Fabrication of p-Type Nitrogen-Doped MgZnO by Depressing N-Related Donors

B. Yao,Z. P. Wei,Y. F. Li,D. Z. Shen,Y. M. Lu,Z. Z. Zhang,B. H. Li,C. J. Zheng,X. H. Wang,J. Y. Zhang,D. X. Zhao,X. W. Fan,Z. K. Tang 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.5

Wurtzite nitrogen-doped MgZnO (MgZnO:N) films were grown on c-plane sapphire by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy with radical NO as the oxygen source and nitrogen dopant. P-type conduction of MgZnO:N was obtained by decreasing the donor defects ((N2)O, VO, etc.) through annealing, revealing a hole concentration of 6.1 × 1017 cm−3 and a mobility of 6.42 cm2/Vs. Furthermore, as-grown p-type films with a hole concentration of 1 × 1017 cm−3 and a mobility of 3 cm2/Vs were obtained by decreasing the (N2)O double donor defect through control of the plasma conditions. ZnMgO:N/ZnO p-n junctions were obtained by using these p-type films. ode-like, rectifying I-V characteristics with a threshold voltage of about 5 V and a different reverse leakage current were observed at room temperature.

Preferential Binding to Elk-1 by SLE-Associated <i>IL10</i> Risk Allele Upregulates <i>IL10</i> Expression

Sakurai, Daisuke,Zhao, Jian,Deng, Yun,Kelly, Jennifer A.,Brown, Elizabeth E.,Harley, John B.,Bae, Sang-Cheol,Alarc&#x3cc,n-Riquelme, Marta E.,Edberg, Jeffrey C.,Kimberly, Robert P.,Ramsey-Goldman, Ros Public Library of Science 2013 PLoS genetics Vol.9 No.10

<▼1><P>Immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) is elevated in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) correlating with disease activity. The established association of <I>IL10</I> with SLE and other autoimmune diseases led us to fine map causal variant(s) and to explore underlying mechanisms. We assessed 19 tag SNPs, covering the <I>IL10</I> gene cluster including <I>IL19</I>, <I>IL20</I> and <I>IL24</I>, for association with SLE in 15,533 case and control subjects from four ancestries. The previously reported <I>IL10</I> variant, rs3024505 located at 1 kb downstream of <I>IL10</I>, exhibited the strongest association signal and was confirmed for association with SLE in European American (EA) (<I>P</I> = 2.7×10<SUP>−8</SUP>, OR = 1.30), but not in non-EA ancestries. SNP imputation conducted in EA dataset identified three additional SLE-associated SNPs tagged by rs3024505 (rs3122605, rs3024493 and rs3024495 located at 9.2 kb upstream, intron 3 and 4 of <I>IL10</I>, respectively), and SLE-risk alleles of these SNPs were dose-dependently associated with elevated levels of <I>IL10</I> mRNA in PBMCs and circulating IL-10 protein in SLE patients and controls. Using nuclear extracts of peripheral blood cells from SLE patients for electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we identified specific binding of transcription factor Elk-1 to oligodeoxynucleotides containing the risk (G) allele of rs3122605, suggesting rs3122605 as the most likely causal variant regulating <I>IL10</I> expression. Elk-1 is known to be activated by phosphorylation and nuclear localization to induce transcription. Of interest, phosphorylated Elk-1 (p-Elk-1) detected only in nuclear extracts of SLE PBMCs appeared to increase with disease activity. Co-expression levels of p-Elk-1 and IL-10 were elevated in SLE T, B cells and monocytes, associated with increased disease activity in SLE B cells, and were best downregulated by ERK inhibitor. Taken together, our data suggest that preferential binding of activated Elk-1 to the <I>IL10</I> rs3122605-G allele upregulates <I>IL10</I> expression and confers increased risk for SLE in European Americans.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies, has a strong genetic basis. Variants of the <I>IL10</I> gene, which encodes cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) with known function of promoting B cell hyperactivity and autoantibody production, are associated with SLE and other autoimmune diseases, and serum IL-10 levels are elevated in SLE patients correlating with increased disease activity. In this study, to discover SLE-predisposing causal variant(s), we assessed variants within the genomic region containing <I>IL10</I> and its gene family member <I>IL19</I>, <I>IL20</I> and <I>IL24</I> for association with SLE in case and control subjects from diverse ancestries. We identified SLE-associated SNP rs3122605 located at 9.2 kb upstream of <I>IL10</I> as the most likely causal variant in subjects of European ancestry. The SLE-risk allele of rs3122605 was dose-dependently associated with elevated <I>IL10</I> expression at both mRNA and protein levels in peripheral blood samples from SLE patients and controls, which could be explained, at least in part, by its preferential binding to Elk-1, a transcription factor activated in B cells during active disease of SLE patients. Elk-1-mediated IL-10 overexpression could be downregulated by inhibiting activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for SLE.</P></▼2>

