Net Interaction Research Articles

Net plant interactions are highly variable and weakly dependent on climate at the global scale

Although plant-plant interactions (i.e. competition and facilitation) have long been recognised as key drivers of plant community composition and dynamics, their global patterns and relationships with climate have remained unclear. Here, we assembled a global database of 10,502 pairs of empirical data from the literature to address the patterns of and climatic effects on the net outcome of plant interactions in natural communities. We found that plant interactions varied among plant performance indicators, interaction types and biomes, yet competition occurred more frequently than facilitation in plant communities worldwide. Unexpectedly, plant interactions showed weak latitudinal pattern and were weakly related to climate. Our study provides a global comprehensive overview of plant interactions, highlighting competition as a fundamental mechanism structuring plant communities worldwide. We suggest that further investigations should focus more on local factors (e.g. microclimate, soil and disturbance) than on macroclimate to identify key environmental determinants of interactions in plant communities.

The Stibium Bond or the Antimony-Centered Pnictogen Bond: The Covalently Bound Antimony Atom in Molecular Entities in Crystal Lattices as a Pnictogen Bond Donor.

A stibium bond, i.e., a non-covalent interaction formed by covalently or coordinately bound antimony, occurs in chemical systems when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between the electrophilic region associated with an antimony atom and a nucleophile in another, or the same molecular entity. This is a pnictogen bond and are likely formed by the elements of the pnictogen family, Group 15, of the periodic table, and is an inter- or intra-molecular non-covalent interaction. This overview describes a set of illustrative crystal systems that were stabilized (at least partially) by means of stibium bonds, together with other non-covalent interactions (such as hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds), retrieved from either the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD) or the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD). We demonstrate that these databases contain hundreds of crystal structures of various dimensions in which covalently or coordinately bound antimony atoms in molecular entities feature positive sites that productively interact with various Lewis bases containing O, N, F, Cl, Br, and I atoms in the same or different molecular entities, leading to the formation of stibium bonds, and hence, being partially responsible for the stability of the crystals. The geometric features, pro-molecular charge density isosurface topologies, and extrema of the molecular electrostatic potential model were collectively examined in some instances to illustrate the presence of Sb-centered pnictogen bonding in the representative crystal systems considered.

Evaluation of net interactions for liquid methane based on coarse-grained simulation

The procedure for generating the coarse-grained potential based on the information of liquid state simulations is adopted for liquid methane. The spherically projected potential (SPP) approach consistently generates the effective pair potential for liquid methane, similar to previous liquid water research. The SPP procedure includes a specific feature to extract the net interactions between molecules. For liquid methane, the naïve attractive interaction is incorporated into the SPP, and the potential profile is transferred to the nearly repulsive interaction as a hard-sphere system. A comparison study using two energy profiles, the SPP and the direct interaction contribution of the SPP, gives a similar liquid structure, and the difference between these profiles reflects the existence of the structure-invariant energy profile. The features of the profiles are important for recognizing the characteristics of coarse-grained potential. In the simulation, the potential of mean force (PMF) can be generally evaluated based on the calculated liquid structure. The difference between the PMF and SPP leads to fluctuations in local number density (LND), and it expresses the many-body contribution to liquid structure on the SPP surface. The specific characteristic of the liquid water structure at an ambient condition is explained from the viewpoint of coarse-grained potential by comparing the relation between the SPP and fluctuations in LND for liquid methane with those for liquid water.

Structural, Thermodynamic, and Transport Properties of the Small-Gap Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Kagomé Materials Cu3(hexaiminobenzene)2 and Ni3(hexaiminobenzene)2.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide exceptional chemical tunability and have recently been demonstrated to exhibit electrical conductivity and related functional electronic properties. The kagomé lattice is a fruitful source of novel physical states of matter, including the quantum spin liquid (in insulators) and Dirac fermions (in metals). Small-bandgap kagomé materials have the potential to bridge quantum spin liquid states and exhibit phenomena such as superconductivity but remain exceptionally rare. Here we report a structural, thermodynamic, and transport study of the two-dimensional kagomé metal-organic frameworks Ni3(HIB)2 and Cu3(HIB)2 (HIB = hexaiminobenzene). Magnetization measurements yield Curie constants of 0.989 emu K (mol Ni)-1 Oe-1 and 0.371 emu K (mol Cu)-1 Oe-1, respectively, close to the values expected for ideal S = 1 Ni2+ and S = 1/2 Cu2+. Weiss temperatures of -10.6 and -14.3 K indicate net weak mean field antiferromagnetic interactions between ions. Electrical transport measurements reveal that both materials are semiconducting, with gaps (Eg) of 22.2 and 103 meV, respectively. Specific heat measurements reveal a large T-linear contribution γ of 148(4) mJ mol-fu-1 K-2 in Ni3(HIB)2 with only a gradual upturn below ∼5 K and no evidence of a phase transition to an ordered state down to 0.1 K. Cu3(HIB)2 also lacks evidence of a phase transition above 0.1 K, with a substantial, field-dependent, magnetic contribution below ∼5 K. Despite them being superficially in agreement with the expectations of magnetic frustration and spin liquid physics, we ascribe these observations to the stacking faults found from a detailed analysis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. At the same time, our results demonstrate that these MOFs exhibit localized magnetism with simultaneous proximity to a metallic state, thus opening up opportunities to explore the connection between the insulating and metallic ground states of kagomé materials in a highly tunable chemical platform.

