Does application of cement kiln exhausts affect root nodule biochemistry and soil N2-fixing microbes?

The research work carried out on cement exhausts centers mostly around vegetation and crop productivity (1-3) with little or no work on root nodulation. Soil plus foliar application of exhaust dusts did not affect soil/nodule rhizobial population, nodule initiation, and possible N₂-fixing capacity inCajanus cajan, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo,Vigna catjung, andGlycine max. The nodular biochemistry was investigated in detail. The heme protein leghemoglobin was higher compared to the control. The levels of intermediary N compounds like total ureides of the nodules, which may serve as indirect evidence of symbiotic N₂ fixation, were higher in the treated plants. There were also increments in free proline, free amino acids, soluble proteins, soluble starch, soluble sugars, total nitrogen, and phenols in the treated plants. The levels of total nitrates, soluble sucrose, and soluble SH compounds of the nodule of the control and treated plants did not show a significant difference. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and Superoxide dismutase were significantly higher, possibly indicating their role in alleviation of H₂O₂ and O ₂ ^- damage by the exhausts. Enzymes like nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase, and also the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were not affected. The presence of beneficial soil microbes likeAzotobacter, Azospirillum, and mycorrhizae was not affected at all.     

Effect of annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of Zn1−xMgxO particles prepared by oxalate precursor

Zn_1−xMg_xO particles were prepared using zinc and magnesium oxalate precursor by co-precipitated method. The lattice constants of Zn_1−xMg_xO proved that the interstitial Mg formed at 500 °C and Mg replaced Zn in ZnO tetrahedral coordination at 800 °C. Compared with the ZnO, the absorbing band edge of the Zn_1−xMg_xO displayed blue shifts. The room temperature photoluminescence was similar to ZnO and variation of Mg content did not change the shape or peak position of the emission spectra markedly when it was annealed at 500 °C. However, its blue emission band disappeared, and a relatively strong green light emission at 498 nm appeared after annealed at 800 °C. The photoluminescence intensity ratios I_(green)/I_(UV) of Zn_1−xMg_xO varied with Mg content and the green light emission peak shifted from 498 nm to 472 nm when Mg content increased from 0 to 2.0 at.%.     

矿化剂对水热法改性氢氧化镁晶体的影响

近几年来,氢氧化镁作为一种无机阻燃剂由于其具有制备条件相对温和,生产工艺简单且产品与自然环境友好等特点,在研究及生产活动方面备受关注且得到了长足的发展[1～4].目前采用氢氧化钠法进行反应一水热制备高分散阻燃级氢氧化镁的工艺路线已经比较成熟[5～8].然而,不利的是,氢氧化钠偏高的价格导致了产品的制造成本较高.而采用石灰法制备氢氧化镁阻燃剂具有价格低廉的特点,引起了人们的关注.     

Advantages and effects of nitrogen doping into the central channel of plasma in axially viewed-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

The effects and benefits of N₂ addition to the central channel of the ICP through the nebulizer gas used in ICP OES with axial view configuration were investigated in the present study. The N₂ flow rate, nebulizer gas flow rate, RF power and sample uptake rate were evaluated and compared for two sample introduction systems (pneumatic nebulization/aerosol desolvation and conventional pneumatic nebulization). It was observed that N₂ did not affect solution nebulization and aerosol transport but affects the ICP characteristics. The higher thermal conductivity of N₂ (in comparison with Ar) changes energy distribution in the ICP, observed by monitoring the signals of Ar emission lines and sodium emission. The ratio Mg(II)-280.270 nm/Mg(I)-285.213 nm was utilized as a diagnostic tool for plasma robustness. The addition of N₂ (20 mL min⁻¹) increased plasma robustness significantly and mitigated effects caused by Na, K and Ca. For 40 spectral lines evaluated, it was observed that the emission signals of ionic spectral lines were in general more affected by N₂ than those of atomic spectral lines. Detection limits, precision, sensitivity and linearity of calibration curves obtained using N₂-Ar-ICP were almost similar to those obtained using Ar-ICP. The analysis of 5 different reference materials revealed that accuracy was not degraded by adding N₂ to the Ar-ICP.     

