Preparation of capacitor’s electrode from sunflower seed shell

Series of nanoporous carbons are prepared from sunflower seed shell (SSS) by two different strategies and used as electrode material for electrochemical double-layer capacitor (EDLC). The surface area and pore-structure of the nanoporous carbons are characterized intensively using N₂ adsorption technique. The results show that the pore-structure of the carbons is closely related to activation temperature and dosage of KOH. Electrochemical measurements show that the carbons made by impregnation-activation process have better capacitive behavior and higher capacitance retention ratio at high drain current than the carbons made by carbonization-activation process, which is due to that there are abundant macroscopic pores and less interior micropore surface in the texture of the former. More importantly, the capacitive performances of these carbons are much better than ordered mesoporous carbons and commercial wood-based active carbon, thus highlighting the success of preparing high performance electrode material for EDLC from SSS.     

Cross-pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani strains on pasture legumes in pasture-crop rotations

In Australia, in the past, pasture legumes were rotated mainly with cereals, but increasingly these rotations now involve pasture legumes with a wider range of crops, including legumes. This increasing frequency of the leguminous host in the rotation system may be associated with increased root rots in legumes in the current pasture-crop rotations. The primary aim of this study was to see whether the pathogenicity on pasture legumes of strains of Rhizoctonia solani sourced from lupins and cereals (common crops in rotation with pastures) is associated with increased incidence of root rots in pasture legumes in the disease conducive sandy soils of the Mediterranean regions of southern Australia. The second aim was to determine sources of resistance among newly introduced pasture legumes to R. solani strains originating from rotational crops as this would reduce the impact of disease in the pasture phase. Fifteen pasture legume genotypes were assessed for their resistance/susceptibility to five different zymogram groups (ZG) of the root rot pathogen R. solani under glasshouse conditions. Of the R. solani groups tested, ZG1–5 and ZG1–4 (both known to be pathogenic on cereals and legumes) overall, caused the most severe root disease across the genotypes tested, significantly more than ZG6 (known to be pathogenic on legumes), in turn significantly >ZG4 (known to be pathogenic on legumes) which in turn was >ZG11 (known to be pathogenic on legumes including tropical species). Overall, Ornithopus sativus Brot. cvs Cadiz and Margurita, Trifolium michelianum Savi. cvs Paradana and Frontier and T. purpureum Loisel. cv. Electro showed a significant level of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG11 (root disease scores ≤1.2 on a 1–3 scale where 3 = maximum disease severity) while O. sativus cvs Cadiz and Erica showed a significant level of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG4 (scores ≤1.2). O. compressus L. cvs Charano and Frontier, O. sativus cv. Erica, and T. purpureum cv. Electro showed some useful resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG6 (scores ≤1.8). This is the first time that cvs Cadiz, Electro, Frontier, Margurita and Paradana have been recognised for their levels of resistance to root rot caused by R. solani ZG11; and similarly for cvs Cadiz and Erica against ZG4; and for cvs Charano, Erica, and Electro against ZG6. These genotypes with resistance may also serve as useful sources of resistance in pasture legume breeding programs and also could potentially be exploited directly into areas where other rotation crops are affected by these R. solani strains. None of the tested genotypes showed useful resistance to R. solani ZG1–4 (scores ≥2.0) or ZG1–5 (scores ≥2.5). This study demonstrates the relative potential of the various R. solani ZG strains, and particularly ZG1–4, ZG1–5, ZG4 and ZG6 to attack legume pastures and pose a significant threat to non-pasture crop species susceptible to these strains grown in rotation with these pasture legumes. Significantly, the cross-pathogenicity of these strains could result in the continuous build-up of inoculum of these strains that may seriously affect the productivity eventually of legumes in all rotations. In particular, when choosing pasture legumes as rotation crops, caution needs to be exercised so that the cultivars deployed are those with the best resistance to the R. solani ZGs most likely to be prevalent at the location.     

