Sequestration and metabolism of protoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids by larvae of the leaf beetle Platyphora boucardi and their transfer via pupae into defensive secretions of adults

Several neotropical leaf-beetles of the genus Platyphora ingest and specifically metabolize plant acquired pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) of the lycopsamine type (e.g., rinderine or intermedine) and enrich the processed alkaloids in their exocrine defensive secretions. In contrast to the related palaearctic leaf beetles of the genus Oreina, which absorb and store only the non-toxic alkaloid N-oxides, Platyphora sequesters PAs exclusively as protoxic tertiary amines. In this study, the ability of P. boucardi larvae to accumulate PAs was investigated. Tracer studies with [¹⁴C]rinderine and its N-oxide revealed that P. boucardi larvae, like adult beetles, utilize the two alkaloidal forms with the same efficiency, but accumulate the alkaloid as a tertiary amine exclusively. Ingested rinderine is rapidly epimerized to intermedine, which is localized in the hemolymph and all other tissues; it is also detected on the larval surface. Like adults, larvae are able to synthesize their own alkaloid esters (beetle PAs) from orally administered [¹⁴C]retronecine and endogenous aliphatic 2-hydroxy acids. These retronecine esters show the same tissue distribution as intermedine. A long-term feeding experiment lasting for almost four months revealed that retronecine esters synthesized from [¹⁴C]retronecine in the larvae are transferred from larvae via pupae into the exocrine glands of adult beetles. Pupae contain ca. 45% of the labeled retronecine originally ingested, metabolized, and stored by larvae; ca. 12% of larval radioactivity could be recovered from the defensive secretions of adults sampled successively over two and a half months. Almost all of this radioactivity is found in the insect-made retronecine esters that are highly enriched in the defensive secretions, i.e., more than 200-fold higher concentration compared to pupae.     

The influence of beam divergence on ion-beam induced surface patterns

We present a continuum theory and a Monte Carlo model of self-organized surface pattern formation by ion-beam sputtering including effects of beam profiles. Recently, it has turned out that such secondary ion-beam parameters may have a strong influence on the types of emerging patterns. We first discuss several cases, for which beam profiles lead to random parameters in the theory of pattern formation. Subsequently we study the evolution of the averaged height profile in continuum theory and find that the typical Bradley–Harper scenario of dependence of ripple patterns on the angle of incidence can be changed qualitatively. Beam profiles are implemented in Monte Carlo simulations, where we find generic effects on pattern formation. Finally, we demonstrate that realistic beam profiles, taken from experiments, may lead to qualitative changes of surface patterns.     

Performance analysis of synchronization for two communicating processes

Synchronization of processes is one of the major performance bottlenecks in a distributed system. The synchronization is usually achieved via message passing. There are two basic types of overhead in such a synchronization: the rate of message exchange, and the blocking probabilities of processes. In this paper we consider two processes synchronizing via message passing and study their performance behavior on the basis of the above-mentioned overheads. A number of protocols for message exchange are analyzed. The model gives rise to a three-dimensional Markov chain. An algorithm to solve the model and numerical results are presented to compare the various protocols.     

Vinylpolymerisation mit reduzierenden Übergangsmetallverbindungen. VII. Polymerisation von Methylmethacrylat in Gegenwart von Molybdän(III)-chlorid-Sulfoxid-Systemen

Vinyl Polymerization Initiated by Reducing Compounds of Transition Metals. VII. Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of Molybdenum(III) Chloride/Sulfoxide Systems The polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the molybdenum(III) chloride/dimethyl sulfoxide redox system was carried out at 70° in 1, 4-dioxane. The rate of polymerization can be described by the equation R_p = k · [MoCl₃]^0,5 · [DMSO]^0,5 · [MMA]^1,0. The overall activation energy was estimated to be 36.0 kJ/mol. It was found that diethyl, dipropyl, dibutyl, diphenyl and dibenzyl sulfoxides could also initiate the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of molybdenum(III) chloride, whereas vanadium(II) chloride, vanadium(III) chloride, titanium(III) chloride and chromium(II) acetate are inactive in combination with sulfoxides.     

