Lignin from Annual Plants as Raw Material Source for Flavors and Basic Chemicals

The enzymatic conversion of lignins, possibly in combination with electrochemical oxidation, makes aromatics such as syringol, guaiacol, vanillin and catechol available in the qualities required by the fragrance industry. The lignins were obtained by soda digestion from wheat straw and Miscanthus, characterized and then converted with laccases. The overall yield amounted up to 9 wt % with a product spectrum confined to four substances. Catechol was the major product, with a fraction of ≈75 %. It can easily be isolated by extraction with acetone.     

A simple model for the semicontinuous heterophase polymerization: Ethyl methacrylate as a case example

A simple but comprehensive model considering homogeneous and micellar nucleation, coagulation, entry of radicals to particles and to micelles and radicals' exit from particles, is presented. The model is validated, in a starved semicontinuous heterophase polymerization of ethyl methacrylate, at three monomer addition rates. The model accurately describes the overall and instantaneous conversion, the average particle density and diameter, and the number and weight average molar masses evolutions over time. It is found that even though the average number of radicals is much smaller than 0.5, the system is not 0-1. An empirical function was used to describe the gel effect. The homogeneous nucleation was the prevailing mechanism for particle formation and large exit rates of radicals were observed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60: 223–232, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Piperacillin/tazobactam‐induced neurotoxicity in a hemodialysis patient: A case report

Antibiotics are potentially a cause of neurotoxicity in dialysis patients, the most common are the beta‐lactams as ceftazidime and cefepime, and few cases have been reported after piperacillin/tazobactam use. This report presents a case of a hypertensive and diabetic 67‐year‐old woman in regular hemodialysis, which previously had a stroke. She was hospitalized presenting pneumonia, which was initially treated with cefepime. Two days after treatment, she presented dysarthria, left hemiparesis, ataxia, and IX and X cranial nerves paresis. Computed tomography showed no acute lesions and cefepime neurotoxicity was hypothesized, and the antibiotic was replaced by piperacillin/tazobactam. The neurologic signs disappeared; however, 4 days after with piperacillin/tazobactam treatment, the neurological manifestations returned. A new computed tomography showed no new lesions, and the second antibiotic regimen withdrawn. After two hemodialysis sessions, the patient completely recovered from neurological manifestations. The patient presented sequentially neurotoxicity caused by two beta‐lactams antibiotics. This report meant to alert clinicians that these antibiotics have dangerous neurological effects in chronic kidney disease patients.     

Narrow-band correction of the residual amplitude modulation in frequency-modulation spectroscopy

We have developed a narrow-band controller in the MHz range, based on a field-programmable gate array. It is used to control the probe beam intensity in frequency-modulated spectroscopy experiments with an acoustooptic modulator. The residual amplitude modulation at the modulation frequency (2.5 MHz) is reduced by 50 dB. The first-harmonic detection of the signals is operated in saturation spectroscopy of I/sub 2/ at 514.5 nm and 501.7 nm. A reduction of the background noise and a large increase in the signal-to-noise ratio are obtained.     

Miniaturized coplanar waveguide stop band filters based on multiple tuned split ring resonators

A novel compact stop band filter consisting of a 50 /spl Omega/ coplanar waveguide (CPW) with split ring resonators (SRRs) etched in the back side of the substrate is presented. By aligning SRRs with the slots, a high inductive coupling between line and rings is achieved, with the result of a sharp and narrow rejection band in the vicinity of the resonant frequency of the rings. In order to widen the stop band of the filter, several ring pairs tuned at equally spaced frequencies within the desired gap are cascaded. The frequency response measured in the fabricated prototype device exhibits pronounced slopes at either side of the stop band and near 0 dBs insertion loss outside that band. Since SRR dimensions are much smaller than signal wavelength, the proposed filters are extremely compact and can be used to reject frequency parasitics in CPW structures by simply patterning properly tuned SRRs in the back side metal. Additional advantages are easy fabrication and compatibility with MMIC or PCB technology.     

Techniques for microstructural characterization of powder-processed nickel-based superalloys

Methods are described for sample preparation of polycrystalline Ni-based superalloys in order to perform a detailed microstructural characterization. Specific techniques for the precise definition of the various phases present are outlined and these are shown to be useful for the measurement of size, volume fractions and distribution. A number of optical, scanning and transmission microscopy techniques are used to provide the necessary information.     

Implicit Leadership Theories in Applied Settings: Factor Structure, Generalizability, and Stability Over Time.

The present empirical investigation had a 3-fold purpose: (a) to cross-validate L. R. Offermann, J. K. Kennedy, and P. W. Wirtz's (1994) scale of Implicit Leadership Theories (ILTs) in several organizational settings and to further provide a shorter scale of ILTs in organizations; (b) to assess the generalizability of ILTs across different employee groups, and (c) to evaluate ILTs' change over time. Two independent samples were used for the scale validation (N1 = 500 and N2 = 439). A 6-factor structure (Sensitivity, Intelligence, Dedication, Dynamism, Tyranny, and Masculinity) was found to most accurately represent ELTs in organizational settings. Regarding the generalizability of ILTs, although the 6-factor structure was consistent across different employee groups, there was only partial support for total factorial invariance. Finally, evaluation of gamma, beta, and alpha change provided support for ILTs' stability over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reaction of cytochrome P450 with cumene hydroperoxide: ESR spin-trapping evidence for the homolytic scission of the peroxide O-O bond by ferric cytochrome P450 1A2

ESR spin trapping was used to investigate the reaction of rabbit cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A2 with cumene hydroperoxide. Cumene hydroperoxide-derived peroxyl, alkoxyl, and carbon-centered radicals were formed and trapped during the reaction. The relative contributions of each radical adduct to the composite ESR spectrum were influenced by the concentration of the spin trap. Computer simulation of the experimental data obtained at various 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) concentrations was used to quantitate the contributions of each radical adduct to the composite ESR spectrum. The alkoxyl radical was the initial radical produced during the reaction. Experiments with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane identified the carbon-centered adducts as those of the methyl radical, hydroxymethyl radical, and a secondary carbon-centered radical. The reaction did not require NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase or NADPH. It is concluded that the reaction involves the initial homolytic scission of the peroxide O-O bond to produce the cumoxyl radical. Methyl radicals were produced from the beta-scission of the cumoxyl radical. The peroxyl adduct was not observed in the absence of molecular oxygen. We conclude that the DMPO peroxyl radical adduct detected in the presence of oxygen was due to the methylperoxyl radical formed by the reaction of the methyl radical with oxygen. At a higher P450 concentration, a protein-derived radical adduct was also detected.