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Classical magnetoresistance (MR) in nonmagnetic metals are conventionally understood in terms of the Kohler rule, with violation usually viewed as anomalous electron transport, in particular, as evidence of non-Fermi liquid behavior. Measurement of the MR of Au films as a function of temperature and film thickness reveals a strong dependence on grain size distribution and clear violation of the Kohler rule. Using a model of random resistor network, we show that this result can be explained if the MR arises entirely from inhomogeneity due to grain boundary scattering and thermal activation of grain boundary atoms. Consequently, the Kohler rule should not be used to distinguish normal and anomalous electron transport in solids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heusler alloy Co2FeAl was employed as ferromagnetic layers in Co2FeAl (3 nm)/Ru (x nm)/Co2FeAl (5 nm) synthetic antiferromagnet structures. The experimental results show that the structure with a Ru thickness of 0.45 nm is strongly antiferromagnetic coupled, which is maintained after annealing at 150 °C for 1 h. The structure has a very low saturation magnetization Ms of 425 emu/cm3, a low switching field Hsw of 4.3 Oe, and a high saturation field Hs of 5257 Oe at room temperature, which are favorable for application in ultrahigh density magnetic read heads or other magnetic memory devices. Crystal structure study testifies that the as-deposited Co2FeAl film is in the B2 phase. Therefore, Heusler alloys can be used to fabricate synthetic antiferromagnetic and it is possible to make “all-Heusler” spin valves or magnetic tunneling junctions with better magnetic switching properties and high magnetoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterocyclic compound 1-((2S,3S)-2-(benzyloxy)pentan-3-yl)-4-(4-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)phenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-one (1) designed using 4-(4-(4-aminophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)phenol (2) and (S)-N′-(2-(benzyloxy)propylidene)formohydrazide (3) as start materials is successfully obtained via a multistep synthesis and finally characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, the in vitro anticancer activities of newly synthesized compound 1 are evaluated against three human bone cancer cell lines U2OS, Saos-2, and GC9811. In addition, the molecular docking is used to study the potential antiviral activity of 1 by calculating the binding sites for the 1AS0 protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: Vulnerability to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes may originate in early life, but little is known about whether any perinatal biomarkers are predictive of later metabolic health. We sought to assess whether cord blood insulin, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I, IGF‐II, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin are associated with metabolic health indicators in infancy. Methods: In a prospective singleton birth cohort, we assessed cord blood insulin, IGF‐I, IGF‐II, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations in relation to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), β‐cell function (HOMA‐β), fasting proinsulin‐to‐insulin ratio, BMIz‐score, and the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (an indicator of adiposity) in infants at age 1 year (n = 185). Results: Adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, one standard deviation ( sd) increase in cord blood adiponectin was associated with an 11.1% (95% confidence interval 1.8–19.5%) decrease in HOMA‐β (P = 0.02) and a 13.6% (1.8–26.8%) increase in proinsulin‐to‐insulin ratio (P = 0.02), indicating worse β‐cell function in infants at age 1 year. One sd increase in cord blood insulin was associated with a 0.5 (0.1–1.0) mm increase in skinfold thickness (P = 0.01). One sd increase in cord blood ghrelin was associated with a 0.2 (0.02–0.3) decrease in BMIz‐score (P = 0.02) and a 0.5 (0.1–0.9) mm decrease (P = 0.02) in skinfold thickness. Cord blood IGF‐I and IGF‐II were not associated with the observed metabolic health indicators at age 1 year. Conclusion: The study is the first to show that cord blood adiponectin may be negatively predictive of β‐cell function, whereas cord blood ghrelin may be negatively predictive of adiposity in infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, molecular characteristics of march5b and co-expression of march5b and tlr7 in response to the infection of Cryptocaryon irritans in the large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea were investigated. The full-length complementary (c)DNA of march5b was 1314 bp, including an open reading frame of 846 bp encoding a polypeptide of 281 amino acids, and the full-length genomic sequence was composed of 23 577 nucleotides, including six exons and five introns. The putative March5b protein contained a RINGv motif and four transmembrane domains. The march5b transcripts were broadly distributed in all detected tissues, with a strong expression in blood, brain and gills, and a weak expression in kidney by quantitative PCR analysis. The expression of march5b and tlr7 in the skin, gills, spleen and head kidney changed in the same manner at most time points post-primary infection with C. irritans. Significant increase was observed in the skin with march5b at days 2 and 3 by 26·10 and 6·88 fold, respectively, and with tlr7 at day 3 by 57·68 fold, when compared with the control. Their expressions, however, were decreased in the gills, especially at day 3 ( march5b by 8·9%, tlr7 by 22·06%). In the spleen and head kidney, march5b and tlr7 transcripts were up-regulated