Preliminary discussion on the ignition mechanism of exploding foil initiators igniting boron potassium nitrate

Exploding foil initiator(EFI)is a kind of advanced device for initiating explosives,but its function is unstable when it comes to directly igniting pyrotechnics.To solve the problem,this research aims to reveal the ignition mechanism of EFIs directly igniting pyrotechnics.An oscilloscope,a photon Doppler velocimetry,and a plasma spectrum measurement system were employed to obtain information of electric characteristics,impact pressure,and plasma temperature.The results of the electric characteristics and the impact pressure were inconsistent with ignition results.The only thing that the ignition success tests had in common was that their plasma all had a relatively long period of high-temperature duration(HTD).It eventually concludes that the ignition mechanism in this research is the microconvection heat transfer rather than the shock initiation,which differs from that of exploding foil initiators detonating explosives.Furthermore,the methods for evaluating the ignition success of semiconductor bridge initiators are not entirely applicable to the tests mentioned in this paper.The HTD is the critical parameter for judging the ignition success,and it is influenced by two factors:the late time discharge and the energy of the electric explosion.The longer time of the late time discharge and the more energy of the electric explosion,the easier it is to expand the HTD,which improves the probability of the ignition success.

Synthesis of nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on exfoliated graphite for removal of nitrate

Nano ZVI particles supported on micro-scale exfoliated graphite were prepared by using KBH4 as reducing agent in the H2O/ethanol system. The supported ZVI materials generally have higher activity and greater flexibility for environmental remediation applications. The exfoliated graphite as the support was treated beforehand to hydrophilic material. Nano iron particles are deposited onto the rough graphite surface while those were formed by borohydride reduction. The possible nitrate reduction pathways were proposed. The TEM image shows that iron particles are highly dispersed on the surface of graphite and several of iron particles are imbedded in the pit of support surface. In this synthesis, iron particles have a nearly spherical shape with a grain size of 50?100 nm. The surface areas of materials with different iron loadings of 3.5%, 7.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 20.0%(mass fraction) are 2.89, 9.55, 8.45, 23.8 and 6.18 m2·g?1 by BET surface analyzer. The chemical reduction of nitrate by supported nano ZVI in aqueous solution were tested in series batch experiments. Experiment results suggest that NO3? can be more rapidly reduced to NH4+ at neutral pH and anaerobic conditions by supported nano ZVI than unsupported nano ZVI or ZVI scraps. The 15% nano Fe/graphite shows the best reduction efficiency contrasted with other Fe loading particles.

Electrochemical investigation on kinetics of potassium intercalating into graphite in KF melt

The kinetics of potassium intercalating into graphite in molten KF at 1 163 K was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.Cyclic voltammetry results indicate that intercalaltion/deintercalation of potassium into/from graphite involve kinetic limitations.The intercalation process of potassium was further confirmed to be governed by both the diffusion of potassium ion in graphite bulk and the phase transition kinetics through the analyses of current-time transient curves with reversible and quasi-reversible equations.The transfer coefficient of the intercalation reaction was calculated to be 0.364 according to the parameters resulting from nonlinear fitting of the current-time transient curves with a quasi-reversible equation.Analysis with scanning electron microscope shows that graphite matrix was severely eroded by intercalation of potassium.

Effects of a new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate(DMPP) on nitrate and potassium leaching in two soils

In this study, soil column was used to study the new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate （DMPP） on nitrate （NO3^-- N） and potassium （K） leaching in the sandy loam soil and clay loam soil. The results showed that DMPP with ammonium sulphate nitrate （ASN） （（NH4）2SO4 and NHaNO3） or urea could reduce NO3^--N leaching significantly, whereas ammonium （NH4^＋-N） leaching increased slightly. In case of total N （NO3^--N＋NH4^＋-N）, losses by leaching during the experimental period （40 d） were 37.93 mg （urea）, 31.61 mg （urea＋DMPP）, 108.10 mg （ASN）, 60.70 mg （ASN＋DMPP） in the sandy loam soil, and 30.54 mg （urea）, 21.05 mg （urea＋DMPP）, 37.86 mg （ASN）, 31.09 mg （ASN＋DMPP） in the clay loam soil, respectively. DMPP-amended soil led to the maintenance of relatively high levels of NH4^＋ -N and low levels of NO3^--N in soil, and nitrification was slower. DMPP supplementation also resulted in less potassium leached, but the difference was not significant except the treatment of ASN and ASN＋DMPP in the sandy loam soil. Above results indicate that DMPP is a good nitrification inhibitor, the efficiency of DMPP seems better in the sandy loam soil than in the clay loam soil and lasts longer.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of cytokinin involvement in nitrate-mediated adventitious root formation in apples

