Thermal Properties and Structural Features of Multilayer Films Based on Chitosan and Anionic Polysaccharides

This study investigates the thermal and structural properties of multilayer composites based on chitosan (CS) and polyanions with different functionalities, including sodium sulfoethyl cellulose (SEC), sodium alginate (ALG), and sodium hyaluronate (HA). Unlike polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) obtained by polymer mixing, the formation of a PEC layer by a process of layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged polymers is accompanied by the transformation of the CS polymorphic state, and this affects the relaxation and thermal properties of the resulting multilayer composite. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the formation of the PEC layer in the CS/SEC multilayer film is accompanied by crystallization of the CS chains and the formation of a predominantly anhydrous CS modification. Thermogravimetric analysis of the CS/SEC film registers a high-temperature peak associated with the thermal decomposition of crystalline CS in the PEC composition. According to the dynamic mechanical analysis, the CS/SEC composite was characterized by a single glass transition temperature, indicating a strong interaction between the layers when using SEC (a strong acid salt) as the counterion to CS. For multilayer composites with weak polyacid salts (ALG and HA), the crystallization of CS in the PEC layer is weaker, as reflected in the thermal degradation of these films. A high-temperature peak is recorded in the thermal decomposition of CS/HA and is absent in the case of CS/ALG. Dynamic mechanical analysis of the CS/ALG composite showed two glass transition temperatures close to those of the original polymers, indicating weak PEC formation. The CS/HA composite showed an intermediate response. Thus, the effect of the PEC layer on the properties of the poly-layer composites decreases in the order CS/SEC > CS/HA > CS/ALG.

Early-life temperature modifies adult encapsulation response in an invasive ectoparasite

SUMMARYImmunity of parasites has been studied amazingly little, in spite of the fact that parasitic organisms, especially the arthropod parasites, need immunity to survive their own infections to successfully complete life cycles. Long-term effects of challenging environmental temperatures on immunity have remained unstudied in insects and parasites. Our study species, the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi; Linnaeus 1758), is an invasive, blood-feeding parasitic fly of cervids. Here, it was studied whether thermal stress during the pupal diapause stage could modify adult immunity (encapsulation capacity) in L. cervi. The effect of either a low temperature or high temperature peak, experienced during winter dormancy, on encapsulation response of active adult was tested. It was found that low temperature exposure during diapause, as long as the temperature is not too harsh, had a favourable effect on adult immunity. An abnormal, high temperature peak during pupal winter diapause significantly deteriorated the encapsulation capacity of emerged adults. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as high temperature fluctuations are likely to increase with climate change. Thus, the climate change might have previously unknown influence on host-ectoparasite interactions, by affecting ectoparasite's immune defence and survival.

Recrystallization and Grain Boundary Formation in an 18-Carat Gold Alloy Studied by Mechanical Spectroscopy

Heavily deformed 18-carat yellow gold samples show a recrystallization peak at 700 K during the first heating. The mechanical loss spectrum of polycrystals shows a relaxation peak at about 780 K, which is absent in single crystals made from the same alloy. Stepwise deformation of a single crystal from 2 % to 10 % causes an increase of the high temperature mechanical loss background and the appearance of a high temperature peak. At 8 % deformation the high temperature peak disappears and the peak that is normally observed in polycrystals appears. The increase of the exponential background is interpreted as due to the introduction of new dislocations whereas the high temperature peak is attributed to a relaxation mechanism in the sub grain boundaries. The peak of polycrystalline samples located at intermediate temperatures depends on the grain size: with grain growth, the peak position shifts to higher temperatures. The peak temperature can be related to the mean grain size.

THERMAL DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS OF CLAY–ORGANIC MATTER COMPLEXES AND ORGANIC MATTER SEPARATED FROM A BLACK CHERNOZEMIC SOIL

Clay–organic matter complexes (< 2 μ) were separated in four serial extracts through ultrasonic dispersion from a Black Chernozemic soil developed on calcareous till. Derivative thermograms (DTG) of the complexes were similar to those of organic matter extracted from the same soil with alkali. The thermograms of the easily extracted materials (first two extracts) did not have a high temperature peak unless the materials were treated with acid. The thermograms of the difficult to extract materials and of the coarser residual materials (silts and roots) did have a high temperature peak.