An overview of resistive random access memory devices

With recent progress in material science, resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices have attracted interest for nonvolatile, low-power, nondestructive readout, and high-density memories. Relevant performance parameters of RRAM devices include operating voltage, operation speed, resistance ratio, endurance, retention time, device yield, and multilevel storage. Numerous resistive-switching mechanisms, such as conductive filament, space-charge-limited conduction, trap charging and discharging, Schottky Emission, and Pool-Frenkel emission, have been proposed to explain the resistive switching of RRAM devices. In addition to a discussion of these mechanisms, the effects of electrode materials, doped oxide materials, and different configuration devices on the resistive-switching characteristics in nonvolatile memory applications, are reviewed. Finally, suggestions for future research, as well as the challenges awaiting RRAM devices, are given.     

A high-resolution environmental change record since 19 cal ka BP in Pumoyum Co,southern Tibet

A 380-cm-long sediment core was acquired from the deep water area of Pumoyum Co, southern Tibet. Twenty-five plant residue samples were selected, and organic carbon stable isotopes were obtained using the AMS ¹⁴C chronological method. The ¹⁴C age and carbon reservoir effect were calibrated with surface sedimentation rate measurements using ²¹⁰Pb dating. Results showed that the core sediment deposited over 19 cal ka BP. Based on a multi-proxy analysis of TOC and IC contents, grain size and pollen assemblage data, the palaeoclimatic evolution of Pumoyum Co was reconstructed since the last glacial. Pumoyum Co was a shallow lake prior to 16.2 cal ka BP; although the glacier around the lake began to melt due to increasing temperatures, climate was still cold and dry. In the interval of 16.2–11.8 cal ka BP, the sedimentary environment fluctuated drastically and frequently. Two cold-events occurred at 14.2 and 11.8 cal ka BP, and these may correspond to the Older Dryas and the Younger Dryas events, respectively. After 11.8 cal ka BP, Pumoyun Co developed into the deep lake as it is now. The lake water temperature was relatively lower at that time because of influx of cold water from glacial meltwater entering the lake. As a result, the multi-proxy indicators showed no sign of warm conditions. Comparisons between the sedimentary record of Pumoyum Co with that of other lakes of the same age in southern Tibet indicate a warmer climate following the last deglaciation influenced the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. These results imply that the southwest Asian monsoon gradually became stronger since the deglaciation during its expansion to the inner plateau. The glacial-supplied water of the lake responded sensitively to cold-events. The entire southern Tibet region was dominantly influenced climatically by the southwest Asian monsoon during the Holocene.     

海洋有害赤潮调控功能菌的发现与研究

近年来,赤潮的微生物调控研究受到了科学界的高度重视,"以菌治藻"的赤潮调控理念格外引人注目.先从国内外抑/杀藻菌及其作用方式的研究进展进行论述,再结合本课题组近年来筛选获得的海洋抑/杀藻细菌,探讨该类菌质资源的发掘与利用,最后对该领域研究进行了展望.     

京津冀地区耕地变化分析及未来趋势预测

利用京津冀地区耕地面积统计资料为基础,采用耕地资源变化率计算方法和灰色预测法,分析和预测了该地区耕地的变化及趋势.研究结果表明:1985-2007年京津冀地区耕地总面积呈波动下降趋势,总共减少924.3 k hm2,多年平均变化率为-0.59%.耕地的三种类型之中,旱地和水田面积几乎年年减少,多年平均变化率分别为-3.57%和-0.73%,而水浇地的面积在大部分年份都有所增加,多年平均变化率为0.85%.2020年,京津冀地区的耕地总量将从2007年的6 531.61 k hm2减小至6 164.4 k hm2,耕地总面积平均每年减少0.44%,即28.7 k hm2.旱地和水田将继续保持较高的减少率,平均每年分别减少2.57%和0.84%.而水浇地的预测结果为2007年至2020年间每年稍增0.17%.在未来的十几年中,尽管耕地减少的速率减缓,但是京津冀地区耕地保护的压力依然很大.     

低温胁迫对节旋藻质膜的伤害

低温胁迫下,对鄂尔多斯高原碱湖的钝顶节旋藻(A1)、非洲Chad湖的钝顶节旋藻(A2)和墨西哥Texcoco湖的极大节旋藻(A3)的质膜伤害进行比较研究,以了解来自中纬度与低纬度不同节旋藻对低温的反应,探讨其对低温的适应性及与原产地的关系.结果表明,无论直接低温处理还是经低温锻炼后再低温处理,随温度的降低3个样品细胞外渗液中可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸的含量均增加,且胁迫的温度越低、时间越长,细胞外渗液中两种物质的含量也越高.经低温锻炼可减弱低温胁迫对节旋藻质膜的伤害,相比之下,对A1作用更明显.在相同的处理条件下,外渗液中蛋白质和游离氨基酸的含量均是A1相似文献   

