Heterometallic lanthanide-centred [NiII6LnIII] rings

A [NiII6DyIII] heptanuclear complex featuring a rare six-membered {NiII6} metal ring surrounding the central Dy(III) ion is reported. Magnetic studies reveal single-molecule magnet behaviour for the complex under zero external dc field, while replacing the DyIII ion with ΥIII or GdIII ions allows for a comprehensive understanding of the magnetic behaviour

Argonne National Laboratory Reports

Report of the Argonne National Laboratory Chemical Engineering Division on fuel-cycle studies including pyro-chemical separation of plutonium and americium oxides from contaminated materials of construction such as steel, advanced solvent extraction techniques in the development of centrifugal contactors for use in Purex processes, and a review and evaluation of the encapsulation of high-level waste in a metal matrix

Soil microbial activity as influenced by compaction and straw mulching

Field study was performed on Haplic Luvisol soil to determine the effects of soil compaction and straw mulching on microbial parameters of soil under soybean. Treatments with different compaction were established on unmulched and mulched with straw soil. The effect of soil compaction and straw mulching on the total bacteria number and activities of dehydrogenases, protease, alkaline and acid phosphatases was studied. The results of study indicated the decrease of enzymes activities in strongly compacted soil and their increase in medium compacted soil as compared to no-compacted treatment. Mulch application caused stimulation of the bacteria total number and enzymatic activity in the soil under all compaction levels. Compaction and mulch effects were significant for all analyzed microbial parameters (P<0.001)

Effectiveness of the use of urease inhibitors in agriculture: a review

Urea is one of the most popular fertilizers in the world. In 2018, the global production capacity of urea reached the level of 210 million metric tonnes. Due to the fact that the world population is growing steadily, the demand for food is increasing, and thus also the consumption of urea. The use of urea-based fertilizers has negative consequences in the form of ammonia volatilization. The solution to this problem may be the use of urease inhibitors. Currently, inhibitors of synthetic origin are available on the market, while the use of inhibitors of natural origin is still being under trial. The use of the most commonly used urease inhibitor – NBPT together with urea causes a reduction in ammonia emissions and has a beneficial effect on crop productivity. At the same time, the search for inhibitors of natural origin is underway, which, apart from reducing ammonia volatilization into the atmosphere, could have a positive effect on crop yields. In this paper, recent advances in this field are reviewed