Alcohol dehydrogenase in maize: genetic control of enzyme activity

A gene (Adhr(r)) which controls the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase in the scutellum of maize has been found. This gene is not allelic to the Adh(1) locus, which specifies the charge of the enzyme molecule and hence its migration rate. The two genes are linked and located about 17 crossover units apart. The Adh(r)(N) allele specifies equal activities of both the Adh(1)(S) and Adh(1)(F) products. The Adh(r)(L) allele gives lower activities of the Adh(1)(S) products only and operates in both the cis and the trans configurations.     

差分生长模型预测误差的分析

差分模型是一种特殊随机参数模型,仅有一个参数为随机参数。对于未参与抽样建模的林分,差分模型首先对应变量在林龄Aij0时的期望函数求解关于随机参数的表达式,然后用非随机参数的估计值和应变量在Aij0时的观测值Yij0分别取代对应参数和数学期望E(Yij0)来估计随机参数。显而易见,Yij0相当于E(Yij0)的估计值。由于这种特有的统计特征,经典非线性回归模型不能准确地估计差分模型预测误差的方差。针对这一不足,依据非线性回归模型预测误差的方差估计量的推导过程,导出了一个适用于差分模型的预测误差的方差估计量,并给出一个应用示例。所提出的估计量充分地考虑了重复观测数据的自相关性和Yij0对预测的影响作用。结果表明,该估计量能够描述未抽样林分预测误差的方差及其构成分量的变化趋势,而对于抽样建模的林分应该使用非线性回归模型的估计量进行预测误差分析。      

Identification of additional QTLs for flowering time by removing the effect of the maturity gene E1 in soybean

The adaptability of soybean to be grown at a wide range of latitudes is attributed to natural variation in the major genes and quantitative trait loci(QTLs) that control flowering time and maturity. Thus, the identification of genes controlling flowering time and maturity and the understanding of their molecular basis are critical for improving soybean productivity. However, due to the great effect of the major maturity gene E1 on flowering time, it is difficult to detect other small-effect QTLs. In this study, aiming to reduce the effect of the QTL, associated with the E1 gene, on the detection of other QTLs, we divided a population of 96 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) into two sub-populations: one with the E1 allele and another with the e1 nl allele. Compared with the results of using all 96 recombinant inbred lines, additional QTLs for flowering time were identified in the sub-populations, two(q FT-B1 and q FT-H) in RILs with the E1 allele and one(q FT-J-2) in the RILs with the e1 nl allele, respectively. The three QTLs, q FT-B1, q FT-H and q FT-J-2 were true QTLs and played an important role in the regulation of growth period. Our data provides valuable information for the genetic mapping and gene cloning of traits controlling flowering time and maturity and will help a better understanding of the mechanism of photoperiod-regulated flowering and molecular breeding in soybean.     

Free energy and temperature dependence of electron transfer at the metal-electrolyte interface

The rate constant of the electron-transfer reaction between a gold electrode and an electroactive ferrocene group has been measured at a structurally well-defined metal-electrolyte interface at temperatures from 1 degrees to 47 degrees C and reaction free energies from -1.0 to +0.8 electron volts (eV). The ferrocene group was positioned a fixed distance from the gold surface by the self-assembly of a mixed thiol monolayer of (eta(5)C(5)H(5))Fe(eta(5)C(5)H(4))CO(2)(CH(2))(16)SH and CH(3)(CH(2))(15)SH. Rate constants from 1 per second (s(-1)) to 2 x 10(4) s(-1) in 1 molar HClO(4) are reasonably fit with a reorganization energy of 0.85 eV and a prefactor for electron tunneling of 7 x 10(4) s(-1) eV(-1). Such self-assembled monolayers can be used to systematically probe the dependence of electron-transfer rates on distance, medium, and spacer structure, and to provide an empirical basis for the construction of interfacial devices such as sensors and transducers that utilize macroscopically directional electron-transfer reactions.     

