Identification of AtSM34, a novel tonoplast intrinsic protein-interacting polypeptide expressed in response to osmotic stress in germinating seedlings

Aquaporins are implicated in a wide variety of plant physiological processes, although the mechanisms involved in their regulation are not fully understood. To gain further insight into the regulatory factors involved in this process, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen for potential binding partners to the Arabidopsis tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) AtTIP1;1. This was the first protein identified to be associated with high water permeability in vacuolar membranes from Arabidopsis thaliana. Using ...     

Hydrogen absorption behavior of TA15 alloy

The hydrogen absorption kinetics of TA15 titanium alloy at 973–1123 K was studied using a tube-type hydrogen treatment furnace. The hydrogen absorption kinetic curves obtained were analyzed according to a series of mechanism equations to reveal the kinetic parameters and mechanism of the hydrogen absorption process. The results show that both the hydrogen absorption rate and the equilibrium hydrogen pressure increase and the time to reach equilibrium is shortened with increasing temperature. It is found that only the second hydrogen absorption period exists in the hydrogen absorption process of TA15 alloy between 973 and 1123 K, and the activation energy is 54.889 kJ/mol for hydrogen absorption. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrate that δ hydride forms between 973 and 1123 K, and β phase decreases with the increase of temperature. Orthorhombic α″ martensite is generated at 1073-1123 K, and their amount increases with increasing temperature.     

Effects of carbon diffusing field in alloy solvent on the growth of tower-shape diamond single crystal

High-quality type-Ib tower-shape diamond single crystals were synthesized in cubic anvil high pressure apparatus (SPD-6×1200) at 5.4 GPa and 1250-1450°C. The (100) face of seed crystal was used as the growth face, and FeNiMnCo alloy was used as the solvent/catalyst. Two kinds of carbon diffusing fields (type-B and type-G) were simulated by finite element method (FEM). Using the two kinds of carbon diffusing fields, many diamond single crystals were synthesized. The effects of carbon diffusing fields on the ...     

Growth kinematics of fractal super snowflakes

Based on the recent research progress in fractal super fibers,the growth kinematics(or pattern kinematics) of(6+1) -circle fractal super fiber with snowflake-like cross section(abbreviated asfractal super snowflake) is explored.The following results are obtained.(1) The fractal super snowflake obeys simply the straight-line growth mode.(2) At a given movement,the growth speed of the snowflake distributes uniformly in space.At a given point in space,the growth speed decreases along with the time.(3) The grow...     

Effects of typhoon Matsa on ionospheric TEC

The effects of typhoon Matsa on the ionosphere are studied by using GPS-TEC data observed at about 50 GPS stations.It is shown that the ionosphere has been already influenced and TEC tends to increase before the landing of Matsa,and the difference of TEC from its monthly median over the typhoon area is about 5 TECU.With the landing of Matsa,both the magnitude and the area of increased TEC decrease.One day after the landing of Matsa,TEC reaches its minimum and is lower than the monthly median.In comparison o...     

Network analysis of protein-protein interaction

Residue networks are constructed by defining the residues as the vertices and atom contacts between them as the edges. The residue network of a protein complex is divided into two types of networks, i.e. the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic residue networks. By analyzing the network parameters, it is found that the correct binding complex conformations are of both higher sum of the interface degree values and lower characteristic path length than those incorrect ones. These features reflect that the correct bind-ing complex conformations have better geometric and/or residue type complementarity, and the correct binding modes are very important for preserving the characteristic path lengths of native protein complexes. In addition, two scoring terms are proposed based on the network parameters, in which the characteristics of the entire complex shape and residue type complementarity are taken into account. These network-based scoring terms have also been used in conjunction with other scoring terms, and the new multi-term scoring HPNCscore is devised in this work. It can improve the discrimination of the combined scoring function of RosettaDock more than 12%. This work might enhance our knowledge of the mechanisms of protein-protein interactions and recognition.     

Variability of streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity with depth along the Elkhorn River,Nebraska, USA

Determination of streambed hydraulic conductivity is of great importance in the analysis of stream-aquifer interactions and stream ecosystems.In this paper,in situ falling-head standpipe permeameter tests were conducted to determine streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) of two connected layers of sediments at 60 test locations from eight sites in the Elkhorn River,Nebraska.Our results show that the Kv values for the upper layer of sediments are generally larger than those in their respective lower ...     

A novel numerical method for infinite domain potential problems

The infinite domain potential problems arise in many branches of scientific and engineering fields, which by now still pose a great challenge to scientific computing community.This study proposes a novel meshless singular boundary method (SBM) to solve infinite domain potential problems.The SBM is mathematically simple, easy-to-program, meshless and integration-free.To guar-antee the uniqueness of numerical solutions, this article adds a constant term into the SBM approximate representation.The effi-ciency ...     

Solidification microstructure and phase constitution of Fe-7.5%Mo-16.5%Si ternary quasiperitectic alloy

Solidification of Fe-7.5%Mo-16.5%Si ternary quasiperitectic alloy is investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and drop tube containerless processing techniques.The primary phase is identified as R (Fe5Mo3Si2) and the quasiperitectic phases are τ1 (Fe5MoSi4) and Fe3Si.With the decrease of droplet diameter, the cooling rate and undercooling of the droplets in-crease rapidly.The experiment result indicates that the solidification microstructure is composed of remnant primary phase, qua-sip...     

Electrochemical performance of high purity zinc and Zn-Al-Cd alloy as reference electrodes

The effects of Cl-concentration,temperature,pH,flow velocity,soluble oxygen content of seawater and anodic current on the potential of high purity zinc and Zn-Al-Cd reference electrodes were investigated. The results show that the investigated metal materials are liable to establish stable potential and act as reference electrodes in seawater,diluted seawater and urban tap water. Cl-concentration,temperature,seawater flow velocity and anodic current have an obvious effect on zinc potentials. However,seawate...