Salts Of Phosphoric Acid Research Articles

Phosphoric acid salts of amino acids as a source of oligopeptides on the early Earth

Because of their unique proton-conductivity, chains of phosphoric acid molecules are excellent proton-transfer catalysts. Here we demonstrate that this property could have been exploited for the prebiotic synthesis of the first oligopeptide sequences on our planet. Our results suggest that drying highly diluted solutions containing amino acids (like glycine, histidine and arginine) and phosphates in comparable concentrations at elevated temperatures (ca. 80 °C) in an acidic environment could lead to the accumulation of amino acid:phosphoric acid crystalline salts. Subsequent heating of these materials at 100 °C for 1–3 days results in the formation of oligoglycines consisting of up to 24 monomeric units, while arginine and histidine form shorter oligomers (up to trimers) only. Overall, our results suggest that combining the catalytic effect of phosphate chains with the crystalline order present in amino acid:phosphoric acid salts represents a viable solution that could be utilized to generate the first oligopeptide sequences in a mild acidic hydrothermal field scenario. Further, we propose that crystallization could help overcoming cyclic oligomer formation that is a generally known bottleneck of prebiotic polymerization processes preventing further chain growth.

Liquid-phase microextraction approach using supramolecular solvent formed in aqueous systems based on di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid salt: Spectrophotometric determination of antipyrine in saliva

In this study, di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid salt was investigated as a double-chain anionic surfactant for supramolecular solvent formation in a liquid-phase microextraction procedure for the first time. Inorganic electrolytes (sodium salts) were shown to be coacervation agents, due to their salting-out property in solution of sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate, obtained by deprotonation of the acid. The physico-chemical properties of the newly synthesised solvents were studied. Sodium carbonate and sodium phosphate were found to be the most suitable coacervation agents, due to their alkaline nature and low viscosity of the supramolecular solvent phases they produce. The extraction ability of the novel solvent was demonstrated in liquid-phase microextraction of a colored derivative of antipyrine from saliva for further spectrophotometric determination. The extraction recovery was found to be 70 %. The proposed green sample preparation technique enabled the exclusion of traditional toxic solvents and reduction of reagent consumption. The satisfactory analytical performance of the procedure was validated with real sample analysis. The calibration graph was linear over the concentration range of 0.03 to 0.5 mmol/L. The limit of detection (3σ) and limit of quantification (10σ), calculated from blank tests, were 0.01 and 0.03 mmol/L, respectively.

Comparative Performance of Fungicides, Biofungicides, Host-plant Defense Inducers, and Fertilizer in Management of Phytophthora Root Rot on Boxwood

Phytophthora root rot, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae Breda de Haan, is one of the destructive diseases of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.) and can affect all growth stages of field- and container-grown boxwood plants. Management is a problem and is only possible through an integrated approach. In this study, the efficacy of fungicides, biofungicides, host-plant defense inducers, and fertilizer were evaluated to manage Phytophthora root rot of boxwood. The objective of this experiment was to develop fungicide and biofungicide recommendations for Phytophthora root rot management in boxwood production. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2019 (Trial 1) and 2020 (Trial 2). The field experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four plots per treatment with five single ‘Green Velvet’ boxwood plants per plot. The greenhouse experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five single ‘Green Velvet’ container-grown boxwood plants per treatment. Plots/containers were inoculated with P. nicotianae grown on rice grains. Plant growth data such as height and average width were recorded at the beginning and end of the experiments. Total plant fresh weight and root fresh weight were recorded at the end of the experiments. Roots were assessed for root rot disease severity using a scale of 0% to 100% roots affected. Treatments used in both experiments were fungicides—ametoctradin + dimethomorph, fluzapyroxad, mefenoxam, oxathiapiprolin, pyraclostrobin, pyraclostrobin + boscalid; host-plant defense inducers—aluminum tris-drench, aluminum tris-foliar, potassium salts of phosphoric acid; biofungicides—Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain T-22 + Trichoderma virens strain G-41, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Priest; fertilizer—water-soluble nitrogen (nitrogen 5%) and soluble potash; and combination of water-soluble nitrogen, soluble potash, and T. harzianum Rifai strain T-22 + T. virens strain G-41. All treatments were drench applied except one of the aluminum tris, which was applied as foliar. The controls were nontreated, inoculated and nontreated, and noninoculated boxwood plants. In the greenhouse experiments, treatments that effectively reduced disease severity were pyraclostrobin, ametoctradin + dimethomorph, and oxathiapiprolin. In the field experiments, treatments such as pyraclostrobin, oxathiapiprolin, mefenoxam, fluzapyroxad, and combination of water-soluble nitrogen (nitrogen 5%), soluble potash, and T. harzianum Rifai strain T-22 + T. virens strain G-41 effectively reduced Phytophthora root rot severity. Oxathiapiprolin and pyraclostrobin are the chemical fungicides that were effective in both field and greenhouse experiments.

