Shear transformation zone volume determining ductile–brittle transition of bulk metallic glasses

Three-point bending experiments were performed on as-cast and annealed samples of Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 (Vit105) bulk metallic glasses over a wide range of temperatures varying from room temperature (293 K) to liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). The results demonstrated that the free volume decrease due to annealing and/or cryogenic temperature can reduce the propensity for the formation of multiple shear bands and hence deteriorate plastic deformation ability. We clearly observed a sharp ductile-to-brittle transition (DBT), across which microscopic fracture feature transfers from micro-scale vein patterns to nano-scale periodic corrugations. Macroscopically, the corresponding fracture mode changes from ductile shear fracture to brittle tensile fracture. The shear transformation zone volume, taking into account free volume, temperature and strain rate, is proposed to quantitatively characterize the DBT behavior in fracture of metallic glasses.

U-transformation-finite element method in 3-dimensional analysis of orthotropic laminates

For an orthotropic laminate, an equivalent system with doubly cyclic periodicity is introduced. Then a 3-dimensional finite element model for the equivalent system is transformed into the unitary space, where the large finite element matrix equation is decoupled into some small matrix equations. Such a decoupling very efficiently reduces the computational effort. For an orthotropic laminate with four clamped edges, no exact elasticity solution is available, and the deflection values predicted by different methods have a considerable difference each other for a small length-to-thickness ratio. The present predictions are the largest because the present method is a full 3-dimensional finite element analysis without superfluous constraints. Illustrative numerical examples are presented to observe the distributions of stresses through the thickness of the laminates. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wurtzite-to-tetragonal structure phase transformation and size effect in ZnO nanorods

The deformation of [0001]-oriented ZnO nanorods with hexagonal cross sections under uniaxial tensile loading is analyzed through molecular statistical thermodynamics (MST) simulations. The focus is on the size dependence of mechanical behavior in ZnO nanorods with diameters ranging from 1.95 to 17.5 nm. An irreversible phase transformation from the wurtzite (P6(3)mc space group) structure to a tetragonal structure (P4(2)/mnm space group) occurs during the tensile loading process. Young's modulus before the transformation demonstrates a size dependence consistent with what is observed in experiments. A stronger size dependence of response is seen after the transformation and is attributed to the polycrystalline nature of the transformed structure. A comparison of the MST and molecular dynamics (MD) methods shows that MST is 60 times faster than MD and yields results consistent with the results of MD.

Surface transformation and inversion domain boundaries in gallium nitride nanorods

Phase transformation and subdomain structure in [0001]-oriented gallium nitride (GaN) nanorods of different sizes are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The analysis concerns the structure of GaN nanorods at 300 K without external loading. Calculations show that a transformation from wurtzite to a tetragonal structure occurs along {0110} lateral surfaces, leading to the formation of a six-sided columnar inversion domain boundary (IDB) in the [0001] direction of the nanorods. This structural configuration is similar to the IDB structure observed experimentally in GaN epitaxial layers. The transformation is significantly dependent on the size of the nanorods.