Potassium nitrate(KNO_(3))promotes adventitious root(AR)formation in apple stem cuttings.However,evidence for the possible involvement of cytokinin(CK)in KNO_(3)-mediated AR formation in apples is still lacking.In this study,we cultured GL-3 apple microshoots in different treatment combinations.While the T1(KNO_(3)9.4 mmol L^(-1)+6-benzyl adenine(6-BA)2.22μmol L^(-1))and T3(6-BA 2.22μmol L^(-1))treatments completely inhibited AR formation,the control,T2(KNO_(3)9.4 mmol L^(-1)),and T4(KNO_(3)9.4 mmol L^(-1)+lovastatin(Lov)1.24μmol L^(-1))treatments developed ARs.However,T4-treated microshoots developed fewer and shorter ARs,indicating that optimum CK synthesis is needed for normal AR growth.This also suggests that these fewer and shorter ARs developed because of the presence of KNO_(3) in the same medium.The anatomy of the stem basal part indicated that the inhibition of CK biosynthesis delayed AR primordia formation.The endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)and zeatin riboside(ZR)were higher in T2-treated microshoots,while the abscisic acid(ABA),gibberellic acid 3(GA_(3)),and brassinosteroid(BR)levels were higher in T4-treated microshoots.The expression levels of MdNRT1.1and MdNRT2.1 were higher in T2-treated microshoots at 3 and 8 days,while MdRR2 and MdCKX5 were higher at 8 and 16 days,respectively.Furthermore,higher IAA levels increased MdWOX11 expression,which in turn increased MdLBD16 and MdLBD29 expression in response to T2.The combined expression of these genes stimulated adventitious rooting by upregulating cell cycle-related genes(MdCYCD1;1 and MdCYCD3;1)in response to T2 treatment.This study shows that specific genes and hormonal pathways contribute to KNO_(3)-CK-mediated adventitious rooting in apples.

The Effect of Different Levels of Salinity and Potassium Nitrate on the Germination of Cocks Comb (<i>Celosia cristata</i>)

Cocks Comb (Celosia cristata) is a hot-season annual species which is grown from seeds. A study was carried out in the horticulture laboratory of Gorgan University of Agriculture Science and Natural Resources of February 2013 to evaluate the impact of salinity and potassium nitrate on the germination of cockscomb with five salinity levels (0, &minus;2, &minus;4, &minus;6, and &minus;8 bars) and three potassium nitrate levels (0%, 0.2%, and 0.4%) at 25&deg;C on the basis of a Randomized Complete Block Design. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among salinity levels in germination percentage, radicle length, plumule length, and seed vigor at the 1% probability level. Mean comparison for germination percentage revealed that higher salinity reduced seed germination percentage so that it was decreased from 80% in no salinity to 15% in &minus;8 dS&sdot;m&minus;1. The highest percentage of germination was related to zero percent salt and potassium nitrate 0.2%. Also, the highest radicle length of 2.48 cm was related to no salinity and the lowest one (0.61 cm) to &minus;6 dS salinity. The highest radicle length and seed vigor were also observed in no salinity. Potassium nitrate by itself had no impact on the measured traits. Among interactions between salinity and potassium nitrate, the highest germination percentage was observed under 0 salinity × 0.2% potassium nitrate.

Crystallization Kinetics of Batch Spontaneous Nucleation of Potassium Nitrate

The batch cooling crystallization initiated from spontaneous nucleation for aqueous solution of potassium nitrate was studied. The concentration and transmittance data were acquired on line throughout the operation.Based on solute mass transfer in both liquid and solid phases, a kinetic model was deduced by assuming that the late period of primary nucleation resembles the initial period of the secondary nucleation. Nucleation and crystal growth stages were identified. Kinetic parameters were estimated piecewise from online experimental data and compared with those in literature. The estimated kinetic parameters for stages without apparent primary nucleation agreed well with those in literature. Further, a simulated concentration curve was also drawn from the estimated kinetic parameters and it matched well with that in experiment.