FTIR-ATR <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> observation on the efflorescence and deliquescence processes of Mg(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> aerosols

The efflorescence and deliquescence processes of Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosol particles deposited on ZnSe substrate have been investigated through in situ Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) technique at the molecular level. At relative humidity (RH) of ∼3%, Mg(NO₃)₂ particles existed as amorphous states. The amorphous Mg(NO₃)₂ particles were transformed into crystalline Mg(NO₃)₂ · nH₂O (n ≤ 5) with slight increasing of RH. Thermodynamically stable Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O crystals were gradually formed on the particle surface and started to be dissolved at the saturation point (∼53% RH). At the same time, a continuous phase transition from Mg(NO₃)₂ · nH₂O (n≤5) to Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O occurred on the particle surface. This led the solid particles to completely deliquesce at 76% RH, which was much higher than the saturation point of 53% RH. In the efflorescence process, Mg(NO₃)₂ droplets entered into the supersaturated region due to the gradual evaporation of water. Finally, amorphous particles were formed when RH decreased below 5%. In the FTIR-ATR spectra of the supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ droplets, the absorbance of the symmetric stretching vibration of NO ₃ ⁻ (v ₁- NO ₃ ⁻ ) clearly became stronger. It resulted from the continuous formation of solvent share ion pairs (SIPs), and even the contact ion pairs (CIPs) between Mg²⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ . Supported by the Trans-Century Program Foundation for the Talents by the Ministry of Education of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20073004, 20473012, and 20673010), the 111 Project (B07012), and the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry for Solid Surface of Xiamen University     

Selective reduction of fullerene C60 by metals in neutral and alkaline media. Interaction of C60 with KOH

The reduction of fullerene C₆₀ by Zn and Mg in DMF was studied both in the presence and absence of KOH. Fullerene C₆₀ was reduced in these systems to form the C₆₀ ^n– (n = 1, 2, and 3) anions. The anions were detected by optical and ESR spectroscopies. It was found that Mg reduced C₆₀ to the monoanion, Mg/KOH and Zn reduced C₆₀ to the dianion, and Zn/KOH reduced C₆₀ to the trianion. Like KCN, potassium hydroxide adds to fullerene upon interaction with C₆₀ in DMF. The reaction of C₆₀ with KOH in benzonitrile was accompanied by the generation of the fullerene monoanion. A possible mechanism of the formation of fullerene monoanions in the presence of KOH is discussed. The degradation of the C₆₀ ^n– anions in air was studied.     

Molar heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of crystalline [Nd(Glu)(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>5</Subscript>(Im)<Subscript>3</Subscript>](ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A complex of neodymium perchloric acid coordinated with L-glutamic acid and imidazole, [Nd(Glu)(H₂O)₅(Im)₃](ClO₄)₆·2H₂O was synthesized and characterized by IR and elements analysis for the first time. The thermodynamic properties of the complex were studied with an automatic adiabatic calorimeter and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Glass transition and phase transition were discovered at 221.83 and 245.45 K, respectively. The glass transition was interpreted as a freezing-in phenomenon of the reorientational motion of ClO₄⁻ ions and the phase transition was attributed to the orientational order/disorder process of ClO₄⁻ ions. The heat capacities of the complex were measured with the automatic adiabatic calorimeter and the thermodynamic functions [H _T-H _298.15] and [S _T-S _298.15] were derived in the temperature range from 80 to 390 K with temperature interval of 5 K. Thermal decomposition behavior of the complex in nitrogen atmosphere was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

硼砂水溶液的低温热容及热化学性质研究

利用精密绝热量热仪测定了0.03355mol·kg-1的硼砂水溶液在78～351K温区的热容,从实验热容测定结果得到了该水溶液的凝固点为272.905K。用最小二乘法将实验热容值对温度进行拟合,建立了该溶液的热容随温度变化的多项式方程。根据热力学函数关系式,用此多项式方程进行数值积分,获得了以298.15K为基准的该溶液在80～350K温区每隔5K的热力学函数值,并计算出摩尔熔化焓和熔化熵分别为4.536kJ·mol-1和16.22J·K-1·mol-1。根据溶液凝固点降低值,计算出了该溶液的活度为0.99763。     

