Identification of active edge sites for electrochemical H2 evolution from MoS2 nanocatalysts

The identification of the active sites in heterogeneous catalysis requires a combination of surface sensitive methods and reactivity studies. We determined the active site for hydrogen evolution, a reaction catalyzed by precious metals, on nanoparticulate molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) by atomically resolving the surface of this catalyst before measuring electrochemical activity in solution. By preparing MoS2 nanoparticles of different sizes, we systematically varied the distribution of surface sites on MoS2 nanoparticles on Au(111), which we quantified with scanning tunneling microscopy. Electrocatalytic activity measurements for hydrogen evolution correlate linearly with the number of edge sites on the MoS2 catalyst.     

Inhibition of cytotoxicity of lymphocytes by concanavalin A in vitro

Human lymphocytes treated with the plant protein concanavalin A are stimulated to transform into blasts, without developing cytotoxicity for chicken erythrocytes. Prior treatment of lymphocytes with concanavalin A potentiated phytohemagglutinin-induced blast transformation and DNA synthesis but completely inhibited phytohemagglutinin-induced cytotoxicity. Inhibiton was not due to suppression of the mixed lymphocyte-erythrocyte aggregation normally caused by phytohemagglutinin. Inhibition of cytotoxicity was reversible when concanavalin A was removed from the lymphocytes by treatment with methyl-alpha-D-manno-pyranoside after 1 hour but not after 20 hours. The results indicate that blast transformation and cytotoxicity are separate expressions of lymphocyte stimulation.     

Comparative genomics of trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa

A comparison of gene content and genome architecture of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major, three related pathogens with different life cycles and disease pathology, revealed a conserved core proteome of about 6200 genes in large syntenic polycistronic gene clusters. Many species-specific genes, especially large surface antigen families, occur at nonsyntenic chromosome-internal and subtelomeric regions. Retroelements, structural RNAs, and gene family expansion are often associated with syntenic discontinuities that-along with gene divergence, acquisition and loss, and rearrangement within the syntenic regions-have shaped the genomes of each parasite. Contrary to recent reports, our analyses reveal no evidence that these species are descended from an ancestor that contained a photosynthetic endosymbiont.     

Ion Leaching Before and After Clear-Cutting in a Norway Spruce Stand - Effects of Long-Term Application of Ammonium Nitrate and Superphosphate

Soil solution chemistry was measured in a Haplic Podzol in a Norway spruce (Picea abies, L.Karst) site in central Sweden that had received frequent low-dose applications of nitrogen (N) asammonium nitrate (30-120 kg N/ha yr) and phosphorus (P) as superphosphate (20-40 kg P/haabout every third year) over a long period (22 yr). The aim was to investigate effects of added Non the ion leaching before and after clear-cutting. The N load corresponded well with actual loadsin central Europe. Prior to clear-cutting, fertilization increased concentrations of several ions inthe soil solution. Total losses of NO ₃ ^- , Al andH⁺ increased with the intensity of fertilization. However, since fertilization enhanced tree growthand nutrient uptake, differences between the total losses of several other ions tended to beequalized. After clear-cutting, the pH in the soil solution decreased, and the losses of Mn and Alincreased with fertilizer load, probably because of increased N mineralization and nitrification. Inthe N treatments the concentration of SO ₄ ^2- in the soil solution decreased, probably owing toincreased adsorption in the B horizon in response to the pH decrease. The effects ofanthropogenic N deposition are discussed in the light of our findings and possible causes oftemporal and spatial variation in soil solution chemistry and ion fluxes are suggested.     

Fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O from drained organic soils in deciduous forests

We examined net greenhouse gas exchange at the soil surface in deciduous forests on soils with high organic contents. Fluxes of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O were measured using dark static chambers for two consecutive years in three different forest types; (i) a drained and medium productivity site dominated by birch, (ii) a drained and highly productive site dominated by alder and (iii) an undrained and highly productive site dominated by alder. Although the drained sites had shallow mean groundwater tables (15 and 18 cm, respectively) their average annual rates of forest floor CO₂ release were almost twice as high compared to the undrained site (1.9±0.4 and 1.7±0.3, compared to 1.0±0.2 kg CO₂ m⁻² yr⁻¹). The average annual CH₄ emission was almost 10 times larger at the undrained site (7.6±3.1 compared to 0.9±0.5 g CH₄ m⁻² yr⁻¹ for the two drained sites). The average annual N₂O emissions at the undrained site (0.1±0.05 g N₂O m⁻² yr⁻¹) were lower than at the drained sites, and the emissions were almost five times higher at the drained alder site than at the drained birch site (0.9±0.35 compared to 0.2±0.11 g N₂O m⁻² yr⁻¹). The temporal variation in forest floor CO₂ release could be explained to a large extent by differences in groundwater table and air temperature, but little of the variation in the CH₄ and N₂O fluxes could be explained by these variables. The measured soil variables were only significant to explain for the within-site spatial variation in CH₄ and N₂O fluxes at the undrained swamp, and dark forest floor CO₂ release was not explained by these variables at any site. The between-site spatial variation was attributed to variations in drainage, groundwater level position, productivity and tree species for all three gases. The results indicate that N₂O emissions are of greater importance for the net greenhouse gas exchange at deciduous drained forest sites than at coniferous drained forest sites.     