О требованиях к проведению огнезащиты текстильных материалов

Currently, there is no normative support and regulation of the use of fire protection for textiles at the facilities. In the regulatory documents, including in EAEU TR 043/2017 «On the requirements for fire safety and fire extinguishing means», there is no regulation for the development of technical documentation for them, and the procedure for confirming the conformity of flame-retardants for textile materials as means of ensuring their fire safety. Comparative studies of the flammability of curtain, upholstery furniture fabrics, protective work clothes, canopies and tents treated with various flame-retardants that do not reduce operational properties were carried out using standard evaluation methods. It is shown that the achievement of the effect of fire protection of fabrics with the same impregnation technology occurs at different concentrations of agents depending on the composition of chemical fibers and test methods. When using an efficient fire- retardant to obtain a flame-retardant fabric containing 100 % polyester, it was not possible to achieve a positive result of fire protection. Efficient surface fire protection of the mixed fabrics with a polyester fiber content of 60 % or more using compositions based on the inorganic salts of phosphoric acid without losing their decorative appearance is not possible, moreover, these compositions do not ensure resistance to washing. It is concluded that for conducting fire protection of textile materials, it is required to develop technical requirements for fire protection means, which should consider their efficiency of action, method of application and consumption, fabric characteristics, their functional purpose and field of application, as well as regulate methods for assessing flammability, procedures for confirming compliance with fire-safe use.

Influence of different fertilization and chemical recruitment systems on the phosphorus regime of gray forest soil

Phosphorus is extremely important in agriculture. This is due to the fact that without its participation in the plant body does not undergo any biochemical reaction, because it is part of the ATP molecule, which provides energy. It is an essential element of nucleic acids, phospholipids and the others is actively involved in the regulation of enzymatic reactions. It is part of human, animal, plant and bacterial cells. The research was conducted on the basis of a stationary experiment conducted in 1992 on gray forest coarsegrained light loam soil, studied the effect of long-term chemical reclamation and various fertilization systems (mineral, organic, organic-mineral) on the transformation of Optimal phosphorus nutrition promotes the development of the root system, which improves the supply of plants with moisture and nutrients, increases the share of marketable products in the organic crop, increases the starch content in potatoes, sugar in roots, vegetables and fruits, oilseeds, oilseeds the output of a long fiber, its strength increases. That is why the management of phosphorus nutrition of plants is one of the key issues. Changes in various forms of phosphorus (gross, mobile, water-soluble) under the influence of the above factors are analyzed. For a more objective assessment of these factors on the phosphate regime of the soil on the variant results of the analysis were compared not only with absolute control, but also tied to baseline (age of fallow 28 years), located next to the experimental field. It was found that the content of gross phosphorus, which characterizes the genetic characteristics of the soil, depends almost entirely on the total humus reserves and clearly repeats the parameters of the profile accumulation of carbon, taking into account the depth and thickness of humus horizons. The particle size distribution is of great importance in the processes of gross phosphorus accumulation, as defects are quite easily adsorbed on the surface of soil structures. Evaluation of the results of the analysis shows a large gap in the gross forms of phosphorus and low concentration of its mobile forms, the content of which is 4.7% of the total. According to our data, water-soluble salts of phosphoric acid in gray forest soil are generally found in very small quantities (0.62 mg / kg in the horizon NOT with a gradual decline down the profile), which often becomes a limiting factor in phosphorus nutrition of crops. Lime, by reducing the activity of one and a half oxides, weakens the adsorption bonds of phosphorus and increases the relative amounts of calcium phosphates. The application of mineral fertilizers replenished the pool of gross phosphorus (by 0.08% of the control dock), but mobile forms of phosphorus (according to Kirsanov) increased by only 23 mg/kg, which was second only to liming. In general, the effect of liming significantly increases the use of soil phosphates and fertilizers.