Packaging category and its influencing factors of potassium nitrate

To understand the combustion characteristics of potassium nitrate and evaluate the magnitude of combustion risk, ox-idation solid test apparatus is used and the updated experimental criterion of the United Nations is adopted to measure the pack-aging category of potassium nitrate. The new criterion puts calcium peroxide and microcrystalline cellulose as references and burning rate as evaluation index. Effects of mixing ratio and insert medium on burning rate are reached. Test results show that pure potassium nitrate doesn＇t burn under normal temperature and pressure, however, its oxidation is very strong and the packaging category should choose the class I. As the mass fraction of potassium nitrate reduces, the burning rate first increases and then decreases. When the ratio is 2 ： 1,the combustion rate reaches the maximum, and the effect of combustion is the best. When 1 ： 3, the combustion rate is the minimum. The mixture combustion can be suppressed by silicon dioxide and hy-drogen phosphate, which is not fired when silica concentration is 40% or ammonium hydrogen potassium phosphate is 55%, their effects are very obvious.

Kinetics and Mechanism of Spontaneous Crystallization of Potassium Nitrate from Its Supersaturated Aqueous Potassium Nitrate from Its Supersaturated Aqueous Solutions

Kinetics of spontaneous crystallization of potassium nitrate from its supersaturated aqueous solutions has been studied simultaneously by electrical conductance and optical transmittance methods. It was found that spontaneous crystallization of potassium nitrate was accompanied by aggregation of crystals. Growth of salt crystals was in the kinetic mode of the growth process, and was described by the equation of the first order regarding supersaturation of solution. The mechanism of aggregation and intergrowth of crystals during bulk crystallization via formation of nucleus-bridges between crystals found earlier for several salts was confirmed. Specific surface energy of potassium nitrate was evaluated on the basis of the above mechanism of aggregation and intergrowth of crystals. The established value of the specific surface energy was reasonable and agreed satisfactorily with the available literature data. Examination of crystal deposit after completion of crystallization allowed detecting crystal agglomerates of freakish and irregular forms, which may be considered as the direct confirmation of the above mechanism of intergrowth of crystals. Kinetics of crystallization, aggregation and size distribution of salt crystals after completion of crystallization have been satisfactory described by the earlier proposed model of the crystallization process. An excellent agreement was established between the experimental data on potassium nitrate solubility in aqueous solutions found in the present work and those available in the literature.

Nitrogen doping and graphitization tuning coupled hard carbon for superior potassium-ion storage

Hard carbon material is one of the most promising anode materials for potassium ion batteries(PIBs)due to its distinct disordered and non-expandable framework.However,the intrinsically disordered microarchitecture of hard carbon results in low electric conductivity and poor rate capability.Herein,nitrogendoped and partially graphitized hard carbons(NGHCs)derived from commercial coordination compound precursor-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA)disodium cobalt salt hydrate are designed and prepared as high-performance PIBs anode materials.By means of a facile annealing method,nitrogen elements and graphitic domains can be controllably introduced to NGHCs.The resulting NGHCs show structural merits of mesoporous construction,nitrogen doping and homogeneous graphitic domains,which ensures fast kinetics and electron transportation.Applying in anode for PIBs,NGHCs exhibit robust rate capability with high reversible capacity of 298.8 m Ah g^-1 at 50 m A g^-1,and stable cycle stability of 137.6 mAh g^-1 at 500 m A g^-1 after 1000 cycles.Moreover,the ex situ Raman spectra reveal a mixture"adsorption-intercalation mechanism"for potassium storage of NGHCs.More importantly,full PIBs by pairing with perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride(PTCDA)cathode demonstrate the promising potential of practical application.In terms of commercial precursor,facile synthesis and long cycle lifespan,NGHCs represent a brilliant prospect for practical large-scale applications.

Cross-Linked Hollow Graphitic Carbon as Low-Cost and High-Performance Anode for Potassium Ion Batteries

Large-scale and low-cost preparation of carbon-based potassium anode with long life and high capacity is one of the footstones for the development of potassium ion batteries(PIBs).Herein,a low-cost carbon-based material,cross-linked hollow graphitic carbon(HGC),is large scale synthesized to apply for PIBs anode.Its hollow structure can afford sufficient space to overcome the damage caused by the volume expansion of graphitic carbon(GC).While the cross-linked structure forms a compact interconnection network that allows electrons to rapid transfer between different GC frameworks.Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the HGC anode exhibited low charge/discharge plateau(about 0.25 V and 0.1 V)and excellent specific capacity as high as 298 m A h g^(-1)at the current density of 50 m A g^(-1).And more important,after 200 cycles the capacity of HGC anode still shows 269 m A h g^(-1)(the decay rate of per cycle is only 0.048%).Meanwhile,the use of commercial traditional electrolyte(KPF_(6))and cheap raw materials that provide new hope for trying and realizing the large-scale production of PIBs based on carbon anode materials.

