Sperm metabolism is altered during storage by female insects: evidence from two-photon autofluorescence lifetime measurements in bedbugs

We explore the possibility of characterizing sperm cells without the need to stain them using spectral and fluorescence lifetime analyses after multi-photon excitation in an insect model. The autofluorescence emission spectrum of sperm of the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, was consistent with the presence of flavins and NAD(P)H. The mean fluorescence lifetimes showed smaller variation in sperm extracted from the male (tau m, τ_m = 1.54–1.84 ns) than in that extracted from the female sperm storage organ (tau m, τ_m = 1.26–2.00 ns). The fluorescence lifetime histograms revealed four peaks. These peaks (0.18, 0.92, 2.50 and 3.80 ns) suggest the presence of NAD(P)H and flavins and show that sperm metabolism can be characterized using fluorescence lifetime imaging. The difference in fluorescence lifetime variation between the sexes is consistent with the notion that female animals alter the metabolism of sperm cells during storage. It is not consistent, however, with the idea that sperm metabolism represents a sexually selected character that provides females with information about the male genotype.     

Purification,structural data and biological properties of polysaccharide from Prunus amygdalus gum

This work demonstrates the efficiency of almond gum polysaccharides (AGPs) as bioactive compounds. AGPs were first extracted using H₂O₂, in the presence of NaOH, at different times and temperatures. The optimal extraction conditions were 4% H₂O₂ and 2 N NaOH, for 7 h at 50 °C, leading to an extraction yield of 58.2% (w/w). After a purification step, the retained AGPs were characterised using high‐performance liquid chromatography showing a molecular weight of 99.3 kDa. The monosaccharide composition of AGPs were assessed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. AGPs were found to be a complex heteropolysaccharide with a repeating unit mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid with the respective ratios: 45:26:7:10:1:11. The acidic nature of the polysaccharide is due to the presence of glucuronic acid. Total antioxidant activity, free radical‐scavenging activity and reducing power assay of AGPs were investigated. The obtained results showed high antioxidant activities of AGPs. Furthermore, beyond 60 mg mL^?1, AGPs exhibited bacterial growth inhibition for five pathogenic strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium.     

Use of the Retarded Solution-Reprecipitation Process to Attain a Higher Initial Permeability in MnZn Ferrites

We investigated the effect of various amounts of liquid phase on microstructure development during sintering and the resulting magnetic permeability of MnZn ferrite (MZF) samples. Our results revealed that the microstructure and the final magnetic permeability depend on the thickness of the liquid-phase film during sintering. The solution-reprecipitation (S-R) process, which is associated with an intensive microstructure development in MZF, starts when a continuous liquid-phase film of critical thickness δ_o, which wets the MZF grains, is formed. The solid-state sintering that takes place before the formation of the continuous liquid-phase film is essential for the final microstructure of MZF.     

Valorisation of waste fractions from autohydrolysis of selected lignocellulosic materials

Non‐isothermal processing of lignocellulosic materials in aqueous media (autohydrolysis reaction) under mild conditions leads to solutions containing valuable chemicals (oligosaccharides, sugars and acetic acid) and other, undesired, compounds (belonging to the extractive and acid‐soluble lignin fractions) which have to be removed in further purification treatments. Liquors obtained by non‐isothermal autohydrolysis of Eucalyptus globulus wood and corncobs under a variety of operational conditions were extracted with ethyl acetate in order to remove non‐saccharide components, and the suitability of the fraction dissolved in the organic phase was assayed for possible utilisation as an antioxidant. The yield and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extracts (measured by the α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity) showed a strong dependence on the autohydrolysis conditions. The antioxidant activity of extracts obtained under selected operational conditions compared well with synthetic antioxidants. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering in SbSI nanocrystals

Lattice structure and rod-like shaped SbSI nanocrystals obtained by ball milling with rod thickness down to 70 nm, as estimated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy, is similar to that of the bulk crystals. The dependence of the grain size on the milling duration is discussed in view of the chain-like crystalline structure of SbSI. Possible factors, responsible for the observed Raman line broadening, are discussed, scattering by surface phonons being considered the predominant one.     

高氧化态（Ⅱ─Ⅳ）三核金属簇合物构型的人工神经网络判别方法

本文运用一典型的人工神经网络模型─“反向传播”模型，对高氧化态（Ⅱ─Ⅳ）三核金属簇合物的构型分布进行了分析，得到了较好的分类、预报结果为化合物结构分析提供了新的工具。     

Effects of Salting, Drying, Cooking, and Smoking Operations on Volatile Compound Formation and Color Patterns in Pork

ABSTRACT: The traditional small-scale production of boucané, a cured smoked pork-belly product from Réunion, involves several unit operations that are performed in a single step. The aim of this study was to highligh the impact of 4 unit operations (salting, drying, cooking, and smoking) on stability, color, and flavor development in processed pork. These characateristics are the 3 main criteria of boucané's quality. Mass transfer, color, and volatile compounds were measured, analyzed, and compared in 4 products. Results indicated that a major quantity of volatile compounds detected in the processed meat were derived from the smoking process. Color variations were mainly explained by muscle pigment modification due to the cooking process, and by the input of volatile compounds of smoke.     

The reaction of ceria coatings on mica with H2S: An in-situ X-ray diffraction study

Thin layers of ceria were deposited on the surface of mica platelets in solution. The reaction of such particles with hydrogen sulfide yields a red colored special effect pigment. The ceria layer reacts with H₂S to produce a variety of sulfide and oxysulfide phases. The reaction path discovered in situ by time and temperature resolved X-ray diffraction is CeO₂→CeS₂→C-Ce₂S₃→Ce₁₀S₁₄O. The reaction itself is extremely variable depending on gas flow, heating rates and decomposition atmospheres. Effects on the thin film are recorded by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and revealed a destruction of the layer once red Ce₁₀S₁₄O was formed. The product layer then reveals the typical nonwetting behaviour of a liquid on a surface.     

Synthesis of LiFePO4 with fine particle by co-precipitation method

LiFePO₄ is a potential candidate for the cathode material of the lithium secondary batteries. A co-precipitation method was adopted to prepare LiFePO₄ because it is simple and cheap. Nitrogen gas was needed to prevent oxidation of Fe²⁺ in the aqueous solution. The co-precipitated precursor shows the high reactivity with the reductive gas, and the single phase of LiFePO₄ is successfully synthesized with the aid of carbon under less reductive conditions. LiFePO₄ fine powder prepared by co-precipitation method shows high rate capability, impressive specific capacity and cycle property.     

CuMgAl类水滑石的制备和表征

用盐-碱制备法合成了CuMgAl三元类水滑石化合物。探讨了原料配比、合成方式、水热处理温度和时间对合成过程的影响,筛选出合成HTLcs的适宜条件,并对HTLcs结构的热稳定性进行初步研究。结果表明,制备HTLcs主要取决于pH值,同时由于Cu2+的姜-太勒效应,合成结构单一的CuMgAl类水滑石要求原料配比中n(Cu)∶n(Mg)不得超过1.0,CuMgAl-HTLcs热稳定性较差,300℃焙烧2h结构破坏,600℃开始烧结,在300~500℃之间,随焙烧温度提高所得复合氧化物比表面积增大,最高可达200 m2/g。