Phase transformation in the surface region of zirconia detected by UV Raman spectroscopy

The phase transformation of zirconia from tetragonal to monoclinic is characterized by UV Raman spectroscopy, visible Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. Electronic absorption Of ZrO2 in the UV region makes UV Raman spectroscopy more sensitive at the surface region than XRD or visible Raman spectroscopy. Zirconia changes from the tetragonal phase to the monoclinic phase with calcination temperatures elevated and monoclinic phase is always detected first by UV Raman spectroscopy for the samples calcined at lower temperatures than that by XRD and visible Raman spectroscopy. When the phase of zirconia changes from tetragonal to monoclinic, the slight changes of the phase at very beginning can be detected by UV Raman spectroscopy. UV Raman spectra clearly indicate that the phase transition takes place initially at the surface regions. It is found that the phase change from tetragonal to monoclinic is significantly retarded when amorphous Zr(OH)(4) was agglomerated to bigger particles and the particle agglomeration of amorphous zirconium hydroxide is beneficial to the stabilization of t-ZrO2 phase.

High-density comparative BAC mapping in the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons): Molecular cytogenetic dissection of the origin of MCR 1p+4 in the X1X2Y1Y2Y3 sex chromosome system

The black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons, 2n = 8 female/9 male) is a critically endangered mammalian species that is confined to a narrow region of southeastern China. Male black muntjacs have an astonishing X1X2Y1Y2Y3 sex chromosome system, unparalleled i

Recent origin of a hominoid-specific splice form of neuropsin, a gene involved in learning and memory

Neuropsin is a secreted-type serine protease involved in learning and memory. The type II splice form of neuropsin is abundantly expressed in the human brain but not in the mouse brain. We sequenced the type II-spliced region of neuropsin gene in humans and representative nonhuman primate species. Our comparative sequence analysis showed that only the hominoid species (humans and apes) have the intact open reading frame of the type II splice form, indicating that the type II neuropsin originated recently in the primate lineage about 18 MYA. Expression analysis using RT-PCR detected abundant expression of the type II form in the frontal lobe of the adult human brain, but no expression was detected in the brains of lesser apes and Old World monkeys, indicating that the type II form of neuropsin only became functional in recent time, and it might contribute to the progressive change of cognitive abilities during primate evolution.

The origin and genetic diversity of Chinese native chicken breeds

The first 539 bases of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of six Chinese native chicken breeds (Gallus gallus domesticus) were sequenced and compared to those of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), the gray junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), the green junglefow

Origin, genetic diversity, and population structure of Chinese domestic sheep

To characterize the origin, genetic diversity, and phylogeographic structure of Chinese domestic sheep, we here analyzed a 531-bp fragment of mtDNA control region of 449 Chinese autochthonous sheep from 19 breeds/populations from 13 geographic regions, to

Origin and Pathway of Equatorial 13 degrees C Water in the Pacific Identified by a Simulated Passive Tracer and Its Adjoint

The origin and pathway of the thermostad water in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, often referred to as the equatorial 13 degrees C Water, are investigated using a simulated passive tracer and its adjoint, based on circulation estimates of a global general circulation model. Results demonstrate that the source region of the 13 degrees C Water lies well outside the tropics. In the South Pacific, some 13 degrees C Water is formed northeast of New Zealand, confirming an earlier hypothesis on the water's origin. The South Pacific origin of the 13 degrees C Water is also related to the formation of the Eastern Subtropical Mode Water (ESTMW) and the Sub-Antarctic Mode Water (SAMW). The portion of the ESTMW and SAMW that eventually enters the density range of the 13 degrees C Water (25.8 < sigma(theta) < 26.6 kg m(-3)) does so largely by mixing. Water formed in the subtropics enters the equatorial region predominantly through the western boundary, while its interior transport is relatively small. The fresher North Pacific ESTMW and Central Mode Water (CMW) are also important sources of the 13 degrees C Water. The ratio of the southern versus the northern origins of the water mass is about 2 to 1 and tends to increase with time elapsed from its origin. Of the total volume of initially tracer-tagged water in the eastern equatorial Pacific, approximately 47.5% originates from depths above sigma(theta) = 25.8 kg m(-3) and 34.6% from depths below sigma(theta) = 26.6 kg m(-3), indicative of a dramatic impact of mixing on the route of subtropical water to becoming the 13 degrees C Water. Still only a small portion of the water formed in the subtropics reaches the equatorial region, because most of the water is trapped and recirculates in the subtropical gyre.

The possibility analysis of habitats, origin and reappearance of bloom green alga (Enteromorpha prolifera) on inshore of western Yellow Sea

Combining some information from field investigation of algae along the coastal areas in China and a few pictures materialized from the western Yellow Sea in 2008, authors analyze the necessary conditions and possible water area in China producing a large biomass, some reasons for firestorm, and the possibility of the reappearance of marine bloom green alga Enteromorpha prolifera. The change of habitats and the increase of nutritional levels related to the water area could be considered as direct reasons. It was transferred northward by the combination of the flow of rainwater, wind and alongshore marine current. The original region of large biomass produced is possibly located in the southwestern Yellow sea. It will possibly be appearing again in the coming years or in the future. A summary is also given referring to its reproduction, development and distribution worldwide.