Genetic and physical finemapping of the Sc locus conferring indica-japonica hybrid sterility in rice （Oryza sativa L.）

Hybrid sterility is a major hindrance to utilizing the heterosis in indica-japonica hybrids. To isolate a gene Sc conferring the hybrid sterility, the locus was mapped using molecular markers and an F2 population derived from a cross between near isogenic lines. A primary linkage analysis showed that Sc was linked closely with 4 markers on chromosome 3, on which the genetic distance between a marker RG227 and Sc was 0.07 cM. Chromosome walking with a rice TAC genomic library was carried out using RG227 as a starting probe, and a contig of ca. 320 kb covering the Sc locus was constructed. Two TAC clones, M45EI4 and M90J01 that might cover the Sc locus, were partially sequenced. By searching the rice sequence databases with sequences of the TACs and RG227 a japonica rice BAC sequence, OSJNBb0078P24 was identified. By comparing the TAC and BAC sequences, six new PCR-based markers were developed. With these markers the Sc locus was further mapped to a region of 46 kb. The results suggest that the BAC OSJNBb0078P24 and TAC M45EI4 contain the Sc gene. Six ORFs were predicted in the focused 46-kb region.     

CO adsorption on electrode of Pt nanoparticles investigated by cyclic voltammetry and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> FTIR spectroscopy

Pt nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction method.The average diameter of Pt nanoparticles was determined to be 2.5nm by TEM.The electrochemical propertis of Pt nanoparticles were studied by cyclic voltammetry,In comparison with massive Pt,the oxidation current peak of CO adsorbed on Pt nanoparticles in broader.Twin adsorbates of CO on Pt nanoparticles were determined by in situ FTIRS for the first time.It has revealed that the linear and twin-bonded CO can be converted into bridge-bonded CO with the variation of electrode potential.A series of special properties of Pt nanoparticles,such as enhanced IR absorption of CO adsorbates,were also observed.     

Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic exhumation history of Tiantangzhai region of Dabieshan Orogen： Constraints from （U-Th）／He and fission track analysis

Integrated fission track and (U-Th)/He analysis is carried out on 6 apatite and 6 zircon samples from a near vertical section in The Tiantangzhai region at the core of the present Dabieshan orogen. The result shows that the region experienced cooling/exhumation during the Late Cretaceousand Early Tertiary period. Age-elevation relationships for different dating systems and different minerals suggest a pulse of rapid exhumation at ～110 Ma before present, preserved in the structurally highest samples. At lower elevations, ages begin to decrease with decreasing elevation, suggesting lower exhumation rates since 90 Ma. Two periods of different exhumation rates are identified since 90 Ma. The average apparent exhumation rate for the period of 43.4—22.5 is 0.062 km/Ma, whereas that for the period of 76.4—47.4 Ma is 0.039 km/Ma.     

Minimum information about a microarray experiment (MIAME)-toward standards for microarray data.

Microarray analysis has become a widely used tool for the generation of gene expression data on a genomic scale. Although many significant results have been derived from microarray studies, one limitation has been the lack of standards for presenting and exchanging such data. Here we present a proposal, the Minimum Information About a Microarray Experiment (MIAME), that describes the minimum information required to ensure that microarray data can be easily interpreted and that results derived from its analysis can be independently verified. The ultimate goal of this work is to establish a standard for recording and reporting microarray-based gene expression data, which will in turn facilitate the establishment of databases and public repositories and enable the development of data analysis tools. With respect to MIAME, we concentrate on defining the content and structure of the necessary information rather than the technical format for capturing it.     

Receptive field plasticity of neurons in rat auditory cortex

Using conventional electrophysiological technique, we investigated the plasticity of the frequency receptive fields (RF) of auditory cortex (AC) neurons in rats. In the AC, when the frequency difference between conditioning stimulus frequency (CSF) and the best frequency (BF) was in the range of 1--4 kHz, the frequency RF of AC neurons shifted. The smaller the differences between CSF and BF, the higher the probability of the RF shift and the greater the degree of the RF shift. To some extent, the plasticity of RF was dependent on the duration of the session of conditioning stimulus (CS). When the frequency difference between CSF and BF was bigger, the duration of the CS session needed to induce the plasticity was longer. The recovery time course of the frequency RF showed opposite changes after CS cessation.The RF shift could be induced by the frequency that was either higher or lower than the control BF, demonstrating no clear directional preference. The frequency RF of some neurons showed bidirectional shift, and the RF of other neurons showed single directional shift. The results suggest that the frequency RF plasticity of AC neurons could be considered asan ideal model for studying plasticity mechanism. The present study also provides important evidence for further study of learning and memory in auditory system.     

Purification and cloning of amyloid precursor protein beta-secretase from human brain

Proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) generates amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide, which is thought to be causal for the pathology and subsequent cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Cleavage by beta-secretase at the amino terminus of the Abeta peptide sequence, between residues 671 and 672 of APP, leads to the generation and extracellular release of beta-cleaved soluble APP, and a corresponding cell-associated carboxy-terminal fragment. Cleavage of the C-terminal fragment by gamma-secretase(s) leads to the formation of Abeta. The pathogenic mutation K670M671-->N670L671 at the beta-secretase cleavage site in APP, which was discovered in a Swedish family with familial Alzheimer's disease, leads to increased beta-secretase cleavage of the mutant substrate. Here we describe a membrane-bound enzyme activity that cleaves full-length APP at the beta-secretase cleavage site, and find it to be the predominant beta-cleavage activity in human brain. We have purified this enzyme activity to homogeneity from human brain using a new substrate analogue inhibitor of the enzyme activity, and show that the purified enzyme has all the properties predicted for beta-secretase. Cloning and expression of the enzyme reveals that human brain beta-secretase is a new membrane-bound aspartic proteinase.     

Effects of aqueous media on microbial removal of sulfur from dibenzothiophene in the presence of hydrocarbons

The existence of sulfur in the petroleum would erode the transport lines and poison the chemical catalysts. In addition, it is the main cause of air pollution and the for-mation of acid rain. At present, hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is the commonly used technology for fuel desulfu-rization. HDS has the disadvantages of high cost of ma-nipulation and equipment investment. Furthermore, HDS is difficult to remove the sulfur from condensed thio-phenes such as dibenzothiophene (DBT). These forms…     

Endangered species and the law.

Taxonomy does not deserve its reputation as an arcane science. As the following examples from ungulate taxonomy show, classification has important implications for conservation legislation.     

汽车离合器传动片设计研究

汽车离合器传动片是离合器传递载荷的重要零件 ,承受复杂载荷 ,而汽车离合器传动片设计方法的研究却不多 笔者分析了汽车离合器传动片工作时的各种受力情况及其变形量的大小 ,给出了传动片设计计算的双端固定梁的力学模型和进行强度、稳定性校核准则 ,并进行了应力和变形试验 ,试验结果与理论计算基本吻合     

Thermal effect of the cable-stayed bridge tower

0　IntroductionXiantaoHanjiangRiverHighwayBridgelocatesonnorth westsuburbofXiantaocity ,crossesovertheHanjiangRiv er.Thecable stayedbridgeisasingle towersystemwiththespansof (5 0 + 82 + 180 )m .Thenon symmetricalstructureisusedheresothatthemainpiercankeepoffthemainchannel.Thesectionofthegirderisnotconstantinorderthatthedeadloadcanbeinbalancealthoughthespansaredifferent.Thedeckwidthis 2 3m (notincludingthewidthofthecablelane) ,laterallayoutisthatofdouble directionfour lanewithoutsidewalk ,b…