Summary: Different lignins were converted into polyols by a chain extension reaction with propylene oxide (PO). Thus, soda lignin from Alfa (Stipa tenacissima) (SL), organosolv lignin from hardwoods (OL), kraft lignin (KL) from softwood and oxidized organosolv lignin (OOL) were oxypropylated in a batch reactor at 180 °C in the presence of KOH as catalyst. The ensuing polyols were characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, which showed that they had incorporated poly(propylene oxide) grafts into their structure. Their viscosity varied from 5 mPa · s to infinity, depending on the Lignin/PO ratio and their hydroxy index was in the range of 100–200, which made them suitable for rigid polyurethane foam (RPU) formulations. The RPUs thus obtained had a Tg of ca. 60 °C and a thermal conductivity of ≈20 mW/m · K before ageing and ≈25 mW/m · K after accelerated ageing for 10 d at 70 °C. The analyses of the gases inside the cells showed that these were mostly closed, since the partial pressure did not decrease significantly with ageing.

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorder in childhood, and often has effects detectable into adulthood. Advances in genetic linkage and association analysis have begun to elucidate some of the genetic factors underlying this complex disorder. Recently, we identified LPHN3, a novel ADHD susceptibility gene harbored in 4q, and showed that a LPHN3 common haplotype confers susceptibility to ADHD and predicts effectiveness of stimulant medication. Here we present the mutational analysis of the entire coding region of LPHN3 in a cohort of 139 ADHD subjects and 52 controls from across the USA. We identified 21 variants, of which 14 have been reported and 7 are novel. These include 5 missense, 8 synonymous, and 8 intronic changes. Interestingly, neither susceptibility nor protective haplotype alleles are associated with obviously significant coding region changes, or canonical splice site alterations, suggesting that non‐coding variations determining the quantity and/or quality of LPHN3 isoforms are the likely contributors to this common behavioral disorder. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Sludge of pulp and paper mills have natural adhesive properties. The primary sludge (PS, contains fibers) and secondary sludge (SS, contains proteins) could also be suitable for manufacturing medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Protein in SS can react with formaldehyde (HCHO), and as an additive in urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins it can reduce formaldehyde emission. Thus, SS was investigated in the present study. PS and SS were collected from two mills and characterized in terms of chemical composition, fiber length distribution, pH, and buffering capacity. MDF samples were processed according to an experimental design, in which UF resin content was reduced from 12% to 8% and replaced by SS in the range of 5%-15%. Gel time measurement showed high SS reactivity with UF resin. The SS reduced HCHO emissions by up to 68% compared to control panels, without compromising internal bond strength. The bonding effect of SS was lower than expected due to the high pH, thus the buffering capacity reduced UF performance. Moreover, sludge reduced bending performance. Dimensional stability was the greatest disadvantage of sludge panels.

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Esparto (Stipa tenacissima) grass, also called Alfa is the raw material for the manufacture of paper pulp in North Africa. To add value to one of its processing byproducts, we aimed to develop lubricants from modified Soda-Lignin (SL), which could eventually compete with industrial lubricants such as zinc stearates. Linear low density polyethylene mixed formulations prepared with zinc stearate and each modified lignin was studied by rheological tests using a rotational parallel plate system to investigate the effects of such esterified SL additives. One type, made up of SL esterified with 100% stearic anhydride (W/W) was found to promote excellent external lubrication. The same result was confirmed by contact angle and thermal analysis.