Injection molding of products with functional surfaces by micro-structured, PVD coated injection molds

Molding of micro structures by injection molding leads to special requirements for the molds e.g. regarding wear resistance and low release forces of the molded components. At the same time it is not allowed to affect the replication precision. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is one of the promising technologies for applying coatings with adapted properties like high hardness, low roughness, low Young’s modulus and less adhesion to the melt of polymers. Physical vapor deposition technology allows the deposition of thin films on micro structures. Therefore, the influence of these PVD layers on the contour accuracy of the replicated micro structures has to be investigated. For this purpose injection mold inserts were laser structured with micro structures of different sizes and afterwards coated with two different coatings, which were deposited by a magnetron sputter ion plating PVD technology. After deposition, the coatings were analyzed by techniques regarding hardness, Young’s modulus and morphology. The geometries of the micro structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy before and after coating. Afterwards, the coated mold inserts were used for injection molding experiments. During the injection molding process, a conventional and a variothermal temperature control of the molds were used. The molded parts were analyzed regarding roughness, structure height and structure width by means of laser microscopy.     

Surfactant Sputtering: Theory of a new method of surface nanostructuring by ion beams

We present a new Monte Carlo model and a new continuum theory of surface pattern formation due to “surfactant sputtering”, i.e. erosion by ion beam sputtering including a submonolayer coverage of additional, co-sputtered surfactant atoms. This setup, which has been realized in recent experiments in a controlled way leads to a number of interesting possibilities to modify pattern forming processing conditions. We will present three simple scenarios, which illustrate some potential applications of the method. In all three cases, simple Bradley–Harper type ripples appear in the absence of surfactant, whereas new, interesting structures emerge during surfactant sputtering.     

Synthesis and characterization of zirconia-magnesia inert matrix fuel: Ce homolog studies

X-ray powder diffraction, microscopy, thermal analysis and electron probe microanalysis were used to characterize a ZrO₂-MgO inert matrix containing CeO₂ as a homolog for PuO₂ and Er₂O₃ as a burnable poison. The synthesis was carried out using a precipitation method. A large composition range of MgO to ZrO₂ was evaluated to determine phases present, phase mixing, phase composition, microstructure and thermal properties. It was found that most compositions of the material consist of two phases: MgO (periclase) and ZrO₂ (cubic zirconia). The zirconia phase incorporates 5% (wt/wt) MgO and up to 14% and 12% (wt/wt) CeO₂ and Er₂O₃, respectively. The MgO phase remains pure, which will enable it to retain its heat transfer and solubility properties and will improve the overall thermal conductivity and reprocessing component of the inert matrix fuel. The results with Ce will be used as the basis of future studies with actinides.     

Fluorous Iminoalditols: A New Family of Glycosidase Inhibitors and Pharmacological Chaperones

A collection of new reversible glycosidase inhibitors of the iminoalditol type featuring N‐substituents containing perfluorinated regions has been prepared for evaluation of physicochemical, biochemical and diagnostic properties. The vast variety of feasible oligofluoro moieties allows for modular approaches to customised structures according to the intended applications, which are influenced by the fluorine content as well as the distance of the fluorous moiety from the ring nitrogen. The first examples, in particular in the D ‐galacto series, exhibited excellent inhibitory activities. A preliminary screen with two human cell lines showed that, at subinhibitory concentrations, they are powerful pharmacological chaperones enhancing the activities of the catalytically handicapped lysosomal D ‐galactosidase mutants associated with GM1 gangliosidosis and Morquio B disease.     

Phase characteristics of a U-20Pu-3Am-2Np-15Zr metallic alloy containing rare earths

Metallic fuel alloys consisting of uranium, plutonium, and zirconium with minor additions of americium and neptunium are under evaluation for potential use to transmute long-lived transuranic actinide isotopes in fast reactors. The current irradiation test series design, designated AFC2, includes minor additions of rare earth elements to simulate expected fission product carry-over from the electrochemical molten salt reprocessing technique. The metal fuel alloys have been fabricated by an arc casting technique. The as-cast fuel alloys have been investigated for phase and thermal properties, specifically, enthalpies of transition, transition temperatures, and room temperature phase characteristics. Results and observations related to these characteristics for the “fresh” fuel alloys are provided. The alloy compositions are based on a U-20Pu-3Am-2Np-15Zr alloy, along with additions of 1 and 1.5 wt% RE (at the expense of U) where RE denotes rare earth alloy of cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium and neodymium. Phase behavior and associated transitions have been compared to available U-Pu-Zr ternary diagrams with acceptable agreement. Enthalpies of transition were deconvoluted from heating and cooling thermal traces for relatively reliable values. The rare earth additions to the base alloy have a minimal influence on the room temperature phases present, but the room temperature phases present slightly impacted the enthalpies of transition and transition temperatures.