Stabilizing SEI by cyclic ethers toward enhanced K^(+) storage in graphite

The poor cycling stability of graphite in traditional ester electrolyte limits its applications as anodes for potassium ion batteries(KIBs).Herein,we demonstrate that the introduction of cyclic ether co-solvents into ester electrolytes can remarkably enhance the cycling stability of graphite anodes.The graphite anode in ester electrolyte with cyclic ether could achieve a reversible capacity of 196.1 m Ah g^(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.3 C(1 C=280 m A g^(-1)),about three times higher than those in ester electrolytes with or without linear ether.Compared with the SEI formed in ester electrolytes,the addition of tetrahydrofuran promotes the generation of K_(2)CO_(3) and ethylene oxide oligomers(PEO),of which the K_(2)CO_(3) is expected to be more conductive and PEO is mechanically robust.The more uniform,conductive and stable solid electrolyte interphases(SEIs)on graphite in electrolytes with cyclic ethers contribute to the enhancement of the electrochemical performances of graphite.This work provides a novel design of commercialized electrolytes to achieve high-performance anodes for KIBs,which potentially accelerates the development of KIBs.

Metal Free Polymer/Graphite Electrode-Ferricyanides Catholyte System for MFC with High Performance

A Microbial fuel cell(MFC)with metal free polymer/graphite electrodes(150 mm×150 mm)was constructed.The electrodes with flowing channels,which were different in roughness,were designed.No additional catalyst was coated on the electrode,therefore the MFC was cheaper and possessed good durability with high performance.The effect of roughness,K3Fe(CN)6 concentration and sprayed air on the performance of the constructed MFC was investigated.Results showed that the roughness of electrode can significantly affect the performance of MFC.The power density of MFC increased by 1.56 times owing to the arithmetic mean roughness which has increased by 1.41 times.With an increasing K3Fe(CN)6 concentration,the performance of MFC also improves.The MFC with K3Fe(CN)6 only(30 mM)showed the highest power density of 1260 mW/m2,which is by 21.4 times and 1.3 times higher than those of MFCs with spraying air only(59 mW/m2)and with K3Fe(CN)6+air(1005 mW/m2),respectively.This showed that the appropriate concentration of K3Fe(CN)6 can significantly improve the power density,while the air has a negative effect when it is sprayed onto K3Fe(CN)6 catholyte.A coulombic efficiency of 34.2%and an energy efficiency of 13.3%with a COD degradation rate of 73.5%were achieved with MFC using K3Fe(CN)6 only.The overpotentials of MFC were also calculated.It can be seen that both theηohmic andηconcentration were very low as compared to theηactivation,and theηconcentration can be ignored because its effect was less than 3 mV.The theoretical calculation suggested that with an increasing conversion rate of K3Fe(CN)6,the cathode potential decreased and reached 0.31 V at a conversion rate of 0.99.While the anode behaves differently for constant pH and changeable pH as the reaction progresses,which reveals that the buffer solution and removal of protons play an important role in maintaining the anode potential.

Effects of Calcium Nitrate Levels and Soaking Durations on Cocopeat Nutrient Content

Cocopeat, a by-product of the coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), is an important soilless media that contains high potassium (K), sodium (Na), and electrical conductivity (EC) depending on its source. Methods for extracting these elements and thus lowering EC are yet to be standardized. This study was therefore carried out to investigate two extraction methods of these elements in cocopeat. A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out at the Climate and Water Smart Agriculture Centre of Egerton University, Kenya. It was laid out in a 5 × 4 factorial completely randomized design. Five soaking durations (12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours) and four calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) levels (0, 60, 100, and 150 g) were used. The experiment was done in two folds: the leachate and treated cocopeat examination for their chemical properties. The General Linear Model procedures were used for Analysis of Variance at (P ≤ 0.05). The results showed that the addition of Ca(NO3)2 100 g extracted significantly more K and Na in the leachate than Ca(NO3)2 0.0 g and 60 g. The EC levels in the leachate increased with the application levels of Ca(NO3)2 while the pH levels were reducing. In the treated cocopeat, Ca(NO3)2 100 g and soaking duration 36 hours significantly reduced K and Na and sufficiently supplemented Ca and N. Irrespective of Ca(NO3)2 and soaking durations, after the cocopeat is washed, the EC and pH values fall within their suitable ranges. There was a strong negative correlation between Ca and Na, Ca and K, and between Na and EC. Also, strong positive correlation between Ca and N and Ca and EC. Effective supplementation of Ca and N, and optimal reduction of K and Na by 78.44% and 92%, respectively can be achieved with 100 g of Ca(NO3)2 1.5 kg-1 of cocopeat in 15 liters of water with a soaking duration of 36 hours.