early, then noticeably declined at day 3. These results suggested that march5b and tlr7 are co-expressed in response to parasite infection and March5b probably catalyses ubiquitination of some proteins of TLR7 signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Bi2O3, TiO2 and Nb2O5 as the starting materials, the conventional solid-state reaction method was used to fabricate Bi3NbTiO9 powders. The mixture of Bi2O3, TiO2 and Nb2O5 was calcinated at different temperatures. After being characterised using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy techniques, the as-prepared powders were used to fabricate humidity sensors for investigating the possible effects of crystal structure on the electric properties. The results indicated that the calcination temperatures had significant effects on the humidity properties of Bi3NbTiO9. In comparison with the 773 and 1073 K samples, the humidity hysteresis of the 573, 873 and 1173 K samples were smaller. Besides, among all the samples, the response and recovery time of the 773 K sample was found to be the best. Further studies revealed the discrepancy in humidity properties was attributed to the structural evolution with temperature increasing and Bi3NbTiO9 prepared by the conventional method can be used for high-performance humidity sensor by controlling the calcination process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality traits of Triticum dicoccoides KU-13441 (Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides (AABB, 2n= 4x= 28)) were analyzed by mixograph, and the results showed that T. dicoccoides KU-13441 had desirable qualities in gluten strength and flour stirring tolerance. Subsequently, seventeen novel full-ORF αgliadin genes and thirty-five pseudogenes were cloned and sequenced from T. dicoccoides KU-13441. Among the 17 novel full-ORF αgliadin genes, the putative proteins of Gli2-TD-44 and Gli2-TD-46 contained an extra cysteine residue, located in the first nonrepetitive region and Nterminal repetitive domain, respectively, rather than in the second nonrepetitive region like other αgliadins. Prokaryotic expression analysis and western-blotting indicated that these two αgliadin genes could be successfully expressed under the control of T7 promoter. According to the varying numbers of 4 typical coeliac disease toxic peptides and glutamine residues in the two ployglutamine domains among the 17 αgliadins, Gli2- TD-39, Gli2-TD-46 and Gli2-TD-47 genes were assigned to sub-genome B and other 14 genes were assigned to sub-genome A. Phylogenetic analysis including two S-genome species, Aegilops longissima (Sl) and Aegilops speltoides (S) revealed that the αgliadin sequences of the B genome in T. dicoccoides had closer genetic relationship with those from Ae. speltoides. This implies that Ae. speltoides might participate in the origin of wheat B genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polar coordinate system is more effective for rotational axes than Cartesian coordinate one. But most commercial motion control cards do not support the polar coordinate, so this paper presents a program module based on polar coordinate system, which can be integrated into computer numeric control (CNC) controller based on motion control cards. To access the module, a special G code is developed. The module is implemented on a custom-made CNC controller and used to machine a class of watch parts. The experimental results show that the module is effective and easy to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2011; 17: 1563-1569 Abstract Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) are widespread pathogens causing a wide spectrum of diseases. HPeVs belong to the family Picornaviridae, and 14 genotypes are known. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of HPeV in acute gastroenteritis. HPeV was detected and quantified using real-time RT-PCR, and then genotyped by sequencing of the nested RT-PCR product of the VP3/VP1 partial gene. HPeV was found in both the case and control groups (29.4% and 15.3% respectively, p 0.006). Six HPeV genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, HPeV4, HPeV5, HPeV6, and HPeV8) were detected. Nine positive samples could not be sequenced with negative genotyped RT-PCR. HPeV1 and HPeV3 were the most prevalent genotypes, and co-infection was common in the case group. No statistically significant differences in either viral load or the rate of HPeV1 and HPeV3 infection were found between the two groups. Additionally, no significant differences were found in fever rates, vomiting rates or mean duration and frequency of diarrhoea and vomiting between the positive and negative case groups with HPeV1 or HPeV3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that there was no association between the HPeV1 or HPeV3 infection and acute gastroenteritis. Multiple genotypes of HPeVs were highly prevalent in Chinese children. One potential new HPeV genotype was identified, but needs to be confirmed further by the picoma study group. However, the present study does not support a causative role of HPeV1 and HPeV3 in acute gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li-rich vapor transport equilibration (VTE) effect on surface refractive index of MgO (5 mol%)-doped LiNbO crystal is studied at the wavelengths of 473, 632.8 and 1536 nm. The results show that in the early stage of VTE the ordinary index n decreases substantially with the VTE duration t, then recovers slightly, and tends to a constant for t>80 h. The extraordinary index n shows a similar VTE effect but reveals a relatively weak dependence on the VTE duration. