Suitability of surface acoustic wave oscillators fabricated using low temperature-grown AlN films on GaN/sapphire as UV sensors

Epitaxial AlN films were prepared on GaN/sapphire using a helicon sputtering system at the low temperature of 300 degrees C. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices fabricated on AlN/GaN/sapphire exhibited superior characteristics compared with those made on GaN/sapphire. An oscillator using an AlN/GaN/sapphirebased SAW device is presented. The oscillation frequency decreased when the device was illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the downshift of the oscillation frequency increased with the illuminating UV power density. The results showed that the AlN/GaN/sapphire-layered structure SAW oscillators are suitable for visible blind UV detection and opened up the feasibility of developing remote UV sensors for different ranges of wavelengths on the III-nitrides.     

Highly aligned ultrahigh density arrays of conducting polymer nanorods using block copolymer templates

Ultrahigh density arrays of conducting polypyrrole (PPy) nanorods are fabricated directly on the indium-tin oxide coated glass by an electropolymerization within a porous diblock copolymer template. The nanorods are shown to have conductivity much higher than thin PPy films, due to the high degree of chain orientation, even though the separation distance for two neighboring PPy main chains is as small as 0.37 nm. The ultrahigh density arrays of conducting polymer nanorods have potential applications as sensor materials, nanoactuators, and organic photovoltaic devices.     

beta'-Hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones: A new pharmacophore for the design of anticancer drugs. Part 2

Novel antiproliferative beta'-acyloxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones were obtained by means of an iron(III)-catalyzed multicomponent domino process (ABB' 3CR). The most active derivatives displayed GI(50) values in the range of 0.5-3.9 muM against a panel of representative human solid tumor cell lines: A2780, SW1573, HBL-100, T-47D and WiDr. Analysis of cells following 24 h exposure to these drugs showed cell cycle arrest in the S and G(2)/M phase, in a dose-dependent manner. Our data indicate that the beta'-acyloxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones cause permanent damage to the cells and induce apoptosis.     

Quantifying variability in life cycle greenhouse gas inventories of alternative middle distillate transportation fuels

The presence of variability in life cycle analysis (LCA) is inherent due to both inexact LCA procedures and variation of numerical inputs. Variability in LCA needs to be clearly distinguished from uncertainty. This paper uses specific examples from the production of diesel and jet fuels from 14 different feedstocks to demonstrate general trends in the types and magnitudes of variability present in life cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) inventories of middle distillate fuels. Sources of variability have been categorized as pathway specific, coproduct usage and allocation, and land use change. The results of this research demonstrate that subjective choices such as coproduct usage and allocation methodology can be more important sources of variability in the LC-GHG inventory of a fuel option than the process and energy use of fuel production. Through the application of a consistent analysis methodology across all fuel options, the influence of these subjective biases is minimized, and the LC-GHG inventories for each feedstock-to-fuel option can be effectively compared and discussed. By considering the types and magnitudes of variability across multiple fuel pathways, it is evident that LCA results should be presented as a range instead of a point value. The policy implications of this are discussed.     

Invited review: quantitative trait nucleotide determination in the era of genomic selection

Genome-wide association studies based on tens of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms have been completed for several dairy cattle populations. Methods have been proposed to directly incorporate genome scan data into breeding programs, chiefly by selection of young sires based on their genotypes for the genetic markers and pedigree without progeny test. Thus, the rate of genetic gain is increased by reduction of the mean generation interval. The methods developed so far for application of genomic selection do not require identification of the actual quantitative trait nucleotides (QTN) responsible for the observed variation of quantitative trait loci (QTL). To date, 2 QTN affecting milk production traits have been detected in dairy cattle: DGAT1 and ABCG2. This review will attempt to address the following questions based on the current state of bovine genomics and statistics. What are the pros and cons for QTN determination? How can data obtained from high-density, genome-wide scans be used most efficiently for QTN determination? Can the genome scan results already available and next-generation sequencing data be used to determine QTN? Should QTN be treated differently than markers at linkage disequilibrium with QTL in genetic evaluation programs? Data obtained by genome-wide association studies can be used to deduce QTL genotypes of sires via application of the a posteriori granddaughter design for concordance testing of putative QTN. This, together with next-generation sequencing technology, will dramatically reduce costs for QTN determination. By complete genome sequencing of 21 sires with many artificial insemination sons, it should be possible to determine concordance for all potential QTN, thus establishing the field of QTNomics.     

