Air sampling of volatile sex pheromone components in a closed jar

A cotton wool plug, used as the source for pheromone release, was placed in closed 1-quart Mason jars, either at the mouth or at the rear of the jar. Air sampling of the two components of the sex pheromone (total 2.2 mg at the source) of the almond moth (Ephestia cautella) female showed that the saturation period near the source in still air was 20–22 hr and that far from the source was 40–50 hr, reaching a level of less than 1 ng/ml air. The ratio between the components (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, designated D, and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate designated M, in the air was close to the original ratio for both sampling sites, albeit somewhat richer in the more volatile (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (source 77.023.0 DM, air 73.0– 74.327.0–25.7; source 80.119.9, air 77.622.4; source 25.174.9, air 23.976. 1 DM). The total amount of pheromone per milliliter of air was two to three times larger near the source than far from it at the early stages of the evaporation and saturation process. When the amount of pheromone applied to the source was tripled (7 mg), the amount far from the source was almost tripled, or the saturation time was cut by factor of two to three.     

Variability in pheromone composition and periodicity of pheromone titer in potato tuberworm moth,Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The ratios and quantities of the pheromone components, (E,Z)-4,7-tridecadien-1-yl acetate (diene) and (E,Z,Z)-4,7.10-tridecatrien-1-yl acetate (triene), in the glands of individual female potato tuberworm moths (Phthorimaea operculella) originating from the United States (California) and Japan (Nagoya) were analyzed by gas chromatography. Quantities of glandextracted pheromone components of Nagoya females fluctuated in a periodic fashion during the photoperiod. Maximal titers coincided with the onset of scotophase (and calling), then gradually declined to minimal levels soon after lights-on. The average daily pheromone quantities decreased significantly as females aged. Both populations exhibited considerable variation in the ratio of the two components. The proportions of triene in the blend ranged from 27% to 88% (triene –X = 56 ± 13% SD; CV = 23%) for California females and from 16% to 71% (42 ± 13%; CV = 31%) for Nagoya females. Nagoya females also stored significantly higher amounts of pheromone in their glands (8.6 ± 3.9 ng) than did California females (2.7 ± 1.4). The differences between the populations, while substantial, would probably not be sufficient to impart a barrier to panmixis, given the wide range of component ratios favored by the males.     

Sex pheromone of aPlanotortrix excessana sibling species and reinvestigation of related species

The sex pheromone of aPlanotortrix excessana sibling species was investigated. Females were found to produce eight potential pheromone components: dodecyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate (14OAc). (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate (Z5-14OAc), (Z)-7-tetradecenyl acetate (Z7-14OAc), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, hexadecyl acetate, (Z)-7-hexadecenyl acetate, and (Z)-9-hexadecenyl acetate. When these compounds were bioassayed using field-trapping and wind-tunnel techniques, only 14OAc,Z5-14OAc, andZ7-14OAc were found to be behaviorally active. The sex pheromone glands of females of other species including,Planotortrix MBS,Planotortrix M,P. notophaea, Ctenopseustis servana, and aC. obliquana sibling species, were also found to containZ5-14OAc orZ7-14OAc, singly or in combination. In the case ofPlanotortrix M, the addition ofZ7-14OAc to the previously identified sex pheromone blend ofZ5-14OAc and 14OAc was found to increase trap captures of male moths of this species. Thus in these New Zealand species (and in some Australian species),Z5-14OAc andZ7-14OAc appear to be utilized in combination in pheromonal communication just as (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate are used by many species of Holarctic Tortricidae in the tribe Archipini.Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae.     