The Nitrogen Bond, or the Nitrogen-Centered Pnictogen Bond: The Covalently Bound Nitrogen Atom in Molecular Entities and Crystals as a Pnictogen Bond Donor

The nitrogen bond in chemical systems occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between the electrophilic region associated with a covalently or coordinately bound nitrogen atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophile in another, or the same molecular entity. It is the first member of the family of pnictogen bonds formed by the first atom of the pnictogen family, Group 15, of the periodic table, and is an inter- or intra-molecular non-covalent interaction. In this featured review, we present several illustrative crystal structures deposited in the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD) and the Inorganic Crystal Structure Databases (ICSD) to demonstrate that imide nitrogen is not the only instance where nitrogen can act as an electrophilic agent. Analysis of a set of carefully chosen illustrative crystal systems shows that a covalently bound nitrogen atom in a variety of molecular entities features a σ-hole or even a π-hole, and these have the ability to sustain attractive engagements with negative sites to form inter- and/or intramolecular interactions that drive, or assist, the formation of a crystalline phase.

The Phosphorus Bond, or the Phosphorus-Centered Pnictogen Bond: The Covalently Bound Phosphorus Atom in Molecular Entities and Crystals as a Pnictogen Bond Donor.

The phosphorus bond in chemical systems, which is an inter- or intramolecular noncovalent interaction, occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between an electrophilic region associated with a covalently or coordinately bonded phosphorus atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophile in another, or the same, molecular entity. It is the second member of the family of pnictogen bonds, formed by the second member of the pnictogen family of the periodic table. In this overview, we provide the reader with a snapshot of the nature, and possible occurrences, of phosphorus-centered pnictogen bonding in illustrative chemical crystal systems drawn from the ICSD (Inorganic Crystal Structure Database) and CSD (Cambridge Structural Database) databases, some of which date back to the latter part of the last century. The illustrative systems discussed are expected to assist as a guide to researchers in rationalizing phosphorus-centered pnictogen bonding in the rational design of molecular complexes, crystals, and materials and their subsequent characterization.

Assembling Diverse Skyrmionic Phases in Fe3 GeTe2 Monolayers.

Skyrmionic magnetic states are promising in advanced spintronics. This topic is experiencing recent progress in 2D magnets, with, for example, a near 300 K Curie temperature observed in Fe3 GeTe2 . However, despite previous studies reporting skyrmions in Fe3 GeTe2 , such a system remains elusive, since it has been reported to host either Néel-type or Bloch-type textures, while a net Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) cannot occur in this compound for symmetry reasons. It is thus desirable to develop an accurate model to deeply understand Fe3 GeTe2 . Here, a newly developed method adopting spin invariants is applied to build a first-principle-based Hamiltonian, which predicts colorful topological defects assembled from the unit of Bloch lines, and reveals the critical role of specific forms of fourth-order interactions in Fe3 GeTe2 . Rather than the DMI, it is the multiple fourth-order interactions, with symmetry and spin-orbit couplings considered, that stabilize both Néel-type and Bloch-type skyrmions, as well as antiskyrmions, without any preference for clockwise versus counterclockwise spin rotation. This study also demonstrates that spin invariants can be used as a general approach to study complex magnetic interactions.

