Rheology of natural fibers thermoplastic compounds: Flow length and fiber distribution

The presented study investigates the flow length and the corresponding fiber content distribution in the injection‐moulded natural fiber reinforced thermoplastics and its relation to fiber type and processing parameters such as injection pressure, temperature, injection rate and mould tempering by increasing die temperature. In this research, polypropylene compounds with nominally 30 wt % hemp and sisal fibers are investigated. The influence of the injection pressure (500 and 1000 bar), melt temperature (180°C, 200°C, and 220°C), and die temperature (23°C and 80°C) on the fiber content distribution all over the sample is investigated. An increasing linear trend of fiber content along the spiral length is observed as an evidence of a fiber/polymer multiflow system. A pattern for fiber content distribution with respect to the fiber length along the injected spiral can be distinguished, where the longer fibers are usually found at the end of the injected part and the shorter fibers remain near mould entrance point. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39861.     

Demonstration of the monolithic interconnection on CIS solar cells by picosecond laser structuring on 30 by 30 cm2 modules

In this paper, we present the selective structuring of all three patterns (P1, P2 and P3) of a monolithic interconnection of CIS (Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂) thin film solar cells by picosecond laser pulses at a wavelength of 1064 nm. We show results for single pulse ablation threshold values and line scribing of molybdenum films on glass (P1), CIS on molybdenum (P2) and zinc oxide on CIS (P3). The purposes of these processes are the p‐type isolation (P1), cell interconnect (P2) and n‐type isolation (P3), which are required for complete cell architecture. The half micron thick molybdenum back electrode can be structured with a process speed of more than 15 m/s at about 15 W average power without detectable residues and damage by direct induced laser ablation from the back side (P1). The CIS layer can be structured selectively down to the molybdenum at process speeds up to 1 m/s at about 15 W average power, due to the precision of direct laser ablation in the ultrashort pulse regime (P2). The ZnO front electrode layer is separated by clean trenches with straight side walls at process speeds of up to 15 m/s at about 10 W average power, as a result of indirect induced laser ablation (P3). A validation of functionality of all processes is demonstrated on CIS solar cell modules (30 × 30 cm²). By replacing one state‐of‐the‐art process by a picosecond laser process at a time, solar efficiencies could be increased for P1 and P2 and stayed on a similar level for P3. After an optimization of the patterning processes in the R&D pilot line of AVANCIS, we achieved a new record efficiency for an all‐laser‐patterned CIS solar module: 14.7% as best value for the aperture area efficiency of a 30 × 30 cm² sized CIS module was reached. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser direct writing of β-Co/Ga and Mn/Ga alloy microstructures from organometallic single-source precursors

β-Co/Ga and Mn/Ga alloys have been deposited on various substrates by laser direct write chemical vapour deposition (LCVD) from novel single-source precursors. The preformed alloy stoichiometry of 1:1 defined by the metal ratio of the precursors, (CO)₄Co-GaEt₂(NMe₃) (1) and (CO)₅Mn-GaEt₂(NMe₃) (2), is retained within the deposited structures. The depositions were up to 1.5 μm thick and the lateral dimension (4 μm) was determined by the diameter of the laser focus. The deposited structures were contaminated with ∼10 at. % C and O (by AES).     

Untersuchungen an Kartoffelpülpe als Ballaststoffquelle. Die Zusammensetzung der Kartoffelpülpe nach Einwirkung von Pektinasen und Cellulasen sowie enzymatischem Stärkeabbau

Investigations on Potato Pulp as a Dietary Fiber Source. Composition of Potato Pulp After Influence of Pectinases and Cellulases and Enzymatic Degradation of Starch. The composition of alcohol insoluble substances (AIS) of potato pulp have been investigated after succesive degradation with different pectolytic and cellulolytic enzymes followed by starch degrading enzymes. The pretreatment with pectinase/cellulase combinations has a significant influence on the amount and the properties of the residues after starch degradation. Furthermore the most important changes in the composition were found in the receiving residues after action of amylolytic enzymes. A correlation exists between the content of residual starch in the residues and the action of the cell wall degrading enzymes. The amount of residual starch correlates negatively with the intensity of cell wall degradation. The enzymatic susceptibility of starch depends on the damage of cell wall of potato pulp, especially on the degree of degradation of the cellulose. The water binding capacity decreases intensively after action of pectinase/cellulase combinations. The treatment with amylolytic enzymes causes only a negligible variation of the water binding capacity.     

Preparation and characterization of 1,5-Diacyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazines with Higher Acyl Groups

The title compounds were prepared from 2,4-dioxohexahydro-triazine (DHT) and the corresponding acid chlorides in the presence of sulphuric acid. They are active acylating agents against piperidine in dioxane as the solvent. Only the diacyl derivatives of DHT with acyl chain lengths up to C₆ react with aqueous solutions of sodium perborate forming the corresponding peroxy acids.     

Rapid Discovery of Aspartyl Protease Inhibitors Using an Anchoring Approach

Pharmacophore searches that include anchors, fragments contributing above average to receptor binding, combined with one-step syntheses are a powerful approach for the fast discovery of novel bioactive molecules. Here, we are presenting a pipeline for the rapid and efficient discovery of aspartyl protease inhibitors. First, we hypothesized that hydrazine could be a multi-valent warhead to interact with the active site Asp carboxylic acids. We incorporated the hydrazine anchor in a multicomponent reaction and created a large virtual library of hydrazine derivatives synthetically accessible in one-step. Next, we performed anchor-based pharmacophore screening of the libraries and resynthesized top-ranked compounds. The inhibitory potency of the molecules was finally assessed by an enzyme activity assay and the binding mode confirmed by several soaked crystal structures supporting the validity of the hypothesis and approach. The herein reported pipeline of tools will be of general value for the rapid generation of receptor binders beyond Asp proteases.     

Aurora Kinase A Is Involved in Controlling the Localization of Aquaporin-2 in Renal Principal Cells

The cAMP-dependent aquaporin-2 (AQP2) redistribution from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane of renal collecting duct principal cells induces water reabsorption and fine-tunes body water homeostasis. However, the mechanisms controlling the localization of AQP2 are not understood in detail. Using immortalized mouse medullary collecting duct (MCD4) and primary rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells as model systems, we here discovered a key regulatory role of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in the control of AQP2. The AURKA-selective inhibitor Aurora-A inhibitor I and novel derivatives as well as a structurally different inhibitor, Alisertib, prevented the cAMP-induced redistribution of AQP2. Aurora-A inhibitor I led to a depolymerization of actin stress fibers, which serve as tracks for the translocation of AQP2-bearing vesicles to the plasma membrane. The phosphorylation of cofilin-1 (CFL1) inactivates the actin-depolymerizing function of CFL1. Aurora-A inhibitor I decreased the CFL1 phosphorylation, accounting for the removal of the actin stress fibers and the inhibition of the redistribution of AQP2. Surprisingly, Alisertib caused an increase in actin stress fibers and did not affect CFL1 phosphorylation, indicating that AURKA exerts its control over AQP2 through different mechanisms. An involvement of AURKA and CFL1 in the control of the localization of AQP2 was hitherto unknown.     

Studies on the base-catalyzed Solvolysis of Propane-2-sulphonic Acid p-Cresylester

Products of the reaction of propane-2-sulphonic acid p-cresylester with sodium butoxide in butanol are the sodium salt of propan-2-sulphonic acid, di-n-butyl ether, p-cresyl-n-butyl ether and p-cresol. The reaction proceeds via propane-2-sulphonic acid n-butylester which is formed from the starting compound by an elimination-addition (sulphene) mechanism. The elimination step is an E1-cB reaction.     

Flavine und Zimtsäurederivat im Zusammenhang mit der lichtinduzierten Blattöffnung bei Albizia julibrissin

Flavins and Chinamoyl Derivatives in Relation to the Light-induced Leaf Opening in Albizia julibrissin In search of blue-light photoreceptors for light-induced leaf opening we isolated from the aqueous extract of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. two flavins by adsorption on XAD-4 and separation with HPLC. One sample was identified as riboflavin 1a. In the hydrolysate of the second flavin fraction we found another dimethylisoalloxazine with a C₅-side chain. Furthermore we isolated the cinnamoyl derivatives 3-O-(4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl) quinic acid 2 and 3-O-(3,4-dihydroxy-trans-cinnamoyl)-4-O-malonyl-quinic acid 3 which formed charge transfer complexes with the flavins in the XAD-fraction. As a model complex we examined the absorption behaviour of the complex between riboflavin and chlorogenic acid. Using the association constant, we calculated the absorption spectrum and could show that a complex between a flavin and a phenolic compound is a possible blue-light photoreceptor for the light-induced leaf opening in Albizia julibrissin.