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis shows that the VTE induces Mg diffusion within the crystal and hence an inhomogeneous Mg depth profile, depending on the VTE duration. As the VTE is prolonged the Mg homogeneity is improved. The surface Mg concentration, determined from the measured surface n and energy dispersive X-ray analysis, shows a substantial VTE duration dependence, which is responsible for the substantial VTE effect on surface index. Neutron activation analysis shows that the VTE hardly induces the MgO loss from the crystal. It appears that the Mg ions counter diffuse to the crystal surface in the early stage of VTE and then diffuse slowly back into the bulk of the crystal toward equilibrium as Li concentration tends to equilibrium. Gravimetric measurement shows that the LiO content in the crystal increases with the VTE duration in the early stage of VTE and saturates for t>60 h, and the LiO content increase in the saturation regime is about 2.25 mol%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An as-received ultrafine-grained Cu powder and four nanostructured Cu–(2.5–10) vol%Al2O3 composite powders produced by high-energy mechanical milling of mixtures of the Cu powder and an Al2O3 nanopowder were consolidated using warm powder compaction followed by open die powder compact forging. The circular discs produced in the experiments achieved full densification. Tensile testing of the specimens cut from the forged discs showed that the Cu-forged disc had a fairly high yield strength of 330 MPa, UTS of 340 MPa and a plastic strain to fracture of 15%, but the Cu–Al2O3 composite-forged discs did not show any macroscopic plastic yielding. The fracture strength of the composite-forged discs decreased almost linearly with the increase of the volume fraction of Al2O3 nanoparticles. This study shows that a high level of consolidation of the ultrafine-grained Cu powder and the nanostructured Cu–2.5 vol%Al2O3 composite powder has been achieved by warm powder compacting at 350 °C and powder compact forging at 500 and 700 °C. However, this is not true for the nanostructured Cu–(5, 7.5 and 10) vol%Al2O3 composite powders, possibly due to their higher powder particle hardness at elevated temperatures in the range of 350–800 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient characteristics of upconverted emission (560 nm) of Er3+ in LiNbO3 crystals codoped with 0–7.4 mol% MgO were studied under pulse excitation at 800-nm wavelength. The results show that the transients display considerable Mg-doping-level-dependent nonexponential behavior and a clear Mg optical-damage-resistance threshold concentration effect. Below the Mg threshold concentration, the lifetime increases slightly with the increased Mg concentration. Above the threshold, however, the lifetime drops abruptly by 4–7 times and the nonexponential feature becomes more evident. It is found that each transient can be fitted by a double-exponential function contributed from isolated and clustered Er3+ sites. The fit parameters show that doping of MgO above the threshold concentration increases the clustered Er site concentration and the nonradiative cross relaxation probability. The Mg threshold concentration effect derived from the transients is in qualitative agreement with that from the fluorescence spectrum measured as a function of the Mg concentration. The effect of the Mg threshold concentration on the clustered Er site concentration is qualitatively explained on the basis of the microscopic defect model of MgO:LiNbO3 and is conducted with the Mg site change around the threshold concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike rotational motors, permanent magnetic linear motors (PMLMs) are more sensitive to various force disturbances because of the reduction of gears. The parameters of PMLMs are difficult to accurately measure and vary in experiments and applications. To efficiently control a PMLM and alleviate the influence of parameter variation, robust adaptive control method is proposed to be used in the motion control of PMLMs. The force ripple is the main force disturbance when the velocity is close to zero, but it is complex and difficult to be described by an accurate model. So, in the designed robust adaptive controller, an off-line backpropagation neural network is proposed to approximate the function of the force ripple. Simulation and experimental results show that the designed robust adaptive controller can obtain higher control precision and be robust to the parameter variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary-ion-mass spectrometry was applied to study Ti-concentration profiles in the depth direction and on the surface of near-stoichiometric (NS) Ti:LiNbO3 strip waveguides fabricated using vapour transport equilibration (VTE) and co-diffusion of Ti-metal strips. Results show that the profile of Ti concentration along the width direction on the waveguide surface can be well fitted by a sum of two error functions, while, in the depth direction, the Ti concentration follows either a complementary error function or a generalized Gaussian function. Surface Ti concentration, 1/e width and depth, mean diffusivities along the width and depth directions of the guide are, respectively, 1.04 × 1021 cm–3, 8.5 µm, 6.3 µm, 0.18 and 0.1 µm2/h. Two-dimensional refractive index profile in the NS waveguides is indirectly constructed by assuming linearity between Ti-induced index change and Ti concentration. The surface refractive index increments at 1545 nm, Δno and Δne, are evaluated to be 3.132 × 10–3 and 1.186 × 10–2, respectively. All of the above-mentioned diffusion and optical parameters are compared with the corresponding data of the common congruent Ti:LiNbO3 waveguide or NS waveguide fabricated starting from a NS substrate. The rationality of the assumed linear