不同桉树人工林生物量与生产力的比较分析

分别对永安市巨尾桉、巨桉和尾巨桉3种桉树人工林生物量和生产力进行研究,结果表明:不同桉树的林木单株生物量和林分生物量均随林龄的增加而增加,3年生巨尾桉(1 483株.hm-2)和4年生巨尾桉(1 319株.hm-2)人工林生物量分别为40.79和55.33 t.hm-2;3年生巨桉(1 165株.hm-2)和6年生巨桉(1 889株.hm-2)人工林生物量分别为36.48和62.14 t.hm-2;4年生尾巨桉(1 517株.hm-2)和7年生尾巨桉(1 106株.hm-2)人工林生物量分别为70.80和112.80 t.hm-2.3和4年生巨尾桉人工林年均生产力达到气候生产力的77.13%和78.46%,6和3年生巨桉人工林年均生产力达到气候生产力的58.75%和68.97%,4和7年生尾巨桉生产力达到气候生产力的100.40%和91.4%.     

Excitation of the venus night airglow

The strongest spectral features in the Venus night airglow between 3000 and 8000 angstroms are identified as the Herzberg. II (c(1)Sigma(-)(u) - X(3)Sigma(-)(a)) bands of molecular oxygen. These bands have been produced in a laboratory afterglow by the recombination of oxygen atoms in the presence of carbon dioxide molecules. It is hypothesized that the same mechanism produces this emission in the upper atmosphere of Venus.     

A synthetic nickel electrocatalyst with a turnover frequency above 100,000 s⁻¹ for H₂ production

Reduction of acids to molecular hydrogen as a means of storing energy is catalyzed by platinum, but its low abundance and high cost are problematic. Precisely controlled delivery of protons is critical in hydrogenase enzymes in nature that catalyze hydrogen (H(2)) production using earth-abundant metals (iron and nickel). Here, we report that a synthetic nickel complex, [Ni(P(Ph)(2)N(Ph))(2)](BF(4))(2), (P(Ph)(2)N(Ph) = 1,3,6-triphenyl-1-aza-3,6-diphosphacycloheptane), catalyzes the production of H(2) using protonated dimethylformamide as the proton source, with turnover frequencies of 33,000 per second (s(-1)) in dry acetonitrile and 106,000 s(-1) in the presence of 1.2 M of water, at a potential of -1.13 volt (versus the ferrocenium/ferrocene couple). The mechanistic implications of these remarkably fast catalysts point to a key role of pendant amines that function as proton relays.     

The magnon pairing mechanism of superconductivity in cuprate ceramics

The magnon pairing mechanism is derived to explain the high-temperature superconductivity of both the La2-xSrxCu(1)O(4) and Y(1)Ba(2)Cu(3)O(7) systems. Critical features include (i) a one- or two-dimensional lattice of linear Cu-O-Cu bonds that contribute to large antiferromagnetic (superexchange) coupling of the Cu(II)(d(9)) orbitals; (ii) holes in the oxygen ppi bands [rather than Cu(III)(d(8))] leading to high mobility hole conduction; and (iii) strong ferromagnetic coupling between oxygen ppi holes and adjacent Cu(II)(d(9)) electrons. The ferromagnetic coupling of the conduction electrons with copper d spins induces the attractive interaction responsible for the superconductivity, leading to triplet-coupled pairs called "tripgems." The disordered Heisenberg lattice of antiferromagnetically coupled copper d spins serves a role analogous to the phonons in a conventional system. This leads to a maximum transition temperature of about 200 K. For La(1.85)Sr(0.15)Cu(1)O(4), the energy gap is in excellent agreement with experiment. For Y(1)Ba(2)Cu(3)O(7), we find that both the CuO sheets and the CuO chains can contribute to the supercurrent.     

Hemoglobin switching in sheep and goats: occurrence of hemoglobins A and C in the same red cell

Sheep and goats switch from the synthesis of hemoglobin A (alpha(2)beta(2)(A)) to hemoglobin C (alpha(2)beta(2)(C)) when made anemic. We have demonstrated the existence of the asymmetrical hybrid hemoglobin, alpha(2)beta(A)beta(C), in the circulating red cells of anemic sheep. These erythroid cells, therefore, synthesized both A and C hemoglobin simultaneously. Thus, the switch appears to be mediated by selective gene expression rather than by a clonal or cellular selective mechanism.     

A sharp peak of the zero-temperature penetration depth at optimal composition in BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2

In a superconductor, the ratio of the carrier density, n, to its effective mass, m*, is a fundamental property directly reflecting the length scale of the superfluid flow, the London penetration depth, λ(L). In two-dimensional systems, this ratio n/m* (~1/λ(L)(2)) determines the effective Fermi temperature, T(F). We report a sharp peak in the x-dependence of λ(L) at zero temperature in clean samples of BaFe(2)(As(1)(-x)P(x))(2) at the optimum composition x = 0.30, where the superconducting transition temperature T(c) reaches a maximum of 30 kelvin. This structure may arise from quantum fluctuations associated with a quantum critical point. The ratio of T(c)/T(F) at x = 0.30 is enhanced, implying a possible crossover toward the Bose-Einstein condensate limit driven by quantum criticality.     