鞑靼荞麦（Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.）离体再生与遗传转化研究

鞑靼荞麦是我国特有的农业产品，具有抗寒耐旱特性和较高的营养保健功能。荞麦的开花习性及遗传特点导致其人工杂交授粉难以成功，这成为荞麦杂交育种难以获得突破的重要原因。因此利用转基因技术导入有益基因有可能成为荞麦遗传改良的新途径，而再生及转化体系的建立是开展转基因研究的基础。 本文研究了苗龄、外植体、几种激素配比对鞑靼荞麦（Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.）离体培养的影响，初步建立了鞑靼荞麦离体再生体系。结果表明，鞑靼荞麦离体再生的最佳取材时间为苗龄6-8d；诱导愈伤组织的最适培养基为MS＋2.0 mg/L 2,4-D＋1.5 mg/L 6-BA，子叶诱愈率达75％左右，下胚轴的可高达86.62％；愈伤组织分化的最适培养基为MS 0.1mg/L IAA＋2.0mg/L 6-BA＋1.0 mg/L KT＋0.5mg/L TDZ，下胚轴的分化率可达9.52%。下胚轴的诱愈率与分化率均高于子叶，更适于离体再生培养。培养基中加入AgNO3后，能有效降低褐化率。生根最适培养基为含有0.5mg/L NAA的1/2MS培养基，生根率在50％左右。TDZ在诱导鞑靼荞麦的愈伤组织分化出芽的过程中起到明显的促进作用，可提高分化率约20%。 在上述研究基础上，本文还对鞑靼荞麦的遗传转化体系进行了探索性研究。分别利用根癌农杆菌（Agrobacterium tumefaciens）介导法和微粒轰击法（基因枪法）对黑水苦荞下胚轴进行遗传转化。 在农杆菌介导的方法中，携带有质粒pCAMBIA2301的农杆菌菌株EHA105用于转化。载体质粒pCAMBIA2301包含有gus和npt-II 基因, 并受35s启动子驱动。研究结果表明，在侵染方式选择上，浸泡方式比吸打方式更有效，根癌农杆菌侵染的较适浓度为OD600＝0.5，共培养3天，恢复培养7天，能检测到gus基因的表达。 基因枪法使用质粒pBI121，同样包含有gus和npt-II基因, 并受CaMV35s 启动子驱动。轰击距离为9cm较合适，甘露醇前处理在本研究中未表现出明显优势。 两种转化方法比较，基因枪法比农杆菌介导法更快速有效。 本研究为进一步的遗传操作研究打下基础。 Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.), the traditional and unique agricultural product of China, is a kind of crop with strong drought and cold tolerance, abundant nutrition and high medical value. Artificial hybridization is hard in buckwheat because of its flowering habits and genetic characteristics, which leads to no breakthrough in tartary buckwheat breeding. However, biotechnological approaches, especially genetic transformation for the direct introduction of good genes into tartary buckwheat for quality improvement, hold great promise. In this study, we established tartary buckwheat regeneration system in vitro. It is the foundation for genetic manipulation of this crop. The effects of seedling age, hypocotyl and cotyledon as explants, and proportions of several growth regulators were tested in tissue culture of tartary buckwheat for establishing its in vitro regeneration system. The results showed that the best seedling age for callus induction was 6 to 8 days. On the MS medium containing 2.0mg/L 2, 4-D and 1.5mg/L 6-BA, the induction rate of callus from hypocotyls was up to 86.62%, while from cotyledons was about 75％. The suitable shooting medium was the MS medium+0.1mg/L IAA+2.0mg/L 6-BA+1.0 mg/L KT+0.5mg/L TDZ, and the shooting rate from hypocotyls was 9.52%. The callus induction and shooting rates were higher from hypocotyls than from cotyledons. Browning reduced when the medium mixed with AgNO3. Half strength MS supplemented with 0.5mg/L NAA was the best for rooting, the rate was around 50% after 30 days culture. TDZ can accelerate the shoot differentiation distinctively, and it could improve the shooting rate nearly 20%. On the base of above, the explorative research of the genetic transformation in tartary buckwheat was done. In the study, hypocotyls from Heishui tartary buckwheat were transformed by Agrobacterium-mediated method and microprojectile bombardment method (gene-gun), comparatively. In Agrobacterium-mediated method, a disarmed Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring plasmid pCAMBIA2301 was used. The vector pCAMBIA2301 contains gus and npt-II genes, driven by CaMV35s promoter. The results showed that the appropriate concentration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens for infecting was OD600＝0.5, and co-culture time was 3d. Seven days later after coculture, GUS expression could be tested. In particle bombardment transformation, plasmid pBI121 was used. pBI121 also contains gus and npt-II genes, driven by 35s promoter. Hypocotyls pretreated with mannitol, no effect was observed, and the suitable distance of bombardment is 9cm. Comparing with Agrobacterium-mediated method, gene-gun method is more convenient and effective. All above results could be a basic work for further study in tartary buckwheat transformation.