relationship between the index change and the Ti concentration is discussed. The results show that the assumed linearity remains controversial, and all expressions and data with regard to the refractive index are the approximate results and need to be verified by direct measurement on refractive index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a novel process for synthesizing a Ti2AlC/TiC/Al2O3 in situ composite. This route utilizes TiO2, carbon, and Al powders as raw materials, and involves high-energy mechanical milling and powder sintering. The Ti2AlC/TiC/Al2O3 bulk in situ composite produced has a phase composition of Ti2AlC–20 vol% TiC–35 vol% Al2O3 with fine Al2O3 particles (size: 0.5–15 μm) embedded in a Ti2AlC/TiC matrix. The Ti2AlC grains exhibit a nanometer scale lamellar structure, and most of the Al2O3 grains contain fine cubic TiO mC1− m precipitates (size: 10–200 nm). The average hardness and bending strength of the composite are in the ranges of 11–12.5 GPa and 380–440 MPa, respectively. Here we have demonstrated that the mechanical performance (mainly hardness and bending strength) of the composite is directly correlated with the size of the Al2O3 particles present in the as-fabricated in situ composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-induced absorption (LIA) in thermally reduced congruent and near-stoichiometric Er:LiNbO3 crystals, which have different cuts of crystal (X- and Y-cut) and different doping levels of Er3+ (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0 mol %), has been studied within continuous-wave light intensity by using polarized 632.8 nm beam as probe light and polarized 488 nm beam as pump light. Effects of thermal reduction condition, pump intensity, Li/Nb ratio and Er-doping level on the LIA are summarized and discussed. Studies on spectral characteristics of both linear absorption and light-induced absorption show that photo-ionization of bipolarons into small polarons plays a predominant role in the LIA process. The role of the Er3+ ion in the LIA is investigated by studying the doping level and the thermal reduction effects on the absorption and emission properties of Er3+. The results show the possibility that the Er3+ ion directly participates in the light-induced charge transport is small. It affects the LIA only via the bypassing part of pump intensity to excite near-infrared emissions of Er3+. The thermaleffect on the LIA is demonstrated. A two-center model with inclusion of the thermal contribution can qualitatively explain two major LIA characteristics that include the appearance of a slow stage in the LIA procedure and the unsaturation behavior of the LIA coefficient in high pump intensity regime. In addition, the pump depletion effect on the LIA characteristics is discussed. The possibility of pump beam fanning arising from light-induced scattering is ruled out experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectra of as-grown and reduced (or annealed) Er:LiNbO3 crystals, which have different cut orientations, varied Li/Nb ratio, and different Er-doping levels of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0 mol%, were recorded at room temperature over a wavenumber range of 50–1000 cm-1 by use of backward scattering geometries. The spectra are assigned on the basis of their Raman scattering features and previous relevant work. A weak but well-resolved peak around 633 cm-1 appears in the E(TO) spectra that were recorded under the configuration of X(ZY)X̄(for an X-cut sample) or Y(ZX)Ȳ(for a Y-cut sample) for all crystals studied. The appearance of this peak in the E(TO) spectrum provides further evidence for a previous attribution of this peak to E(TO9) mode. Some additional peaks distributed in the low wavenumber region ranging from 101–137 cm-1 are attributed to Er3+ fluorescence with a wavelength range of 490.41–491.3 nm. The reduction effects include a significant drop of the Raman scattering intensity and a slight narrowing instead of a broadening in the linewidth. The reduction procedure hardly affects the spectral shape and the wavenumber of most of the phonons. The anneal effect is similar to the reduction effect and both effects are not as obvious as the vapor transport equilibration (VTE) effect. In addition, the present Raman scattering result provides evidence for our earlier reported individual result on light-induced diffraction from strongly reduced Er:LiNbO3 crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-induced absorption (LIA) characteristics in weakly reduced (or strongly annealed) congruent and/or vapor transport equilibration (VTE)-treated Er-doped LiNbO3 crystals have been investigated in comparison with their corresponding as-grown ones and undoped crystals by using a polarized 632.8-nm beam as probe light and another polarized 632.8- or 488-nm beam as pump light. Under He-Ne pump, the LIA was observed only in strongly reduced pure VTE LiNbO3 crystal. Under 488-nm pump, LIA is still not observed in the doped or undoped as-grown crystals. The weakly reduced VTE-treated Er(0.2 mol?