Metal-Organic Frameworks as a New Platform to Construct Ordered Mesoporous Ce-Based Oxides for Efficient CO2 Fixation under Ambient Conditions

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are proved to be good precursors to derive various nanomaterials with desirable functions, but so far the controllable synthesis of ordered mesoporous derivatives from MOFs has not been achieved. Herein, this work reports, for the first time, the construction of MOF-derived ordered mesoporous (OM) derivatives by developing a facile mesopore-inherited pyrolysis-oxidation strategy. This work demonstrates a particularly elegant example of this strategy, which involves the mesopore-inherited pyrolysis of OM-CeMOF into a OM-CeO₂@C composite, followed by the oxidation removal of its residual carbon, affording the corresponding OM-CeO₂. Furthermore, the good tunability of MOFs helps to allodially introduce zirconium into OM-CeO₂ to regulate its acid-base property, thus boosting its catalytic activity for CO₂ fixation. Impressively, the optimized Zr-doped OM-CeO₂ can achieve above 16 times higher catalytic activity than its solid CeO₂ counterpart, representing the first metal oxide-based catalyst to realize the complete cycloaddition of epichlorohydrin with CO₂ under ambient temperature and pressure. This study not only develops a new MOF-based platform for enriching the family of ordered mesoporous nanomaterials, but also demonstrates an ambient catalytic system for CO₂ fixation.     

Characterization of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in the Brazilian Amazon floodplain

The diversity of the free-living nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial community in the floodplain sediments along the Solimões and Amazon Rivers and some of their tributaries (Japurá, Negro and Madeira) was investigated. Five cyanobacterial genera were morphologically identified, four of which (Nostoc, Calothrix, Cylindrospermum and Fischerella) have not previously been isolated from the Brazilian Amazon floodplain. Nostoc strains were the most commonly found heterocyst-forming cyanobacteria. Five strains (N. muscorum CENA18 and CENA61, N. piscinale CENA21, Cylindrospermum sp. CENA33 and Fischerella sp. CENA19) were selected for growth measurement, ability to fix N₂ and phylogenetic analysis, based on their widespread distribution and morphological distinction. Molecular analyses employing 16S rRNA sequences indicated that some of the isolates may represent novel cyanobacterial species. Dinitrogen fixed by these strains was measured indirectly as acetylene reduction activity and ranged from 11.5 to 22.2 nmol C₂H₄ μg Chl a⁻¹ h⁻¹. These results provide evidence of widespread and importance of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria as a source of N inputs in the Amazonian ecosystem.     

HPMC-based granules for prolonged release of phytostrengtheners in agriculture

One of the main aims in agriculture is to guarantee soil wellness, which is a fundamental requirement to produce high-quality crops with high yields. Focused on this aim, periodical administrations of nutrients or phytostrengtheners are often necessary. The most relevant disadvantages of these administrations are the high dosage number required and the low availability of the substance within the soil. For these reasons, a crucial goal to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of the cultivation process is to reduce the dosage number, which can be obtained increasing the active substance availability in the soil. A granular hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix, produced using the wet granulation process, was used to encapsulate a phytostrengthener and to guarantee its controlled release. The granular product was characterized in terms of granules properties and phytostrengtheners leaching within the soil. The results showed good flowability and mechanical properties of the granules as well as the possibility to reduce the product leaching with the phytostrengtheners encapsulation in the HPMC matrices.     

Effects of decomposing rice straw on growth of and nitrogen fixation byRhizobium

Five phenolic compounds produced by decomposing rice straw and sterile extracts of decomposing rice straw in soil were very inhibitory to growth of three strains ofRhizobium. The effects were additive and in several instances synergistic. The phenolic compounds also reduced nodule numbers and hemoglobin content of the nodules in two bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties. Extracts of decomposing rice straw in soil (same concentration as in the soil) significantly reduced N₂ fixation (acetylene reduction) in Bush Black Seeded beans. This may explain in part the great reduction in soybean yields in Taiwan following rice crops when the rice stubble is left in the field.     

