Pheromone Response Inhibitors of the Corn Stalk Borer Sesamia nonagrioides. Biological Evaluation and Toxicology

The behavioral activity of some trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) as inhibitors of the pheromone activity of the corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lef.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported. The most closely-related analogue to the pheromone tested, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z11-16:TFMK), elicited a significant decrease in the number of male catches in traps baited with mixtures with the pheromone in 1:1 and 10:1 ratios in comparison to the pheromone alone. The E isomer of the analogue as well as two highly hydrated ketones, 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (OTFP) and 1,1-difluoropentadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone, were inactive. Conversely, the saturated TFMKs n-dodecyl trifluoromethyl ketone and, particularly, n-hexadecyl trifluoromethyl ketone induced a synergistic effect when mixed with the synthetic pheromone in 10:1 ratio. However, in a wind tunnel these chemicals did not elicit any differential effect on flying moths attracted to a source containing a 10:1 blend of the analogue and the pheromone. In a dual choice bioassay with two dispensers, containing the pheromone alone, and mixtures of Z11-16:TFMK and the pheromone and separated 5 cm apart, males showed no particular preference for either dispenser. The ketone mixture, however, induced moths to execute erratic flights with frequent crosswind counter-turns and intersections with plume boundaries. The total number of contacts with the source were reduced when a control dispenser was paired with a dispenser containing Z11-16:TFMK and pheromone. Z11-16:TFMK and OTFP showed little toxicity on mice with a LD₅₀ of 1 g/kg after the 6th day of treatment. For comparitive purposes, the major component of the pheromone, Z11-16:Ac, displayed a LD₅₀ of 5 g/kg 6 days after application. Our results provide additional information about the activity of the TFMKs, which might be useful for the utilization of these chemicals in future pest control studies.     

The process dynamics of filler retention in paper using a CPAM/bentonite retention aid system

In an effort to develop robust control strategies for the wet‐end of papermaking, an experimental program was carried out to model the dynamic behaviour of the filler retention in paper using a Fourdrinier pilot paper machine and a cationic poly(acrylamide)/bentonite retention aid system. A dynamic simulation model of the pilot paper machine was developed from first‐principles. To describe the wet‐end chemistry effect, the first‐pass retention was included in the model as a new independent variable. The important factors affecting the dynamics of the wet‐end are first‐pass retention and the parameters related to the white water circulation.     

High‐resolution solid‐state NMR investigation of the filler–rubber interaction: 2. High‐speed [1H] magic‐angle spinning NMR spectroscopy in carbon‐black‐filled polybutadiene

This work investigates the behaviour of elastomeric chains (polybutadienes of identical molecular weight but different microstructures) in the close vicinity of carbon black surfaces in order to attain a better understanding of the structure and properties of interphases. Elastomer–filler interactions are assessed through the study of the thermal properties and NMR relaxation characteristics of the corresponding materials. Three series of samples were compared: pure polymers, raw polymer–filler blends (filler loading ratio: 50 phr) and solvent‐extracted blends (so as to get rid of any polymer which is not under the influence of the solid surface). While differential scanning calorimetry points to the existence of an elastomer fraction which is not detected as undergoing the glass transition, ie is strongly immobilized, [¹H] high‐resolution high‐speed magic‐angle spinning solid‐state NMR provides information on the effect exerted by polymer–filler interactions on the mobility of the various constitutive species of the macromolecular backbone. A systematic study of the evolution of the spectral lines yielded by the samples indicates that 1,2‐polybutadiene moieties have a particular affinity towards the carbon black surface which suggests the occurrence of specific interactions at the elastomer–filler interface. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

SCR of NO over Ir/Al2O3 Catalysts. Importance of the Activation Procedure and Influence of the Dispersion

For SCR of NO the study of Ir/Al₂O₃ solids shows the importance of the activation procedure under mixtures containing CO (NO–C₃H₆–CO–O₂ or NO–CO–O₂). The selective reductant remains C₃H₆, however. The activation goes with an iridium particles sintering without Ir loss.     

Electron transfer processes at the surface of MoOx/SiO2 catalysts

EPR studies using naturally abundant and ⁹⁵Mo-enriched molybdenum have shown that reduced MoO _x /SiO₂catalysts with different dispersion of molybdenum provide a unique opportunity for molecular-level investigations of surface phenomena involved in the bonding to and activation of small molecules by oxide surfaces. Different types of electron transfer (ET) processes accompanying the activation of O₂and N₂O as well as the reactivity of O^-and CH₂OH transients with coadsorbed CH₃OH and O₂, respectively, have been identified. They include nondissociative and dissociative ET, surface intramolecular ET, and electroprotic transformation (ET coupled with proton transfer). In the case of methanol dehydrogenation it was found that if the reaction occurs on the MoO _x cluster centers, ET exhibits a complementary character, in contrast to isolated Mo centers where noncomplementary ET accompanied by migration of the hydroxymethyl intermediate is observed.     

