mRNA for cardiac calcium channel is expressed during development of skeletal muscle

During the early development of skeletal muscle, cardiac isotypes of several contractile proteins are known to be transiently expressed. We report here that skeletal muscle developing in vivo, as well as primary cultures derived from skeletal muscle, express mRNA encoding the cardiac dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel. The mRNA is detectable at high concentration at the earliest stage tested in vivo and diminishes rapidly in concentration as myofibers mature. The concentration of the cardiac calcium channel mRNA also diminishes during the in vivo development of skeletal muscle in a genetically paralyzed mouse (mdg), indicating that muscle contractile activity is not necessary for the down-regulation. In contrast, mRNA for the skeletal muscle-specific calcium channel accumulates gradually in developing skeletal muscle. A similar temporal pattern of expression is also seen in primary cultures of skeletal myotubes. These results raise the question of whether the cardiac calcium channel may be functionally important during the early development of skeletal myofibers.     

Research on the Distant Hybrids of Wheat Obtained via Low-Energy Ion-Beam Implantation

Abstract The whole DNA of soybean was implanted into four varieties of wheat of Zhongyu5, Huaiyin 9628, Wenyou 1, Jimai 5 respectively via ion-beam mediation. There were 5 plantsobtained whose protein content was higher than 18.5%, the highest one was 21.44%. There were 3plants obtained whose protein content was lower than 11.5%, the lowest one was 10.96%. We cansee that the whole DNA of soybean transformed into wheat via ion beam implantation can inducethe increase in wheat protein content dramatically. The result also shows that the transformationefficiency of different gene types of wheat receptor varies greatly that the implanting time has acertain effect on the efficiency of transformation.     

PREPARATION OF TiN FILMS BY N_2 ASSISTED Xe~+ ION BEAM ENHANCED DEPOSITION AND THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

A new method for preparation of hard TiN films has been developed by using electronbeam evaporation-deposition of Ti and bombardment with 40 keV Xe~+ ion beam ina N_2 gas environment.The synthesized TiN films were superior to PVD and CVDones in respects of improved adhesion to substrate and low preparing temperature.Theyexhibited good wear resistance and high hardness up to 2200 kg/mm~2.Some industrialapplications have been reported.     

Influence of Zn ion implantation on structures and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays

The structures and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays implanted with Zn+ by MEVVA ion implanter have been investigated.The results revealed that Zn+implantation induced structural damage and that the top of carbon nanotubes with multi-layered graphite structure were transformed into carbon nanowires with amorphous structure.Meanwhile,C:Zn solid solution was synthesized after Zn+ implantation.The turn-on field and threshold field were 0.80 and 1.31 V/μm,respectively for original...     

Prevalence of failure of passive transfer of immunity in newborn heifer calves and associated management practices on US dairy operations

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) in dairy replacement calves has been linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term decreases in productivity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves in 2007 and to use nationally representative data to investigate associations of FPT with colostrum and calf management practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted by the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System between January and August 2007. Producers from 394 operations in 17 states completed survey questions about colostrum and calf management practices, and serum samples were collected from 1,816 healthy heifer calves on those operations. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion, and calves were classified as having FPT if the IgG concentration was less than 10 mg/mL. To investigate associations between FPT and management practices, a multivariable analysis was completed using a weighted logistic regression model. The estimated prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves was 19.2%. The odds of FPT were higher for calves on operations that pooled colostrum [odds ratio (OR = 2.2)], allowed nursing (OR = 2.4), or hand fed colostrum more than 4 h after birth (OR = 2.7). The odds of FPT were also higher for calves on operations that did not provide a source of heat during cold weather for calves experiencing a dystocia (OR = 1.6), would not seek veterinary assistance when unable to correctly position a calf for delivery (OR = 2.6), or did not routinely monitor serum proteins in calves as a measure of passive transfer (OR = 13.8). The prevalence of FPT in dairy heifer calves has decreased in the last 15 yr, so progress has been made in this important area of calf management. This study identified several management practices associated with FPT that could be targeted for educational campaigns or further research.     

Study on shape factor of the fusion-solidification zone of electron beam weld

The concept of shape factors of the fusion-solidification zone is proposed to describe the weld cross section geometry. According to these shape factors, the electron beam weld fusion-solidification zone is divided into four typical shapes and the classification criterion for these typical shapes is suggested. An integrated parameter n, combining the line power density of electron beam and material thermal properties is proposed to describe the relative power input, and another integrated parameter n2 combing the accelerating voltage and focusing current is proposed to reflect the power distribution in the keyhole. A series of new expressions, which can reflect the influence of focusing current, accelerating voltage, beam current, and material thermal properties, are developed to predict the fusion-solidification zone shape based on experimental results nonlinear fitting of n1 and n2.     

鄂黄长江大桥主桥施工阶段横向应力研究

通过模拟鄂黄长江公路大桥主桥梁段悬浇施工过程,建立梁段有限元各阶段应力分析模型,探讨不同施工阶段梁段横向应力增长规律,并将几种横梁预应力筋施工方案作分析比较,提出合理的预应力筋张拉次序.     

Deep levels in bulk LEC single crystal IxGa1-xAs

Bulk single crystals of In_xGa_1-xAs (0.01 <x < 0.12) were successfully grown by the Liquid Encapsulated Czochraski (LEC) technique. These crystals are of high quality and can provide tunable substrate material for epitaxial application, since the lattice constant may be adjusted by varying the composition. Nominally undoped crystals were semi-insulating as grown ifx is less than about 0.05. Semi-insulating crystals with higher In composition can be obtained by chromium doping during crystal growth. The asgrown crystals were studied by 4.2 K photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and thermally stimulated current spectroscopy (TSC). Results from PL measurements indicate good crystal quality and impurity control. TSC spectra reveal several bulk traps in undoped and Cr doped semi-insulating samples. The activation energies of these traps decrease as In composition is increased. The amount of change in activation energy is about one third of the bandgap shrinkage due to increased In concentration.     

Chronobiology and chronotherapy of asthma

There is no doubt that many pathophysiologic conditions change over a 24-hour period and thus therapy needs to be directed at these changes. In particular, asthma has been one of the better-studied disease processes in regard to circadian changes in pathophysiology. As we continue to learn more about circadian changes, better approaches to treating the disease with the same medications will emerge. It should be remembered that many asthmatics do not perceive their degree of bronchoconstriction. This was brought forth in Turner-Warwick's epidemiologic study in that less than one half of the asthmatic individuals who had problems with their asthma every night describe their asthma as being severe. The majority stated they either had mild or moderate asthma. Therefore, it is important that we use objective criteria such as peak flow meters in determining an individual patient's day-to-night changes in lung function. Then, any therapeutic intervention can be objectively determined at home with both the patient and physician gaining knowledge about the ongoing asthmatic process.