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In plants, many C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factors function in plant defense responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we report cloning and characterization of VvZFP11 which encoded a C2H2-type zinc finger protein (ZFP) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Sequence analysis shows that VvZFP11 contained one L-box, two C2H2-type zinc finger motifs and one ERF-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif. The VvZFP11 localized to the nucleus and functional analysis shows that full-length VvZFP11 had no transcriptional activity, but VvZFP11 lacking the EAR motif had a strong transcriptional activity in yeast. In grapevine, expression of VvZFP11 was induced by salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate and also quickly responded to infection with Erisiphe necator. Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing VvZFP11 were more resistant to Golovinomyces cichoracearum, and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that defense-related genes AtPR1 and AtPDF1.2 were up-regulated in the overexpressing lines. These results suggest that VvZFP11 might play an important role in defense responses in grapevine.

We demonstrate herein the use of a one-dimensional metal-organic material as a new type of electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in place of the classic porous three-dimensional materials, which are subject to the size of the channel for lithium-ion diffusion and blocking of the windows of the framework by organic solvents during the charging and discharging processes. Introducing a one-dimensional coordination compound can keep organic active substances insoluble in the electrolyte during the charging and discharging processes, providing a facile and general new system for further studies. The results show that both the aromatic ligand and the metal center can participate in lithium storage simultaneously, illustrating a new energy storage mechanism that has been well-characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the fact that the one-dimensional chains are linked by weak hydrogen bonds rather than strong π-π stacking interactions or covalent bonds is beneficial for the release of capacity entirely without the negative effect of burying the active sites.

Nanostructured NiP2@C was synthesized by a facile approach via calcination of a Ni-based metal–organic-framework (Ni-MOF-74) with adsorptive red phosphorus, and was tested as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. NiP2 nanoparticles are successfully embedded in situ in porous carbon matrix, constructing crosslinked channels for lithium ion diffusion. The in situ introduction of porous carbon round NiP2 nanoparticles greatly enhances the electronic conductivity. Benefiting from the advantages of porous carbon, the nanostructured NiP2@C electrode material showed excellent electrochemical performance with high reversibility, high rate capability, and long-term cycling stability.

The commercial conductive carbon black (CCB) with large surface area and good electrical conductivity after activation treatment is employed as conductive matrix to support sulfur for the cathode of lithium/sulfur battery. The S/activated CCB composites with 64 and 73 wt% sulfur are prepared by a simple heat treatment method. The microstructure and morphology of the as-prepared S/activated CCB composites are characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is demonstrated that sulfur can be loaded into the pores of the host activated CCB matrix in highly dispersed state, when sulfur loading is limited to 64 wt%. While the loaded sulfur increases to 73 wt%, some crystalline sulfur nanoparticles of less than 2 nm can be observed near the pores of the host activated CCB matrix. As expected, the S/activated CCB composite with 64 wt % sulfur presents the optimized electrochemical performance, including the utilization of active sulfur, discharge capacity and cycle stability. Apparently, in order to improve the electrochemical performance of the S/activated CCB composite, the activation treatment of the commercial CCB is essential for increasing the sulfur loading.

The physiological photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme system of the high-chlorophyll rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant (Gc) and its wild type (Zhenshan 97B) were compared and analyzed. Resulting data showed that the total chlorophyll (Chl) and Chl b contents in the Gc mutant were significantly increased by 19.0 and 81.7%, respectively, while the increase in Chl a and thylakoid membrane protein contents was insignificant. The net photosynthetic rate (P N) was significantly higher in the mutant; stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate decreased significantly, and water-use efficiency increased significantly, indicating the higher photochemical efficiency of the mutant. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters: electron transport rate and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry of the mutant were significantly higher than those of Zhenshan 97B. The nonphotochemical quenching of the mutant under light adaptation increased by 52.3%. The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidas, and catalase in the mutant roots and leaves were all higher than those for the wild-type plants. It is believed that the higher activity of antioxidant enzymes in the mutant may be an important factor making difficult the photo-inactivation of Chl, and thus, increasing the content of Chl, especially Chl b.

Evaluation of CAS-OB refining slags showed that the melting temperature and viscosity were very high and could further increase during the CAS-OB refining process, causing excessive slag to stick to the snorkel with resulting operational problems. To avoid this, B2O3–CaO (mass ratio 1 : 1) and CaF2–CaO (mass ratio 1 : 1) were employed as modifiers added to the slag. The fusibility (melting temperature and viscosity) and desulphurising capacity of modified slag were investigated. Both B2O3–CaO and CaF2–CaO can effectively lower the melting temperature and viscosity of slag. The results of experiments on sulphur partition equilibrium between metal and slag indicate that the sulphur content of metal can be further decreased by the modified slag.

High density sodium lithium niobate lead free ceramics near the morphtropic phase boundary [NaxLi1−xNbO3, (LNN), x = 0.12] were prepared by the solid state reaction method. XRD patterns showed that the lattice structures were changed after polarization. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss, pyroelectric coefficient and DSC curves of LNN ceramics showed that there exist three phase transitions from room temperature up to the Curie temperature. The hysteresis loop and piezoelectric properties were measured and discussed.