Разработка продуцента рекомбинантного химозина марала на основе дрожжей Kluyveromyces lactis

Abstract-A pSVB-Cer plasmid vector has been developed that allows integrating an expression cassette containing the maral prochymosin gene into the genome of the commercial strain GG799 of the Kluyveromyces lactis yeast. Controlled expression of the maral prochymosin gene in the recombinant producer was achieved using a hybrid auto-inducible P350 promoter, which is activated in the absence of glucose in the culture medium. This promoter included a 3ʹ-fragment of the core sequence of the promoter of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP1) and a 5ʹ-fragment of the regulatory sequence of the promoter of isocitrate lyase (ICL1). As a selective marker, the gene of acetamidase (amdS) controlled by the promoter of the gene of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1) was introduced into the pSVB-Cer vector. Producer clones, which ensure the accumulation of recombinant maral prochymosin in the culture medium, were obtained. The influence of the initial glucose concentration, temperature, cultivation duration, as well as amounts of phosphoric acid salts and B group vitamins on the level of the target pro-enzyme accumulation in the culture fluid was established. The maximum yield of recombinant maral chymosin with an activity of 152 U/ ml was obtained by cultivating the producer strain for 114 hours at 22 oC in a medium containing 3% glucose, 0.75 g/l potassium hydrophosphate and 4.5 mg/l calcium pantothenate. Key words: recombinant maral chymosin, milk-clotting activity, producer, hybrid auto-inducible promoter, Kluyveromyces lactis The work was performed within the framework of the state task of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (topic number FZMW-2020-0002, "Development of Recombinant Enzyme Producers for Cheese Making") and by financial support of Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the government of NSO according to the research project №19-44-543018

Chronopotentiometric study of the transport of phosphoric acid anions through an anion-exchange membrane under different pH values

Phosphate is the main cause of eutrophication in many water bodies. Its presence in waters is associated to the fact that is not completely removed in conventional wastewater treatment plants. On the other side, phosphate rocks are a non-renewable resource and considered as a critical raw material. A membrane separation process, able to recover phosphate from wastewater, is a promising process to avoid pollution and to reuse phosphate. This paper investigates the transport of salts of phosphoric acid through an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) by means of chronopotentiograms and polarization curves (CVCs).The presence of multiple transition times in the chronopotentiograms and the corresponding limiting current densities in the CVCs indicate a change in the species being transported in the membrane/diffusion boundary layer system, due to the hydrolysis reactions that take place when the concentration polarization is reached. Under the experimental conditions tested, coupled convection (gravitational and elctroconvection) occurs when a certain threshold in the membrane voltage drop is surpassed independently of the electrolyte concentration. However, at high pH values, only one transition time in the chronopotentiograms, due to the transfer of OH– ions with greater concentration and mobility. This fact is reflected in the CVCs by the large plateaus obtained, which hinders the occurrence of coupled convection phenomena, and consequently, water splitting can be considered as the main mechanism responsible for the overlimiting regime.

Identification of potassium phosphite responsive miRNAs and their targets in potato.