Adenovirus-mediated wild-type P53 Transfer radiosensitizes H1299 cells to subclinical-dose carbon-ion irradiation through the restoration of p53 function

To determine whether adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 transfer after radiotherapy could radiosensitize non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to subclinical-dose carbon-ion beam (C-beam), H1299 cells were exposed to a C-beam or -ray and then infected with 5 MOI of AdCMV-p53 or GFP (C-beam or -ray with p53 or GFP).Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometric analysis. The apoptosis was examined by a fluorescent microscope with DAPI staining. DNA fragmentation was monitored by the TUNEL assay. P53 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The expression of p53, MDM2, and p21 was monitored by Western blot. Survival fractions were determined by colony-forming assay. The percentages of G1-phase cells in C-beam with p53 increased by 8.2%–16.0%, 5.2%–7.0%, and 5.8%–18.9%, respectively, compared with C-beam only, -ray with p53, or p53 only. The accumulation of G2-phase cells in C-beam with p53 increased by 5.7%–8.9% and 8.8%–14.8%, compared with those in -ray with p53 or p53 only, respectively. The percentage of apoptosis for C-beam with p53 increased by 7.4%–19.1%, 5.8%–11.7%, and 5.2%–19.2%, respectively, compared with C-beam only, -ray with p53, or p53 only. The level of p53 mRNA in C-beam with p53 was significantly higher than that in p53 only. The expression level of p53 and p21 in C-beam with p53 was significantly higher than that in both C-beam with GFP and p53 only. The survival fractions for C-beam with p53 were significantly less than those for the other groups (p 0.05). The data suggested that AdCMV-p53 transfer could more efficiently radiosensitize H1299 cells to subclinical-dose C-beam irradiation through the restoration of p53 function.

NADPH oxidase-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species: A new mechanism for X-ray-induced HeLa cell death

Oxidative damage is an important mechanism in X-ray-induced cell death. Radiolysis of water molecules is a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to X-ray-induced cell death. In this study, we showed by ROS detection and a cell survival assay that NADPH oxidase has a very important role in X-ray-induced cell death. Under X-ray irradiation, the upregulation of the expression of NADPH oxidase membrane Subunit gp91(phox) was dose-dependent. Meanwhile, the cytoplasmic subunit p47(phox) was translocated to the cell membrane and localized with p22(phox) and gp91(phox) to form reactive NADPH oxidase. Our data Suggest, for the first time, that NADPH oxidase-mediated generation of ROS is an important contributor to X-ray-induced cell death. This suggests a new target for combined gene transfer and radiotherapy.

Rapid detection of porcine circovirus type 2 by loop-mediated isothermal amplification

A method of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was employed to develop a rapid and simple detection system for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). The amplification could be finished in 60 min under isothermal condition at 64 degrees C by employing a set of four primers targeting the cap gene of PCV2. The LAMP assay showed higher sensitivity than the conventional PCR, with a detection limit of five copies per tube of purified PCV2 genomic DNA. No cross-reactivity was observed from the samples of other related viruses including porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1), porcine parvovirus (PPV), porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The detection rate of PCV2 LAMP for 86 clinical samples was 96.5% and appeared greater than that of the PCR method. The LAMP assay reported can provide a rapid yet simple test of PCV2 suitable for laboratory diagnosis and pen-side detection due to ease of operation and the requirement of only a regular water bath or heat block for the reaction. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transfer sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to heavy-ion radiation

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether adenovirus-mediated p53 transfer could sensitize hepatocellular carcinoma to heavy-ion irradiation. Methods. HepG2 cells were preexposed to a C-12(6+) beam, and then infected with replication-deficient adenovirus recombinant vectors containing human wild-type p53 (AdCMV-p53) (C-12(6+) irradiation + AdCMV-p53 infection). The survival fraction was determined by clonogenic assay. The cell cycle, cell apoptosis, and p53 expression were monitored by flow cytometric analysis. Results. p53 expression in C-12(6+) irradiation + AdCMV-p53 infection groups was markedly higher than that in C-12(6+) irradiation only groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that the preexposure to the C-12(6+) beam promoted the expression of exogenous p53 in HepG2 cells infected with AdCMV-p53 only. The G(1)-phase arrest and cell apoptosis in the C-12(6+) irradiation + AdCMV-p53 infection groups were significantly more than those in the C-12(6+) irradiated groups (P < 0.05). The survival fractions of the C-12(6+) irradiation + AdCMV-p53 infection groups decreased by 30%-49% compared with those of the C-12(6+) beam-irradiated only groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transfer can promote G(1)-phase arrest and cell apoptosis, thus sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma cells to heavy-ion irradiation.