Screen-printed graphite electrode on polyvinyl chloride and parchment strips integrated with genetic programming for in situ nitrate sensing of aquaponic pond water

Nitrate is the primary water-soluble macronutrient essential for plant growth that is converted from excess fish feeds,fish effluents,and degrading biomaterials on the aquaponic pond floor,and when aquacultural malpractices occur,large amounts of it retain in the water system causing increase rate in eutrophication and toxifies fish and aquaculture plants.Recent nitrate sensor prototypes still require performing the additional steps of water sample deionization and dilution and were constructed with expensive materials.In response to the challenge of sensor enhancement and aquaponic water quality monitoring,this study developed sensitive,repeatable,and reproducible screen-printed graphite electrodes on polyvinyl chloride and parchment paper substrates with silver as electrode material and 60:40 graphite powder:nail polish formulated conductive ink for electrical traces,integrated with 9-gene genetic expression model as a function of peak anodic current and electrochemical test time for nitrate concentration prediction that is embedded into low-power Arduino ESP32 for in situ nitrate sensing in aquaponic pond water.Five SPE electrical traces were designed on the two types of substrates.Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray confirmed the electrode surface morphology.Electrochemical cyclic voltammetry using 10 to 100 mg/L KNO3 and water from three-depth regions of the actual pond established the electrochemical test time(10.5 s)and electrode potential(0.135 V)protocol necessary to produce peak current that corresponds to the strength of nitrate ions during redox.The findings from in situ testing revealed that the proposed sensors have strong linear predictions(R2=0.968 MSE=1.659 for nSPEv and R2=0.966 MSE=4.697 for nSPEp)in the range of 10 to 100 mg/L and best detection limit of 3.15μg/L,which are comparable to other sensors of more complex construction.The developed three-electrode electrochemical nitrate sensor confirms that it is reliable for both biosensing in controlled solutions and in situ aquaponic pond water systems.

Amelioration of Salt Stress in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) by Supplying Potassium and Silicon in Hydroponics

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of potassium (K) and silicon (Si) in mitigating the deleterious effects of NaCl on sugarcane genotypes differing in salt tolerance.Two salt-sensitive (CPF 243 and SPF 213) and two salt-tolerant (HSF 240 and CP 77-400) sugarcane genotypes were grown for six weeks in 1/2 strength Johnson's nutrient solution.The nutrient solution was salinized by two NaCl levels (0 and 100 mmol L 1 NaCl) and supplied with two levels of K (0 and 3 mmol L 1) and Si (0 and 2 mmol L 1).Applied NaCl enhanced Na + concentration in plant tissues and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced shoot and root dry matter in four sugarcane genotypes.However,the magnitude of reduction was much greater in salt-sensitive genotypes than salt-tolerant genotypes.The salts interfered with the absorption of K + and Ca 2+ and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased their uptake in sugarcane genotypes.Addition of K and Si either alone or in combination significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited the uptake and transport of Na + from roots to shoots and improved dry matter yields under NaCl conditions.Potassium uptake,K + /Na + ratios,and Ca 2+ and Si uptake were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by the addition of K and/or Si to the root medium.In this study,K and Si-enhanced salt tolerance in sugarcane genotypes was ascribed to decreased Na + concentration and increased K + with a resultant improvement in K + /Na + ratio,which is a good indicator to assess plant tolerance to salt stress.However,further verification of these results is warranted under field conditions.