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small single strand non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, either by translational inhibition or mRNA degradation based on the extent of complementarity between the miRNA and its target mRNAs. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important horticultural crop in Argentina. Achieving an integrated control of diseases is crucial for this crop, where frequent agrochemical applications, particularly fungicides, are carried out. A promising strategy is based on promoting induced resistance through the application of environmentally friendly compounds such as phosphites, inorganic salts of phosphorous acid. The use of phosphites in disease control management has proven to be effective. Although the mechanisms underlying their effect remain unclear, we postulated that miRNAs could be involved. Therefore we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) in potato leaves treated and non treated with potassium phosphite (KPhi). We identified 25 miRNAs that were expressed differentially, 14 already annotated in miRBase and 11 mapped to the potato genome as potential new miRNAs. A prediction of miRNA targets showed genes related to pathogen resistance, transcription factors, and oxidative stress. We also analyzed in silico stress and phytohormone responsive cis-acting elements on differentially expressed pre miRNAs. Despite the fact that some of the differentially expressed miRNAs have been already identified, this is to our knowledge the first report identifying miRNAs responsive to a biocompatible stress resistance inducer such as potassium phosphite, in plants. Further characterization of these miRNAs and their target genes might help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying KPhi-induced resistance.

Asymmetric construction of atropisomeric biaryls via a redox neutral cross-coupling strategy

Atropisomerically enriched biaryl frameworks are ubiquitous in many fields of chemistry. Enantioselective aryl–aryl cross-coupling provides the most straightforward entry to atropisomeric biaryls, with remarkable application potential in the field of chemical science. However, their development is hindered due to the lack of convenient and pragmatic protocols. Here, we report a method for the asymmetric synthesis of a myriad of 2-amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (NOBIN) and 1,1’-binaphthyl-2,2’-diamine (BINAM) derivatives in excellent yields and enantioselectivities via a redox-neutral cross-coupling protocol. Two complementary systems were devised employing a chiral phosphoric acid–salt complex or Ni(OTf)2/chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand catalytic system for accessing atropisomeric NOBIN and BINAM derivatives, respectively. This work provides an alternative avenue to enantioenriched biaryls, and provides the capability to explore the synthetic and catalytic potentials of NOBIN- and BINAM-based frameworks. Axially chiral biaryls have proven to have a wide variety of uses—perhaps most importantly as ligands in asymmetric catalysis—but their synthesis remains challenging. Here, Bin Tan and colleagues report a redox-neutral aryl–aryl coupling, providing a direct route to N,N and N,O axially chiral biaryls in high yields and enantioselectivities.

The reinforcement of potato cell wall as part of the phosphite-induced tolerance to UV-B radiation

Phosphites (Phis), inorganic salts of phosphorous acid, have shown to be effective in protection of plants against biotic stress. Recently, we have described that potassium phosphite (KPhi) induces tolerance to UV-B radiation in potato. To counteract the harmful effect of UV radiation, plants accumulate UV-screening compounds, such as flavonoids, sinapate ester, and lignin. In previous work, we have shown an increase in guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activity in plants pretreated with KPhi and further exposed to UV-B radiation. In order to continue with this study, the expression of different enzymes and components involved in cell wall reinforcement were analyzed. An isoform of POD induced by KPhi was analyzed by isoelectric focusing and further identified as suberization-associated anionic peroxidase (POPA) by mass spectrometry. In addition, other enzymes participating in lignin biosynthesis, like caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), determined by accumulation of transcripts, and laccase activity, visualized in zymogrames, were increased by KPhi treatment previous to UV-B exposure. Further, the accumulations of extensin (EXT) transcripts and of conjugated polyamines (PAs) were increased by KPhi treatment previous to UV-B exposure. All these results suggest cell wall reinforcement in leaves due to KPhi pretreatment followed by UV-B exposure.

Boron-nitrogen-phosphorous doped graphene nanoplatelets for enhanced electrocatalytic activity

Doping with foreign atoms is a powerful technique for modifying the inherent properties of a host materials. In this work, we report a strategy for preparing multiple heteroatom-doped graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs). Poly(anilineboronic acid, PABA), which is one of the conducting polymers, was in-situ grafted to edge-amine functionalized GnPs (A-GnPs) in phosphoric acid. The isolated PABA grafted A-GnPs phosphoric acid salts (PA-GnP salts) were heat-treated at 900 °C under argon atmosphere to yield boron (B)-nitrogen (N)-phosphorus (P) doped GnPs (BNP-GnPs). The structure of the BNP-GnPs was confirmed by various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The BNP-GnPs demonstrated significantly improved electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction, suggesting that BNP-GnPs can be one of the best alternatives to precious Pt-based electrocatalysts.

