Chemical composition of the pods of Albizia polyphylla

In this study, we report for the first time the presence of alkaloids belonging to β-carboline type in the pods of the endemic Albizia polyphylla from Madagascar. Three major alkaloids were isolated and structurally identified as: 1-methyl-β-carboline, (+)-(R)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline and (–)-(S)-1,2-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline.     

Nitrogen isotope pattern in Mongolian larch stands at the southern Eurasian boreal forest boundary

ABSTRACT

In the last decades a drastic increase in air temperature but a stable precipitation regime in Mongolia has led to gradual drying conditions. Thus, we evaluated the effect of spatial and climatic characteristics on the soil–plant nitrogen dynamics in three representative larch stands (Larix sibirica) with different geographical and climatic conditions using stable nitrogen isotopes. The results showed significant differences in the soil inorganic N content among sites and consequently a different isotopic composition in the plant–soil system. Litter, bark and wood had the lowest δ¹⁵N values for all sites, slightly higher δ¹⁵N values for needles, while the highest δ¹⁵N values were observed for roots and soil. These differences could be the result of the larch stands age themselves, but were in agreement with the spatial and climatic characteristics of the sites. Based on the δ¹⁵N value a higher reliance on ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) was observed in the warmest and driest site, while lower dependency was shown in the cooler northern site with higher soil inorganic N content. In both sites, the rate of air temperature increase has been similar in the last decades; however, their soil–plant N dynamics showed different characteristics.     

Checking of mathematical calculation methods for the determination of kinetic parameters from non-isothermal measurements by test functions

The applied computing programs are checked by means of test values from theoretical models. First-order kinetics, the Avrami equation and the 2-dimensional diffusion equation have been calculated as theoretical values. The computer calculation was carried out both for the total reaction and for individual reaction intervals.For the calculation of kinetic parameters and the distinction between the various models, in principle, the integral method should be used. The calculation does not give any answer to the question whether there exists another equation not involved in the models selected, which describes the processes better. If there is no indication of the reaction, it should first be checked by the differential method. The correlation coefficient does not allow the individual model equations to be distinguished with statistical significance.     

干水：从概念提出到实际应用

通过对干水的发展史考证可知，20世纪中期，科学家研制出一种由二氧化硅颗粒包裹着水滴的干性粉末并将其命名为“干水（Dry Water）”，但在很长的一段时间内并没有引起人们的关注。至21世纪初，关于干水形成机理和制备技术的一系列研究相继展开。随后，干水巨大的潜在应用价值备受人们关注，其在化妆品、水合物储气、催化剂、灭火剂等众多领域的应用得到了一定程度的开发。干水相关技术的发展会使化学物质的利用方式不断创新。干水的相关知识和发展史改变了人们对水的认识，并会成为化学教科书和百科全书的重要内容。