Robust Optimization of Micro-Grid of Natural Gas and Renewable Energies Considering Operational Performances and Flexibility

The micro-grid based on renewable and fossil energies relieves environmental pollution due to fuel pollutant emission and offsets renewable energies’ instabilities. A micro-grid integrated with wind, solar, and natural gas is proposed. Primary energy saving rate, annual total cost saving rate, and carbon dioxide emission reduction rate are employed to evaluate the energetic, economic, and environmental performances of micro-grid, and grid integration level and net interaction level between micro-grid and national grid are used to show its system operational flexibility. The multi-objective robust optimization model considering these indicators in non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II is constructed, in which the linear regression models fitted using points in the neighborhood of each candidate solution are used to present sensitivity analysis for the selection process of optimal solutions. The simulations in a case study demonstrate the validation of the proposed optimization model. The results show that the primary energy saving rate, annual total cost-saving rate, and CO2 reduction rate are decreased by 1.7, 19.8, and 1.2%, respectively, when integrating system flexibility into optimization objectives.

The Effect of Researcher Characteristics and Cooperation System Suitability on Relationship Quality and Success Possibility in Industry-Public Research Institutes Cooperation

Purpose This study aims to analyze the net effect and interaction effect of researcher characteristics, cooperation system suitability, and relationship quality on the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation in Industry-Public Research Institutes (I-PRIs) cooperation. Design/Methodology/Approach Based on the existing literature, we explored researcher characteristics that are expected to affect the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation. A relationship that affects the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation by combining researcher characteristics, cooperation system suitability, and relationship quality was established as a conceptual research model. To analyze this, we conducted a survey targeting researchers with experience in I-PRIs cooperation in Daedeok Innopolis. PLS and fsQCA were used for data analysis. Findings From the results of PLS analysis, we found that technology commercialization capability and relationship quality enhance the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation. In the fsQCA results, Solution 1 showed that the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation was high if high technology commercialization orientation, high innovation orientation, and high relationship quality exist. Solution 2 showed that the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation was high if high technology commercialization capability, high technology commercialization orientation, high cooperation system suitability, and high relationship quality exist. Research Implications This study contributed academically in that it revealed the relationship that influenced the success possibility of I-PRIs cooperation by combining researcher characteristics, cooperation system suitability, and relationship quality.

Tea extracts inhibit the attachment of streptococci to oral/dental substrata by reducing hydrogen bonding energies

Previous work in the authors’ lab demonstrated that tea extracts significantly suppressed streptococcal colonization of abiotic substrata by coating the bacterial cell surfaces with tea components. In this study, the physico-chemical mechanisms by which the tea coating inhibits cellular attachment are demonstrated. The changes in the cell surface physico-chemical properties of streptococci, induced by tea extracts, were measured. Using these results, surface interaction energies were calculated between streptococcal cells and hard surfaces (glass, stainless steel, hydroxyapatite and titanium) within the cellular attachment system exploiting the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory. The net energy outcomes were compared with experiment results of attachment assays to validate the predictability of the model. The results showed that the tea extracts inhibited the attachment of the bacteria by 11.1%–91.5%, and reduced the interaction energy by 15.4%–94.9%. It was also demonstrated that the abilities of the bacteria to attach to hard surfaces correlated well with their net interaction energies. The predominant interaction in the systems was found to be hydrogen bonding. In conclusion, tea extracts suppress streptococcal attachment to hard substrata by limiting the formation of hydrogen bonds.

Impact of functional groups on the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of aromatic carbonyls to alcohols

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of biomass-derived feedstocks has a critical dependence on the molecular structure of the organic and its adsorption on the electrode surface. In this study, we investigated the role of functional groups in the adsorption of the organic molecule on the charged Pd (111) surface and its subsequent effect on organic reduction in electrochemical hydrogenation of organic molecules. With three aromatic carbonyls of benzaldehyde (BZD), acetophenone (ACE), and vanillin (VAN), we rationalize molecular-scale adsorption and interfacial charge transfer processes by employing density-functional-theory based ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We observe that the functional group and electrode charge strongly affect the proximity of organic molecule to the Pd (111) surface, where distances of aromatic ring and carbonyl group of the organic on the electrode change distinctively with functional groups and charge state of electrode, which strongly impact reduction of organics on the surface. Calculations of differential electron density show the strongest reduction with benzaldehyde via interfacial electron transfer from the charged Pd surface. We also observe that the interaction between the functional groups and solvent (VAN > BZD > ACE) significantly influence the organic interaction with the charged electrode (BZD > VAN > ACE), resulting in the net interaction energy between the organic and the electrode in the order of BZD > ACE > VAN. Experimental measurement of ECH rate also show the same trend of the net interaction energy. These results demonstrate the significance of solvent effect on the reducibility of organic molecules on electrodes.