Structural determinants of steroids for cytochrome P450 3A4-mediated metabolism

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a major member of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, metabolizes the majority of steroids in 6beta-position. For the purpose of determining requisite structural features of a series of structurally related steroids for CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, three-dimensional pharmacophore modeling as well as electrotopological state map were conducted for 15 steroids. Though prior studies speculated that the chemical reactivity of the allylic 6beta-position might have a greater influence on CYP3A4 selective 6-hydroxylation than steric constraints in the enzyme, our results reveal that for CYP3A4 steroidal substrates, it is not the chemical reactivity of atoms at 6beta-site, but the pharmacophoric features, i.e. the two hydrophobic rings together with two H-bond donors, that act as the key factors responsible for detemining the CYP3A4 selective 6-hydroxylation of steroids. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

The phase evolution of yttrium oxide and lanthanum oxide doped zirconia (Y2O3-ZrO2 and La2O3-ZrO2, respectively) from their tetragonal to monoclinic phase has been studied using UV Raman spectroscopy, visible Raman spectroscopy and XRD. UV Raman spectroscopy is found to be more sensitive at the surface region while visible Raman spectroscopy and XRD mainly give the bulk information. For Y2O3-ZrO2 and La2O3-ZrO2, the transformation of the bulk phase from the tetragonal to the monoclinic is significantly retarded by the presence of yttrium oxide and lanthanum oxide. However, the tetragonal phase in the surface region is difficult to stabilize, particularly when the stabilizer's content is low. The phase in the surface region can be more effectively stabilized by lanthanum oxide than yttrium oxide even though zirconia seemed to provide more enrichment in the surface region of the La2O3-ZrO2 sample than the Y2O3-ZrO2 sample, based on XPS analysis. The surface structural tension and the enrichment of the ZrO2, component in the surface region of ZrO2-Y2O3 and ZrO2-La2O3 might be the reasons for the striking difference between the phase change in the surface region and the bulk. Accordingly, the stabilized tetragonal surface region can significantly prevent the phase transition from developing into the bulk when the stabilizer's content is high.

The properties and possible transformation path for C12B24N24

The structure and frequencies of C12B24N24 have been calculated by means of an ab initio method. By comparing the average bond energies with C-60, the calculated results predict that the cage C12B24N24 is a stable molecule. The calculated results indicate that the cage molecule C12B24N24 has a relative large HOMO-LUMO energy gap and a low rigidity The structures and stability of six possible isomers of C2B4N4 are used to suggest a possible transformation path from the pentagon CB2N2 to the C12B24N24 materials. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

data transformation and attribute subset selection: do they help make differences in software failure prediction?

IEEE, IEEE Comp Soc, Tech Council Software Engn

Urban functional structure characteristics and transformation in China

The paper analyzes urban functional structure characteristics of Chinese cities in 1996 using the Nelson method. The manufacturing employment percentage is much higher in metropolitan areas but is decreasing from 1989 to 1996. On the other hand, the weight of science, education, culture, hygiene, finance, insurance and real estate increases. The employment structure changes dramatically. Although the urbanization level of China is lower than that of the USA in 1955, the frequency distribution curve of urban functions is similar. The construction, transportation, commerce, finance, insurance, real estate, science, education, culture, hygiene and administration curves are normal. The mining employment converges on minor cities and the distribution is not normal. The urban function has changed with urban scale. The bigger the cities are, the smaller the manufacture, mining and construction employment weights, and the larger are the science, education, finance, insurance, real estate and administration weights. Commerce and transportation are distributed evenly and the difference is less. From the comparison in three zones of China, the employment percentage of manufacture, finance, insurance and real estate is higher in eastern coastal areas, while the employment percentage of science, education, administration is higher in western areas. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.