Insect antifeedant properties of anthranoids from the genusVismia

Vismiones and ferruginins, representatives of a new class of lypophilic anthranoids from the genusVismia were found to inhibit feeding in larvae of species ofSpodoptera, Heliothis, and inLocusta migratoria.     

Direct observation of freeze-thaw instability of latex coatings via high pressure freezing and cryogenic SEM

Despite its industrial importance, the subject of freeze-thaw (F/T) stability of latex coatings has not been studied extensively. There is also a lack of fundamental understanding about the process and the mechanisms through which a coating becomes destabilized. High pressure (2100 bar) freezing fixes the state of water-suspended particles of polymer binder and inorganic pigments without the growth of ice crystals during freezing that produce artifacts in direct imaging scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fracture surfaces of frozen coatings. We show that by incorporating copolymerizable functional monomers, it is possible to achieve F/T stability in polymer latexes and in low-VOC paints, as judged by the microstructures revealed by the cryogenic SEM technique. Particle coalescence as well as pigment segregation in F/T unstable systems are visualized. In order to achieve F/T stability in paints, latex particles must not flocculate and should provide protection to inorganic pigment and extender particles. Because of the unique capabilities of the cryogenic SEM, we are able to separate the effects of freezing and thawing, and study the influence of the rate of freezing and thawing on F/T stability. Destabilization can be caused by either freezing or thawing. A slow freezing process is more detrimental to F/T stability than a fast freezing process; the latter actually preserves suspension stability during freezing. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, October 27–29, 2004 in Chicago, IL. Tied for first place in The John A. Gordon Best Paper Competition.     

Ethanol and (−)-α-Pinene: Attractant Kairomones for Bark and Ambrosia Beetles in the Southeastern US

In 2002–2004, we examined the flight responses of 49 species of native and exotic bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae) to traps baited with ethanol and/or (−)-α-pinene in the southeastern US. Eight field trials were conducted in mature pine stands in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Funnel traps baited with ethanol lures (release rate, about 0.6 g/day at 25–28°C) were attractive to ten species of ambrosia beetles (Ambrosiodmus tachygraphus, Anisandrus sayi, Dryoxylon onoharaensum, Monarthrum mali, Xyleborinus saxesenii, Xyleborus affinis, Xyleborus ferrugineus, Xylosandrus compactus, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, and Xylosandrus germanus) and two species of bark beetles (Cryptocarenus heveae and Hypothenemus sp.). Traps baited with (−)-α-pinene lures (release rate, 2–6 g/day at 25–28°C) were attractive to five bark beetle species (Dendroctonus terebrans, Hylastes porculus, Hylastes salebrosus, Hylastes tenuis, and Ips grandicollis) and one platypodid ambrosia beetle species (Myoplatypus flavicornis). Ethanol enhanced responses of some species (Xyleborus pubescens, H. porculus, H. salebrosus, H. tenuis, and Pityophthorus cariniceps) to traps baited with (−)-α-pinene in some locations. (−)-α-Pinene interrupted the response of some ambrosia beetle species to traps baited with ethanol, but only the response of D. onoharaensum was interrupted consistently at most locations. Of 23 species of ambrosia beetles captured in our field trials, nine were exotic and accounted for 70–97% of total catches of ambrosia beetles. Our results provide support for the continued use of separate traps baited with ethanol alone and ethanol with (−)-α-pinene to detect and monitor common bark and ambrosia beetles from the southeastern region of the US.     

Many Drugs of Abuse May Be Acutely Transformed to Dopamine,Norepinephrine and Epinephrine In Vivo

It is well established that a wide range of drugs of abuse acutely boost the signaling of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, where norepinephrine and epinephrine are major output molecules. This stimulatory effect is accompanied by such symptoms as elevated heart rate and blood pressure, more rapid breathing, increased body temperature and sweating, and pupillary dilation, as well as the intoxicating or euphoric subjective properties of the drug. While many drugs of abuse are thought to achieve their intoxicating effects by modulating the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems (i.e., serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) by binding to these receptors or otherwise affecting their synaptic signaling, this paper puts forth the hypothesis that many of these drugs are actually acutely converted to catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) in vivo, in addition to transformation to their known metabolites. In this manner, a range of stimulants, opioids, and psychedelics (as well as alcohol) may partially achieve their intoxicating properties, as well as side effects, due to this putative transformation to catecholamines. If this hypothesis is correct, it would alter our understanding of the basic biosynthetic pathways for generating these important signaling molecules, while also modifying our view of the neural substrates underlying substance abuse and dependence, including psychological stress-induced relapse. Importantly, there is a direct way to test the overarching hypothesis: administer (either centrally or peripherally) stable isotope versions of these drugs to model organisms such as rodents (or even to humans) and then use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine if the labeled drug is converted to labeled catecholamines in brain, blood plasma, or urine samples.     