Male european corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), antennal responses to analogs of its sex pheromone

Experiments were conducted to (1) determine whether the electroantennogram (EAG) can detect differences among the responses of antennae from males derived from the three strains ofOstrinia nubilalis (Hübner), and (2) characterize the EAG responses of each strain to isomeric forms of the natural pheromone, (E)- and (Z)-11-tetradecen-1-ol acetate (TDA), and analogs possessing differences in the terminal alkyl group, cyclopropyl (CPA), ortert-butyl (TBA).EAG responses differed among the strains in two ways: (1) Antennae fromZZ males always produced an EAG to (Z)-TDA with an extended duration of response. This signature EAG response was found to be unique to the antennal response ofZZ males to (Z)-TDA, thus providing a relatively easy method of distinguishing liveZZ males fromEE orZE males. Correlated with this longer EAG response was a longer disadaptation time, i.e., the EAG response ofZZ antennae disadapted more slowly (ca. 10 min) than the response ofEE antennae. (2) Strain differences in the relative EAG amplitudes to isomers and analogs were observed at the stimulus amounts eliciting the peak EAG amplitude as follows: TDA CPA > TBA forZZ males and both isomers; TDA > CPA TBA and CPA TDA > TBA forEE males and theE andZ isomers, respectively; CPA > TBA TDA forZE males and both isomers. Dose—response relationships were seen for all compounds if amplitude (peak height) of the EAG was used as a measure of response. However, if width of the EAG at half the peak height (peak width) was used, then only theZZ antennal response to (Z)-TDA resulted in a meaningful dose-response relationship. For all strains, the EAG amplitudes elicited by theZ isomers of any of the tested compounds were greater than those elicited by the correspondingE isomers. Therefore, correlations between the relative EAG and upwind flight responses were observed in theZZ (r = 0.86) andZE (r = 0.80) strains but were not correlated in theEE strain (r = 0.18). Temporal studies showed that adaptation, not postexcision deterioration, was responsible for the observed decreases in the EAG amplitude after repetitive stimulation or after stimulation with amounts in a descending order. Disa-daptation required at least 20 min for a moderate dose (10 g for 1 sec). Developmental studies showed that antennae from 2-day-old adults had the greatest EAG response.     

Lewis酸存在下的自由基共聚合——Ⅰ.GeCl_4与BCl_3存在下的乙酸乙烯酯与丙烯酸交替共聚

乙酸乙烯酯(VAc)与丙烯酸(AA)在GeCl_4及BCl_3存在下通过自由基聚合可得到交替共聚物。对GeCl_4体系,聚合反应速率正比于[引发剂]~(0.5)。当VAc/AA=1:1(mol比)时有最大反应速率。CCl_4对本聚合反应无链转移作用。通过紫外光谱分析可证实VAc及AA均与GeC\(?)生成络合物;ESR分析表明,络合AA自由基较未络合AA有较强的阳离子特性,交替共聚的原因可能与络合AA自由基及活化单体络合物二者有关。     

Cultivar variation in response of strawberry fruit to high carbon dioxide treatments

The influence of cultivar on responses of strawberry fruit to 20 kPa CO₂ or air storage at 2 °C was measured for 7 days. CO₂ storage increased firmness of all cultivars over air storage, but the degree of increase was affected by cultivar and days in storage. CO₂‐treated fruit were lighter colored and less intensely red than air‐treated fruit. Accumulations of acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate in CO₂‐treated fruit were strongly affected by cultivar, with those in ‘Annapolis’ having the lowest and those in ‘Governor Simcoe’ having the highest concentrations. Genetic variation in this response provides useful material for investigating the metabolic basis of CO₂ effects in strawberry fruit. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of Synthetic Platelet‐Activating Hydrogel Matrices to Induce Local Hemostasis