Methylamine tungstate and tannic acid in fixation for high contrast and preservation of fine structure: application to myxomycete plasmodia

The effects of several fixation methods for electron microscopy were compared, using macro-plasmodia of Badhamia utricularis (myxomycete) as test objects. A brief osmium tetroxide (Os) exposure followed by a mixture of glutaraldehyde (GA) and tannic acid (TA) with subsequent treatment with methylamine tungstate (MAT) overcame most commonly encountered difficulties in fixing these structures. Lead staining of the sections was necessary to bring out the range of densities inherent in the delicate detail of ground cytoplasm, membranes, and organelle structure retained by Os/GA-TA/MAT. Microfilaments were well preserved with good contrast and little evidence of breakage. Although GA as the initial fixative gave good organelle preservation, Os pretreatment was required to prevent artefactual changes in plasmodial strand morphology. The several fixation procedures tested gave pronounced differences in mitochondrial appearance, in some cases giving a negative stained appearance to the cristae. Some advantages in interpretation may result from such reversed contrast. The high contrast and range of densities achieved following the Os/GA-TA/MAT schedule permitted routine use of thin (silver-grey) sections, thereby potentially increasing the resolution.     

Adsorption behavior of radioactive cesium by non-mica minerals

We studied the adsorption behavior of radioactive cesium (Cs) by the non-mica minerals kaolinite, halloysite, chlorite, montmorillonite, mordenite, MnO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and FeOOH to elucidate the environmental behavior of radioactive Cs fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in the Tohoku region of Japan. The adsorption and desorption experiments of Cs on the minerals were carried out at the Cs concentrations 1 × 10^?4, 1 × 10^?5, and 2 × 10^?9 mole L^?1 at pH 5.5. The desorption of Cs from the minerals was examined using 0.1 mole L^?1 LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl solutions. The sequential desorption was examined using a 0.1 mole L^?1 LiCl solution, a 1 mole L^?1 KCl solution, and a 1 mole L^?1 HCl solution. The distribution coefficient (K _d) for the minerals at the Cs concentration 10^?9 mole L^?1 was in the order of mordenite > illite > montmorillonite, sericite, MnO₂, kaolinite, and halloysite > chlorite, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and FeOOH, differing from the order observed at higher Cs concentrations. After the sequential desorption by the three reagent solutions, the residual fraction of Cs was higher at the Cs concentration 10^?9 mole L^?1 than at higher concentrations. Approximately 40%, 40%, 50%, and 25% of the adsorbed Cs were residual in montmorillonite, mordenite, MnO₂, and kaolinite, respectively, after the sequential desorption. These results strongly suggest that (1) radioactive Cs at 10^?9 mole L^?1 is more strongly associated with the non-mica minerals than at higher concentrations of 1 × 10^?4 and 1 × 10^?5 mole L^?1, and (2) the non-mica minerals montmorillonite, mordenite, kaolinite, and MnO₂ contributed to the fixation of the radioactive Cs fallout on Fukushima soil.     

Recent studies of eye movements in reading.

Grouping the studies under the general topic headings of techniques of measurement, analysis of the reading process, training to improve eye movements, typography and eye movements, and eye movements and fatigue the author reviews the relevant research literature which has appeared since January, 1945. In general there has been a dimunition of interest in this area. However, there has appeared a large amount of work on visual fixation, speed of eye movements, reaction time of the eye, oculomotor efficiency, and vision during eye movements. There is a need for more basic research. 72-item bibliography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

抽水蓄能机组推力系统缺陷改造

介绍了抽水蓄能机组推力系统一起重大缺陷发现的经过,论述了现场检查情况,对造成缺陷的原因进行了分析,提出了整改处理意见和防范措施。     

加工工艺对绿茶丙烯酰胺生成的影响

目的:研究杀青、揉捻、干燥等工艺对绿茶丙烯酰胺生成的影响。方法:利用三重串联四极杆液相色谱-质谱联用仪定量,对比杀青方式、揉捻时间、干燥方式等对丙烯酰胺生成的影响规律,并进行正交试验设计,得出减少丙烯酰胺生成量的最佳加工方式。结果:通过L_9(3~4)正交试验,对绿茶中丙烯酰胺含量的影响程度排序为热风干燥温度揉捻时间滚筒杀青温度,滚筒杀青温度150℃、揉捻时间30 min、热风干燥温度150℃为优选工艺。结论:茶叶加工过程中,常规热处理方式较微波热处理方式更不利于丙烯酰胺的生成;其中,随着滚筒杀青温度的升高丙烯酰胺的生成量增加,揉捻时间延长和热风干燥温度升高则丙烯酰胺的生成量降低。