Introduction to Molecular Analysis of Ectomycorrhizal Communities

A number of methods are available for those researchers considering the addition of molecular analyses of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi to their research projects and weighing the various approaches they might take. Analyzing natural EcM fungal communities has traditionally been a highly skilled, time-consuming process relying heavily on exacting morphological characterization of EcM root tips. Increasingly powerful molecular methods for analyzing EcM communities make this area of research available to a much wider range of researchers. Ecologists can gain from the body of work characterizing EcM while avoiding the requirement for exceptional expertise by carefully combining elements of traditional methods with the more recent molecular approaches. A cursory morphological analysis can yield a traditional quantification of EcM fungi based on tip numbers, a unit with functional and historical significance. Ectomycorrhizal root DNA extracts may then be analyzed with molecular methods widely used for characterizing microbiota. These range from methods applicable only to the simple mixes resulting from careful morphotyping, to community-oriented methods that identify many types in mixed samples as well as provide an estimate of their relative abundances. Extramatrical hyphae in bulk soil can also be more effectively studied, extending characterization of EcM fungal communities beyond the rhizoplane. The trend toward techniques permitting larger sample sets without prohibitive labor and time requirements will also permit us to more frequently address the issues of spatial and temporal variability and better characterize the roles of EcM fungi at multiple scales.

Coordination reactions in the extraction of cerium(IV) and fluorine(I) by DEHEHP from mixed nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid solutions

The coordination reactions during the solvent extraction of cerium(IV) and fluorine(l) from mixed nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid solutions by di-(2-ethylhexyl)-2-ethylhexylphosphonate, L (DEHEHP) in heptane have been investigated. The extraction data have been analyzed by graphical methods taking into account all plausible species extracted into the organic phase. Different variables influencing the extraction of Ce(IV), such as the concentrations of nitrate ions, hydrofluroric acid, nitric acid, and extractant have been studied. The results demonstrate that DEHEHP can extract not only Ce(NO3)(4) as Ce(NO3)4.2L and HF as HF (.) H2O (.) L, but both together as Ce(HF)(NO3)(4) (.) L. The extraction equilibrium equations are determined according to slope analysis and IR spectra. The equilibrium constants of the extracted complexes have been calculated, taking into account complexation between the metal ion and inorganic ligands in the aqueous phase and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. It is also shown that boric acid, which was added into the mixed solutions to complex with F(I) is not extracted by DEHEHP, and neither does it affect the extraction of cerium(IV) and HF, nor change the extraction mechanism.

Major, minor and trace-elemental contents analysis in northeast soybeans by ICP-AES

Major, minor and trace elemental contents in northeast China soybeans were determined by using inductively, coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Three different sample digestion methods including two wet digestions, HNO3-HClO4 and HNO3-H2SO4 and a dry ash method were compared. Owing to the high oil content in soybeans, long time is needed and access acid should be added, with mixed acid digestion methods, which may result in higher sample blank. Therefore, the dry ask method would be more proper for the pre-treatment of soybean samples. Potassium and phosphorus are major elements in soybeans, so the effect of potassium and phosphorus on the other elements was investigated. Results showed that the potassium and phosphorus did not affect the determination. of other trace elements. There are not significant differences in trace elemental contents for the eleven northeast China soybeans.

High-pressure and-temperature synthesis and characterization of mixed valence perovskite oxides LaTi1-xMgxO3

Perovskite oxides LaTi1-xMgxO3 (x = 0.25, 0.5) were synthesized using high-pressure and-temperature method. LaTi0.75Mg0.25O3 is a new compound. This new synthesis route has some advantages. XRD analysis showed that the x = 0.25 sample belongs to cubic perovskite-type structure and the a = 0.5 sample belongs to orthorhombic perovskite-type structure. EPR measurement indicated that Ti ions were in mixed valence state of +3 and +4. IR measurement indicated that the vibration frequency and width of BO6 octahedron stretching vibration absorption band decreases with the increasing of x. The valence state of Ti ions can be altered by high-pressure and-temperature. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Preparation, charactreization, and catalytic properties of Co-M-Al (M = transition metal) mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcite-like compound

Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTLcs) CoMAlCO3, where M stands for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, or Fe, were synthesized by coprecipitation. After calcination at 450 degrees C, they became mixed oxides with spinel-like structure. The mixed oxides were characterized by XRD, BET, chemical analysis and the adsorption of NO. The catalytic decomposition of NO and its reduction by CO were studied over these mixed oxides. The study showed that the catalytic activity for removal of NO, was very high. The reaction mechanism is proposed and the effects of d-electrons of the transition metals on catalytic activity are elucidated.