Several hemostatic strategies rely on the use of blood components such as fibrinogen and thrombin, which suffer from high cost and short shelf‐life. Here, a cost‐effective synthetic biomaterial is developed for rapid local hemostasis. Instead of using thrombin, thrombin‐receptor‐agonist‐peptide‐6 (TRAP6) is covalently engineered in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. Soluble PVA‐TRAP6 is first prepared by covalent attachment of cysteine‐containing TRAP6 onto the backbone of PVA‐norbornenes (PVA‐NB) through photoconjugation. Cytotoxicity studies using C2C12 myoblasts indicate that PVA‐NB and PVA‐TRAP6 are nontoxic. Thromboelastography reveals that hemostatic activity of TRAP6 is retained in conjugated form, which is comparable to free TRAP6 solutions with equal concentrations. A 0.1% PVA‐TRAP6 solution can shorten the clotting time (CT) to ca. 45% of the physiological CT. High platelet‐activating efficiency is further confirmed by platelet aggregation assay and flow cytometry (FACS). For potential clinical applications, TRAP6‐presenting hydrogel particulates (PVA‐TRAP6‐P) are developed for local platelet activation and hemostasis. PVA‐TRAP6‐P is prepared by biofunctionalization of photopolymerized PVA‐NB hydrogel particulates (PVA‐NB‐P) with TRAP6. It is demonstrated that PVA‐TRAP6‐P can effectively shorten the CT to ca. 50%. FACS shows that PVA‐TRAP6‐P can activate platelets to a comparable extent as soluble TRAP6 control. Altogether, PVA‐TRAP6‐P represents a promising class of biomaterials for safe hemostasis and wound healing.     

Polyvinyl Acetate as a High-gloss Edible Coating

Edible coating formulations were made with food-grade polyvinyl acetate (PVA) dissolved in alcohol-water mixtures. PVA coatings had high gloss and relatively high permeance to O₂ and water vapor, and they formed glossy surfaces on chocolate candy, citrus fruit, and apples. Addition of propylene glycol helped to retain coating gloss when the alcohol content of the solvent was reduced to less than 70%. Fresh apples or citrus fruit with PVA coatings had higher internal O₂ than fruit with shellac and resin coatings and, consequently, less tendency to ferment and produce alcohol during storage. Fruit with PVA coatings did not whiten or ‘blush’ after contact with water.     

Marrying Ester Group with Lithium Salt: Cellulose-Acetate-Enabled LiF-Enriched Interface for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes

The practical applications of high-energy-density lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMB) have been hindered by the formation and growth of Li dendrites. Homogenizing the Li-ion flux to suppress Li dendrites by regulating the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) originating from electrolyte degradation is necessary but still challenging. Herein, ion-affiliative cellulose acetate (CA) with functional Li salts is prepared to generate the SEI with fast Li⁺ diffusion kinetics. First, the correlations between the functional ester group and LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂ (LiTFSI) are theoretically and experimentally identified, where CO strongly adsorbed N(CF₃SO₂)₂⁻ through electrostatic interaction to enhance the charge-transfer-promoted decomposition of LiTFSI. Furthermore, the CA with ex situ doped LiTFSI amplifies this fluorinated degradation effect, and the LiF-enriched SEI nanostructure is consequently established in situ, as confirmed by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. As a result, the dendritic Li growth during cycling is efficiently suppressed, and the lifespan is prolonged by more than six times at a high current density of 3 mA cm⁻². This study provides insights into the interphase design for realizing ultrastable LMB.     

利用光谱技术快速检测烟胶的研究

对卷烟生产工艺中连接卷烟纸和过滤嘴的接嘴胶聚醋酸乙烯酯(PVAc)的检测进行了研究,探索在可见-短波近红外波段进行检测的可行性.对透射和漫反射两种测量方式进行了对比:采用漫反射方式得到的信号不强,在整个研究波段,漫反射率都在70%以下;相比之下,采用透射的测量方式,可以得到很强的透过率信号,特别是在700～900 nm的波段,透过率在270%以上.通过研究接嘴胶(PVAc)与卷烟纸的特性以及二者相互作用的机理,分析了涂胶后使透过率显著增大的原因.研究结果表明,采用透射的测量方式在可见-近红外波段对接嘴胶聚醋酸乙烯酯(PVAc)进行检测实时、快速,满足卷烟生产工业中的检测要求,为PVAc的检测提供了新的途径.