MgCl2在LiCl-KCl熔盐中的电化学特性

研究了温度范围在723-908 K的LiCl-KCl 熔盐体系中MgCl₂的电化学行为和热力学性质. 循环伏安和方波伏安法研究表明镁离子的电化学还原过程为包含了两个电子转移的一步反应. 利用Berzins 和Delahay 方程计算了不同温度下的镁离子的扩散系数, 并通过Arrhenius 公式计算了镁离子在LiCl-KCl 熔盐体系中的扩散活化能. 采用开路计时电位法得到了不同温度下的Mg(II)/Mg(0)体系的平衡电位, 并结合电动势法计算了在LiCl-KCl 熔盐体系中Mg(II)/Mg(0)体系的标准形式电位. 根据不同温度下的标准形式电位, 计算得到了MgCl₂在LiCl-KCl 熔盐体系中的熵变和焓变以及不同温度下的活度系数.     

Co取代的六铁酸盐在N2O催化分解反应中的应用

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了Co取代的Ba₂Mg_2-xCo_xFe₁₂O₂₂(x=0.0~2.0)催化剂,并考察了其在高浓度N₂O(30vol%)分解反应中的催化活性.结果表明,Co的取代显著提高了Ba₂Mg₂Fe₁₂O₂₂催化剂活性,当x=2时,N₂O的完全分解温度从1123K降至973K;提高催化剂焙烧温度会导致其表面积降低,进而降低其催化活性;但采用微波加热则能显著提高催化剂活性.     

Synthesis, thermal stability and magnetic properties of the Lu1−xLaxMn2O5 solid solution

Polycrystalline samples of the Lu_1−xLa_xMn₂O₅ solid solution system were synthesized under moderate conditions for compositions with x up to 0.815. Due to the large difference in ionic size between Lu³⁺ and La³⁺, significant changes in lattice parameters and severe lattice strains are present in the solid solution. This in turn leads to the composition dependent thermal stability and magnetic properties. It is found that the solid solution samples with x≤0.487 decompose at a single well defined temperature, while those with x≥0.634 decompose over a temperature range with the formation of intermediate phases. For the samples with x≤0.487, the primary magnetic transition occurs below 40 K, similar to LuMn₂O₅ and other individual RMn₂O₅ (R=Bi, Y, and rare earth) compounds. In contrast, a magnetic phase with a 200 K onset transition temperature is dominant in the samples with x≥0.634.     

Raman spectroscopic study of K3H(SO4)2 (phases I and II) single crystals

A Raman study of K₃H(SO₄)₂ as a function of temperature reveals that this compound undergoes a phase transition at T_c = 483 K prior to the decomposition at 508 K.     

Determination of metal impurities in ultrapure CaCl2 and MgCl2 by ICP OES

An effective, rapid and simple analytical method for the determination of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cd, Pb, Ba, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zr, Cu, Zn and Al at mg kg⁻¹ levels in the ultrapure salts MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ using optical emission spectrometry was developed. Optimisation of the operation conditions was performed with real samples of ultrapure MgCl₂ and CaCl₂. The results of the determination with multi-elemental water standards were compared to the internal standardisation, the standard addition method, and the maximum allowable content of the above mentioned elements in pure chemicals. The method was shown to be very sensitive with the following limits of detection: Na 1.01, K 3.12, Ca 0.263, Mg 0.275, Cd 0.0832, Pb 0.482, Ba 0.0153, Fe 0.0528, Mn 0.0473, Sr 0.0203, Zr 0.638, Cu 0.0732, Zn 0.0686 and Al 0.459 (all in mg kg⁻¹). The method exhibited satisfactory precision, high analytical recoveries, linear responses of an accuracy of at least 4 orders of magnitude and low contamination susceptibility.     

