Microwave and infrared spectra of deuterium-substituted germyl halides and the structures of the germyl halides

We have obtained microwave spectra of fully and partially deuterated germyl halides GeD₃X and GeHD₂X (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and analysed the infrared spectra in the GeH stretching region of the asymmetric species. The resulting A_o and B_o values have been combined with existing data on GeH₃X to give improved structures for the germyl halides. The values of the HGeX angles obtained show a correlation with GeH stretching frequencies, as in methyl compounds, but there appears to be no such correlation between stretching frequencies and GeH bond lengths.     

Ruminant pregastric lipases: experimental evidence of their potential as industrial catalysts in food technology

The historical importance of pregastric enzymes in cheese-making is reviewed and the potential for extending their use is discussed in terms of requiring an understanding of their physicochemical parameters. Commericial extracts from the tongues and epiglotti of suckling lambs and calves and adult goats have been processed to yield partially purified samples of the primary pregastric lipase (PGL). The N-terminal sequence and molecular weight of lamb PGL have been determined.

The activity of lamb and goat PGLs against tributyrin has been determined over a range of pH and temperature values. Optimum conditions were pH 6.4, 43°C, and pH 6.0, 52°C, for lamb and goat PGL respectively. The possible influence of the development of a ruminant multi-chambered stomach on the difference in optimal temperature is discussed. A lengthening of the carboxylic acid chain of homoacid triglycerides causes a decrease in hydrolytic activity of lamb PGL but in all cases only a single free fatty acid was released. Against a series of 4-nitrophenylalkanoate esters, maximum activity was observed against the decanoate ester but, in contrast to hydrolysis of the acetate ester which exhibited full Michaelis-Menten kinetics with increasing substrate concentration, activity against the decanoate ester was restricted to the monomeric substrate. Taurocholate inhibits the activity of lamb PGL at concentrations >8 mM. Values of pK₂ equal to 6.69 and 7.92 respectively have been determined for lamb PGL.

Attempts to interesterify coconut oil and cocoa butter, and tributyrin and tricaprylin, catalysed by calf PGL were unsuccessful, although positive results obtained using Candida cylindracea encourage further investigation of alternative methods for immobilizing the PGL. Finally, anhydrous milk fat has been hydrolysed by calf, lamb and goat PGLs and the differences in relative amounts of released free fatty acids have been used to explain the differences in taste which arise when Parmesan cheese is produced using different sources of PGL.     

Bestimmung von Palladium und seine Trennung von Nickel, Zink und Kupfer

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Ultraviolet B radiation induces upregulation of calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in human Finn chamber skin samples

One of the neuropeptides that plays a role in UVB-induced immunomodulation is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), as demonstrated in several animal studies. CGRP can be detected in human skin, but effects of UVB exposure on CGRP levels in human skin are not known. We determined CGRP levels in human Finn chamber skin samples of 15 UVB-irradiated and 10 control volunteers. Filter samples were collected prior to and immediately after a UVB exposure protocol (5 consecutive days, with one personally determined minimal erythema dose (MED(jp)) per day). CGRP levels in filter samples were determined using a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. CGRP could be detected in the filter samples and volunteers showed statistically significantly increased levels after UVB exposure. In addition, the CGRP levels of UVB-exposed volunteers were positively correlated with the dose of UVB in J/m(2) that they received on 5 consecutive days. In other words, higher UVB doses resulted in higher CGRP levels. In summary, CGRP, a mediator in UVB-induced immunomodulation, could be detected in human Finn chamber skin samples, and was significantly increased after UVB exposure. The CGRP level appeared to depend on the amount of UVB the volunteers received.     

A comparison of neutron activation and alpha spectroscopy analyses of thorium in crystalline rocks

The concentrations of Th in samples of crystalline rock from three drillcore sections were analysed independently by instrumental neutron activation analysis and by chemical separation and alpha spectroscopy. The two methods show good general agreement over an approximate concentration range of 1 to 100 ppm Th. Variations in results between the two methods are not of a systematic nature and probably arise from sample heterogeneity. The results confirm the reliability of both methods and provide a useful comparison of the standards and reference materials used. The study indicates that, in cases where Th isotopic information is not required, the simpler and more rapid neutron activation analysis provides a satisfactory method.     

Thermal reactions of inorganic hydroxy-compounds under applied electric fields

The effect of electric fields on the thermal dehydration of amorphous hydrated iron(III) oxide under oxidizing, inert and reducing atmospheres was studied by X-ray diffractometry. In oxidizing and inert atmospheres, the transformation to-Fe₂O₃ was enhanced by electric fields, especially at the negative electrode. The crystallite size of the product was also greatest at the negative electrode. Both results are explained in terms of the migration of protons to the negative electrode, where they subsequently form water which acts as a nucleating agent for the crystalline phase. In reducing atmospheres the formation of Fe₃O₄ and FeO at the expense of Fe₂O₃ is facilitated by electric fields, particularly at the negative electrode. Possible reaction mechanisms are considered, and the role of protons in stabilizing defect-spinel intermediates and products is discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß eines elektrischen Feldes auf die thermische Dehydratisierung des amorphen hydratisierten Eisen(III)oxids in oxidierenden, inerten und reduzierenden Atmosphären wurde durch Röntgendiffraktometrie untersucht. In oxidierenden und inerten Atmosphären wurde die Umwandlung zu -Fe₂O₃ durch elektrische Felder gefördert, besonders an der negativen Elektrode. Die Form der Kristallite des Produkts war ebenfalls an der negativen Elektrode am größten. Beide Ergebnisse werden durch die Proteinwanderung zur negativen Elektrode erklärt, wo diese Wasser bilden, das für die kristalline Phase als Keimbildner fungiert. In reduzierenden Atmosphären wird die Bildung von Fe₃O₄ und FeO auf Kosten von Fe₂O₃ durch elektrische Felder besonders an der negativen Elektrode erleichtert. Mögliche Reaktionsmechanismen werden erörtert und die Rolle der Protonen bei der Stabilisierung defekt-spineller Zwischenstufen und Produkte besprochen.

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Résumé L'effet d'un champ électrique sur la déshydratation thermique de l'oxyde de fer(III) hydraté amorphe a été étudié par diffractométrie des rayons X, dans des atmosphères oxydante, inerte et réductrice. En atmosphères oxydante et inerte, le champ électrique facilite la transformation en -Fe₂O₃, en particulier à l'électrode négative. La taille des cristaux formés est également plus élevée à l'électrode négative où il se forme de l'eau qui agit comme agent de nucléation de la phase cristalline. En atmosphère réductrice, le champ électrique facilite la formation de Fe₃O₄ et FeO, aux dépens de Fe₂O₃, en particulier à l'électrode négative. On considère les mécanismes de réaction possibles et on discute le rôle des protons sur la stabilisation des produits et des intermédiaires défauts-spinelles.

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- (III) , . -Fe₂O₃ , , . , , . Fe₃O₄ FeO Fe₂O₃ . , .

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The author is indebted to P. J. Melling for assistance with the measurements in H₂/N₂ atmospheres.