Effect of night light regimen on growth performance, antioxidant status and health of broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age

R.X. Zhao,C.H. Cai,P. Wang,L. Zheng,J.S. Wang,K.X. Li,W. Liu,X.Y. Guo,X. A. Zhan,K.Y. Wang 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.6

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of night light regimen on growth performance, antioxidant status and health of Lingnan Yellow broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. Methods: A completely randomized factorial design involved 2 photoperiods (constant lighting [CL], 24 L:0 D and intermittent lighting [INL], 17 L:3 D:1 L:3 D)×2 light intensities (10 lx and 30 lx). A total of one thousand six hundred and eighty 1-d-old Lingnan Yellow broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates (70 birds per replicate). The experiment lasted for 21 d. Results: Photoperiods and light intensities had no effect on average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and mortality of the broiler chickens (p>0.05). The INL had a significant effect on average daily feed intake (p<0.05) of broiler chickens compared with CL. Photoperiod and light intensity had an interactive effect on melatonin (MT) concentration (p<0.05). At CL, reducing light intensity increased MT concentration; INL birds had higher MT but MT concentration was not affected by light intensity. There was an interactive effect on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in serum and total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) in liver between photoperiod and light intensity. With the decrease of light intensity, the activities of GPx and CAT in serum and T-AOC in liver increased in CL group (p<0.05). Broiler chickens reared under INL had better antioxidant status and 10 lx treatments had higher activities of CAT in serum than 30 lx (p<0.05). Different photoperiods and light intensities had no effect on malondialdehyde. There was an interaction between photoperiod and light intensity on serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration (p<0.05). At CL, the elevated light intensity resulted in an increase in CK content; INL birds had lower CK concentration especially in low light intensity group. Besides, INL and low light intensity significantly reduced the concentration of serum corticosterone and heat shock protein 70 (p<0.05). Serum immunoglobulin M contents were increased in broiler chickens reared under the INL compared with CL group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results above suggest that the night light regimen of INL and 10 lx could be beneficial to the broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age due to the better health status and electricity savings.

Fabrication of Nitrogen Doped p-ZnO and ZnO Light-Emitting Diodes on Sapphire

Y. M. Lu,Z. P. Wei,D. Z. Shen,Z. Z. Zhang,B. Yao,B. H. Li,J. Y. Zhang,D. X. Zhao,X. W. Fan,Z. K. Tang 한국물리학회 2008 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.53 No.5

Nitrogen-doped p-type ZnO thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire (Al2O3) substrates by plasma-assistant molecular beam epitaxy, where O2 and N2 were introduced via a RF plasma source simultaneously. In situ optical emission spectra of the plasma were employed to monitor the chemical species in the active gas sources, one of the most important growth parameters. By adjusting the growth parameters, we confirm the optimal condition for p-type doping growth. The reproducible p-type ZnO thin films have the hole concentration (NA −ND) up to 1.0 × 1018 cm−3 and the resistivity of 6 cm. A ZnO LED was fabricated by depositing undoped n-type ZnO on the p-type layer. Electroluminescence spectra centered about 430 nm were obtained even at 350 K.