吉林濒危植物天女木兰种群分布格局与生态位研究

以吉林省通化和集安为研究地点,对两地天女木兰种群的分布格局与生态位进行了研究。结果表明：天女木兰多呈聚集分布的特征,种群变小的趋势明显,生态位明显低于分布广的建群树种,在群落中属非建群树种,对群落环境和外貌影响不大,对环境适应能力较低。天女木兰与多数树种的生态位重叠主要集中在0.1以下,相对较低,与其他树种生态位重叠较少,分布范围狭小,在群落中居次要地位;在群落中其他大多数乔木树种天女栏其种间关联均为低度而且不显著。     

Multi-domain conformational selection underlies pre-mRNA splicing regulation by U2AF

Many cellular functions involve multi-domain proteins, which are composed of structurally independent modules connected by flexible linkers. Although it is often well understood how a given domain recognizes a cognate oligonucleotide or peptide motif, the dynamic interaction of multiple domains in the recognition of these ligands remains to be characterized. Here we have studied the molecular mechanisms of the recognition of the 3'-splice-site-associated polypyrimidine tract RNA by the large subunit of the human U2 snRNP auxiliary factor (U2AF65) as a key early step in pre-mRNA splicing. We show that the tandem RNA recognition motif domains of U2AF65 adopt two remarkably distinct domain arrangements in the absence or presence of a strong (that is, high affinity) polypyrimidine tract. Recognition of sequence variations in the polypyrimidine tract RNA involves a population shift between these closed and open conformations. The equilibrium between the two conformations functions as a molecular rheostat that quantitatively correlates the natural variations in polypyrimidine tract nucleotide composition, length and functional strength to the efficiency to recruit U2 snRNP to the intron during spliceosome assembly. Mutations that shift the conformational equilibrium without directly affecting RNA binding modulate splicing activity accordingly. Similar mechanisms of cooperative multi-domain conformational selection may operate more generally in the recognition of degenerate nucleotide or amino acid motifs by multi-domain proteins.     

Genome sequence and analysis of the tuber crop potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world's most important non-grain food crop and is central to global food security. It is clonally propagated, highly heterozygous, autotetraploid, and suffers acute inbreeding depression. Here we use a homozygous doubled-monoploid potato clone to sequence and assemble 86% of the 844-megabase genome. We predict 39,031 protein-coding genes and present evidence for at least two genome duplication events indicative of a palaeopolyploid origin. As the first genome sequence of an asterid, the potato genome reveals 2,642 genes specific to this large angiosperm clade. We also sequenced a heterozygous diploid clone and show that gene presence/absence variants and other potentially deleterious mutations occur frequently and are a likely cause of inbreeding depression. Gene family expansion, tissue-specific expression and recruitment of genes to new pathways contributed to the evolution of tuber development. The potato genome sequence provides a platform for genetic improvement of this vital crop.     

A dynamic early East Antarctic Ice Sheet suggested by ice-covered fjord landscapes

The first Cenozoic ice sheets initiated in Antarctica from the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains and other highlands as a result of rapid global cooling ～34 million years ago. In the subsequent 20 million years, at a time of declining atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and an evolving Antarctic circumpolar current, sedimentary sequence interpretation and numerical modelling suggest that cyclical periods of ice-sheet expansion to the continental margin, followed by retreat to the subglacial highlands, occurred up to thirty times. These fluctuations were paced by orbital changes and were a major influence on global sea levels. Ice-sheet models show that the nature of such oscillations is critically dependent on the pattern and extent of Antarctic topographic lowlands. Here we show that the basal topography of the Aurora Subglacial Basin of East Antarctica, at present overlain by 2-4.5?km of ice, is characterized by a series of well-defined topographic channels within a mountain block landscape. The identification of this fjord landscape, based on new data from ice-penetrating radar, provides an improved understanding of the topography of the Aurora Subglacial Basin and its surroundings, and reveals a complex surface sculpted by a succession of ice-sheet configurations substantially different from today's. At different stages during its fluctuations, the edge of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet lay pinned along the margins of the Aurora Subglacial Basin, the upland boundaries of which are currently above sea level and the deepest parts of which are more than 1?km below sea level. Although the timing of the channel incision remains uncertain, our results suggest that the fjord landscape was carved by at least two iceflow regimes of different scales and directions, each of which would have over-deepened existing topographic depressions, reversing valley floor slopes.     

Complement factor H binds malondialdehyde epitopes and protects from oxidative stress

Oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation are linked to many chronic inflammatory diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness in Western societies, but its aetiology remains largely unknown. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a common lipid peroxidation product that accumulates in many pathophysiological processes, including AMD. Here we identify complement factor H (CFH) as a major MDA-binding protein that can block both the uptake of MDA-modified proteins by macrophages and MDA-induced proinflammatory effects in vivo in mice. The CFH polymorphism H402, which is strongly associated with AMD, markedly reduces the ability of CFH to bind MDA, indicating a causal link to disease aetiology. Our findings provide important mechanistic insights into innate immune responses to oxidative stress, which may be exploited in the prevention of and therapy for AMD and other chronic inflammatory diseases.