Novel polyurethane coating technology through glycidyl carbamate chemistry

Glycidyl carbamate chemistry combines the excellent properties of polyurethanes with the crosslinking chemistry of epoxy resins. Glycidyl carbamate functional oligomers were synthesized by the reaction of polyfunctional isocyanate oligomers and glycidol. The oligomers were formulated into coatings with several amine functional crosslinkers at varying stoichiometric ratios and cured at different temperatures. Properties such as solvent resistance, hardness, and impact resistance were dependent on the composition and cure conditions. Most coatings had an excellent combination of properties. Studies were carried out to determine the kinetics of the curing reaction of the glycidyl carbamate functional oligomers with multifunctional and model amines. Detailed kinetic analysis of the curing reactions was also undertaken. The results indicated that the glycidyl carbamate functional group is more reactive than a glycidyl ether group. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, on October 27–29, 2004, in Chicago, IL.     

Highly moisture-proof polysilsesquioxane coating prepared via facile sol-gel process

A highly moisture-proof polysilsesquioxane coating was obtained from a new bis-silylated precursor, which was synthesized from 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and m-xylylene diisocyanate (m-XDI) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and verified by ¹H MAS NMR. For direct comparison purposes, an SiO₂ coating was also prepared by the Stöber method using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the reactant. Interestingly, the coating obtained from the polysilsesquioxane sol exhibited a much higher moisture resistance capability than its counterpart, which was attributed to its more compact feature between nanoparticles as characterized by N₂ absorption experiment and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, its high transparency of about 92% showed potential for application in the protection of optical crystals.     

Methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates Attract Stink Bugs and Tachinid Parasitoids

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Pentatomidae), called the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), is a newly invasive species in the eastern USA that is rapidly spreading from the original point of establishment in Allentown, PA. In its native range, the BMSB is reportedly attracted to methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate, the male-produced pheromone of another pentatomid common in eastern Asia, Plautia stali Scott. In North America, Thyanta spp. are the only pentatomids known to produce methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoate [the (E,Z,Z)-isomer] as part of their pheromones. Methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates were field-tested in Maryland to monitor the spread of the BMSB and to explore the possibility that Thyanta spp. are an alternate host for parasitic tachinid flies that use stink bug pheromones as host-finding kairomones. Here we report the first captures of adult and nymph BMSBs in traps baited with methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate in central Maryland and present data verifying that the tachinid, Euclytia flava (Townsend), exploits methyl (E,Z,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate as a kairomone. We also report the unexpected finding that various isomers of methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoate attract Acrosternum hilare (Say), although this bug apparently does not produce methyl decatrienoates. Other stink bugs and tachinids native to North America were also attracted to methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates. These data indicate there are Heteroptera in North America in addition to Thyanta spp. that probably use methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates as pheromones. The evidence that some pentatomids exploit the pheromones of other true bugs as kairomones to find food or to congregate as a passive defense against tachinid parasitism is discussed.     

2007～2008年世界塑料工业进展

收集了2007年7月～2008年6月世界塑料工业的相关资料,介绍了2007～2008年国外塑料工业的发展情况,提供了世界塑料产量、消费量及全球各类树脂的需求量及产能情况.按通用热塑性树脂(聚乙烯、聚丙烯、聚苯乙烯、聚氯乙烯、ABS树脂)、工程塑料(尼龙、聚碳酸酯、聚甲醛、热塑性聚酯、聚苯醚)、特种工程塑料(聚苯·硫醚、液晶聚合物、聚醚醚酮)、通用热固性树脂(酚醛、聚氨酯、不饱和聚酯树脂、环氧树脂)不同品种的顺序,对树脂的产量、消费量、供需状况及合成工艺、产品应用开发、树脂品种的延伸及应用的进一步扩展等技术作了详细介绍.     