Compatible Models of Carbon Content of Individual Trees on a Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantation in Fujian Province,China

We tried to establish compatible carbon content models of individual trees for a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantation from Fujian province in southeast China. In general, compatibility requires that the sum of components equal the whole tree, meaning that the sum of percentages calculated from component equations should equal 100%. Thus, we used multiple approaches to simulate carbon content in boles, branches, foliage leaves, roots and the whole individual trees. The approaches included (i) single optimal fitting (SOF), (ii) nonlinear adjustment in proportion (NAP) and (iii) nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression (NSUR). These approaches were used in combination with variables relating diameter at breast height (D) and tree height (H), such as D, D²H, DH and D&H (where D&H means two separate variables in bivariate model). Power, exponential and polynomial functions were tested as well as a new general function model was proposed by this study. Weighted least squares regression models were employed to eliminate heteroscedasticity. Model performances were evaluated by using mean residuals, residual variance, mean square error and the determination coefficient. The results indicated that models with two dimensional variables (DH, D²H and D&H) were always superior to those with a single variable (D). The D&H variable combination was found to be the most useful predictor. Of all the approaches, SOF could establish a single optimal model separately, but there were deviations in estimating results due to existing incompatibilities, while NAP and NSUR could ensure predictions compatibility. Simultaneously, we found that the new general model had better accuracy than others. In conclusion, we recommend that the new general model be used to estimate carbon content for Chinese fir and considered for other vegetation types as well.     

Prevalence of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment in China: A Community-Based,Cross-Sectional Study

International hospital-based studies have indicated a high risk of cognitive impairment after stroke, evidence from community-based studies in China is scarce. To determine the prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and its subtypes in stroke survivors residing in selected rural and urban Chinese communities, we conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in 599 patients accounting for 48% of all stroke survivors registered in the 4 communities, who had suffered confirmed strokes and had undergone cognitive assessments via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Hachinski Ischemia Scale (HIS). Detection of PSCI was based on scores in these neuropsychological scales. Factors potentially impacting on occurrence of PSCI were explored by comparing demographic characteristics, stroke features, and cardiovascular risk factors between patients with and without PSCI. The overall prevalence of PSCI was 80.97% (95%CI: 77.82%-84.11%), while that of non-dementia PSCI (PSCI-ND) and post-stroke vascular dementia (PSD) was 48.91% (95%CI: 44.91%-52.92%) and 32.05% (95%CI: 28.32%-35.79%), respectively. Prior stroke and complications during the acute phase were independent risk factors for PSCI. The risk of recurrent stroke survivors having PSCI was 2.7 times higher than for first-episode survivors, and it was 3 times higher for those with complications during the acute phase than for those without. The higher prevalence of PSCI in this study compared with previous Chinese studies was possibly due to the combined effects of including rural stroke survivors, a longer period from stroke onset, and different assessment methods. There is an urgent need to recognize and prevent PSCI in stroke patients, especially those with recurrent stroke and complications during the acute phase.     

Selectivity of modification when latent and activated forms of the chloroplast F1-ATPase are inactivated by 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan

The characteristics and specificity of inactivation of the chloroplast F1-ATPase (CF1) with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzofurazan (Nbf-Cl) have been investigated. Inactivation of the octylglucoside-dependent Mg2+-ATPase activity of latent CF1 by Nbf-Cl can be correlated with the formation of about 1.2 mol of Nbf-O-Tyr per mole of enzyme. Following inactivation of CF1 with [14C]Nbf-Cl, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed that the majority of the radioactive reagent incorporated is present in the beta subunit. Treatment of the enzyme with [14C]Nbf-Cl following dithiothreitol heat activation, led to similar labeling of the beta subunit and substantial incorporation of 14C into the gamma subunit. On complete inactivation, about 4 mol of Nbf-S-Cys is formed per mole of dithiothreitol-heat-activated CF1. Incorporation of 14C into the gamma subunit is prevented by prior treatment of the latent CF1 or of the dithiothreitol-heat-activated CF1 with iodoacetamide. Following incubation of the dithiothreitol-heat-activated CF1 with iodoacetamide, complete inactivation of the octylglucoside-dependent Mg2+-ATPase activity by Nbf-Cl can be correlated with the formation of about 1.2 mol of Nbf-O-Tyr per mole of enzyme. After stabilization of the [14C]Nbf-O-Tyr derivative by treatment with sodium dithionite, a labeled peptide was purified. Automatic Edman degradation of this peptide revealed the sequence V-X-V-P-A-D-(D). The majority of the radioactivity was cleaved in the second cycle, the position occupied in CF1 by Tyr-beta-328, which is homologous to Tyr-beta-311, the residue reactive with Nbf-Cl in the beef heart mitochondrial F1-ATPase. When CF1, modified at Tyr-beta-328 with Nbf-Cl, is incubated at pH 9.0, the Nbf-O-Tyr adduct is hydrolyzed, leading to concomitant recovery of the ATPase activity. In double labeling experiments, two-dimensional isoelectric focusing in the presence of urea followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicates that 2-azido-ADP, covalently bound at the tight ADP binding site, and the tyrosine modified by [14C]Nbf-Cl are located in different beta subunits.     

鹅掌楸种子和胚胎发育的研究

应用控制授粉、软 X-射线法、常规石蜡制片法和荧光检测等手段,研究了鹅掌楸(Lirio-dendron chinense(Hemsl.)Sarg.胚胎发育和控制授粉与结籽率的相关性。控制授粉后2小时花粉萌发,6小时萌发率最高,柱头可授期持续30小时左右。花粉管借助于柱头毛之间的分泌物进入柱头沟,经花柱沟、珠孔塞和珠心冠原进入胚囊,行珠孔受精。授粉后2周,胚乳为2至3细胞厚的狭组织;第6周,胚乳充满胚囊腔,珠心随之解体殆尽;第7到8周,球形胚、心形胚发生;第14到16周,子叶形成;第22周种子或熟,胚乳丰富。单株自然授粉结籽率不足1%。控制授粉后,单个聚合果的最高结籽率可达39%,9个聚合果的平均结籽率为17.7%。     

γ-氨基丁酸、荷包牡丹碱和L-谷氨酸钠对猫和家兔同侧和对侧图形视觉诱发电位的影响

在猫和家兔大脑半球一侧视区17/18交界处施加γ—氨基丁酸(GABA)、荷包牡丹碱和L—谷氨酸钠,以及用氯化钾和冷冻阻遏的方法,记录对侧和同侧皮层相应处图形视觉诱发电位(PVEP)的变化。讨论了GABA、荷包牡丹碱和L—谷氨酸钠对猫和兔的对侧和同侧PVEP的影响。     

Stereospecificity for nicotinamide nucleotides in enzymatic and chemical hydride transfer reactions

The pyridine nucleotide (NAD and NADP)-linked enzymes are a large class of enzymes constituting approximately 17% of all classified enzymes. When these enzymes catalyze their reactions, the hydride transfer between the substrate and the reaction site (i.e., C-4 of the nicotinamide/dihydronicotinamide ring) of the coenzyme takes place in a stereospecific manner. Thus, in the reaction of oxidation of the reduced coenzyme, one group of enzymes catalyzes the extraction of only the hydrogen having the R configuration at the No. 4 carbon, while the other group catalyzes the removal of only that with the S configuration. Because this aspect of enzyme stereospecificity provides essential information for a given enzyme's reaction mechanism, active site structure, and evolutionary relationship with other enzymes, intensive effort has been made to establish the stereospecificities of as many enzymes as possible. This review presents the compilation of the stereospecificities of these enzymes. Some empirical rules, which are useful but not definitive, in predicting a given enzyme's stereospecificity are also described. In addition, the stereospecificity in enzymatic reactions is compared to the stereo-preference in chemical oxidoreduction of the coenzyme. In order to elucidate the mechanism for the enzyme stereospecificity, the conformations of the coenzyme in free-state and enzyme-bound state are extensively discussed here.