%):LiNbO3 crystal displays weak and stable LIA. On the other hand, the corresponding weakly reduced congruent crystal displays a rather unpredictable light-induced absorption instability phenomenon. The instability was shown by the random competition of the LIA and light-induced transparency (LIT). When both crystals were further reduced, the VTE sample still shows stable LIA but with increased LIA, while the LIA in the congruent sample also becomes stable enough. The instability was experimentally proved to be associated with the presence of the Er3+ ion that performs the role of an extrinsic defect instead of photoluminescence. A three-level model is suggested that consists of a deep level (the bipolaron) and two shallow levels: the small polaron level and the level with respect to the Er3+ ion. The model has been employed to qualitatively explain the LIA characteristics of the weakly reduced congruent Er:LiNbO3 crystal, including the the instability, the effect of the state of reduction, the pump intensity and the pump-probe polarization dependences. The inhomogeneity of the defects caused by the weak reduction and the simultaneous participation of the two shallow levels in the light-induced electron-transport process result in the random competition between LIA and LIT, and consequently result in the LIA instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new optically controlled reconfigurable antenna for cognitive radio is presented. The antenna can operate at an ultra-wideband and three narrow bands by controlling four photoconductive switches. The bandwidth of the ultra-wideband is 2.65 to 10.3 GHz. The bandwidths of three narrow bands are 7.10 to 8.01 GHZ, 3.55 to 5.18 GHz, and 5.12 to 6.59 GHz, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ToTEM, a multislice‐based image simulation software is developed for transmission electron microscope (TEM). This software implements the following major features: (i) capability of assigning three‐dimensional potentials of atom into multiple slices and precise introduction of phase shift caused by the sub‐pixel atomic position, (ii) employing CUDA coding and graphical processing units (GPU) with multithreading parallel algorithm based on the powerful batch (inverse) fast Fourier transform (FFT), which is especially beneficial for image simulation of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) or (integrated) differential phase contrast (I)DPC, (iii) design for efficiently generating large batch of data set of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. Image simulation acceleration for STEM has been verified by simulating a large‐scale SrTiO3. Additionally, iDPC image of MFI‐type zeolites with xylene molecules encapsulated in straight channels demonstrates the advantage of iDPC in detecting light molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with preparing powder metallurgy Ti2AlNb-based alloy via spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. A pre-alloyed Ti2AlNb-based alloy powder was produced by a plasma rotating electrode process (PREP), and then consolidated using SPS at temperatures between 900 °C and 1050 °C with a pressure of 50 MPa. Most of the pre-alloyed powder particles are characterized by single B2-phase dendrites. When the SPS temperature was 1000 °C or higher, the dendritic features and original boundaries of powder particles were removed, resulting in fully dense compacts. The as-sintered microstructure was modified by heat treatment to form fine acicular O-precipitates, leading to a superior yield strength of up to 1220 MPa at room temperature (RT). On the other hand, the heat treated microstructure with coarsened O-precipitates, produced via controlled slow cooling within the B2 + O phase field, exhibits a good RT elongation to fracture of 9.5%, but a relatively low yield strength of 840 MPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water Vapor Variability-Satellite/Sondes (WAVES) 2006 field campaign provided a contiguous 5-day period of concentrated high-resolution measurements to examine finescale boundary layer phenomena under the influence of a summertime subtropical high over the mid-Atlantic region that is characterized by complex geography. A holistic analytical approach to low-level wind observations was adopted to identify the low-level flow structures and patterns of evolution on the basis of airmass properties and origination. An analysis of the measurements and the other available observations is consistent with the classic depiction of the daytime boundary layer development but revealed a pronounced diurnal cycle that was categorized into three stages: (i) daytime growth of the convective boundary layer, (ii) flow intensification into a low-level jet regime after dusk, and (iii) interruption by a downslope wind regime after midnight. The use of the field campaign data allows for the differentiation of the latter two flow regimes by their directions with respect to the orientation of the Appalachian Mountains and their airmass origins. Previous studies that have investigated mountain flows and low-level jet circulations have focused on regions with overt geographic prominence, stark gradients, or frequent reoccurrences, whereby such meteorological phenomena exhibit a clear signature and can be easily isolated and diagnosed. The results of this study provide evidence that similar circulation patterns operate in nonclassic locations with milder topography and atmospheric gradients, such as the mid-Atlantic region. The new results have important implications for the understanding of the mountain-forced flows and some air quality problems during the nocturnal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New heterocyclic compound (S)-3-(4-(5-bromo-2-chlorobenzyl)phenoxy)tetrahydrofuran (1), designed by utilizing 5-bromo-2-chlorobenzoic acid (2) as the starting material, is obtained by the organic synthesis and then characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. In the biological study, the CCK-8 assay is performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the compound on SPC-A-1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro by measuring the cancer cell viability. Then, the anticancer activity of the compound is also confirmed by the in vivo xenograft experiment by measuring the mice body weight and the cancer volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electric-field