The ferroelectric domain wall thickness of a fluoride BaMgF4 single crystal was investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy. It was found that the domain wall thickness shows a strong spatial variation in the as-grown crystal and the polarization reversal process. The original wall thickness is greater (about two to seven times) than that switched by the tip fields of the atomic force microscope. A significantly narrower domain wall was obtained in the higher tip-field. The trapped defects at the domain wall play an important role in the spatial variation of the polarization width of 180° domain wall in the BaMgF4 single crystal. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Selectively photo-excited C-V spectroscopy has been measured in an In0.5Ga0.5As quantum dots (QDs)-embedded, three barrier-two well heterostructure. By comparing with a theoretical capacitance model, the pure capacitive contribution from In0.5Ga0.5As QDs, due to tunnelling coupling between In0.5Ga0.5As QDs and In0.18Ga0.82As quantum well, has been used to obtain the density of charges from photo-excited In0.5Ga0.5As QDs in a very straightforward manner.

An improved filter paper disk bioassay for determining activities of plant growth regulators was developed and evaluated. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), (±)-abscisic acid (ABA), and 6-furfurylamino-purine (kinetin) were dissolved in 95% ethanol at fixed dilutions. Specific concentrations of each growth regulator were then evenly dropped onto individual 6-cm paper disks and the solvent evaporated. The activities of the above three water-insoluble plant growth regulators in both solution and the disk assay were compared using the excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledon root formation bioassay (IAA), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) coleoptile straight growth bioassay (ABA), and cucumber cotyledon expansion bioassay (kinetin), and similar results were obtained at each concentration. The possible principle of this method has been studied using the cucumber cotyledon expansion bioassay. The results suggested that the disks, as carriers, had highly dispersed kinetin molecules on them and greatly accelerated the dissolution and diffusion of kinetin from disks to water.

KCl at 0.134–40.2 mM significantly promoted rooting in excised cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons. The effect of KCl on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced rooting was approximately additive. Several salts of potassium at 1.34 mM also significantly promoted rooting in excised cucumber cotyledons. KCl at 0.134–13.4 mM clearly stimulated rooting in mung bean ( Phaseolus radiatus L.) hypocotyls. KCl at 1.34–40.2 mM also clearly enhanced rooting in kidney bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hypocotyls.

Summary form only given. Piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of high-pressure-crystallized PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film were evaluated, and ultrasonic transducers usable at high temperatures up to 200 degrees C were developed. The film crystallized in the hexagonal phase showed distinctive ferroelectric properties. The poled film exhibited persistent piezoelectric activity in a temperature range extending just below the melting point, and an electromechanical coupling factor k/sub t/ of 0.1-0.2. Ultrasonic transducers were fabricated using this film. These transducers have proved to be applicable for measurements of acoustical properties of materials at high temperatures above 150 degrees . >

Adventitious root formation in excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cotyledons was significantly promoted by (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid at 0.006–1.8 mM. The effect of (±)-cis-chrysanthemic acid on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-induced rooting was additive. Rooting in excised cucumber cotyledons was significantly promoted by several isomers of chrysanthemic acid and sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18 mM. Rooting in mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) hypocotyls was also stimulated by the sodium salt at 0.06–0.6 mM. Rooting of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) hypocotyls was also clearly enhanced by sodium (±)-cis-chrysanthemate at 0.18–6 mM.

A Li-rich layered Li(Li0.17Ni0.25Mn0.58)O2 oxide is prepared by a combination of co-precipitation and solid-state reaction. The surface nitridation is introduced into a Li-rich layered Li(Li0.17Ni0.25Mn0.58)O2 for the first time via heating at 400 °C in the ammonia atmosphere. The microstructure and morphology of the two samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is demonstrated that the nitrogen exists with a trace amount in the surface layer of the Li-rich layered Li(Li0.17Ni0.25Mn0.58)O2 oxide after the nitridation treatment. Electrochemical performances of the electrodes are measured by galvanostatic charge–discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). As expected, the discharge capacity, high-rate capability and cycle stability of the nitrided sample are improved dramatically as compared with the as-prepared sample, which is further confirmed by the high electrocatalytic activity and accelerated lithium diffusion process. Apparently, the existence of nitrogen in the surface layer is responsible for the improvement of the reaction kinetics and electrochemical performance of the nitrided sample.

Our previous reports described the anti-arrhythmic and hypotensive actions of dauricine (Dau), an alkaloid isolated from Menispermum dauricum DC. In the present paper we made a study of its effects on isoproterenol and calcium-mediated dose-response relationships and on the electro-mechanical activity in cat papillary muscles, and compared its actions with those of tetrandrine and/or verapamil, propranolol, quinidine. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Dau 8 x 10-5 M shifted the isoprenaline dose-response curve to the right with decrease of its maximum effect, in which it resembled tetrandrine 10-5 M, verapamil 5 x 10-7 M, but differed from propranolol. 2. Dau, like tetrandrine and verapamil, showed dualism in calcium antagonism. 3. Effect of Dau on the electro-mechanical activity: It depressed and widened the R wave, prolonged R-T interval of the surface electrogram of cat papillary muscles, and its inotropic action was analogous to that of tetrandrine. Dau seemed to possess not only calcium antagonistic, but also “quinidine-like” action.