Study of physicochemical properties and active oxygen in structures of layered mixed La4BaCu5-xMxO13+lambda (M = Mn, Co)

Two series of layered mixed oxides La4BaCu5-xMxO13+lambda(M = Mn, Co, x = 0 similar to 5) were prepared and characterized by means of XRD, XPS, O-2-TPD and chemical analysis. The results show that their structures are 5-layered ABO(3) perovskite, and the XPS and O-2-TPD investigation confirms that there exists synergistic effect between Cu ion and M when M ion is doped into the lattice of La4BaCu5O13+lambda,, and the synergistic effect between Mn and Cu is stronger than that of Cu-Co.

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a mixed-valence molybdenum (IV,VI) arsenate (III): Ni(H2NCH2CH2NH2)(3)[((MoO6)-O-IV)(Mo6O18)-O-VI((As3O3)-O-III)(2)]H2O

A novel mixed-valence molybdenum(IV, VI) arsenate(III), Ni(H2NCH2CH2NH2)(3)[((MoO6)-O-IV)(Mo6O18)-O-VI((As3O3)-O-III)(2)]H2O, hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The polyanion cage derives from the Anderson structure, in which the central octahedron was filled up by molybdenum(IV) and it was capped on both sides by a novel As3O63- cyclo-triarsenate(III). The title compound had a high catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid using H2O2 as oxidant in a liquid-solid biphase system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Layered La-Ba-Cu mixed oxides with perovskite structure as catalyst for NO reduction by CO

The mixed oxides, including LaBa2Cu3O7, LaBaCu2O5, La4BaCu5O12 with perovskite structure, were prepared. The catalysts were characterized by means of chemical analysis, XRD, H-2-TPR. It was found that their structures were layered ABO(3) perovskite structure and they were the active catalysts for the NO reduction by CO. The existence of Cu3+ is an important factor to give the catalysts a high activity for the NO reduction by CO.

Studies on the elimination of NO over the La-Ba-Cu mixed oxide catalysts with perovskite structure

The mixed oxides, including YBa2Cu3O7, LaBa2Cu3O7, LaBaCu2O5, La2BaCu3O7, La4BaCu5O12 with perovskite structure, were prepared. The catalysts were characterized by means of chemical analysis, XRD, TPD and TPR method. It was found that they were the active catalysts for the NO decomposition and NO reduction by CO. The existance of Cu3+ is an important factor to give the catalysts a high activity for the NO reduction by CO.

Study on the Adsorption and Activation of NO and CO over Mixed Oxide Catalysts Containing Cu by Means of TPSR

Adsorption and activation of small molecules NO, CO and CO+ NO on LaSrCuO4, La2CuO4 and La1.7Th0.3CuO4 which are typical samples in the sence of nonstoichiometric oxygen(lambda) anrong the series of La2-x(SrTh)(x)CuO4 +/-lambda mixed oxide catalysts were studied by means of MS- TPD (TPSR ), XRD, chemical analysis and so on. It was shown that the adsorption amount of NO can be correlated with the content of oxygen vacancy while the types and strength of adsorption of NO could be related to the oxidation state of the metallic ion. It was also found that CO molecule was first converted into CO32- and then desorbed in the form of CO2 at high temperature during the adsorption and desorption of CO on the mixed oxide with oxygen vacancy. The fact that the profiles of TPD(TPSR) of NO in co-adsorption of NO+CO and in single NO adsorption are similar shows that the adsorption of NO molecule not only has some priority to that of CO but also is stronger than that of CO. It seems that the adsorption of NO plays a dominate role in the activation and decomposition of NO.

The structure analysis and characterization of N-100 by NMR

To improve the mechanics properties of polyurethane materials at a high or low temperature, a hydroxy compound N-100 of HDI was synthesized, The structure analysis and characterization were made by NMR (H-1, C-13, H-1-H-1 COSY, C-13-H-1 COSY), In addition, quantitative description of the network was made on the basis of some ideal assumptions, 1D and 2D NMR can differentiate four sorts of carbonyl groups and establish the connections of all carbon and hydrogen atoms of mixed structures that originated from five different substitutions, Besides, the alkene and isocyanate, urea, biuret and trimerized isocyanuric groups were also detected, Therefore, the structure of N-100 was suggested be a polyisocyanate with complicated network which contained nitrogen atom as cross-linkage, isocyanate and alkene as end groups, The consistence of calculated values with tested values of isocyanate content, mean function degree and mean molecular weight demonstrated the correct of structure characterization and the validity of network description.