Particle design using supercritical fluids: Literature and patent survey

As particle design is presently a major development of supercritical fluids applications, mainly in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and specialty chemistry industries, number of publications are issued and numerous patents filed every year. This document presents a survey (that cannot pretend to be exhaustive!) of published knowledge classified according to the different concepts currently used to manufacture particles, microspheres or microcapsules, liposomes or other dispersed materials (like microfibers):RESS: This acronym refers to ‘Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions’; this process consists in solvating the product in the fluid and rapidly depressurizing this solution through an adequate nozzle, causing an extremely rapid nucleation of the product into a highly dispersed material. Known for long, this process is attractive due to the absence of organic solvent use; unfortunately, its application is restricted to products that present a reasonable solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide (low polarity compounds).GAS or SAS: These acronyms refer to ‘Gas (or Supercritical fluid) Anti-Solvent’, one specific implementation being SEDS (‘Solution Enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical Fluids’); this general concept consists in decreasing the solvent power of a polar liquid solvent in which the substrate is dissolved, by saturating it with carbon dioxide in supercritical conditions, causing the substrate precipitation or recrystallization. According to the solid morphology that is wished, various ways of implementation are available:GAS or SAS recrystallization: This process is mostly used for recrystallization of solid dissolved in a solvent with the aim of obtaining either small size particles or large crystals, depending on the growth rate controlled by the anti-solvent pressure variation rate;ASES: This name is rather used when micro- or nano-particles are expected; the process consists in pulverizing a solution of the substrate(s) in an organic solvent into a vessel swept by a supercritical fluid;SEDS: A specific implementation of ASES consists in co-pulverizing the substrate(s) solution and a stream of supercritical carbon dioxide through appropriate nozzles.PGSS: This acronym refers to ‘Particles from Gas-Saturated Solutions (or Suspensions)’: This process consists in dissolving a supercritical fluid into a liquid substrate, or a solution of the substrate(s) in a solvent, or a suspension of the substrate(s) in a solvent followed by a rapid depressurization of this mixture through a nozzle causing the formation of solid particles or liquid droplets according to the system.The use of supercritical fluids as chemical reaction media for material synthesis. Two processes are described: thermal decomposition in supercritical fluids and hydrothermal synthesis.We will successively detail the literature and patents for these four main process concepts, and related applications that have been claimed. Moreover, as we believe it is important to take into account the user's point-of-view, we will also present this survey in classifying the documents according three product objectives: particles (micro- or nano-) of a single component, microspheres and microcapsules of mixtures of active and carrier (or excipient) components, and particle coating.     

Offset printing inks based on rapeseed and sunflower oil. Part I: Synthesis and characterization of rapeseed oil-and sunflower oil-modified alkyd resins

Two sets of alkyd resins of variable oil lengths with the required properties for offset printing ink formulations, modified by sunflower and rapeseed oil, were synthetized according to the “monoglyceride” process. The influence of the acyl composition of the modifying vegetable oil and of the oil content on alkyds’ properties was determined by detailed chemical and rheological characterization. Molecular structure, size, and molecule size distribution appeared to be linked to these two factors. A comparative study with two usual linseed oil-modified alkyds led to determination of the more appropriate alkyds for applications in offset varnishes.     

Crystallinity and mechanical properties of polylactide/ether‐amide copolymer blends

The present study focuses on the improvement of impact properties and particularly on the interaction between crystallinity development and mechanical properties of impact modified polylactide (PLA). The PLA was toughened by the addition of a random linear ether‐amide copolymer (PEBAX 3533?). A random copolymer of ethylene, methyl‐acrylate, and glycidyl‐methacrylate (LOTADER AX8900?) was also used to reactively compatibilize the ether‐amide copolymer with the PLA matrix. Melt rheology of the blends was investigated in small amplitude oscillatory shear and showed that the impact modifier could significantly influence the viscoelastic response of the material. The Izod impact resistance and tensile properties were measured using standard testing protocols. The blend morphology was also examined using scanning electron microscopy on cryofractured and microtomed surfaces, while the crystalline morphology was assessed by optical microscopy. A sub‐micron dispersion of the impact modifier was achieved in the presence of the reactive compatibilizer. Significantly improved impact strength was found with 10 wt % impact modifier. High crystallinity samples showed the highest impact strength with values reaching 68 kJ/m², hence a 20‐fold improvement with respect to the neat PLA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44677.     

Consolidation by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of polyetheretherketone

The present study deals with the consolidation of an ultra‐high performance polymer, the poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), for structural applications, using the powder metallurgy (PM) way, and more precisely the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) processing. The effects of SPS parameters such as temperature, pressure, and dwell time on density and mechanical properties of PEEK were investigated via a Design of Experiments (DoE). A temperature of 250 °C, a pressure of 40 MPa, and a dwell time of 20 min have been identified as the optimal SPS process parameters. In these conditions, a density of 1.31 g / cm³ was reached and homogeneous mechanical properties in the volume determined by means of compression tests were found with a compressive modulus of 2.75 GPa, a yield strength of 134 MPa, and a maximum compressive strain of 43%. These results are better than those of commercial products obtained by injection molding. The pressure appears to be a significant parameter on PEEK properties and plays positive or negative roles according to the responses of DoE studied. To our knowledge, it is one of the first studies based on the application of the PM techniques for PEEK consolidation showing the possibility to process below its melting point. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44911.