Synthesis and electrical conductivity of perovskite-type PrCo1−xMgxO3

Oxides in the system PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ (x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) were synthesized by citrate technique and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. All compounds have a cubic perovskite structure (space group ). The maximum ratio of doped Mg in the system PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ is x=0.2. Further doping leads to the segregation of Pr₆O₁₁ in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃. The substitution of Mg for Co improves the performance of PrCoO₃ as compared to the electrical conductivity measured by a four-probe electrical conductivity analyzer in the temperature range from 298 to 1073 K. The substitution of Mg for Co on the B site may be compensated by the formations of Co⁴⁺ and oxygen vacancies. The electrical conductivity of PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ oxides increases with increasing x in the range of 0.0-0.2. The increase in conductivity becomes considerable at the temperatures ?673 K especially for x?0.1; it reaches a maximum at x=0.2 and 1073 K. From x>0.2 the conductivity of PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ starts getting lower. This is probably a result of the segregation of Pr₆O₁₁ in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ , which blocks oxygen transport, and association of oxygen vacancies. A change in activation energy for all PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ compounds (x=0-0.25) was observed, with a higher activation energy above 573 K and a lower activation energy below 573 K. The reasons for such a change are probably due to the change of dominant charge carriers from Co⁴⁺ to Vö in PrCo_1−xMg_xO₃ oxides and a phase transition mainly starting at 573 K.     

Die Kristallstruktur von Cu7(OH)6(TeO3)2(SO4)2

The crystal structure of the new phase Cu₇(OH)₆(TeO₃)₂(SO₄)₂ [a=7.389 (1),b=7.638 (1),c=7.662 (2) Å, =75.17 (1), =75.90 (1), =84.19 (1)°;Z=1] was determined by direct methods andFourier summations from X-ray intensities, and was refined in space group P -C _i ¹ toR=0.039. As usual, the Cu(II) atoms are coordinated to four O atoms forming approximately a square with average Cu-O=1.96 (3) Å; one or two more distant O neighbours complete the coordination. The shape of the TeO₃ group is a rather clear-cut trigonal pyramid. A disorder was found for the SO₄ tetrahedra. The compound was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions [500 (10) K, saturation vapour pressure].

Herrn Prof. Dr.K. Komarek zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Crystal growth and magnetic behavior of R6T13−xAlxMy phases (R=La, Nd; T=Mn, Fe; M=main group) grown from lanthanide-rich eutectic fluxes

Binary eutectic mixtures of early lanthanide metals and late transition metals have been explored as media for crystal growth of new intermetallic phases. A large family of R₆T_13−xAl_xM_y phases (R=La or Nd; T=Fe or Mn; M=main group elements) with the La₆Co₁₁Ga₃ structure type can be crystallized from La/Ni and Nd/Fe eutectics. The tetragonal structure of these compounds features slabs of transition metal atoms capped with mixed T/Al sites and separated by layers of lanthanide ions. The growth of large crystals of the lanthanum analogs allows for the study of the anisotropic magnetic properties of the transition metal slabs. For La₆Fe_13−xAl_xM_y analogs, these order antiferromagnetically with T_N strongly dependent on the Fe/Al ratio on the mixed sites. Growth of Mn analogs is reported for the first time; the transition metal slabs in La₆(Mn/Ni)₁₀Al₃ phases order ferromagnetically with a T_C of 200 K.     

Controlled synthesis of single-crystalline Mg(OH)2 nanotubes and nanorods via a solvothermal process

The synthesis of Mg(OH)₂ one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures was systematically investigated in different solvents at various temperatures with Mg₁₀OH₁₈Cl₂·5H₂O nanowires as source materials. The results showed that the characters of the products, such as crystal size, shape, and structure, were strongly influenced by the solvent and temperature during the solvothermal process. 1D nanotubes of Mg(OH)₂, with 80-300 nm outer diameter, 30-80 nm wall thickness, and several tens of micrometers in length were obtained by choosing bidentate ligand solvents such as ethylenediamine and 1,6-diaminohexane as the reaction solvent. But when using monodentate ligand pyridine as the reaction solvent, the obtained samples showed nanorods morphology. The Mg(OH)₂ thus produced was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). The possible growth mechanism of the 1D nanostructure Mg(OH)₂ was discussed.     

