Enzymic adaptations in leaf-feeding insects to host-plant allelochemicals

Herbivorous insects have the capacity to develop behavioral, physiological, and biochemical resistance mechanisms in response to chemical selection pressures. Among natural insect-plant associations, there are several cases of target-site insensitivity to and enhanced metabolism of plant allelochemicals. There are also known instances of physiological defenses such as extra rapid excretion or storage of toxic compounds. Multiple defenses seem to be prevalent in natural insect-plant interactions that involve toxic compounds, possibly reflecting the long time these interactions have had to evolve compared to insect-synthetic insecticide interactions. Synthetic insecticides were introduced about 45 years ago. Until recently they have been used as single-active-component preparations. As such, they have been and are very effective in producing insect populations with enhanced detoxification ability and target-site insensitivity. Most insecticide-resistant insect populations have one major defense mechanism. This feature makes the synthetic insecticides very useful tools for studies of insect defenses against toxic chemicals. Information gained from studies with insecticides can shed light on the capabilities of insects to adapt to toxicants in their environment. In assessing the validity of work with synthetic insecticides for natural systems, the fundamental differences between these substances and allelochemicals, and in their presentation to the insects, must, however, be considered. The prevalence of multiple defenses and reliance on modified physiological processes in natural interactions may reflect different properties of the natural chemicals in being generally highly biodegradable and often less acutely toxic than synthetic insecticides. In many cases, the plant allelochemicals are presented to the insects as mixtures. It is, however, to be expected that pest insects will evolve effective multiple defenses against synthetic insecticides. About 20% of all resistant populations have already developed multiple defenses, in most cases combinations of enhanced metabolism and target-site insensitivity. This implies that current crop protection practices need to be modified to ensure the continued usefulness of synthetic insecticides. To achieve this, it is important to study intensively not only insect-insecticide interactions but also the interactions operating in natural insect-plant associations.     

Surface properties of ZSM-5 modified by phosphorus

Phosphorus modification of ZSM-5 leads to extra framework P⁵⁺ and probably incorporation of +3 valence state of P in the framework. The resulting system has increased Brønsted acidity. Theoretical calculations also favour the postulate that phosphorus in +3 valence state can be incorporated into the lattice.     

Light scattering Rayleigh linewidth measurements on some globular protein solutions

An apparatus previously described for investigating the Rayleigh linewidth of light scattered from macromolecular solutions by means of the optical homodyne technique has been modified so as to obtain the autocorrelation function of the fluctuations in scattered intensity. Its operation is described and some results presented for three commercially obtainable globular proteins: chymotrypsinogen, bovine plasma albumin and urease. Measurements were made in unbuffered 0.2M NaCl aqueous solutions and the diffusion constants, D_20w, found to be 7.4±0.3×10^?7cm²s^?1, 5.8±0.1×10^?7cm²s^?1 and 3.4±0.1×10^?7cm²s^?1 respectively. There was no detectable concentration dependence. In each case the results agreed well with theoretical predictions both as regards angular variation and shape of the autocorrelation function. The effects of polydispersity are discussed.     

Incorporation of surface-modified UHMWPE powders and fibers in tough polyurethane composites

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder (60 micron diameter) and chopped fiber (6.5 mm length) were surface treated with a blend of reactive gases (fluorine and oxygen.) These powders and fibers were then compounded into a thermoset polyurethane matrix. Surface-treated and control reinforcements are compared at a 10 vol.% loading level. Tensile testing indicates improved stress transfer with surface treatment. Stress transfer is also improved with fibers versus powders. Fracture toughness is characterized by measuring the essential work of fracture, w_e. Surface-treated fiber composites exhibit work of fracture values almost three times the unfilled polyurethane values. Abrasion resistance was also measured. Surface treatment was found to significantly lower wear rates of powder composites. Fiber composites had lower wear rates than powder composites, although surface treatment had little effect. An approximate inverse relationship was found between wear rate and essential work of fracture.     

Analyses of flavor qualities of vegetable oils by gas chromatography

Soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, and corn oil were exposed to fluorescent light for different periods of time to obtain a wide range of flavor qualities. The flavor qualities of these oils were evaluated by sensory and gas Chromatographic methods. Sensory evaluation was conducted using a 10-point hedonic scale to rate overall flavor quality. The sensory panel was made up of 94 members from 8 different laboratories. The correlation coefficients (r) of the flavor scores between sensory evaluation and instrumental analysis for soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, and corn oil were 0.95, 0.97 and 0.97, respectively. These results were very close to the correlation coefficients (r) 0.99, 0.98 and 0.95 obtained from 10 sensory panel members from one specific laboratory.     

Plastic Deformation and the Fracture Surface Energy of Sodium Chloride

A correlation between plastic deformation at crack tips in sodium chloride and the measured value of the fracture surface energy is presented. Plastic deformation can either aid or hinder crack growth, depending on the mode of deformation at the crack tip. If plane-stress deformation occurs, crack motion is hindered by step formation, dislocation generation, and plastic blunting of the crack tip. If plane-strain deformation occurs, crack motion is aided by stress fields that arise from the deformation. The specific surface free energy of sodium chloride, {100} plane, is estimated to be less than 0.37 J/m².     

Model for the impedance analysis in a three electrode solid state electrochemical cell

A T-network model for the determination of the electrode impedances in a three electrode solid state electrochemical cell is postulated and discussed. The model is applied to a Li solid battery where the electrolyte is the polymer (PEO)₈LiCF₃SO₃ and the positive electrode is the insertion electrode V₆O_{13 + x}. The Li metal reference electrode is found to have an impedance considerably greater than that of the working (V₆O₁₃ + x) or the counter electrode (Li). The significance of these impedances is discussed in relation to the geometry and construction of solid electrolyte cells, and to their suitability for potentiostatic measurements.     

Mechanisms of antioxidant action: The role of nitroxyl radicals in the stabilization of PVC

Hindered amines and their derived oxidation products, the hindered nitroxyls and hydroxylamines are processing stabilizers and photoantioxidants for poly(vinyl chloride). The evidence suggests that oxidation of the amines occurs very rapidly and completely during mechanooxidation and that the resulting redox couple operates by a catalytic mechanism as described previously for hydrocarbon polymers.     

Sulfur content of crude rapesseed oil from aqueous extraction

Dry heating of rapeseed before grinding increased the sulphur content of the crude rapeseed oil. Boiling the seeds in H₂O before grinding caused a slight decrease in the sulphur level of the oil. Control of pH during boiling of the ground rapeseed increased the sulphur content of the oil from ca. 2 ppm at pH 3.1 to ca. 10 ppm at pH 7.6.     

Special features in dyeing modacrylic fibre

Conclusions The possibility of dyeing freshly-spun modacrylic fibre with cationic dyes and in bulk with dyes or pigments of various classes has been investigated under laboratory conditions.It is recommended to use dyeing of modacrylic fibre in bulk with acetone-soluble dyes, which permits one to eliminate the energy-intensive process of pigment dispersion.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 6, p. 36, November–December, 1988.