Sphinganine‐Like Biogenesis of (E)‐1‐Nitropentadec‐1‐ene in Termite Soldiers of the Genus Prorhinotermes

In 1974, (E)‐1‐nitropentadec‐1‐ene, a strong lipophilic contact poison of soldiers of the termite genus Prorhinotermes, was the first‐described insect‐produced nitro compound. However, its biosynthesis remained unknown. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that (E)‐1‐nitropentadec‐1‐ene biosynthesis originates with condensation of amino acids with tetradecanoic acid. By using in vivo experiments with radiolabeled and deuterium‐labeled putative precursors, we show that (E)‐1‐nitropentadec‐1‐ene is synthesized by the soldiers from glycine or L ‐serine and tetradecanoic acid. We propose and discuss three possible biosynthetic pathways.     

The Chemistry and Biology of 6‐Hydroxyceramide,the Youngest Member of the Human Sphingolipid Family

Sphingolipids are crucial for the life of the cell. In land‐dwelling mammals, they are equally important outside the cell—in the extracellular space of the skin barrier—because they prevent loss of water. Although a large body of research has elucidated many of the functions of sphingolipids, their extensive structural diversity remains intriguing. A new class of sphingolipids based on 6‐hydroxylated sphingosine has recently been identified in human skin. Abnormal levels of these 6‐hydroxylated ceramides have repeatedly been observed in atopic dermatitis; however, neither the biosynthesis nor the roles of these unique ceramide subclasses have been established in the human body. In this Minireview, we summarize the current knowledge of 6‐hydroxyceramides, including their discovery, structure, stereochemistry, occurrence in healthy and diseased human epidermis, and synthetic approaches to 6‐hydroxysphingosine and related ceramides.     

Thermoelectric Coolers with Sintered Silver Interconnects

The fabrication and performance of a sintered Peltier cooler (SPC) based on bismuth telluride with sintered silver interconnects are described. Miniature SPC modules with a footprint of 20 mm² were assembled using pick-and-place pressure-assisted silver sintering at low pressure (5.5 N/mm²) and moderate temperature (250°C to 270°C). A modified flip-chip bonder combined with screen/stencil printing for paste transfer was used for the pick-and-place process, enabling high positioning accuracy, easy handling of the tiny bismuth telluride pellets, and immediate visual process control. A specific contact resistance of (1.4 ± 0.1) × 10^?5 Ω cm² was found, which is in the range of values reported for high-temperature solder interconnects of bismuth telluride pellets. The realized SPCs were evaluated from room temperature to 300°C, considerably outperforming the operating temperature range of standard commercial Peltier coolers. Temperature cycling capability was investigated from 100°C to 235°C over more than 200 h, i.e., 850 cycles, during which no degradation of module resistance or cooling performance occurred.     

Controllable Broadband Absorption in the Mixed Phase of Metamagnets

Materials with broad absorption bands are highly desirable for electromagnetic filtering and processing applications, especially if the absorption can be externally controlled. Here, a new class of broadband‐absorption materials is introduced. Namely, layered metamagnets exhibit an electromagnetic excitation continuum in the magnetic‐field‐induced mixed ferro‐ and anti­ferromagnetic phase. Employing a series of complementary experimental techniques involving neutron scattering, muon spin relaxation, specific heat, ac and dc magnetization measurements, and electron magnetic resonance, a detailed magnetic phase diagram of Cu₃Bi(SeO₃)₂O₂Br is determined and it is found that the excitations in the mixed phase extend over at least ten decades of frequency. The results, which reveal a new dynamical aspect of the mixed phase in metamagnets, open up a novel approach to controllable microwave filtering.     

Low-order parametric force model for a salient-pole synchronous machine with eccentric rotor

In this paper, a low-order parametric force model to represent the electromagnetic force on an eccentric rotor of a salient-pole synchronous machine was developed and verified. The force model with parameters estimated from the results of impulse method showed excellent performance. The proposed model allowed quick and accurate calculation of the electromagnetic force at the desired whirling frequency values and provided an opportunity to effectively combine the electromagnetic and mechanical analyses of electrical machines. Besides, results presented in this paper also verified the suitability of computationally efficient impulse method for the analysis of a synchronous machine.     

A simple algorithm for the calculation of multiple site titration curves

A simple algorithm for the calculation of multiple site titrationcurves is proposed. It is based on a hybridization of two computationaltechniques: (i) a modified Tanford-Roxby iterative procedure[Tanford and Roxby (1972) Biochemistry, 11, 2193–2198]and (ii) the Boltzmann statistics. The sites characterized bystrong electrostatic coupling were selected for statisticalmechanical treatment, whereas all other sites were treated bymeans of the modified Tanford-Roxby procedure. The selectionof the two sets was made on the basis of a criterion relatedto the interaction energy between the titratable sites in theprotein molecule. The algorithm was tested for bovine pancreatictrypsin inhibitor and the pK values calculated were discussedin the light of experimental data and theoretical results obtainedby other authors. The algorithm can easily be coded and incorporatedinto any program package for the calculation of electrostaticinteractions in proteins.     

Polymerization of chlorophenyl glycidyl ethers. VI

Summary Polymerization of p-chlorophenyl glycidyl ether initiated by potassium glycolates (ethylene, propylene and 2-methyl propylene glycolatea) in DMSO containing some 18-crown-6 ether or glycol was investigated. For the reaction system containing the propylene glycolate asymmetrically substituted with a methyl group, relatively high polymerization rates were obtained as compared with those found for the other systems studied, the resultant polymers also having higher molecular weights and comparatively low polydispersities. Aliphatic double bonds were found to be absent in the polymers synthesized, which would suggest that in the anionic polymerization process studied the growing chain is not transferred to the monomer.Dedicated to Prof. C.I. Simionescu on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his birthday     

Kinetik und Mechanismus der Oxydation und Reduktion von Wüstit in Wasserdampf-Wasserstoff-Gemischen

Deuterium-Austausch zwischen Wasserdampf und Wasserstoff an der Wüstitoberfläche. Widerstandsmessungen zur Untersuchung der Sauerstoffübertragung. Nachweis der Teilschritte H₂O = OH(ad) + H(ad) und OH(ad) = O(ad) + H(ad) bei der Sauerstoffübertragung. Geschwindigkeitsgleichungen der Teilschritte. Abhängigkeit von Druck, Sauerstoffaktivität und Temperatur. Kontrolle der Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit durch die Teilreaktionen.