A mechanism of lithium storage in disordered carbons

High-resolution electron microscopy and lithium-7 nuclear magnetic resonance measurements were carried out for a disordered carbon material, prepared by heat treatment of polyphenylene, in which lithium was stored electrochemically. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum suggests the existence of Li(2) covalent molecules in the carbon material. This extra covalent site of lithium storage promises extraordinarily high energy density for secondary batteries.     

Phosphorylase: a new isozyme in rat hepatic tumors and fetal liver

A third set of phosphorylase a and b isozymes, distinguishable kinetically and immunologically from liver and muscle forms, is present in various rat hepatomas, and is also present, together with the adult liver form, in fetal rat liver. This is one of several striking examples of suppression of isozymes of adult liver coupled with the appearance of fetal isozymes in hepatomas.     

Efficient epoxidation of olefins with >/=99% selectivity and use of hydrogen peroxide

Epoxides are an important class of industrial chemicals that have been used as chemical intermediates. Catalytic epoxidation of olefins affords an interesting production technology. We found a widely usable green route to the production of epoxides: A silicotungstate compound, [gamma-SiW10O34(H2O)2]4-, is synthesized by protonation of a divacant, lacunary, Keggin-type polyoxometalate of [gamma-SiW10O36]8- and exhibits high catalytic performance for the epoxidation of various olefins, including propylene, with a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidant at 305 kelvin. The effectiveness of this catalyst is evidenced by >/=99% selectivity to epoxide, >/=99% efficiency of H2O2 utilization, high stereospecificity, and easy recovery of the catalyst from the homogeneous reaction mixture.     

Persistent hypoglycemia is induced by tolbutamide administration in broiler chickens fed a low-carbohydrate diet

With a view to gaining an insight into the regulatory mechanism of blood glucose concentrations specific to the chicken, an experimental induction of hypoglycemia was conducted by single or sequential administration of tolbutamide in broiler chickens fed a standard or low-carbohydrate diet. A single dosing of tolbutamide at levels of 25-200 mg/kg body weight decreased plasma glucose concentrations for 2 to 8 h after the dosing in chickens fed either diet. No significant rise in plasma insulin concentration was observed for 2 to 24 h after the single dosing of tolbutamide in chickens on either diet, with the exception of a significant rise when chickens on the standard diet received 100 mg tolbutamide. However, a transient increase of plasma insulin concentration was observed only in the 20 min immediately after the single dosing. Persistent hypoglycemia that was sustained for 5 days, with no significant changes in plasma insulin concentration, was induced by sequential dosing (3 times per day for 5 days, every 8 h) of tolbutamide (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) in chickens fed the low-carbohydrate diet. In these chickens, the consistently low concentration of plasma glucose, with small diurnal variations, was evidenced by the determination of plasma glucose every 3 h in day 4/5 of the tolbutamide dosing. In chickens fed the standard diet, on the other hand, the low plasma glucose concentrations for 5 days were accompanied by significant diurnal fluctuations. Chickens with persistent hypoglycemia showed slight decreases in plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration and only slight changes in blood D-3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) concentration. The present study shows that the persistent hypoglycemia with normoinsulinemia, in the main, is induced by tolbutamide dosing in chickens fed a low-carbohydrate diet, and that the blood concentrations of NEFA and 3HB, alternatives of energy source in animals, are only slightly changed or not at all in hypoglycemic chickens.     

Soil microorganisms are less susceptible than crop plants to potassium deficiency

To evaluate the relationship between the potassium (K) status in the microbial community and the exchangeable K concentration in soils, the effects of K addition on microbial activity were assessed in cultivated Andisols not having received K fertilizer. Potassium limitation was not observed in the microbial community, even in a soil amended with only nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) but not K since 1938, though crop plants in this soil showed severe K deficiency symptoms. Furthermore, in a soil amended with NP + compost, microbial activity was limited by K only after limitation of carbon (C) and N. These results suggest that soil microorganisms demand more C and N than K, even in soils with low K availability, and also that the soil microbial community is less susceptible to K deficiency than are crop plants.     

Chromatographic Separation of Green Humic Acid from Podzol Humus

One of the authors, Kumada ¹⁾ has found that absorption spectra of podzol humic acids, remarkably different from the other soil humic acids, have fairly distinct absorption bands near 620, 570 and 450 mµ, and he tentatively named them. P type humic acid. P type humic acid seems specific not only in its visible absorption spectra, but also in infra. red absorption spectra, in susceptible to electrolytes, etc. The authors are now engaged in the study of the nature and properties of P type humic acid, and recently they have found that it is composed of at least two main fractions, the one is reddish brown, and the other green, in alkaline solution. The experimental results are briefly presented.     

Further evidence for the integrity of rice chloroplasts isolated in glutaraldehyde medium

Morphological aspects of rice chloroplasts isolated in glutaraldehyde and sucrose media were studied using the electron microscope. Chloroplasts in glutaraldehyde medium contained compact lamellae and densely stained stroma. On the other hand, chloroplasts in sucrose medium lacked stroma and consisted mostly of lamellae systems.     

Studies on microörganisms and their activities in soil Part. 1. Change of microflora induced by soil treatment,with special reference to the method of study

Introduction

Joffell described in his book “Pedology” that in the process of weathering, autotrophic organisms grow on the bare surface of rocks and their metabolic products contribute much to the weathering. Treub²⁾ observed also that the surface of volcanic ash was covered by the vigorous growth of algae in less than three years after the eruption of Krakatoa. From these statements it appears evident that microorganisms play an important part through the production of organic matter at the early period of soil formation. As soil-forming-process advances, however, microBrganisms are replaced by the higher chlorophyllbearing plants with regards to organic matter production in land, and they become more important in the decomposition of than in the production of organic matter.     

A study on decomposition of organic matter and aggregate formation

It is universally accepted that grassland soils have a good crumb structure, and the aggregation of soil particles is mainly attributed to the organic matter supplied from grass roots, and to certain organic aggregating agents accumulated in the decomposition process.     

The distribution of PG (green fraction of P type humic acid) and the degree of humification of PB (brown fraction of P type humic acid) in soils of central Japan

Abstract

Pg contents of soils chosen from the major soil groups occurring in the mountain area of Central Japan were measured by the method presented by the author in a previous paper. The Pg contents of the soils ranged from 0 to 0.58 per cent of the dry soils. In podzolic soils, Pg contents were high in A horizons and gradually decreased with depth and in some cases of brown forest soils, Pg contents were highest in B horizons. The percentage of Pg in humic acid ranged from 0 to 8.6 per cent, and the highest value was observed in the C horizon of Dando Bo soil, Pg contents were high in humid and acidic soils containing much humic acid. Humidity, soil pH and humus content may affect the Pg accumulation by controlling the activity of Pg-producing fungi. ? log K values of Pb were calculated to estimate the degree of humification of P type humic acids and indicated that Pb's were relatively immature.