Cobalt−Iron Pyrophosphate Porous Nanosheets as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

AbstractOne of the challenges to realize large‐scale water splitting is the sluggish kinetics of the anode reaction. Nowadays, metal phosphates are widely used as high‐efficiency catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, we studied common phosphoric acid salts including orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and tripolyphosphate in a bimetallic catalyst to explore the effect of the anion in phosphate‐based OER electrocatalysts. Co−Fe‐Pi, Co−Fe‐Pyro, and Co−Fe‐Pyro were successfully synthesized through a simple and convenient co‐precipitation method. Among them, Co−Fe‐Pyro exhibits the best electrocatalytic activity, with a low overpotential of 276 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 32 mV dec−1, and a durable stability of about 90 % after 30000 s at 1.62 V vs. RHE in 1 M KOH. XRD reveals the amorphous structure of the materials and XPS confirms the formation of Co−Fe‐Pyro. SEM and TEM present the nanosheets with a porous structure on the surface of Co−Fe‐Pyro. The distribution and ratio of the elements in Co−Fe‐Pyro are confirmed by using EDS and ICP‐AES. Therefore, this work promotes a new thought regarding the anion structure in the phosphate‐based electrocatalysts.

International water and steam quality standards for thermal power station drum-type and waste heat recovery boilers with the treatment of boiler water with phosphates and NaOH

One of the ways for improving the operational reliability and economy of thermal power station equipment, including combined-cycle equipment, is to decrease the rates of the corrosion of constructional materials and the formation of scales in the water-steam circuit. These processes can be reduced to a minimum via the use of water with a minimum content of admixtures and the correction treatment of a heat-transfer fluid. The International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS), which unites specialists from every country of the world, has developed water and steam quality standards for power station equipment of different types on the basis of theoretical studies and long-term experience in the operation of power plants in 21 countries. Different water chemistry regimes are currently used at conventional and combined-cycle thermal power stations. This paper describes the conditions for the implementation of water chemistry regimes with the use of sodium salts of phosphoric acid and NaOH for the quality correction of boiler water. Water and steam quality standards and some recommendations for their maintenance under different operational conditions are given for each of the considered water chemistry regimes. The standards are designed for the water-steam circuit of conventional and combined-cycle thermal power stations. It is pointed out that the quality control of a heat-transfer fluid must be especially careful at combined-cycle thermal power stations with frequent startups and shutdowns.

Manganese Phosphite in Coffee Defence against Hemileia vastatrix, the Coffee Rust Fungus: Biochemical and Molecular Analyses

AbstractPhosphites (Phi) are inorganic salts of phosphorous acid that have been used as resistance elicitors to activate mechanisms underlying plant defence. This study assessed the effectiveness of manganese phosphite (MnPhi) for the management of rust (Hemileia vastatrix) on coffee seedlings. The effect of this compound on the induction of resistance was also measured by the expression of defence‐related genes such as POX (peroxidase), CAT (catalase), GLU (β‐1.3‐glucanase) and PAL (phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase) and by the activity of defence enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Foliar sprayings of MnPhi on coffee seedlings provided 63% control of rust severity. This compound induced defence responses in seedlings with increased transcription of genes POX, CAT, GLU and PAL in non‐inoculated plants and increased activity of APX, SOD and PPO enzymes in plants inoculated with H. vastatrix and in non‐inoculated plants. It is suggested that MnPhi can induce resistance in coffee seedlings.