Quantitative electron-electron interaction using local field factors from quantum Monte Carlo calculations

The effective electron-electron interaction in electron gas depends on both the density and spin local field factors. Variational diagrammatic quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the spin local field factor are reported. These are used together with the charge local field factor from previous diffusion quantum Monte Carlo calculations to quantitatively present the full effective spin-dependent electron-electron interaction in three-dimensional electron gas. Very simple quadratic formulas are presented for the local field factors that quantitatively produce all of the response functions of the electron gas at metallic densities. Exchange and correlation become increasingly important at low densities. At the compressibility divergence at ${r}_{s}=5.25$, both the direct (screened Coulomb) term and the charge-dependent exchange term in the electron-electron interaction at $q=0$ are separately divergent. However, due to large cancellations, their difference is finite, well behaved, and much smaller than either term separately. As a result, the spin contribution to the electron-electron interaction becomes an important factor. The static electron-electron interaction is repulsive as a function of density but is less repulsive for electrons with parallel spins. The effect of allowing a deformable, rather than rigid, positive background is shown to be as quantitatively important as exchange and correlation. As a simple concrete example, the electron-electron interaction is calculated using the measured bulk modulus of the alkali metals with a linear phonon dispersion. The net electron-electron interaction in lithium is attractive for wave vectors $0\ensuremath{-}2{k}_{F}$, which suggests superconductivity, and is mostly repulsive for the other alkali metals.

A novel distributed energy system combining hybrid energy storage and a multi-objective optimization method for nearly zero-energy communities and buildings

A distributed energy system (DES), which combines hybrid energy storage into fully utilized renewable energies, is feasible in creating a nearly zero-energy community. Improving the design, optimization, and operation of DESs is conducive to improving system performance. Therefore, a novel DES is proposed to combine a new solar energy utilization technology and hybrid energy storage (i.e., heat storage, ice storage, and electricity storage). In addition, a new operational strategy is put forward. Subsequently, based on nearly zero-energy community and buildings, the DES configuration is optimized in relation to its environment, economy, and net interaction. Its performance and operating characteristics are compared and analysed. Then, a new indicator is proposed to evaluate the potential of the DES to achieve zero-energy. Finally, a sensitivity analysis on the carbon tax, electricity price, and equipment price is carried out. The results show that the annual carbon emissions and net interaction of the novel DES are reduced by 51.7%–73.2% and 33.5%–63.6%, respectively, compared to the reference system. Herein, the nearly zero-energy office buildings have a better zero-energy potential at 91.1%. The novel DES and corresponding multi-objective optimization method can reference a nearly zero-energy community energy supply design.

The mutualism-antagonism continuum in Neotropical palm-frugivore interactions: from interaction outcomes to ecosystem dynamics.

ABSTRACTFrugivory, that is feeding on fruits, pulp or seeds by animals, is usually considered a mutualism when interactions involve seed dispersal, and an antagonism when it results in the predation and destruction of seeds. Nevertheless, most frugivory interactions involve both benefits and disadvantages for plants, and the net interaction outcomes thus tend to vary along a continuum from mutualism to antagonism. Quantifying outcome variation is challenging and the ecological contribution of frugivorous animals to plant demography thus remains little explored. This is particularly true for interactions in which animals do not ingest entire fruits, that is in seed‐eating and pulp‐eating. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of Neotropical palm–frugivore interactions, with a focus on how frugivore consumption behaviour (i.e. digestive processing, fruit‐handling ability and caching behaviour) and feeding types (fruit‐eating, pulp‐eating and seed‐eating) influence interaction outcomes at different demographic stages of palms. We compiled a total of 1043 species‐level palm–frugivore interaction records that explicitly captured information on which parts of palm fruits are eaten by animals. These records showed consumption of fruits of 106 Neotropical palm species by 273 vertebrate species, especially birds (50%) and mammals (45%), but also fish (3%) and reptiles (2%). Fruit‐eating involved all four taxonomic vertebrate classes whereas seed‐eating and pulp‐eating were only recorded among birds and mammals. Most fruit‐eating interactions (77%) resulted in positive interaction outcomes for plants (e.g. gut‐passed seeds are viable or seeds are successfully dispersed), regardless of the digestive processing type of vertebrate consumers (seed defecation versus regurgitation). The majority of pulp‐eating interactions (91%) also resulted in positive interaction outcomes, for instance via pulp removal that promoted seed germination or via dispersal of intact palm seeds by external transport, especially if animals have a good fruit‐handling ability (e.g. primates, and some parrots). By contrast, seed‐eating interactions mostly resulted in dual outcomes (60%), where interactions had both negative effects on seed survival and positive outcomes through seed caching and external (non‐digestive) seed dispersal. A detailed synthesis of available field studies with qualitative and quantitative information provided evidence that 12 families and 27 species of mammals and birds are predominantly on the mutualistic side of the continuum whereas five mammalian families, six mammal and one reptile species are on the antagonistic side. The synthesis also revealed that most species can act as partial mutualists, even if they are typically considered antagonists. Our review demonstrates how different consumption behaviours and feeding types of vertebrate fruit consumers can influence seed dispersal and regeneration of palms, and thus ultimately affect the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems. Variation in feeding types of animal consumers will influence ecosystem dynamics via effects on plant population dynamics and differences in long‐distance seed dispersal, and may subsequently affect ecosystem functions such as carbon storage. The quantification of intra‐ and inter‐specific variation in outcomes of plant–frugivore interactions – and their positive and negative effects on the seed‐to‐seedling transition of animal‐dispersed plants – should be a key research focus to understand better the mutualism–antagonism continuum and its importance for ecosystem dynamics.

