeCoIn₅ to pressures as high as 34.4 GPa shows the existence of a peak in resistivity at p ^? = 8.2 ± 0.2 GPa.     

Electrostatic discharge sensitivity and electrical conductivity of composite energetic materials

Composite energetic material response to electrical stimuli was investigated and a correlation between electrical conductivity and ignition sensitivity was examined. The composites consisted of micrometer particle aluminum combined with another metal, metal oxide, or fluoropolymer. Of the nine tested mixtures, aluminum (Al) with copper oxide (CuO) was the only mixture to ignite by electrostatic discharge. Under the loose powder conditions of these experiments, the Al–CuO minimum ignition energy (MIE) is 25 mJ and exhibited an electrical conductivity two orders of magnitude higher than the next composite. This study showed a similar trend in MIE for ignition triggered by a discharged spark compared with a thermal hot wire source.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arachidonoyl glycine,an abundant endogenous lipid,potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background  

Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB₂ receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB₁ or CB₂ receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this G_i/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration.