Uric Acid: The Sperm-Release Pheromone of the Marine Polychaete Platynereis dumerilii

In the marine polychaete, Platynereis dumerilii, reproductive behavior in the two sexes is synchronized by the consecutive discharge of male and female sex-specific pheromones. After the female releases the eggs into the free water column, immediate fertilization is achieved by several males circling around the eggs emitting sperm clouds. We report the isolation and identification of the sperm-release pheromone present in the coelomic fluid of sexually mature females. Each step in isolation was guided by bioassay. Isolation methods included extraction and solvent partitioning and separation methods included ultrafiltration and high-performance liquid chromatography. Uric acid was identified as the sperm-release pheromone that is discharged by the female with release of the eggs. The threshold concentration for sperm release by males was determined as 0.6 M.     

Hochreines Monosilan für die Elektronikindustrie – Synthese,Reinigung und Charakterisierung

High-purity monosilane for the electronics industry – Synthesis, purification, characterization. Monosilane is used in the electronics industry in the production of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of amorphous silicon devices such as solar cells, photocopier drums, and flat TV screens. The first German production unit for high purity monosilane gas which came on stream in 1987 is presented. The gas produced in a molten salt process is purified to highest quality and analyzed.     

Untersuchung des einflusses molekularer parameter auf morphologie und eigenschaften von polyethylenen niedriger dichte

Based on the example of PE-LD grades and on model substances obtained by preparative fractionation (fractions in the molecular weight range M?_w = 1.2 ? 390·10⁴ g/mol), comprehensive investigations regarding the problems of structure/properties have been carried out. The correlations of M?_w with 15 physical and application technological perameters have been investigated taking into account the reaction mechanism during the manufacturing of PE-LD in the tubular and agitated autoclave reactor, resulting in the formation of so-called primary structure perameters M?_n, M?_w, molar mass distribution, short chain branching and long chain branching. For the interpretation of the results, among other factors, also the morphological conditions have been taken into consideration, which in connection with the molecular parameters reveal — for specific M?_w-ranges — strong changes and saturation ranges, resp., for the physical and application technological properties.     

Stationäre Chemische Energieumwandlung als Herausforderungen für den Verfahrensingenieur

Meeting future energy demands with more efficient, lower emission, and safe energy technologies has top priority in the medium term. Consumer-friendly energy concepts, integrated into regional and supraregional energy supply structures, represent further elements. These will make important contributions to resource-conserving and environmentally compatible power supplies utilizing local energy sources including renewable resources. Supplying energy to large areas involves additional tasks, from compensation of large amounts of fluctuating energy to the transport of fluctuating energy to the transport of renewable energy over long distances. Solar dish, parabolic section, and tower power generating plant have considerable economic and CO₂-reduction potential in sunny countries, such as in the Mediterranean region, However, the costs of solar-thermal electricity generation have to be reduced by a factor of 1.5 to 2. Fuel cell systems can attain particular significance as efficient low-emission energy conversion systems in power plant and automative engineering once their technical and economic potential can be realized.     

Chemical inhibitors when timing is critical: a pharmacological concept for the maturation of T cell contacts

Cellular signal transduction proceeds through a complex network of molecular interactions and enzymatic activities. The timing of these molecular events is critical for the propagation of a signal and the generation of a specific cellular response. To define the timing of signalling events, we introduce the combination of high-resolution confocal microscopy with the application of small-molecule inhibitors at various stages of signal transduction in T cells. Inhibitors of Src-family tyrosine kinases and actin dynamics were employed to dissect the role of the lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase Lck in the formation and maintenance of T cell receptor/CD3-dependent contacts. Anti-CD3epsilon-coated coverslips served as a highly defined stimulus. The kinetics of the recruitment of the yellow fluorescent protein-tagged signalling protein ZAP-70 were detected by high-resolution confocal microscopy. The analysis revealed that at 5 min after receptor engagement, Lck activity was required for maintenance of contacts. In contrast, after 20 min of receptor engagement, the contacts were Lck-independent. The relevance of the timing of inhibitor application provides a pharmacological concept for the maturation of T cell-substrate contacts.     

Enzymatic esterification of glycerol II. Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of regioisomerically pure 1(3)-rac-monoacylglycerols

Regioisomerically pure 1(3)-rac-monoacylglycerols are conveniently prepared in high yields (>75%) and in multigram quantities by enzymatic esterification of glycerol in the presence of various lipases(Chromobacterium viscosum, Rhizopus delemar, Rhizomucor miehei) with a variety of different acyl donors, such as free fatty acids, fatty acid alkyl esters, vinyl esters and triacylglycerols, as well as natural fats and oils. All reactions are carried out in aprotic organic solvents with low water content, namelyn-hexane, diethyl ether, tBuOMe or mixtures of these solvents. Essential for the success of these transformations were the following two factors. First, the creation of an artificial interphase between the solvent-immiscible hydrophilic glycerol and the hydrophobic reaction medium by its adsorption onto a solid support. Second, a facile system for the separation of the desired monoacylglycerol from the reaction mixture, coupled with the continuous recycling of acyl donor and undesirable by-products.     

Copolyester studies. I. Preparation and characterization of tetramethylene terephthalate–tetramethylene sebacate copolymers

Tetramethylene terephthalate–tetramethylene sebacate copolymers containing up to 20 mol % sebacate have been prepared and characterized. Molecular weights and distributions have been evaluated using viscometry and gel-permeation chromatography. Compositions have been established by NMR spectroscopy. Thermal properties have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical methods. Melting and glass-transition temperatures and moduli are discussed in terms of the structural differences, particularly the effect of composition on chain flexibility. Density and thermal methods of crystallinity determination are critically discussed for these systems.