三种地下水水质评价方法的对比分析

介绍了单因子评价法、F值评分法和模糊综合评判法等地下水水质评价方法的基本原理,随机抽取北京市2009年丰水期水样14例,运用三种方法进行水质评价,并对评价结果进行了对比分析。分析结果表明:单因子评价法能直观反映单项组分的超标情况,清晰判断出主要污染指标,但不能全面的反映水质的整体状况;F值评分法根据相应的分级标准确定水质类型,在指标水质分级明显、超标指标较多或者没有超标指标的情况下可以较合理的反映水质状况,但是它极突出最大污染因素,某种情况下一定程度上高估水质污染程度。模糊综合评判法充分考虑了水质分级界线的过渡性,评价结果更精确,但是计算比较复杂。     

Detection and quantification of soy allergens in food: study of two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

ABSTRACT:  The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 commercially available soy enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and use them in detecting soy proteins in selected food commodities. Both ELISA kits exhibited high sensitivity. The determined limits of detection (LOD) (approximately 2 and <1 μg/mL for Tepnel Biosystems and Elisa Systems kits, respectively) were lower than those claimed by the manufacturer. Quantification range for both kits was, however, narrower and in a lower concentration range than defined by the kit providers. Our examination revealed a positive cross-reactivity with chickpea proteins and matrix interferences for both kits. The immunoreactivity of soy proteins, when tested by the Tepnel Biosystems kit, was partially reduced by papain and bromelain hydrolysis; it was significantly decreased by protein glycation (>47%). Nondenatured and nonheated soy protein isolate (SPI) samples were also significantly less antigenic than the treated ones.     

Use of the stable isotope (57) Fe to track the efficacy of the foliar application of lignosulfonate/Fe(3+) complexes to correct Fe deficiencies in cucumber plants

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, environmental concerns regarding the use of recalcitrant synthetic chelates to overcome iron chlorosis has increased and new ligands such as lignosulfonates (LS) have been evaluated. However, the efficacy of these products is variable. In this work a hardwood (eucalyptus) and softwood (spruce) LS were compared to try to relate their physico‐chemical characteristics and their efficacy. Also two more products derived from the eucalyptus lignosulfonate were tested. RESULTS: All the LS tested presented a good ability to complex Fe, but only the spruce LS was capable to maintain significant amounts of soluble Fe above pH 8. According to the FTIR data, structural changes related to the Fe source (Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺) used to form the complex occurred in the LS molecule and might influence their efficacy. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Ashley) chlorotic plants were used to test lignosulfonate efficacy when applied through foliar sprays in comparison with FeSO₄ and EDTA/⁵⁷Fe³⁺. The ⁵⁷Fe content of plants sprayed with LS was very low in respect to the EDTA treatment, but this was not reflected in the biomass and re‐greening rates. Eucalyptus LS modifications improve its efficacy for iron chlorosis recovery to levels similar to those found for the spruce LS. Two applications of the LS are recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Lignosulfonates did not require surfactants for their application; they did not burn the leaves, and had a stimulating effect on the vegetative growth of the plants. So these by‐products could be a good alternative when applied through foliar sprays for cucumber plants. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of oxidized dietary lipid and vitamin E on the colour stability of pork chops

The effect of oxidized corn oil and vitamin E (α-tocopheryl acetate) in pig diets on the oxidative stability of muscle lipids and on the surface colour characteristics of fresh and previously frozen pork chops in refrigerated storage was investigated. Lipid oxidation (TBARS values) and surface redness (Hunter 'a' values) were significantly influenced (P < 0·01) by dietary α-tocopheryl acetate levels but not by degree of oxidation of dietary corn oil. Lipid oxidation and colour deterioration during refrigerated storage were greater in previously frozen chops compared to fresh chops. TBARS values were lower and Hunter 'a' values higher in pork chops from pigs fed 100 and 200 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet compared to pigs fed 10 mg/kg diet after 2, 4, 6 and 8 days of refrigerated storage. Hunter 'a' values were significantly correlated (P < 0·01) with the logarithm of TBARS values. The results suggest that oxidation of myoglobin precedes oxidation of muscle lipids in pork chops stored at 4°C.