Comparative study of Nickel-based perovskite-like mixed oxide catalysts for direct decomposition of NO

The mixed oxides LaNiO3, La0.1Sr0.9NiO3, La2NiO4 and LaSrNiO4 were prepared and used as catalysts for the direct decomposition of NO. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, XPS, O-2-TPD, NO-TPD and chemical analysis. By comparing the physico-chemical properties and catalytic activity for NO decomposition, a conclusion could be drawn as follows. The direct decomposition of NO over perovskite and related mixed oxide catalysts follows a redox mechanism. The lower valent metal ions Ni2+ and disordered oxygen vacancies seem to be the active sites in the redox process. The oxygen vacancy plays an important role favorable for the adsorption and activation of NO molecules on one hand and on the other hand for increasing the mobility of lattice oxygen which is beneficial to the reproduction of active sites. The presence of oxygen vacancies is one of the indispensable factors to give the mixed oxides a steady activity for NO decomposition.

Studies on the adsorption property of NO on the Ni-based mixed oxide catalysts with Perovskite-like (ABO(3) and A(2)BO(4)) structure

The mixed oxides LaNiO3, La0.1Sr0.9NiO3, La2NiO4 and LaSrNiO4 with perovskite (ABO(3)) and related(A(2)BO(4)) structures were prepared and the adsorption property for NO and the catalytic activity for NO decomposition over these oxidse were also tested. The catalysts were characterized by means of BET surface measurement, chemical analysis, NO-TPD etc.. It was shown that the adsorption amount of NO is correlated with the concentration of oxygen vacancy formed and the adsorption type and strength of NO are related to the valence of metallic ion. Generally there are three kinds of adsorption species, NO-, NO+ and NO on the mixed oxides, among them the negative adsorpion species (NO-) are active for NO decomposition. The weaker the adsorption of oxygen on the catalyst is, the faster the mobility of oxygen is and the easier the redox process takes place in reproducing the active sites in which the oxygen species (O-, O2-) would participate.

STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF LAN+1NINO3N+1 MIXED OXIDES

A series of (AO) (ABO(3))(n)(A = La, B = Ni, n = 1 similar to 4) type mixed oxides were synthesized and characterized by means of XRD, XPS, IR, TPD, TPR. Their structure characteristics and redox properties were studied. The nonstoichiometry (lambda) of oxygen and the valence of transition metal Ni were determined by using chemical analysis method. The catalytic activities of this series of mixed oxides for complete oxidation of CO and CH4 were examined and the relationships among activity, composition and structure were discussed.

Identification and analysis of the immune effects of CpG motifs that protect Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) against bacterial infection

CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are known to be immunostimulatory in vertebrate systems and can activate both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this report, we described the selection, identification, and analysis of CpG motifs with immunoprotective effects in Japanese flounder. Sixteen CpG ODNs were synthesized and examined for the ability to inhibit bacterial dissemination in Japanese flounder blood. Four ODNs with the strongest inhibitory effects were selected and mixed to form ODNs 4M. In addition, a plasmid, pCN6, was constructed that contains the sequences of the four selected ODNs. When administered into Japanese flounder via intraperitoneal injection, both ODNs 4M and pCN6 could, in dose and time dependent manners, afford short-term protection against the infections of two different bacterial pathogens. Immunological analyses showed that ODNs 4M and, especially, pCN6 activated head kidney macrophages and enhanced serum bactericidal activity via probably the alternative pathway of complement activation. When used as a DNA vaccine to immunize Japanese flounder, pCN6 conferred apparent protections (42.9% and 52.6%, respectively, in terms of relative percent survival) against the challenges of two different fish pathogens at 4-week post-vaccination. Transcriptional analysis showed that vaccination with pCN6 upregulated the expression of the genes encoding NKEF, MHC II alpha, IL-1 beta, Mx, and MHC I alpha. These results demonstrate that ODNs 4M and pCN6 are immunostimulatory in Japanese flounder and can induce short- and long-term nonspecific protections against bacterial infections. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.