Minerals and Organic Nitrogen Present in Grape Marc Hydrolyzates Enhance Xylose Consumption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus pentosus</Emphasis>

This work deals with the nutritional evaluation of grape marc hydrolyzates as fermentation medium for Lactobacillus pentosus. Usually, the fermentation of xylose and arabinose in the presence of glucose remains a primary obstacle for economical biomass conversion. The few microorganisms that can grow simultaneously on both pentose and hexose sugars contained in lignocellulosic feedstocks typically grow slowly and demonstrate marginal yields and productivities. Moreover, lignocellulosic hydrolyzates contain phenolic compounds and other components originated by the degradation of sugars that can inhibit lactic acid fermentation. However, in this case, grape marc hydrolyzates not only did not need a detoxification stage, but it also improved the xylose consumption by Lactobacillus pentosus with a faster and more efficient conversion of hemicellulosic sugars compared with synthetic media. After analysis of grape marc hydrolyzates, it was observed that minerals such as K (2,707 mg/L), Ca (3,681 mg/L), and Mg (198.5 mg/L) are present in higher concentration than those found in the general medium of Lactobacillus (1,705 mg/L of K, 58.3 mg/L of Ca, and 27.0 mg/L of Mg). Moreover, grape marc hydrolyzates contain an additional source of nitrogen (9.2 g/L) which, together with their elevated mineral concentration, improved lactic acid fermentation compared with synthetic media.     

Study on Gd3+ and Sm3+ co-doped ceria-based electrolytes

Doped ceria electrolytes of Ce_1-aGd_a-ySm_yO_2–0.5a, wherein a=0.15 or 0.2, and 0ya, were prepared with the citrate method, and characterized by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry, energy dispersive spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The effect of composition on the structure and conductivity was studied. All the samples were fluorite-type ceria-based solid solutions. For the singly doped samples, the optimal composition was Ce_0.85Gd_0.15O_1.925 for Gd³⁺-doped ceria (CGO), which showed higher ionic conductivity than the best Sm³⁺-doped ceria (CSO) at 773–973 K. For the co-doped samples, the ionic conductivities were higher than those of the singly doped ones in the temperature range 673–973 K when a=0.15, but only better in 673–773 K when a=0.2. For the samples of Ce_0.85Gd_0.15-ySm_yO_1.925, wherein 0.05y0.1, much higher ionic conductivity was observed than those of the singly doped ceria at 773K~973 K. Therefore, these co-doped samples would be better than CGO and CSO to be the electrolytes of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.     

Rapid hydrogen peroxide release in cell suspensions ofCapsicum spp. elicited by fungal preparations

The release of H₂O₂ by plant cell suspensions elicited with crude hyphal wall preparations has been studied in a complex of plant genotypes (two cvs ofCapsicum annuum and one of C.frutescens) and fungus species(Phytophthora capsici, Ph. parasitica andVerticillium dahliae), representing several combinations of compatibility and both host and nonhost resistance. Production of H₂O₂ was revealed as peroxidasedependent and catalase-inhibited fluorescence quenching of an extracellular probe (Pyranine). All the plant genotypes responded to at least one elicitor, but the cell sensitivity showed a great age-dependent variability. Riboflavine and Mn²⁺ added in the incubation medium acted to some extent as primers for activated cell response, as well as a high Na⁺ concentration. Cell rest condition, however, was not removed. Some quantitative features of responsive plant/elicitor combinations (dose-response relation and lasting time) have been recorded. The complex PO/H₂O₂ of elicited cells could perform detectable lignin-like polymerization of an exogenous natural substrate (coniferyl alcohol). The time-course of pyranine oxidation and lignin-like polymer formation could be recorded by adopting a fluorimetric procedure that allowed sequential observations on the same cell sample. In one instance, the cell reaction seemed associated with thein planta host/parasite incompatibility.