Structural investigations of the de Vries smectic-A (SmA) and smectic-C (SmC) phases of four mesogens containing a trisiloxane end segment reveal a linear molecular conformation in the SmA phase and a bent conformation resembling a hockey stick in the SmC phase. The siloxane and the hydrocarbon parts of the molecule tilt at different angles relative to the smectic layer normal and are oriented ...

A new method that we describe as chemical modulation of volatile hydrocarbons is investigated using ozonolysis pretreatment and membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). This extension to the MIMS technique is intended to enhance the selectivity of MIMS for measuring hydrocarbons in the complex mixtures often encountered in polluted air samples. The test samples for this study were dilute...

Cytochrome P4501A (the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes) are regulated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-dependent signal transduction pathway and are generally known as enzymes which metabolize anthropogenic xenobiotics such as dioxin to carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. However, recently the facts of CYP1A activation under physiological conditionns or under action of non-dioxin-like co...

abstract background: biogas is obtained by anaerobic decomposition of organic wastes buried materials used to produce electricity, heat and biofuels. biogas is at the second place for power generation after hydropower and in 2000 about 6% of the world power generation was allocated to biogas. biogas is composed of 40–45 vol% co2, 55–65 vol% ch4, and about 1% non-methanevocs, and non-methane vol...

The application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to the treatment of an effluent contaminated with hydrocarbon oils was investigated. The AOPs conducted were Fe2+/H2O2 (Fenton's reagent), Fe2+/H2O2/UV (Photo-Fenton's reagent) and UV-photolysis. These technologies utilize the very strong oxidizing power of hydroxyl radicals to oxidize organic compounds to harmless end products such as CO2 ...

Microorganisms able to degrade hydrocarbon pollutants (gasoline, and other petroleum derivatives) have been isolated from two contaminated areas (Sândominic and Bălan) by enrichment technique. The hydrocarbon degradative capacity of contaminated sites were determined using “Biometer flasks” (respiratory CO2 production measurement). Total counts and hydrocarbon degrading counts were determined u...

We investigated whether Melipona quadrifasciata worker mandibular gland secretions contribute directly to their cuticular hydrocarbon profile. The mandibular gland secretion composition and cuticular surface compounds of newly emerged worker bees, nurse bees, and foragers were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and compared. Both the mandibular gland secretions and the ...

Despite the abundance of "sandwich" complexes, in which two cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ligands flank a metal center, this motif has not been extended to sheets of multiple metal atoms. We prepared and isolated two such compounds. In the first, three palladium centers form a planar triangular array, capped by chlorides, between two cycloheptatrienyl ligands. In the second, a pentapalladium shee...

Plants are subject to a wide range of abiotic stresses, and their cuticular wax layer provides a protective barrier, which consists predominantly of long-chain hydrocarbon compounds, including alkanes, primary alcohols, aldehydes, secondary alcohols, ketones, esters and other derived compounds. This article discusses current knowledge relating to the effects of stress on cuticular waxes and the...

Fifty-four polycyclic compounds, 29 of the cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene series, 11 chrysenes, and 14 benz[a]anthracenes, have been tested for mutagenicity by Ames's method, using Salmonella typhimurium TA100. Without exception all 37 carcinogens and a known initiator were mutagens. Of the 16 noncarcinogens 7 were mutagenic, but none of these has yet been tested for initiating, as opposed to carcin...