Effectively exerting the reinforcement of polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite hydrogel via poly(dopamine) functionalized graphene oxide

Nature-inspired coating with polydopamine (PDA) is a promising way to improve the performance of graphene oxide (GO) based nanocomposites due to its high ability to enhance interactions in matrix-disperse systems. Here, we examined the capability of two types of PDA to develop the reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/GO hydrogels. In the first mode, dopamine hydrochloride was polymerized as nanoparticles and then incorporated into PVA solution with GO nanoplatelets (P-NG hydrogel). In the second mode, polydopamine was polymerized in the presence of GO nanoparticles to obtain PDA surface-modified GO and then PVA nanocomposite hydrogel (P-CG sample). Rheological and tensile findings revealed that both types of PDA could act as a coupling agent and dramatically ameliorate viscoelastic and mechanical properties through establishment of hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions with the composite components. Also, PDA made the PVA-GO interfacial adhesion robust, leading to excellent self-healing properties. The outputs indicated that PDA in direct coated state could present better efficiency compared to the PDA nanoparticles. Moreover, porous network structure size in P-CG was smaller compared to that in P-NG, due to the increased crosslink density and higher net points interaction between the GO platelets and PVA chains, which leads to strong interfacial adhesion.

Linking net interaction effects with network topologies in food webs

AbstractAimThe difficulty in predicting responses to press perturbation is largely due to the tangled nature of indirect interactions in natural ecological networks. Although previous theories have paved the way for evaluating net interaction effects by incorporating direct and indirect effects related to press perturbation, there are still critical knowledge gaps regarding the relationships between net interaction effects and network topologies because of lack of comparable interaction strengths across ecosystems.LocationGlobal.Time period1984–2020.Major taxa studiedAquatic organisms.MethodsWe compiled a global dataset of food webs with a consistent modelling method to estimate direct interaction strength. We revealed the general patterns of net interaction effects and their associations with network topologies by applying matrix theory and network analysis.ResultsIn the examined food webs, the net (absolute) interaction strengths followed a right‐skewed pattern (many weak and few strong net strengths) and were significantly associated with various network‐ and species‐level topological structures. Indirect effects led to the emergence of net mutualism and competition effects rather than simply net predator–prey interaction effects, and might play an important role in changing signs from direct to net interaction effects in species‐rich and highly connected food webs and for species with a large number of interaction partners.Main conclusionsOur results highlight the ecological significance and necessity of linking net interaction effects with network topologies, which can help target ecosystems and species that are more vulnerable to sustained perturbation in the application of conservation and biodiversity management.

Structure and adhesion properties of waterborne poly(urethane urea)s containing small amounts of different graphene derivatives