The Electrochemical Sugar Recognition Using a β-Cyclodextrin Assembled on the Gold Electrode

Introduction Cyclodextrin has a hydrophobic field inside of its structure and includes various molecules to form complexes. The inclusion occurs when the size of the cyclodextrin cavity matches that of the guest molecules. Therefore, a molecule recognition probe which is not soluble to water can be dissolved in an aqueous solution by the inclusion of cyclodextrin. This type of sensing using a cyclodextrin complex is widely researched. Hayashita’s group conduct alkali metal ion recognition using crown ether type azo probe and sugar recognition using boronic acid type azo probe. Both of them utilize the cyclodextrin inclusion ability. Moreover, electrochemical molecule recognition, which involves fixing cyclodextrin on electrodes and utilizing the inclusion ability, is also widely researched. purpose In our laboratory we have various probes that utilize cyclodextrin and in our experiments we conduct an electrochemical molecular recognition by impedance measurements in aqueous solutions. We composed β-CyD whose alkyl chains were stretched (β-CyD-R10SH) and we also modified the gold electrode with it. This improved the coverage and stabilization of the modification to CyD gold electrode by van der Waals forces of each other alkyl chain. We successfully improved sensitivity of the carbohydrate recognition. In addition, we succeeded in recognition of phosphoric acid salts such as ATP by having the dipicolylamino group included. In this study, my purpose was to find an electrochemical molecular recognition by impedance measurements of monosaccharide such as D-fructose, D-glucose and D-galactose, disaccharide, trisaccharides, tetrasaccharide, polysaccharides and the rare sugar based on the impedance measurements. Materials and Method Synthesis of β -CyD-(CH2)10S(CH2)11CH3 ( β -CyD-R10SH ): Primary amino was introduced at the 6th carbon of cyclodextrin by the Appel reaction, nucleophilic substitution reaction and the Staudinger reaction. A solution of the Synthesized heptakis(6-deoxy-6-amino)-b-cyclodextrin and 11-(thiododecyl)undecanoic acid were stirred for 18 hours with DCC, in order to create a white powder (β-CyD-R10SH). Modification: modification was conducted in 3 steps. First, β-CyD-R10SH was attached onto the gold electrode by the SAM method. Second, the octadecanthiol was attached onto the gold electrode to fill gaps among β-CyD-R10SH. Third, 1-pyreneboronic acid was included by β-CyD-R10SH. Measurement: EIS were measured while adding sugar solution using the modified electrode prepared above. Through the results of measurements, the relationship between concentration and charge transfer resistance was investigated by making a Nyquist plot. Results and Discussion Modification of β-CyD-R10SH and 1-octadecanethiol to the gold disk electrode was identified by a decrease of the current response of CV. The Nyquist plots at that point with the inclusion of 1-pyreneboronic acid were shown in Fig. 2 when sugar was added to the solution. With the addition of D-fructose and D-psicose, the increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) was observed. This confirmed the inclusion of 1-pyreneboronic acid / Bp-amido-adamantane and monosaccharide / rare sugar recognition. However, with the addition of D-psicose when 1-pyreneboronic acid was used as a probe, the increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) was not observed. It showed that using an appropriate probe for each molecule was necessary. Conclusion We conduct an electrochemical molecular recognition using modified cyclodextrin on gold electrode by impedance measurements. The results mentioned above indicate that the method is applicable to recognition of various molecules by changing probes and show high sensitivity. Figure 1

Preparation and quality control of 32P-labeled albumin particles for internal radiotherapy

The paper deals with the preparation and quality control of 32P-labeled albumin particles used in therapy of inoperable solid tumors with remarkable vascularization. A process was developed for preparing 32P-labeled albumin particles by combining biocompatible human serum albumin and [32P]phosphoric acid salt. Factors affecting the process were investigated, and labeling conditions were optimized. The size distribution, shape, and radiochemical stability of particles were determined. The biodistribution of the particles was examined after intravenous injection in Wistar rats. The in vivo stability and distribution of the radioactive particles in mice were studied with different administration methods. Optical microscopic examinations revealed that the particles had a narrow size distribution (20–50 μm) after sterilization and dispersion in a mixture of normal saline and human serum albumin or in Tween 80 solution. The particles prepared had high radiochemical stability and 99% purity. Experiments on the distribution in animals showed that high radioactivity was accumulated in the lungs as a vascular tumor model.