control of magnetization has many potential applications in magnetic memory storage, sensors, and spintronics. A new multiferroic spin-valve (SV) heterostructure was grown by combining a multiferroic \ BiFeO3 (BFO) and a \ Co90{\ {Fe}}10/{\ {Cu/Co}}90{\ {Fe}}10 spin valve on \ Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate. Through the magnetoelectric coupling between a BFO layer and \ Co90{\ {Fe}}10 layer, the magnetoresistance of SV could be controlled by electric field applied on the BFO layer. The BFO film exhibits an obvious ferroelectric property with a remnant polarization of 17 \mu\ C/cm^2 and a coercive field of 400 kV/cm. The exchange bias of 6 Oe and magnetoresistance (MR) of 1.04% were observed in the heterostructure at room temperature. Moreover, an electric-field-induced change of MR was demonstrated when we employed 0.5- and -0.5-V voltage between top and bottom electrode layer. Furthermore, the values of MR of the spin were changed into 0.71% and 0.95%, respectively. This realization of the electric-field-induced change of MR indicates the great potential applications in future functional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we utilized two types of plasma spray processing, namely atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) and hypersonic plasma spraying (HPS) to produce structural bulk titanium aluminides. Microstructure characterisation of the deposits, their compositional changes and phase transformations were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was found that the TiAl alloyed powder particles experienced a significant phase change during both APS and HPS processes. During APS the TiAl alloyed powder particles also experienced a significant compositional change; having a considerable amount of titanium oxides. On the other hand, the compositional change during HPS was negligible. At the end of the paper, an attempt of using a low temperature spraying process, i.e. cold gas dynamic spray, was reported as an alternative coating method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oryza rufipogon Griff. (common wild rice; CWR) is the ancestor of Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). Investigation of the genetic structure and diversity of CWR in China will provide information about the origin of cultivated rice and the grain quality and yield. In this study, we used 36 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to assay 889 accessions, which were highly representative of whole germplasm in China. The analysis revealed a hierarchical genetic structure within CWR. First, CWR has diverged into two ecotypic populations, a south subtropical population (SSP) and a middle subtropical population (MSP), probably owing to natural selection by the different climates. The distribution of specific alleles and haplotypes indicated that Chinese CWR had both indica-like and japonica-like variations; the SSP was an indica-like type, whereas the MSP was more japonica-like. The SSP and MSP further diverged into five (HN, GD-GX1, GX2, FJ and YN) and two (JX-HuN1 and HuN2) geographical populations, respectively. The genetic data suggest the isolation by distance, although water systems also appear to play an important role in the formation of homogenous populations, and occasionally landscape was also involved. The population GD-GX1, which grew widely in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, was the largest geographical population in China. It had a high level of genetic diversity (GD) and the closest genetic relationship with other inferred populations. The population HN, with the smallest SSR molecular weights and the highest level of GD, may be the most ancestral population.Heredity (2008) 101, 527–535; doi:10.1038/hdy.2008.61; published online 1 October 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the cellular structure of a two-dimensional detonation wave in a low pressure H2/O2/Ar mixture calculated with a detailed chemical reaction model, high order scheme and high resolution grids is investigated. The regular cellular structure is produced about 1 ms after introducing perturbations in the reaction zone of a steady one-dimensional detonation wave. It is found from the present resolution study that the discrepancies concerning the structure type arising from the coarser grid employed can be resolved using a sufficiently fine grid size of 0.05 mm and below and shows a double-Mach-like strong-type configuration. During the structure evolution process, the structure configuration does not change much in the periods before and after the triple point collision. Through the triple point collision, three regular collision processes are observed and are followed by a quick change to the double-Mach-like configuration. The simulated structure tracks show that there are three different tracks associated with different triple points or the kink on the transverse wave. Comparisons with previous work and experiments indicate the presence of a strong structure for an ordinary detonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 3ω method for simultaneously measuring the specific heat and thermal conductivity of a rod- or filament-like specimen using a way similar to a four-probe resistance measurement. The specimen in this method needs to be electrically conductive and with a temperature-dependent resistance, for acting both as a heater to create a temperature fluctuation and as a sensor to measure its thermal response. With this method, we have successfully measured the specific heat and thermal conductivity of platinum wire specimens at cryogenic temperatures, and measured those thermal quantities of tiny carbon nanotube bundles some of which are only ∼10[sup -9] g in mass. