[en] ³H and ¹⁴C-labeled phytosterols were synthesized for the purpose of elucidating insect sterol side-chain dealkylating mechanisms. Sitosterol, stigmasterol, and the 29-fluoro derivatives of these compounds, which are highly toxic, were labeled with ³H at C-29 in order to study the fate of the two-carbon dealkylation product in vivo and in vitro. The first rapid, reliable in vitro dealkylation bioassay was developed using doubly-labeled [29-³H]-[24-¹⁴C] fucosterol epoxides as the substrates, incubated with midgut preparations from Manduca sexta, the tobacco hornworm. Since C-28 and C-29 are lost in the dealkylation process, the extent of dealkylation is expressed as the change in the isotopic ratio when the system is partitioned between an organic solvent and water after incubation. As predicted, the ³H/¹⁴C ratio decreases in the organic layer as a function of time, due to loss of ³H into the aqueous phase as acetate or a biological equivalent. This ratio likewise increases in the aqueous phase for the same reason. The [29-³H] phytosterols alone are reliable substrates for the first rapid in vivo bioassay of phytosterol dealkylation

[en] State-to-state rotational excitation rates for the asymmetric top molecule SO2 in collisions with low-energy He atoms have been computed. The intermolecular forces were obtained from an electron gas model, and collision dynamics were treated with the finite-order sudden approximation. The total excitation rate is probably accurate to better than 50 percent; however, individual state-to-state rates may be in error by factors of 2 or 3, and some smaller rates may be accurate only to an order of magnitude. Present results are expected to reflect within the same level of accuracy rates for excitation by collisions with H2 molecules. 19 references

[en] Aim of the study: In this work potential resin yield in a region of high forest ability where maritime pine is the main species was estimated in order to understand the viability of promoting resin exploitation. Area of study: This study was conducted in Castro Da ire County in central region of Portugal. Material and methods: To quantify the resin yield of trees tapped for the first time two plots were installed in a maritime pine stand with average tree age 65 years. Before the beginning of the resin tapping, dendrometric tree variables were measured. Also, in a neighbouring stand, 25 trees were selected to check the relation between tree dbh and resin yield. Gum resin from every tree was weighted during the season. Estimates of potential resin yield in Castro Daire County were made based on data from National Forest Inventory plots, resin tapping legislation and resin yield values obtained in the field. Two scenarios were considered: high and low resin yield. To understand the intentions of forest owners towards restarting resin tapping activity 16 maritime pine forest owners were interviewed. Main results: The results point out a high yield potential capacity for gum resin production in the County: values between 2,025 and 5,873 tons were obtained. Research highlights: Results may highlight the important socio-economical role of the resin tapping activity and can be used to support national forest policies to the resin sector and give forest owners motivation to reactivate resin tapping activity. (Author)

[en] The effect of gamma-irradiation on the subsequent acidic hydrolysis of free-hemicellulose ''Onopordum Nervosum Boiss'' thistle is determined. It is shown the influence of gamma-irradiation on the yield or sugar obtained from the batchwise hydrolysis of the cellulose (1% H₂SO₄ and 180⁰ C) at increasing doses. At all irradiation levels studied, the rate of hydrolysis of thistle samples was higher than the rate of hydrolysis of the cellulose from paper treated similarly. The maximum overall yield of sugar in the irradiated lignocellulosic material was about 66⁰ at 100 MRad, less than two times the yield obtainable from the control. The corresponding yield from paper was 53%, 2'3 times that of the control. Irradiation under 1% H₂SO₄ does not enhance the yield anyway. (author)

[en] We have derived exact analytical expressions for the diagonal matrix elements < n|x^k|n>, k = 1, 2, for the Morse oscillator using the operator algebra of the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator and the method of the parameter differentiation. These expressions avoid the roundoff error present in other relations. The method can be extended to other integrals where k > 2

[en] A presentation is here given of the theoretical work on photoionization and molecular structure carried out by the author and coworkers. The implications of the photoionization process on the molecular geometry are emphasized. In particular, the ionization effect on deep orbitals is considered and it is shown that, contrary to traditional thinking, these orbitals have relevant effects on the molecular geometry. The problem of calculating photoionization relative intensities for the full spectrum is also considered, and the results of the present model are compared with experimental and other theoretical results. (author)

[en] The acid prehydrolysis of the lignocellulosic biomass from thistle O. nervosum has been conducted to determine the conditions for maximum yield of pentoses with minimum yield of hexoses. Variables studied were acid concentration (H₂SO₄, 1, 3, 4 and 5%), temperature (1000⁰ and 120⁰C) time, solid to liquid ratio and degree of fineness of thistle (4 to 65 mesh). (author)

[en] Hydrolysis of resistant cellulose of Onopordum nervosum Boiss (thistle) to reducing sugars in dilute sulfuric acid in glass ampoules and long residence times has been studied and kinetic parameters determined. The rate of hydrolysis is similar to that of the cellulose of Douglas fir, but comparatively the effect of the acid is more pronounced than temperature. From kinetic data it can be pre ducted the yield and since it can be obtained at least 45% of the potential glucose (48% as reducing sugars) at 190 degree centigree, 1,6% acid and 6,1 min. residence time, it indicates that the continuous acid hydrolysis of thistle may be a process of commercial interest. (Author) 18 refs

[en] Hydrolysis of resistant cellulose of ''Onopordum nervosum boiss'' (thistle) to reduce sugar in diluted sulfuric acid in glass ampoules and long residence times have been studied and kinetic parameters determined. The rate of hydrolysis is similar to that of the cellulose of Douglas fir, but comparatively the effect of the acid is more pronounced than temperature. From kinetic data the yield can be predicted and since it can be obtained at least 45% of the potential glucose (48% as reducing sugars) at 190 deg C, 1.6% acid and 6.1 min. residence time, it indicates that the continuous acid hydrolysis of thistle may be a process of commercial interest. (author)

[en] A numerical method for solving the Schroedinger equation for a potential expressed as a polynomial is proposed. The basic assumption relies on the asymptotic properties of the solution of this equation. It is possible to obtain the energies and the stationary state functions simultaneously. They analyze, in particular, the cases of the quartic anharmonic oscillator and a hydrogen atom perturbed by a quadratic term, obtaining its energy eigenvalues for some values of the perturbation parameter. Together with the Hellmann-Feynman theorem, they use their algorithm to calculate expectation values of x'' for arbitrary positive values of n. 4 tables