2005～2006年国外塑料工业进展

收集了2005年7月～2006年6月国外塑料工业的相关资料，介绍了2005—2006年国外塑料工业的发展情况。提供了世界塑料产量、消费量及全球各类树脂生产量以及各国塑料制品的进出口情况。作为对比，介绍了中国塑料的生产情况。按通用热塑性树脂（聚乙烯、聚丙烯、聚苯乙烯、聚氯乙烯、ABS树脂）、工程塑料（聚酰胺、聚碳酸酯、聚甲醛、热塑性聚酯、聚苯醚）、通用热固性树脂（酚醛、聚氨酯、不饱和树脂、环氧树脂）、特种工程塑料（聚苯硫醚、液晶聚合物、聚醚醚酮）的品种顺序，对树脂的产量、消费量、供需状况及合成工艺、产品开发、树脂品种的延伸及应用的扩展作了详细的介绍。     

Inorganic/organic nanocomposite coatings: The next step in coating performance

Inorganic/organic hybrid materials have considerable promise and are beginning to become a major area of research for many coating usages, including abrasion and corrosion resistance. Our primary approach is to prepare the inorganic phase in situ within the film formation process of the organic phase. The inorganic phase is introduced via sol-gel chemistry into a thermosetting organic phase. By this method, the size, periodicity, spatial positioning, and density of the inorganic phase can be controlled. An important aspect of the inorganic/organic hybrid materials is the coupling agent. The initial task of the coupling agent is to provide uniform mixing of the oligomeric organic phase with the sol-gel precursors, which are otherwise immiscible. UV-curable inorganic/organic hybrid systems have the advantages of a rapid cure and the ability to be used on heat sensitive substrates such as molded plastics. Also, it is possible to have better control of the growth of the inorganic phase using UV curing. It is our ultimate goal to completely separate the curing of inorganic and organic phases to gain complete control over the morphology, and hence optimization of “all” the coating properties. Thus far, it has been found that concomitant UV curing of the inorganic and organic phases using titanium sol-gel precursors afforded nanocomposite coatings which completely block the substrate from UV light while maintaining a transparent to visible light. Also, it has been found that the morphology of the inorganic phase is highly dependent on the concentration and reactivity of the coupling agent. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, October 27–29, 2004, in Chicago, IL.     

Ethanol and (−)-α-Pinene: Attractant Kairomones for Some Large Wood-Boring Beetles in Southeastern USA

Ethanol and α-pinene were tested as attractants for large wood-boring pine beetles in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina in 2002–2004. Multiple-funnel traps baited with (−)-α-pinene (released at about 2 g/d at 25–28°C) were attractive to the following Cerambycidae: Acanthocinus nodosus, A. obsoletus, Arhopalus rusticus nubilus, Asemum striatum, Monochamus titillator, Prionus pocularis, Xylotrechus integer, and X. sagittatus sagittatus. Buprestis lineata (Buprestidae), Alaus myops (Elateridae), and Hylobius pales and Pachylobius picivorus (Curculionidae) were also attracted to traps baited with (−)-α-pinene. In many locations, ethanol synergized attraction of the cerambycids Acanthocinus nodosus, A. obsoletus, Arhopalus r. nubilus, Monochamus titillator, and Xylotrechus s. sagittatus (but not Asemum striatum, Prionus pocularis, or Xylotrechus integer) to traps baited with (−)-α-pinene. Similarly, attraction of Alaus myops, Hylobius pales, and Pachylobius picivorus (but not Buprestis lineata) to traps baited with (−)-α-pinene was synergized by ethanol. These results provide support for the use of traps baited with ethanol and (−)-α-pinene to detect and monitor common large wood-boring beetles from the southeastern region of the USA at ports-of-entry in other countries, as well as forested areas in the USA.     

ICP-MS法测定地球化学样品中As、Cr、Ge、V等18种微量痕量元素的研究

建立了测定地球化学样品中包括As、Cr、Ge、V等18种微量、痕量元素的ICP-MS方法。地化试样用HF-HNO3混酸分解后,以1 1 HNO3溶解干渣。由于制样不使用盐酸,避免了Cl对As、Cr、Ge、V的质谱干扰。用国家一级地球化学标准物质GBW 07309制备溶液优化仪器工作参数,并用于校准。方法测定限(6s)为:0.007~6.4μg/g,精密度(RSD%,n=12)为:29%~9.4%,经过国家一级地球化学标准物质的分析验证,结果与标准值吻合。方法已应用于国土资源调查的试样分析。