Comparative X-ray scattering,microscopical, and mechanical studies on rectangular plates injection molded from different types of isotactic polypropylene

Rectangular plates were injection molded from two grades of commercial polypropylene (PP) differing in the molar mass distribution. The mold was mechanically sealed when a desired pressure p_i,max (up to 1560 bar) was reached. Samples were taken from each plate at different distances from the gate and were investigated by applying various methods. In spatially resolved wide-angle X-ray studies, the cross section of the sample was scanned with a fine X-ray beam (collimated by a Kratky small-angle camera) and the intensity of scattering was registered by a linear detector as a function of position in the cross section. The evaluation of the scattering data delivered profiles of several parameters, describing the distribution of crystallite modification β-PP and γ-PP, the degree of orientation, the size of crystallites, and interplanar spacing, depending on the distance from surface. These results and those from measurements of birefringence and elongation at break, and from polarization microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, provided details of the layered structures in the plates, at different flow lengths, and allowed far-reaching statements about the influence of molecular properties and processing conditions on the development of texture in the plates.     

On the Origin of a Low Angle Spacing in Starch

The structure of starch granules from different botanical sources was studied by transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray diffraction. Electron micrographs of negatively stained starch granule fragments show a rippled fibrous structure. The ripples are interpreted as being stacks of thin crystalline lamellae comprising the linear α-(1→4) chains of the amylopectin. Optical diffraction analysis of the electron micrographs showed that the spacing of the ripples varies from 9.2 nm in potato starch to 10.4 nm in barley starch. This correlates well with the position of a Bragg peak at appr. 10 nm measured by small-angle X-ray diffraction. These observations indicate that the Bragg peak arises from the alternating amorphous and crystalline regions seen as ripples in the electron micrographs.     

Antibiotic susceptibility of Bifidobacterium thermophilum and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum isolates from animal sources

The widespread use of antimicrobial substances has led to resistant populations of microorganisms in several ecosystems. In animal husbandry, the application of antibiotics has contributed to resistance development in pathogenic and commensal bacteria. These strains or their resistance genes can be spread along several ecological routes, including the food chain. Antibiotic resistance is important in terms of the safety of industrial strains, such as probiotics for food and feed. Bifidobacterium thermophilum and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum are known to comprise the major part of the bifidobacterial microbiota in the gut and feces of cattle and pigs. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility in bifidobacterial isolates of these species was investigated. Isolates from the beef and pork production chain were identified and typed to strain level, and the antimicrobial susceptibility level was tested to a set of antibiotics. Isolates with low susceptibility levels were screened by PCR for already described resistance genes. Strains atypically resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, and tetracycline were determined. The resistance genes tet(O), tet(W), and erm(X) were detected in the bifidobacterial species that were examined.     

Rosuvastatin Enhances the Catabolism of LDL apoB‐100 in Subjects with Combined Hyperlipidemia in a Dose Dependent Manner

Dose‐associated effects of rosuvastatin on the metabolism of apolipoprotein (apo) B‐100 in triacylglycerol rich lipoprotein (TRL, d < 1.019 g/ml) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and of apoA‐I in high density lipoprotein (HDL) were assessed in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia. Our primary hypothesis was that maximal dose rosuvastatin would decrease the apoB‐100 production rate (PR), as well as increase apoB‐100 fractional catabolic rate (FCR). Eight subjects received placebo, rosuvastatin 5 mg/day, and rosuvastatin 40 mg/day for 8 weeks each in sequential order. The kinetics of apoB‐100 in TRL and LDL and apoA‐I in HDL were determined at the end of each phase using stable isotope methodology, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and multicompartmental modeling. Rosuvastatin at 5 and 40 mg/day decreased LDL cholesterol by 44 and 54 % (both P < 0.0001), triacylglycerol by 14 % (ns) and 35 % (P < 0.01), apoB by 30 and 36 % (both P < 0.0001), respectively, and had no significant effects on HDL cholesterol or apoA‐I levels. Significant decreases in plasma markers of cholesterol synthesis and increases in cholesterol absorption markers were observed. Rosuvastatin 5 and 40 mg/day increased TRL apoB‐100 FCR by 36 and 46 % (both ns) and LDL apoB‐100 by 63 and 102 % (both P < 0.05), respectively. HDL apoA‐I PR increased with low dose rosuvastatin (12 %, P < 0.05) but not with maximal dose rosuvastatin. Neither rosuvastatin dose altered apoB‐100 PR or HDL apoA‐I FCR. Our data indicate that maximal dose rosuvastatin treatment in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia resulted in significant increases in the catabolism of LDL apoB‐100, with no significant effects on apoB‐100 production or HDL apoA‐I kinetics.     