Conducting Layered Organic-inorganic Halides Containing <110>-Oriented Perovskite Sheets

Single crystals of the layered organic-inorganic perovskites, [NH(2)C(I=NH(2)](2)(CH(3)NH(3))m SnmI3m+2, were prepared by an aqueous solution growth technique. In contrast to the recently discovered family, (C(4)H(9)NH(3))(2)(CH(3)NH(3))n-1SnnI3n+1, which consists of (100)-terminated perovskite layers, structure determination reveals an unusual structural class with sets of m <110>-oriented CH(3)NH(3)SnI(3) perovskite sheets separated by iodoformamidinium cations. Whereas the m = 2 compound is semiconducting with a band gap of 0.33 +/- 0.05 electron volt, increasing m leads to more metallic character. The ability to control perovskite sheet orientation through the choice of organic cation demonstrates the flexibility provided by organic-inorganic perovskites and adds an important handle for tailoring and understanding lower dimensional transport in layered perovskites.     

德宏水牛乳和荷斯坦牛乳中上皮粘蛋白的遗传多态性

本文采用 ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ对 ５６头云南德宏水牛和 ４７头中国荷斯坦牛的乳上皮粘蛋白 ＭＵＣ１进行了基因分型。结果表明：德宏水牛乳和荷斯坦牛乳中的 ＭＵＣ１均呈现多态性。德宏水牛乳中共发现 ３种分子量分别为２０８,１８５,１６８ｋＤ的电泳谱带,命名为 Ａ,Ｂ和 Ｃ等位基因;荷斯坦牛乳中共发现 ５种分子量分别为 １９６,１９１,１８８,１７６,１５９ｋＤ的电泳谱带,命名为 Ｄ,Ｅ,Ｆ,Ｇ和 Ｈ等位基因。德宏水牛乳 ＭＵＣ１基因座 Ａ,Ｂ,Ｃ３个等位基因频率分别为０.２２３２,０.３３０４和０.４４６４,群体期望杂合度为０.６４７５;荷斯坦牛乳 ＭＵＣ１基因座 Ｄ,Ｅ,Ｆ,Ｇ,Ｈ５个等位基因频率分别为０.４６８１,０.０１０６,０.２１２８,０.２５５３和０.０５３２,群体期望杂合度为０.６７４７。结果揭示德宏水牛乳 ＭＵＣ１蛋白与荷斯坦牛乳 ＭＵＣ１蛋白遗传组成存在显著差异,该座位遗传多态性较丰富。     

Precursory chemical changes in ground water: kobe earthquake, Japan

Chloride (Cl(-)) and sulfate (SO(4)(2-)) ion concentrations of ground water issuing from two wells located near the epicenter of the Kobe earthquake in Japan fluctuated before the disastrous magnitude 7.2 event on 17 January 1995. The samples measured were pumped ground water packed in bottles and distributed in the domestic market as drinking water from 1993 to April 1995. Analytical results demonstrate that Cl(-)and SO(4)(2-) concentrations increased steadily from August 1994 to just before the earthquake. Water sampled after the earthquake showed much higher Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) concentrations. The precursory changes in chemical composition may reflect the preparation stage of a large earthquake.     

Reversible reduction of oxygen to peroxide facilitated by molecular recognition

Generation of soluble sources of peroxide dianion (O(2)(2-)) is a challenge in dioxygen chemistry. The oxidizing nature of this anion renders its stabilization in organic media difficult. This Report describes the chemically reversible reduction of oxygen (O(2)) to cryptand-encapsulated O(2)(2-). The dianion is stabilized by strong hydrogen bonds to N-H groups from the hexacarboxamide cryptand. Analogous stabilization of peroxide by hydrogen bonding has been invoked recently in crystalline saccharide and protein systems. The present peroxide adducts are stable at room temperature in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF). These adducts can be obtained in gram quantities from the cryptand-driven disproportionation reaction of potassium superoxide (KO(2)) at room temperature.     

