Asymmetric epoxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-unsaturated ketones using <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-diarylprolinols as catalysts

Asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones has been extensively studied and several important procedures have been developed in the last decade. This review addresses the most significant advances in asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones using proline-derived α,α-diarylprolinols as catalysts. Special attention has been paid to the enantioselective epoxidation of chalcones, α,β-unsaturated trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl ketones and β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters based on the reseach of our group.     

Transpositional behaviour of the Ds element in the Ac/Ds system in rice

Insertional mutagenesis based on maize Activator/Dissociator (Ac/Ds) transposons is becoming a ma- jor approach used to produce a saturated mutant collection in rice. In this research, Ds-T-DNA trans- formed homozygotes were crossed with Ac-T-DNA transformed homozygotes in order to establish an Ac/Ds transposon system in rice. The successive investigation of Ds transposition from F1 to F5 gen- erations indicated that the frequencies of germinal transposition increased over successive genera- tions and reached 54.2% in F3 generation. The Ds transposition pattern revealed that a Ds transposition induced an approximately 170-bp deletion of T-DNA sequence and another Ds transposition carried a 272-bp T-DNA sequence. Using thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (TAIL-PCR), some flanking se- quences of the Ds element were amplified. Analyses of 17 Ds-flanking sequences showed that five Ds were inserted into gene regions. The Ds could transpose not only to the linked sites but also to the unlinked sites. The frequency of inter-chromosomal transposition of Ds was 33.3%.     

Formation of ζ phase in Cu-Ge peritectic alloys

Rapid growth behavior of ζ phase has been investigated in the undercooling experiments of Cu-14%Ge, Cu-15%Ge, Cu-18.5%Ge and Cu-22%Ge alloys. Alloys of the four compositions obtain the maximum undercoolings of 202 K（0.17TL）, 245 K（0.20TL）, 223 K（0.20TL） and 176 K（0.17TL）, respectively. As the content of Ge increases, the microstructural transition of ＂a（Cu） dendrite ＋ ζ＂ peritectic phase → ζ＂ peritectic phase →, ζ dendrite ＋ （ε＋ζ） eutectic＂ takes place in the alloy at small undercooling, while the microstructural transition of ＂fragmented α （Cu）dendrite ＋ ζ peritectic phase →, ζ peritectic phase →ζ dendrite ＋ ε phase＂ happens in the alloy at large undercooling. EDS analysis of the Ge content in peritectic phase indicates that undercooling enlarges the solid solubility of ζ rdendrite, which leads to a decrease in the Ge content in ζ phase as undercooling increases. In the Cu-18.5%Ge alloy composed of ζ peritectic phase, the Ge content in ζ phase increases when undercooling increases, which is due to the restraint of the Ge enrichment on the grain boundaries by high undercooling effect.     

The R- and AR-indices： Complementing the h-index

Based on the foundation laid by the h-index we introduce and study the R- and AR-indices. These new indices eliminate some of the disadvantages of the h-index, especially when they are used in combina-tion with the h-index. The R-index measures the h-core’s citation intensity, while AR goes one step further and takes the age of publications into account. This allows for an index that can actually in-crease and decrease over time. We propose the pair (h, AR) as a meaningful indicator for research evaluation. We further prove a relation characterizing the h-index in the power law model.     

Composition dependence of viscosity for Al（1-x）Mgx（0≤x≤0. 10） alloys

Viscosities of molten Al（1-x）Mgx（0≤x≤0. 10 alloys have been measured in the temperature range of 973 K--1173 K by a torsional oscillation cup method. The viscosity dependence on temperature for Al（1-x）Mgx（0≤x≤0. 10 melts obeys Arrhenius equation. The viscosity increases with increasing magnesium concentration in the investigated system. There is an important relationship between viscosity and its glass-forming ability for metallic melt.     

NO and H2O2 induced by Verticillium dahliae toxins and its influence on the expression of GST gene in cotton suspension cells

Nitric oxide （NO） and hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） have been shown to be important signaling molecules that participate in the regulation of several physiological processes. In particular, they have significant role in plant resistance to pathogens by contributing to induction defense genes. Here, whether NO and H2O2 participate in the resistance responses against Verticillium dahliae toxins （VD-toxins） and their effects on the expression of GSTgene are studied. The results reveal that NO and H2O2 are produced as part of a complex network of signals that respond to VD-toxins and may converge to function both synergistically and independently by inducing resistant responses. GSTgene is potentially involved in the resistance mechanism in the cotton suspension cells. NO induces the expression of GSTgene independently of H2O2. H2O2 may be a more potent signal in the resistance responses against VD-toxins.     

Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Cr7C3/γ-Fe Ceramal Composite Coating Fabricated by Plasma Cladding

A new type in situ Cr7C3/γ-Fe ceramal composite coating was fabricated on substrate of hardened and tempered grade C steel by plasma cladding with Fe-Cr-C alloy powders. The ceramal composite coating has a rapidly solidified microstructure consisting of primary Cr7C3/γ- and the Cr7C3/γ-Fe eutectics, and is metallurgically bonded to the degree C steel substrate. The corrosion resistances of the coating in water solutions of 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and 3.5% NaCl were evaluated utilizing the electrochemical polarization corrosion-test method. Because of the inherent excellent corrosion-resisting properties of the constituting phase and the rapidly solidified homogeneous microstructure, the plasma clad ceramal composite coating exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in the water solutions of 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and 3.5% NaCl.     

Osmotically stress-regulated the expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 in Arabidopsis

Gene expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (ATGPX3) in response to osmotic stress was analyzed in Arabidopsis using ATGPX3 promoter-glucuronidase (GUS) transgenic plants. High levels of GUS ex- pression were detected under osmotic stress in ATGPX3 promoter-GUS transgenic plants. Compared with the wild type, the growth and development of ATGPX3 mutants (atgpx3-1) were more sensitive to mannitol. In addition, the expression of RD29A, ABI1, ABI2 and RbohD in atgpx3-1 was induced by ABA stress. These results suggest that ATGPX3 might be involved in the signal transduction of osmotic stress.     

Mutagenesis of Ser24 of Cytochrome b559 α Subunit Affects PSII Acitivies in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In order to study the functions of cytochrome b559 (Cyt b559) in photosystem two (PSII) activity, mutant S24F of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was constructed using site directed mutagenesis, in which Serine24 (Ser24) locating downstream of Histidine23 (His23) in α subunit of Cyt b559 was replaced by Phenylalanine (Phe). Physiological and biochemical analysis showed that mutant S24F could be grown photoautotrophically or photoheterotrophically. However, their growth rate was slower either on HSM or TAP medium than that of the control; Analysis of PSII activity revealed that its oxygen evolution was about 71% of wild type (WT); The Photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) of S24F was reduced 0.23 compared with WT; S24F was more sensitive to strong light irradiance than the wild type; Furthermore, SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting analysis indicated that the expression levels of α subunit of Cyt b559, LHCII and PsbO of S24F were a little less than those of the wild type. Overall, these data suggests that Ser24 plays a significant role in making Cyt b559 structure maintain PSII complex activity of oxygen evolution although it is not directly bound to heme group.     

The permeability effect of microcystin-RR on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis>

Microcystins are a kind of cyclic hepatoxins produced by many species of cyanobacteria. Most previous work have been done on the toxic effects of microcystins on animals and plants. However, the reports about the effect of microcystins on microbial cells are very limited. In this work, the permeability of MC-RR on the cell outer membrane of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) was discussed. The permeability effect of MC-RR on the cell outer membrane of E. coli and B. subtilis under different concentrations was demonstrated by a rapid and sustained reduction in the A₆₇₅ values of lysozyme-treated cells. The decrease of the absorbance values showed a time- and dose-effect. The extravasations of protein and carbonhydrate increased with the increment of the treated-concentration of MC-RR. The results showed that MC-RR could increase the permeability of cell outer membranes of E. coli and B. subtilis. The synergistic effects of MC-RR and lysozyme on bacteria indicated that MC-RR might play an ecological role in bacteria in combination with other substances in some aquatic environments.     

dr1127： A novel gene of Deinococcus radiodurans responsible for oxidative stress

The functional analysis of dr1127,a novel gene in Deinococcus radiodurans was performed in this pa-per. The dr1127 gene was found occasionally in our microarray and 2-DE gel experiments. Mutation of the dr1127 gene decreased the γ-radiation and H2O2 resistance of D. radiodurans,and weakened the scavenging abilities of cell extracts for free radicals (superoxide anion,hydrogen peroxide,and hy-droxyl radical). Further oxidative damage assays demonstrated that the purified DR1127 protein of D. radiodurans could bind to double stranded DNA in vitro and protect DNA from oxidative damage in this way. These results suggest that the dr1127 gene is an important gene that can maintain γ-radiation and oxidative resistance in D. radiodurans and may take part in the oxidative stress process.     

Separation and Anti-Hantaan Virus Activity of Extracts from Alternanthera philoxcroides in vitro and in vivo

A water-soluble substance was extracted from the Chinese herb, Alternantheraphiloxcroides with hot water and alcohol. Aliquots of this initial extract were further fractionated by treatment with ether, ethyl acetate and alcohol respectively. The four extracts were assayed for anti-viral activity against three serum, Hantaan virus 114 （HV114）, HV435 and A9 strains. Results show that the four extracts are capable of inhibiting Hantaan virus propagation, of which extract No. 1 has the best efficiency. The three dosage of extract No. 1, which are used upon three Hantaan virus serum IC50, are 153, 157, 154 μg/mL. New-born mice were made to be infected with HV114 and then fed in vivo with extract No.l on the 3rd, 10th and 14th days after being infected by the virus. The treatment continued for 8 days with a dosage of 2.5 g/kg. Result shows that survival rates of mice were 75%, 50% and 0, respectively. The median time to death （MTDs） of the three groups were 37, 30, 23 days.     

Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fallopia</Emphasis> species based on the chloroplast <Emphasis Type="Italic">mat</Emphasis>K gene sequences

In order to develop an efficient identification method for Fallopia plants and drugs, molecular analysis of the partial matK gene sequences was performed on 6 Fallopia species. Based on the matK sequences, a phylogenetic tree was constructed, which showed that different populations of inter- and intra-species could be specified and distinguished. The matK gene sequences of the 6 Fallopia species were all found to be of 1 271 bp in length, with some nucleotide variations throughout the entire sequences. The nucleotide difference at position 1 041 could distinguish F. denticulata from others, while specific nucleotide at position 1 154 became identification markers for F. aubertii. Moreover, four specific marker sites for F. multiflora var. ciliinerve at positions 216, 224, 1 060 and 1 179, seven for F. convolvulus at 318, 765, 772, 874, 936, 952 and 1 036, and seven for F. dentate alata at 111, 192, 366, 450, 457, 1 032 and 1 074 were also observed. By detecting the marker nucleotides and analyzing the phylogenetic relationship, the botanical origins of five inspected drugs were determined, suggesting that matK sequences can be used for authenticating Fallopia plants and drugs.     

Synthesis,characterization and photoluminescence of aluminum <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryloxo functionalized <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-ketoiminate complexes

The synthesis, characterization and luminescent properties of aluminum complexes containing a dianionic N-aryloxo functionalized β-ketoiminate ligand are presented. 4-(2-Hydroxy-5-R-phenyl)imino-2-pentanone (R = Me, L¹H₂; R = tert-butyl, L²H₂) ligands reacted with AlEt₃ in tetrahydrofuran to give the aluminum complexes (L¹AlEt)₂ (1) and (L²AlEt)₂ (2) in reasonable isolated yields. X-ray diffraction revealed that complexes 1 and 2 have solvent-free centrosymmetric dimeric structures, and each aluminum center has distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. At room temperature, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit blue photoluminescence in acetonitrile with maximum emission wavelengths of 419 and 413 nm, respectively.     

Synthesis of LiFePO4 in situ vapor-grown carbon fiber （VGCF） composite cathode material via microwave pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition

One of the most important factors that limits the use of LiFePO 4 as cathode material for lithium ion batteries is its low electronic conductivity.In order to solve this problem,LiFePO 4 in situ vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) composite cathode material has been prepared in a single step through microwave pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition.The phase,microstructure,and electrochemical performance of the composites were investigated.Compared with the cathodes without in situ VGCF,the initial discharge capacity of the composite electrode increases from 109 to 144 mA h g-1 at a 0.5-C rate,and the total electric resistance decreases from 538 to 66.The possible reasons for these effects are proposed.     

A study on in vitro and in vivo bioactivity of nano hydroxyapatite/polymer biocomposite

When bioactive materials are implanted in vivo, a bone-like apatite layer can be found on their surfaces, which is critical to the establishment of bone-bonding between materials and living tissues. In this study, bone-like apatite formation in vitro and in vivo on surface of nano apatite/polyamide (n-HA/PA66) composite was investigated, and the interface between the implanted composite and surrounding bone tissue of rabbit were also examined. The results revealed that in both simulated body fluids (SBF) and dorsal muscles of rabbit, bone-like apatite could form on the biocomposite surface. When the samples were implanted in cortical bone, they combined directly with the natural bone without fibrous tissue in-between. The results showed that the n-HA/PA66 biocomposite had excellent bioactivity, which might be a good candidate for bone defect replacement.     

In situ AFM observation of BSA adsorption on HOPG with nanobubble

Nanobubbles have been proven existent at the liquid/solid interface, and become a focus of research on varied interfacial processes. In the present work, by observing in situ with atomic force microscope (AFM), we found that nanobubbles could influence the adsorption process of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on hydrophobic surface of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). BSA could adsorb evenly, and coexist with nanobubbles at water/HOPG interface. After removing nanobubbles by injecting ethanol, some hollows were found in the BSA layers at the same positions of nanobubbles existing previously. These hollows were about 8 nm in depth and dozens of nanometers in diameter. The correlation coefficient between the areas of nanobubbles and that of the corresponding hollows reached 0.88―0.94, which strongly supported the assumption that the hollows were indeed caused by the nanobubbles. Moreover, the BSA molecules formed rings around the nanobubbles, suggesting the preference of BSA adsorption onto the contact line at water/HOPG interface.