Skeletal Ni Catalysts Prepared from Amorphous Ni-Zr Alloys: Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Hydrogen Generation from Ammonia Borane.

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from Ni-Zr alloys, which possess different chemical composition and atomic arrangements, by a combination of thermal treatment and treatment with aqueous HF. Hydrogen generation from ammonia borane over the skeletal Ni catalysts proceeded efficiently, whereas the amorphous Ni-Zr alloy was inactive. Skeletal Ni prepared from amorphous Ni30 Zr70 alloy had a higher catalytic activity than that prepared from amorphous Ni40 Zr60 and Ni50 Zr50 alloys.

Active skeletal Ni catalysts prepared from an amorphous Ni-Zr alloy in the pre-crystallization state.

Skeletal Ni catalysts were prepared from an amorphous Ni40Zr60 alloy (a-NiZr) by heating at various temperatures under vacuum, followed by the selective extraction of Zr moieties by an HF treatment. Each sample was characterized by various spectroscopic methods, and the catalytic performance was tested in the hydrogenation of 1-octene. The differences in preparation temperatures of a-NiZr strongly affected the catalytic performance of the obtained catalysts, whereby those prepared from heated a-NiZr in the pre-crystallization state exhibited higher catalytic activity.

Detecting nonculturable bacteria in the active mycorrhizal zone of the pine mushroom Tricholoma matsutake.

The fungus Tricholoma matsutake forms an ectomycorrhizal relationship with pine trees. Its sporocarps often develop in a circle, which is commonly known as a fairy ring. The fungus produces a solid, compact, white aggregate of mycelia and mycorrhizae beneath the fairy ring, which in Japanese is called a 'shiro'.

Genetic structure of the oak wilt vector beetle Platypus quercivorus: inferences toward the process of damaged area expansion.

Background: The ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus, is the vector of oak wilt, one of the most serious forest diseases in Japan. Population genetics approaches have made great progress toward studying the population dynamics of pests, especially for estimating dispersal. Knowledge of the genetic structuring of the beetle populations should reveal their population history.