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we fabricated Co2FeAl films with perpendicular-to-plane magnetic anisotropy by cosputtering with terbium (Tb). The as-prepared (Tb+Co2FeAl) films (TCFA) consists of nanocrystalline L21 Co2FeAl and amorphous alloy of Tb(Co, Fe, and Al). The coercivity field (Hc) of the TCFA films is adjustable from 200 to 800 Oe. After annealing, the Hc decreases to 70 Oe. A perpendicularly magnetized spin valve with the TCFA films as free and reference layers shows a current-perpendicular-to-plane magnetoresistance of 1.8% at room temperature. Our result opens a way to fabricate perpendicularly magnetized full-Heusler alloys and makes it possible to realize faster and simple structured magnetic storage bits in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The North China Plain (NCP) is a region with high level of seismic hazard. Previous Global Positioning System measurements, however, have shown a near absence of present‐day crustal deformation. Using updated Global Positioning System data covering three blocks of the eastern China, we discover that interseismic deformation in the NCP takes place in an ~1,100 km wide left‐lateral shear zone of roughly east‐west orientation. The 6.0 ± 1.3 mm/yr interseismic left‐lateral shear over the NCP results in contemporary deformation that is eventually accommodated by earthquake ruptures of right‐lateral strike‐slip along the north‐northeast trending faults and anticlockwise block rotates. We suggest that rapid eastward motion of the rigid South China block, with respect to the rigid Amurian block, has created a left‐lateral shear couple to twist the nonrigid NCP to form the contemporary deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-noise readout architecture for uncooled microbolometer focal plane arrays is described. A 40×30 uncooled microbolometer focal plane array based on the low-noise ROIC was implemented on silicon using a 0.5 µm CMOS technology. Total output noise voltage is 260 µV RMS. Experimental values of voltage responsivities of 3.98×105 V/W on average at 1 Hz modulation frequency have been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of spin-polarized quasi-particle injection on the superconductivity of epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 composite thin films is systematically investigated. Different electrode configurations on the same specimen are designed to study the role of spin injection. It is found that the upper critical field and flux pinning potential are reduced by the spin injection, especially for the field parallel to ab-plane. The manipulation of superconductivity by the spin polarization orientations of injected quasi-particles possibly originates from the different suppressions on the superconducting pairing strength, which is considered to be related to the local antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in La1.85Sr0.15CuO4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europium doped CaAl2O4 nanocones have been grown first time by thermal evaporation method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to analyze the morphology, size and crystal structure of the nanocones. The body of the nanocones are about 2–20 μm in length and their diameters are 200 nm to 1 μm at one end and tapers off to a ~ 40–200 nm at the tip end. The as-synthesized nanocones are single crystalline in monoclinic structure and grow along the [010] direction and the normal direction of (100) and (001). The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum measurement reveals that CaAl2O4:Eu2+ nanocones emit light at about 440 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study examined the biotransformation pathway of ginsenoside Rb1 by the fungus Esteya vermicola CNU 120806. Methods and Results Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd were extracted from the root of Panax ginseng. Liquid fermentation and purified enzyme hydrolysis were employed to investigate the biotransformation of ginsenoside Rb1. The metabolites were identified and confirmed using NMR analysis as gypenoside XVII and gypenoside LXXV. A mole yield of 95·4% gypenoside LXXV was obtained by enzymatic conversion ( pH 5·0, temperature 50°C). Ginsenoside Rd was used to verify the transformation pathway under the same reaction condition. The product Compound K (mole yield 49·6%) proved a consecutive hydrolyses occurred at the C-3 position of ginsenoside Rb1. Conclusions Strain CNU 120806 showed a high degree of specific β-glucosidase activity to convert ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd to gypenoside LXXV and Compound K, respectively. The maximal activity of the purified glucosidase for ginsenosides transformation occurred at 50°C and pH 5·0. Compared with its activity against p NPG (100%), the β-glucosidase exhibited quite lower level of activity against other aryl-glycosides. Enzymatic hydrolysate, gypenoside LXXV and Compound K were produced by consecutive hydrolyses of the terminal and inner glucopyranosyl moieties at the C-3 carbon of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd, giving the pathway: ginsenoside Rb1→ gypenoside XVII → gypenoside LXXV; ginsenoside Rd→F2→ Compound K, but did not hydrolyse the 20-C, β-(1-6)-glucoside of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd. Significance and Impact of the Study The results showed an important practical application on the preparation of gypenoside LXXV. Additionally, this study for the first time provided a high efficient preparation method for gypenoside LXXV without further conversion, which also gives rise to a potential commercial enzyme application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the efficacy of piroline