Evidence of a Multicopper Oxidase in Mn Oxidation by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici.

ABSTRACT Manganese (Mn) oxidation by the plant-pathogenic fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici has been correlated with virulence in take-all disease. The mechanism of Mn oxidation has not, however, been investigated adequately.

Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant produced under constant reactant concentration.

Aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, AlO(OH), is used to potentiate the immune response to vaccines by adsorbing the antigen. The structure of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is unusual as it is crystalline but has a high surface area due to its very small primary particles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemical and thermal conditions required to synthesize aluminum hydroxide adjuvant that is stable and exhibits a high protein adsorptive capacity.

Fungal manganese oxidation in a reduced soil.

Manganese chemistry in soils is a function of complex, competing biotic and abiotic reactions. The role of soil-borne fungi in mediating these reactions is poorly understood. The objective of this article is to document direct observation of fungal Mn oxidation in soil under near in situ conditions, and to isolate, describe and confirm the role of fungi in the observed Mn oxidation, and present a model to explain our observations.

Role of soil manganese in the oxidation of aromatic amines.

Soil-induced oxidation and subsequent polymerization of aromatic amines is an important pathway for reducing the mobility of amines in soils and their hazard potential in the environment. This study assesses the hypothesis that manganese(III/IV) oxides/hydroxides play a significant role in the oxidation of aromatic amines in whole soils. Aromatic amines including alpha-naphthylamine, p-methoxyaniline, and aniline were allowed to react in aqueous whole soil suspensions for 5 d.

A technique for cutting brittle undisturbed lateritic soil block samples.

This note describes a technique for cutting undisturbed brittle block samples into smaller specimens for further geotechnical testing. This technique revealed very useful in dealing with collapsible soils, where the sampling is recommended to be done with block soil samples. A further use of this technique as an efficient way for sampling collapsible soils is proposed.