Do riparian buffer strips mitigate the impacts of clearcutting on small mammals?

We assessed the impact of clearcutting on small mammals in riparian areas and evaluated riparian buffer strips as a tool for conserving small mammals in managed forests. Over two summers, we trapped small mammals of seven species in riparian areas in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Communities of small mammals were compared across three different habitat types: (1) clearcut to the stream bank, (2) clearcut with a 30 m riparian buffer strip, and (3) control (no logging). Species richness was significantly lower in clearcuts than in controls and buffers. On clearcut sites, creeping voles were more abundant, but red-backed voles and dusky shrews were less abundant than at the control sites. At sites with riparian buffer strips, both voles were present in numbers similar to those found in controls, but dusky shrews were less common. Significantly more deer mice and creeping voles were infested with bot flies at clearcut sites than at buffer sites, and no animals were infested at any of the control sites. Riparian reserves appear to be useful in reducing the short-term impacts of clearcutting on small mammal communities, though they do not eliminate these impacts altogether.     

High-resolution NMR and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy of port wine

The use of high-resolution NMR and high-resolution diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) for the characterization of selected Port wine samples of different ages with the aim of identifying changes in composition is described. Conventional 1D and 2D NMR methods enabled the identification of about 35 compounds, including minor components such as some medium-chain alcohols, amino acids, and organic acids. High-resolution (HR) DOSY extended sample characterization, increasing the number of compounds identified and NMR assignments made, by providing information on the relative molecular sizes of the metabolites present. Port wines of different ages were found to differ mainly in their content of (a) organic acids and some amino acids, (b) an unidentified possible disaccharide, and (c) large aromatic species. The relative amount of these last high Mw aromatics is seen to decrease significantly in the oldest wine, as expected from the known formation and precipitation of anthocyanin-based polymers during red wine aging.     

Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation in vitro by fruit and berry extracts and correlations with antioxidant levels

The effects of 10 different extracts of fruits and berries on cell proliferation of colon cancer cells HT29 and breast cancer cells MCF-7 were investigated. The fruits and berries used were rosehips, blueberries, black currant, black chokeberries, apple, sea buckthorn, plum, lingonberries, cherries, and raspberries. The extracts decreased the proliferation of both colon cancer cells HT29 and breast cancer cells MCF-7, and the effect was concentration dependent. The inhibition effect for the highest concentration of the extracts varied 2-3-fold among the species, and it was in the ranges of 46-74% (average = 62%) for the HT29 cells and 24-68% (average = 52%) for the MCF-7 cells. There were great differences in the content of the analyzed antioxidants in the extracts. The level of the vitamin C content varied almost 100-fold, and the content of total carotenoids varied almost 150-fold among the species. Also in the composition and content of flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, and phenolics were found great differences among the 10 species. The inhibition of cancer cell proliferation seen in these experiments correlated with levels of some carotenoids and with vitamin C levels, present at levels that can be found in human tissues. The same inhibition of cell proliferation could not be found by ascorbate standard alone. This correlation might indicate a synergistic effect of vitamin C and other substances. In MCF-7 cells, the anthocyanins may contribute to the inhibition of proliferation.     

Mercury in the Swedish mor layer — linkages to mercury deposition and sources of emission

The report deals with data from 363 Swedish mor samples. The following parameters are discussed: Hg-, organic and Se-concentrations and Hg-quantity in mor, Hg- and S-deposition from Swedish and continental emissions (point sources and diffuse emissions) and precipitation. The results are focused on mean, geographical variations, statistical correlations and calculations to get first insights and order of magnitude data on the linkages between the Hg-contamination of the Swedish mor layer and the various sources of Hg-emissions. Southern Sweden is significantly influenced by continental Hg-emissions. Several previously unknown domestic discharge sources of Hg have been identified. The total amount of Hg in the Swedish mor layer has been estimated to be about 615 t. East. Germany, United Kingdom, West Germany and Poland seem to have contributed with the largest continental emissions of Hg entering the Swedish mor layers. The countries which early started to build up their industry probably are responsible for greater Hg-contamination than indicated by our figures, and vice versa. If no measures are taken to reduce the emissions, the present contamination will continue. Then, the ‘burden of guilt’ ought to be redistributed so that a higher proportion of the Swedish Hg-contamination would be linked to continental discharges since considerable reductions have already occurred as regards Hg-discharges from large Swedish sources. The problems with elevated Hg-levels in the mor layer and, at the end point, the high concentrations of Hg in lake fish in Sweden, will remain far into the next century.