Bond lengths in free molecules of buckminsterfullerene, c60, from gas-phase electron diffraction

Electron diffraction patterns of the fullerene C(60) in the gaseous state have been obtained by volatilizing it from a newly designed oven-nozzle at 730 degrees C. The many peaks of the experimental radial distribution curve calculated from the scattered intensity are completely consistent with icosahedral symmetry for the free molecule. On the basis of this symmetry assumption, least-squares refinement of a model incorporating all possible interatomic distances led to the values r(g)(C(1)-C(2)) = 1.458(6) angstroms (A) for the thermal average bond length within the five-member ring (that is, for the bond fusing five- and six-member rings) and r(g)(C(1)-C(6)) = 1.401(10) A for that connecting five-member rings (the bond fusing six-member rings). The weighted average of the two bond lengths and the difference between them are the values 1.439(2) A and 0.057(6) A, respectively. The diameter of the icosahedral sphere is 7.113(10) A. The uncertainties in parentheses are estimated 2sigma values.     

Binuclear ion containing nitrogen as a bridging group

A binuclear ion ([NH(3))5RuN(2)Ru(NH(3))(5)](5)+ is formed by the direct reaction of N(2) with an aqueous solution of (NH(3))(5)RuOH(2)(2+) at room temperature. The binuclear ion is also formed by the reversible reaction of (NH(3))5RuOH(2)(2+) with (NH(3))(5)RuN(2)(2+). Solid [(NH(3))(5)RuN(2)Ru(NH(3))(5)] (BF(4))(4) has been prepared, and its ultraviolet and infrared spectra are reported.     

猪FTO基因多态性与肉质性状的关联分析

为了探究猪FTO基因多态性与肉质性状的关联性,试验通过限制性片段长度多态性聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP)的BstuⅠ和TaiⅠ限制性内切酶技术分析了豫西黑猪和长白猪FTO基因第3外显子(c.594C>G)和第4内含子(g.276G>T)的遗传多样性,并将FTO基因的基因型与豫西黑猪背膘厚、pH₁、pH₂₄、滴水损失、肉色和大理石纹等肉质性状进行了关联分析。研究结果表明:FTO基因的c.594C>G位点和g.276G>T位点都具有中度多态性,经检验c.594C>G位点和g.276G>T位点的基因频率均符合χ²检验的Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律(P>0.05)。在c.594C>G位点上,豫西黑猪和长白猪都存在3种不同的基因型,分别为CC、CG和GG基因型,优势等位基因都为C等位基因,且两者C等位基因的频率分别为0.522 7和0.533 3,在肉色评分上,CG基因型和GG基因型个体显著高于CC基因型(P<0.05)。在g.276G>T位点上,豫西黑猪和长白猪都存在3种不同的基因型,分别为GG、GT和TT基因型,优势等位基因均为T等位基因(0.574 1,1.648 1)。结果表明,FTO基因的c.594C>G位点与豫西黑猪的肉质性状具有显著关联性,这在一定程度上说明了FTO基因可以为豫西黑猪肉质性状的遗传选择提供参考依据。     

概率P（X〉E（X））的估计问题

Let X_1, X_2,...X_n be independent and identically distributed samples deawn from a population x with distribution F. The estimation of the probability P(X> E(X))=1-F(E(X)) is discussed in this article. Some strong consistent estimators are proposed, and     

Zener model description of ferromagnetism in zinc-blende magnetic semiconductors

Ferromagnetism in manganese compound semiconductors not only opens prospects for tailoring magnetic and spin-related phenomena in semiconductors with a precision specific to III-V compounds but also addresses a question about the origin of the magnetic interactions that lead to a Curie temperature (T(C)) as high as 110 K for a manganese concentration of just 5%. Zener's model of ferromagnetism, originally proposed for transition metals in 1950, can explain T(C) of Ga(1-)(x)Mn(x)As and that of its II-VI counterpart Zn(1-)(x)Mn(x)Te and is used to predict materials with T(C) exceeding room temperature, an important step toward semiconductor electronics that use both charge and spin.     

Denitrification Studies with 13N-Labeled Nitrate

Nitrate labeled with (13)N ((13)NO(3)(-)) was produced in a cyclotron by the (16)O(p, alpha)(13)N reaction with protons having energies of 14.5 million electron volts. The (13)NO(3)(-) was used as a tracer for direct quantitative measurements of denitrification rates in soils from flooded rice fields. The (13)N technique provides a new tracer method for the measurement of denitrification rates in natural systems over short time intervals, without changing the concentration of NO(3)(-)in the system.