Catalytic Actions of Sodium Salts in Direct Esterification of 3,3′4,4′-Benzophenone Tetracarboxylic Acid with Cellulose

Aromatic polycarboxylic acids can directly react with cellulose to form ester cross-linking structures and provide wrinkle resistance functions to cotton fabrics, different from aliphatic polycarboxylic acids, which will form anhydrides as intermediates. Sodium hypophosphite is a catalyst proven effective in the reactions of both acids. In order to find alternative catalysts, the mechanism of the direct esterification and the role of the catalyst in the reaction were investigated in this study. Several sodium salts of phosphorous acid and dichloroacetic acid with varied pKa values were employed in the treatment of cotton fabric with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid (BPTCA). The results confirmed that the overall reaction follows the Fischer esterification mechanism, an acid catalyzed reaction. The acid anions also play an important role in the reaction. Results of wrinkle recovery angles, FTIR band ratios of ester bonds, and thermogravimetric analyses of the treated fabrics consistently support...

Potassium phosphite increases tolerance to UV-B in potato

The use of biocompatible chemical compounds that enhance plant disease resistance through Induced Resistance (IR) is an innovative strategy to improve the yield and quality of crops. Phosphites (Phi), inorganic salts of phosphorous acid, are environment friendly, and have been described to induce disease control. Phi, similar to other plant inductors, are thought to be effective against different types of biotic and abiotic stress, and it is assumed that the underlying signaling pathways probably overlap and interact. The signaling pathways triggered by UV-B radiation, for instance, are known to crosstalk with other signaling routes that respond that biotic stress. In the present work, the effect of potassium phosphite (KPhi) pre-treatment on UV-B stress tolerance was evaluated in potato leaves. Plants were treated with KPhi and, after 3 days, exposed to 2 h/day of UV-B (1.5 Watt m−2) for 0, 3 and 6 days. KPhi pre-treatment had a beneficial effect on two photosynthetic parameters, specifically chlorophyll content and expression of the psbA gene. Oxidative stress caused by UV-B was also prevented by KPhi. A decrease in the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in leaves and an increase in guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also observed. In addition, the expression levels of a gene involved in flavonoid synthesis increased in UV-B-stressed plants only when pre-treated with KPhi. Finally, accumulation of glucanases and chitinases was induced by UV-B stress and markedly potentiated by KPhi pre-treatment. Altogether, this is the first report that shows a contribution of KPhi in UV-B stress tolerance in potato plants.

Evaluation of Fungicides for the Control of Peronospora belbahrii on Sweet Basil in New Jersey.

Basil downy mildew (BDM), caused by the fungus-like oomycete pathogen Peronospora belbahrii, has become a destructive disease of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Without proper management, BDM can cause complete crop loss. Currently, there are no commercially available sweet basil cultivars with genetic resistance to BDM. Because BDM is a relatively new disease of basil in the United States, there are few currently registered conventional or organic fungicides labeled for its control. Fungicide efficacy trials were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton, NJ. During both years, seven biological fungicide treatments were field evaluated, including hydrogen dioxide; extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis; Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808; a mixture of rosemary oil, clove oil, and thyme oil; mono- and dipotassium salts of phosphorous acid; sesame oil; copper hydroxide; and a combination of sesame oil + cupric hydroxide. Six conventional fungicides evaluated included mandipropamid, fluopicolide, propamocarb hydrochloride, cyazofamid, azoxystrobin, and fenamidone. In both years, mono- and dipotassium salts of phosphorous acid provided the best control. Moderate disease suppression was provided by mandipropamid, cyazofamid, and fluopicolide compared with the control in 2010 and mandipropamid, cyazofamid, and copper hydroxide compared with the control in 2011.

Application Retarders to Solve the Problem of Lift Joints

Lift joints can cause problems related to insufficient adhesion of new concrete to old. In this paper, show the possibility to avoid the formation of the lift joints with long breaks of concreting by lifts by delaying the initial setting of cement in concrete. Three types of cement retarders was tested: based on salts of phosphoric acid, based on the calcium gluconate and based on the modified technical lignosulfonates. Research has shown that can be avoided the lift joints in case the concreting breaks up to a 1 day in by using retarding layer between the old and the new concrete.