4-Acyl-2-acylamino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole durch Acylierung von Thiosemicarbazonen

4-Acyl-2-acylamino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles by Acylation of Thiosemicarbazones Thiosemicarbazones and acid anhydrides or halides react to 4-acyl-2-acylamino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles ( 2a – 2v ) in high yields. 3-Acyl-2-amino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 5 are proved as intermediates in this conversion. In special cases they can be isolated or submitted to further acylation with an other acylating agent. ¹H-n.m.r., ¹³C-n.m.r. and mass spectroscopic data of compounds 2a – 2v and 5a – 5e are given. The preparation of the compounds 2 can also be carried out starting with a carbonyl compound and thiosemicarbazide without isolation of the thiosemicarbazone.     

ortho-Spezifische Bromierung von Phenolen

Ortho-Specific Bromination of Phenols Phenol as well as 3-substituted phenols are brominated exclusively in the orthopositions by N.N-dibromomethylamine, yielding 2.6-dibrominated phenols in excellent yields. Phenols bearing an ortho-substituent need N-bromomethylamine as the brominating agent to take up one bromine atom into the free ortho-position. para-Bromination is not observed in either case. 1-Naphthol gives 2-bromo-1-naphthol, 8-hydroxyquinoline gives 7-bromo-8-hydroxyquinoline with 80% and 98% yield respectively. ortho-Specific chlorination of phenols was carried out in some cases using N-chloro-alkylamines.     

N-Aminierung von Isochinolinbasen

N-Amination of Isoquinoline Bases 3, 3-Pentamethylene oxaziridine 1 forms an N N-bond with secondary isoquinoline bases 2a – f to give the cyclohexylidene hydrazines 3a – f . In some cases nitrogen elimination yielding indane derivatives 13b, 13e competes with hydrazone formation. The cyclic Schiff'base 14 and the β-carboline derivative 16 can also be aminated.     

Neue Azoolefine und deren saure Spaltung zu Aryldiiminen

New Azoolefines and their Acidic cleavage to Aryldiimines 3-Amino-1-aryl-3′,3′-dimethyl-pyrazolin-4-spiro-2′-oxiran-5-ones ( 3a – c ) undergo ring opening with methoxide forming methyl 3-amino-3-arylazo-propenoates ( 5a – c ). 5a – c are cleaved under acidic conditions. The main products of the cleavage of 5c with methanolic hydrochloric acid are nitrogen, 2, 4, 6-trichloro-benzen ( 6 ), 2, 4, 6-trichloro-aniline ( 9 ) and 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenylhydrazine ( 10 ). Intermediates of the cleavage of 5 are aryldiimines trapped with benzaldehyde as the corresponding benzhydrazides ( 12a , b ).     

Ringöffnungs- und SubstitutionsReaktionen von 4,4-Dihalogen-pyrazolin-5-onen durch Nucleophile

Ring Opening and Substitution Reactions of 4,4-Dihalo-pyrazolin-5-ones with Nucleophiles 1-Aryl-4,4-dihalo-3-methyl-pyrazolin-5-ones ( 1a – c ) undergo ring opening with alkoxides and form alkyl 3-arylazo-2-halo-2-butenoats ( 2a – d ). Analogous reactions take place with ammonia and amines. 4-Nitro-phenoxide reacts with substitution of both halogens to the 4,4-bis(4-nitro-phenyl)-compound ( 5 ). Phenols are selectively orthobrominated by the title compounds 1a and b .     

Atomic Friction Investigations on Ordered Superstructures

We review recent friction measurements on ordered superstructures performed by atomic force microscopy. In particular, we consider ultrathin KBr films on NaCl(001) and Cu(001) surfaces, single and bilayer graphene on SiC(0001), and the herringbone reconstruction of Au(111). Atomically resolved friction images of these systems show periodic features spanning across several unit cells. Although the physical mechanisms responsible for the formation of these superstructures are quite different, the experimental results can be interpreted within the same phenomenological framework. A comparison between experiments and modeling shows that, in the cases of KBr films on NaCl(001) and of graphene films, the tip-surface interaction is well described by a potential with the periodicity of the substrate which is modulated or, respectively, superimposed with a potential with the symmetry of the superstructure.