Waterborne poly(urethane urea)s (PUDs) containing graphene derivatives with different morphologies and surface polarities were synthesized via in situ polymerization by using the acetone method. Small amounts (0.04–0.30 wt.%) of graphene oxide (GO), graphite nanoplatelets (GP) or milled graphite (MG) were mixed with polyadipate of 1,4-butanediol polyol and added during synthesis of the PUDs. The addition of graphene derivatives changed differently the degree of micro-phase separation of the poly(urethane urea)s (PUs) depending on the balance between the extent of covalent interactions between the surface functional groups on the graphene sheets and the isocyanate groups, and the number of stacked graphene sheets. Whereas MG mainly intercalated between the soft segments showing a typical behavior of nanofiller, GP and, particularly, GO showed different degrees of micro-phase separation due to more net covalent interactions with the poly(urethane urea) chains which caused higher crystallinity. The addition of graphene derivative decreased the glass transition temperature of the hard segments and increased the percentages of associated by hydrogen bond urethane and urea groups, more noticeably by adding GP and MG. Lower temperatures of decomposition and higher amounts of urethane and urea hard domains, and soft domains were found in PU + GO and PU + MG, and they showed an additional structural relaxation at 11–16 °C. PU and PU + GP had higher thermal stabilities than PU + GO and PU + MG and the addition of GP and, more markedly, GO imparted toughening to the poly(urethane urea). The T-peel strength values were higher in the joints made with PUD + GO due to the more net covalent interactions between the surface functional groups on the GO sheets and the poly(urethane urea) chains. On the other hand, the lap-shear strength of the joints made with PUD + MG and, in less extent, with PUD + GP noticeably increased.

Interatomic Repulsion and the Pauli Principle

Atoms may repel or attract each other, but bound systems get virtually all of the attention in the classroom. To address the imbalance, instructors can explore the basis of repulsion in a few simple systems and highlight the important role played by the Pauli principle. A good example is the first triplet excited state of H2 wherein both electrons have the same spin. In light of the Hellmann–Feynman theorem, the net interaction is repulsive due to the low electron density that results in the region between the two nuclei. Analogous destabilization occurs in σ-bonding systems involving 3 electrons because two-thirds of the electrons have the same spin. Symmetrical systems like He2+ are exceptions and actually do form bonds because the minority spin is able to delocalize over both centers. In contrast, the ground state of the neutral He2 system entails 2 α and 2 β electrons and is strictly repulsive. Finally, the lowest energy triplet state of ethylene twists toward a D2d structure to avoid a destabilizing interaction akin to that identified in the triplet state of H2.

Positive intercropping effects on biomass production are species-specific and involve rhizosphere enzyme activities: Evidence from a field study

Less attention has been given to soil enzymes that contribute to beneficial rhizosphere interactions in intercropping systems. Therefore, we performed a field experiment by growing faba bean, lupine, and maize in mono and mixed cultures in a moderately fertile soil. We measured shoot biomass and the kinetic parameters (maximal velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis-constant (Km)) of three key enzymes in the rhizosphere: Leucine-aminopeptidase (LAP), β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), and phosphomonoesterase (PHO). Faba bean benefitted in mixed cultures by greater shoot biomass production with both maize and lupine compared to its expected biomass in monoculture. Next, LAP and NAG kinetic parameters were less responsive to mono and mixed cultures across the crop species. In contrast, both the Vmax and Km values of PHO increased in the faba bean rhizosphere when grown in mixed cultures with maize and lupine. A positive relative interaction index for shoot P and N uptake for faba bean showed its net facilitative interactions in the mixed cultures. Overall, these results suggest that over-productivity in intercropping is crop-specific and the positive intercropping effects could be modulated by P availability. We argue that the enzyme activities involved in nutrient cycling should be incorporated in further research.

Second Virial Coefficient of Low-density Lithium-7 (7Li) Gas in the Temperature Range 1 K40000 K and Beyond

Abstract: The second virial coefficient B for low-dense 7Lithium (7Li) gas is calculated over a wide temperature range 1 K40000 K. In the ‘high’-T limit (600 K45000 K), the classical coefficient, Bcl, and the contribution of the first quantum-mechanical correction, Bqc, are computed from standard expressions, using a suitable binary potential. The classical coefficient, Bcl, together with the Boyle temperature, TB, are determined and their values are in good agreement with previous results. In addition, the interface between the classical and quantum regimes is systematically investigated. Furthermore, the calculation of the quantum-mechanical second virial coefficient, Bq, is evaluated using the Beth-Uhlenbeck formula in the temperature range 1 K500 K. A positive value of Bq indicates that the net interaction energy is repulsive, implying that the short-range repulsive forces dominate the long-range attractive forces. However, quite the opposite occurs for negative values of Bq, which are indicative of net attractive interaction. The general behavior of Bq is similar to the potential energy itself, such that the long-range attractive and the short-range repulsive potentials can be deduced from the measurements of Bq. Keywords: Second virial coefficient, Low-density Lithium-7 Gas, Short-range repulsive forces, Long-range attractive forces. PACS: 51.30.+i.