Influence of Potassium Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Foliar Vegetable Crops

Over a period of two years , field experiments were conducted on four silty loam soils grown with foliar vegetable crops including Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr., cv. Lu-Bai 3), autumn greens (B. chinensis L., cv. Piao-Geng-Bai), winter greens (B. var. rosularis Tsen et Lee, cv. You-Dong-Er), and summer greens (B. chinensis L., cv. Zao-Shu 5), respectively. Each experiment included one CK treatment without K, N and P fertilizers applied, and four treatments with from low to high doses, 0-300 kg hm-2 for Chinese cabbage, 0-150 kg hm-2 for autumn and winter greens and 0-180 kg hm-2 for summer greens, of K fertilizers in the form of sulfate of potash (SOP) applied together with N and P fertilizers. One treatment of K fertilizer in the form of muriate of potash (MOP) applied at high levels (150 or 180 kg hm-2) together with N and P fertilizers was included in the experiments of autumn, winter and summer greens , respectively, in order to compare the effects of SOP and MOP. The market yields of the tested crops increased significantly with the increasing rate of K application. The crops supplied with K fertilizers yielded more stably as the CV% of their yields decreased with the rate of K application. K fertilization increased not only K contents but also the amounts of N, P and K absorbed in shoots of autumn, winter and summer greens, which were statistically significantly correlated to their yields. It can also be found that potassium improved the quality of the foliar vegetable crops as their dry mater contents were generally increased and Vc contents obviously increased and nitrate contents markedly decreased. As compared to MOP, SOP was more effective on the yields and quality of autumn, winter and summer greens at the high levels of fertilization.

Effects of Co-Existing Ions on the Phosphorus Potassium Ratio of the Precipitate Formed in the Potassium Phosphate Crystallization Process

Livestock wastewater is mainly treated with activated sludge, but ions such as phosphorus, potassium, ammonium, nitrate and sulfate remain in the effluent. In this study, the effects of residual ions on phosphorus recovery using the magnesium potassium phosphate crystallization method were investigated when magnesium was added to increase the pH. If co-existing ions affect the products, the phosphorus to potassium molar ratio (K/P ratio) of the precipitate will deviate from being equimolar. Artificial wastewater test solutions containing 5.6 - 20.3 mM ammonium, 25.6 mM potassium, 6.5 mM phosphorus, 0 - 7.35 mM nitrate, and 0 - 3.06 mM sulfate were used. First, the optimum operating pH and amount of magnesium added to give a high phosphorus removal rate and recovery rate were determined. The experimental setup was a 10 L aerated and stirred reactor, and a 5 L settling tank. The K/P ratio in precipitate was approximately 1 using the optimum conditions. Continuous 2 h treatment allowed a white precipitate containing about 30 g of needle-like crystals to be obtained. Next, the effects of varying the ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate ion concentrations in the artificial effluent were investigated. Ammonium and sulfate ion concentrations of 8 mM or more and 3 mM or more, respectively, caused the K/P ratio to decrease to about 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. Varying the nitrate concentration did not affect the K/P ratio, even at a nitrate concentration of 7.35 mM.

Mortar-Pestle and Microwave Assisted Regioselective Nitration of Aromatic Compounds in Presence of Certain Group V and VI Metal Salts under Solvent Free Conditions

Solvent – free Mortar-pestle (grinding) and microwave-assisted nitration reactions (MWANR’s) underwent smoothly in the presence of group V and VI metal salts with high regio-selectivity for anilides, moderately- and non-activated aro-matic compounds. The reactions were conducted under solvent-free conditions, which afforded good to excellent yields. The observed reaction times in MW assisted conditions are in the range of only few minutes.

Phosphorylation regulation of nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium uptake systems in plants

The uptake of ammonium,nitrate,phosphorus,and potassium ions by roots is mediated by specific ion transporter or channel proteins,and protein phosphorylation regulation events occurring on these proteins and their regulators determine their ultimate activity.Elucidating the mechanism by which protein phosphorylation modification regulates nutrient uptake will advance plant breeding for high nutrientuse efficiency.In this review,it is concluded that the root nutrient absorption system is composed of several,but not all,members of a specific ion transporter or channel family.Under nutrient-starvation conditions,protein phosphorylation-based regulation of these proteins and associated transcription factors increases ion transporter-or channel-mediated nutrient uptake capacity via direct function activity enhancement,allowing more protein trafficking to the plasma membrane,by strengthening the interaction of transporters and channels with partner proteins,by increasing their protein stability,and by transcriptional activation.Under excessive nutrient conditions,protein phosphorylation-based regulation suppresses nutrient uptake by reversing these processes.Strengthening phosphorylation regulation items that increase nutrient absorption and weakening phosphorylation modification items that are not conducive to nutrient absorption show potential as strategies for increasing nutrient use efficiency.