14C labelling of lignins of normal and bm3 maizes for fermentation studies

[U-¹⁴C] phenylalanine (phe*) and [O¹⁴CH₃] sinapic acid (sin*) were infused into the cut ends of normal and bm3 maizes (anthesis stage) under or above the last node or at mid-internode, with or without the leaf, in light or in darkness. Radioactivity was measured in the organs, and in phenolic constituents of the cell wall and saponified residues of the bases and tops of the apical inter-node. In both maize genotype labelled under the node the radioactivity was distributed more evenly in the organs with sin* than with phe*. Infusion above the node and at mid-internode greatly increased radioactivity in the bases and tops, respectively. Removal of the leaf only slightly increased the radioactivity, mainly in the bases, and no clear-cut effect of darkness was observed. Phe* labelled the phenolic acids and the three lignin units, but the syringyl units of bm3 maize were only slightly labelled. Sin* specifically labelled the syringyl units, which represented the least condensed fraction of lignins. Both the native and labelled lignins were highly alkali soluble. There were differences in lignin biogenesis between the bases and tops, and between normal and bm3 maizes. The newly formed lignins were slightly different from the native lignins but had similar types of heterogeneity, with variations in the internode and between genotypes similar to those in native lignins. Provided due allowance is made for the distinguishing characteristics of newly formed lignins, the [¹⁴C-lignin] cell walls, which are strongly labelled on complementary structures, seem suitable model substrates for fermentation studies.     

Solvent Extraction of U(VI) by Calix[6]arenes

Abstract

This paper focuses on the solvent extraction of U(VI) traces by 1,3,5‐OMe‐2,4,6‐OCH₂CONHOH‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[6]arene (LH₃). The global extraction equation of U(VI) has been established. The complex formed in the organic phase is (UO₂)(LH) with an apparent extraction constant equal to 7.1×10^?5 M (I=0.04 M). Distribution data show that LH₃ efficiently extracts U(VI) from NaNO₃ media at pH 5 and that the stripping of U(VI) can be achieved in nitric acid solutions. Finally a comparison with previous results obtained with the 1,3,5‐OMe‐2,4,6‐OCH₂COOH‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[6]arene (L′H₃) shows that the hydroxamate groups are as efficient as the carboxylate ones for uranyl extraction.     

Pseudogap in the Normal State of Cuprates

We consider underdoped cuprates as disordered conductors. The diffusion coefficient D can be as low as 10^–5 m² s^–1. In these conditions, Coulomb interaction between electrons must be taken into account. The main effect is to open a dip and even a gap in the density of state (DOS) near the Fermi level (FL). We show that this model explains most of the observed features of the so-called pseudogap in the normal state and in particular its value, anisotropy, and variation with doping.     

Pesticide exposure of non-occupationally exposed subjects compared to some occupational exposure: a French pilot study

Data about non-dietary exposure to different chemical classes of pesticides are scarce, especially in France. Our objective was to assess residential pesticide exposure of non-occupationally exposed adults, and to compare it with occupational exposure of subjects working indoors. Twenty unexposed persons, five gardeners, seven florists and nine veterinary workers living in Paris area were recruited. Nineteen residences, two greenhouses, three florist shops and three veterinary departments were then sampled. Thirty-eight insecticides, herbicides and fungicides were measured in indoor air with an air sampler for 24 h, and on hands by wiping them with isopropanol-wetted swabs. After extraction, samples were analysed by gas and high-performance liquid chromatography. Seventeen different pesticides were detected at least once in indoor air and twenty-one on the hands. An average of 4.2+/-1.7 different pesticides was detected per indoor air sample. The organochlorines lindane, alpha-endosulfan and alpha-HCH were the most frequently detected compounds, in 97%, 69% and 38% of the samples, respectively. The organophosphates dichlorvos and fenthion, the carbamate propoxur and the herbicides atrazine and alachlor were detected in more than 20% of the air samples. Indoor air concentrations were often low, but could reach 200-300 ng/m(3) in residences for atrazine and propoxur. Propoxur levels significantly differed between the air of veterinary places and other places (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<0.05) and dieldrin levels between residences and workplaces (p<0.05). There was a greater number of pesticides on hands than in air, with an average of 6.3+/-3.3 different pesticides detected per sample, the most frequently detected being malathion, lindane and trifluralin, in more than 60% of the subjects. Maximal levels (up to 1000-3000 ng/hands) were observed either in the general population or in workers, depending on the pesticide. However, no significant difference was observed between workers and general population handwipe pesticide levels. As expected, gardeners were exposed to pesticides sprayed in greenhouses. Florists and veterinary workers, whose pesticide exposure had not been described until now, were also indirectly exposed to pesticides used for former pest control operations. Overall, general population was exposed to more various pesticides and at levels sometimes higher than in occupational places. The most frequent pesticides in residences were not the same as in US studies but levels were similar. These preliminary results need to be confirmed in a greater number of residences from different parts of the country, in order to better assess pesticide exposure of the general population and its influencing factors.     

Mesure de largeurs de trait en éclairage partiellement cohérent par modélisation du transfert et utilisation de techniques de moindres carrés

A method of transfer modelling in partially coherent microscopy is presented. By determining the minimal error between simulated and experimental data by means of a lms technique, it is then possible to retrieve, with accuracy, the linewidth on wafers.     

Critical analysis of alloy 600 stress corrosion cracking mechanisms in primary water

In order to study the mechanisms involved in the stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) of Alloy 600 in primary water, the influence of the relevance of physicochemical and metallurgical parameters was assessed: hydrogen and oxygen overpressures, microstructure, and local chemical com-position. The obtained results show that, even if the dissolution/oxidation seems to be the first and necessary step responsible for crack initiation and if hydrogen effects can also be involved in cracking, neither a dissolution/oxidation model nor a hydrogen model appears sufficient to account for cracking. Moreover, fractographic examinations performed on specimens’ fracture surfaces lead to the fact that attention should be paid to a cleavagelike microcracking mechanism involving interactions between corrosion and plasticity at the vicinity of grain boundaries. A corrosion-enhanced plasticity model is proposed to describe the intergranular and transgranular cracking in Alloy 600.