and other antibiotics in the treatment of bovine mastitis caused by Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli during dry-milk period. A total of 1880 cows in dry-milk period were divided into 4 groups and treated with penicillin G, ammonia benzyl penicillin, ceftiofur and piroline, respectively. The efficac for mastitis caused by E. coli were 31.2% for penicillin G, 36.9% for ammonia benzyl penicillin, 61.3% for ceftiofur, and 64.4% for piroline. For mastitis caused by S. uberis, the efficacies are 90% for ceftiofur and 94.4% for piroline. The results indicated that piroline was more effective than the other three in treating the disease. The post-treatment analysis on milk samples demonstrated absence of piroline residueÿHence, piroline could be used as therapeutic agent in treating mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NKG2D is an activating immunoreceptor expressed by NK cells and CD8+ T cells. Engagement of NKG2D by its ligands is critical for both innate and adoptive immunity. While the overexpression of NKG2D ligands on certain tumour cells has previously been demonstrated, little is known about NKG2D ligand expression on human laryngeal tumour cells. In this study, we first verified that the interaction between NKG2D and its ligands was critical for NK cell-based immune response to human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cells Hep-2. This NKG2D-mediated effect was observed by transfecting the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1/NKG2D as well as the NKG2D blockade. The mRNA and protein expression of NKG2D ligands, MHC class I-related chain molecules A (MICA) and UL16-binding proteins (ULBPs), in human laryngeal carcinoma cell line Hep-2 and fresh tumour tissues were evaluated. Compared with non-tumour tissues of vocal cords polyps, MICA and ULBP-3 were strongly overexpressed on both the human laryngeal carcinoma cell line Hep-2 and fresh human laryngeal carcinoma tissues. The mechanism and impact of NKG2D ligands overexpression on NK cell-mediated anti-laryngeal cancer immune response would require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in addressing issues related to tropical cyclone formation and intensification. NASA conducted a field campaign known as the Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) experiment. An outline of some of the key questions related to tropical cyclone genesis and intensity change is presented. A list of TCSP Science Team members is presented. The TCSP experiment examined some of the outstanding questions of tropical cyclone formation over the western Atlantic. TCSP explored the utility of promising new technologies such as the Aerosonde UAV, for providing tropical cyclone environments.

The displacement reaction between Al and SiO2 in an Al–3wt%Cu–3wt%Si–9wt%SiO2 powder mixture has been studied when the mixture had been ball-milled, and compared with the reaction in the as-mixed powder. Diffusion couples consisting of Al/SiO2 were formed during ball milling. The size of the composite powder particles and the diffusion couples was reduced by increasing the ball milling time. Differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction results showed that the displacement reaction between Al and SiO2 did not occur in the as-mixed powder, but occurred in the as-milled powders in the temperature range of 640–680 °C. Furthermore, the onset temperature of the displacement reaction shifted to lower temperatures after increasing the ball milling time. On the basis of these results the milled powder was sintered at 640 °C in order to produce an Al–Cu–Si matrix composite reinforced with homogeneously distributed submicron-sized Al2O3 particles. This is much lower than the temperature required for the same reaction in other processes which are used to produce such composites, such as the melting infiltration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Ti3Al(O)–Al2O3 in situ composite was explored as a coating system for Ti using thermal spray. Oxidation tests at 700–800 °C showed that this coating remarkably decreased the oxidation rate and increased the scale spallation resistance compared with Ti. The mechanisms for these improvements were then briefly discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report room temperature ferromagnetism in boron-doped ZnO both experimentally and theoretically. The single phase Zn1-xBxO films deposited under high oxygen pressure by pulsed laser deposition show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The saturation magnetization increases monotonically from 0 to 1.5 emu/cm3 with the increasing boron component x from 0% to 6.8%. The first-principles calculations demonstrate that the ferromagnetism in the B-doped ZnO originates from the induced magnetic moment of oxygen atoms in the nearest neighbor sites to B-Zn vacancy pairs. The calculated total magnetic moment shows an increasing trend with the boron component which is consistent with experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. We investigated the relationship between genetic and environmental factors in hypertensive people living in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. 2. Body mass index, alcohol intake, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride level in the hypertensive group were significantly higher than corresponding values in the normal group. 3. Angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and related haplotype H6 and H9 were strongly associated with essential hypertension. The b2-adrenergic receptor gene was associated with lipid disorders in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. 4. The results suggest that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]