Supplementation with Selenium and Vitamin E Improves Milk Fat Depression and Fatty Acid Composition in Dairy Cows Fed Fat Diet

Liu, Zhao L.,Yang, De P.,Chen, Pu,Dong, Wei X.,Wang, Dong M. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.6

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing a fat diet with selenium (Se) and vitamin E on performance of cows, blood antioxidant status and milk fatty acid composition. Sixty-three lactating Holstein cows were randomly divided into seven groups of nine cows each and each group was fed one of the following diets: i) a basal diet (control); ii) a basal diet with 0.15 mg Se/kg DM (LSe); iii) a basal diet with 0.3 mg Se/kg DM (HSe); iv) a basal diet with 5,000 IU/cow d vitamin E (LVE); v) a basal diet with 10,000 IU/cow d vitamin E (HVE); vi) a basal diet with 0.15 mg Se/kg DM and 5,000 IU/cow d vitamin E (LSeVE); vii) a basal diet with 0.3 mg Se/kg DM and 10,000 IU/cow d vitamin E (HSeVE). Milk fat percentage and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) yield in HVE and HSeVE diets increased (p<0.05) compared with the control diet. In milk fat, dietary supplementation of Se tended to increase the proportion of the sum of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and significantly decreased (p<0.05) the proportion of the sum of saturated fatty acids (SFA). In addition, compared with the control, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was lower and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was higher when fat diets were supplemented with Se. Our data showed that supplementation with Se and/or VE improved these nutrients in blood and milk. The results indicated that fat diets supplemented with Se improved both antioxidant status in blood and fatty acids in milk fat, and fat diets supplemented with vitamin E alleviated milk fat depression. Therefore, the combination of Se and vitamin E caused synergistic effects on the nutritional quality of milk fat and performance of cows fed a fat diet.

Effects of Coated Compound Proteases on Apparent Total Tract Digestibility of Nutrients and Apparent Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids for Pigs

Pan, L.,Zhao, P.F.,Yang, Z.Y.,Long, S.F.,Wang, H.L.,Tian, Q.Y.,Xu, Y.T.,Xu, X.,Zhang, Z.H.,Piao, X.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.12

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of coated compound proteases (CC protease) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and energy, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) and nutrients in diets for pigs. In Exp. 1, 12 crossbred barrows (initial body weight: $20.79{\pm}1.94kg$) were housed in individual metabolism crates and allotted into 2 treatments with 6 piglets per treatment according to weight in a randomized complete block design. The 2 diets were corn-soybean meal basal diets with (0.2 g/kg) or without CC protease supplementation. The CC protease supplementation increased (p<0.05) the digestible and metabolizable N and energy values and the digestibility and retention rate of N in the diet. The ATTD of energy and nutrients had been improved (p<0.05) in the diet supplemented with CC protease. In Exp. 2, 12 crossbred barrows (initial body weight: $20.79{\pm}1.94kg$), fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were blocked by body weight into 2 groups with 6 pigs each. The diets were the same as those in Exp. 1. The CC protease increased (p<0.05) the AID of crude protein and some essential AA including arginine, isoleucine and leucine. The AID and ATTD of energy and nutrients had been improved (p<0.05) by supplemental CC protease, but the hindgut digestibility of nutrients was unaffected. Overall, the CC protease improved the ATTD of N and energy and AID of some indispensible AA and nutrients in the corn-soybean meal diet for pigs. Therefore, the CC protease supplement could improve the utilization of protein in the corn-soybean meal diet and thus contribute to lower N excretion to the environment.

Effects of Bedding Material Composition in Deep Litter Systems on Bedding Characteristics and Growth Performance of Limousin Calves

J. Meng,F.H. Shi,Q.X. Meng,L.P. Ren,Z.M. Zhou,H. Wu,L.P. Zhao 아세아·태평양축산학회 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.1

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different litter mixture compositions on bedding system temperature, pH and volatile fatty acid and ammonia-N (NH3-N) content, and the serum physico-chemical parameters and growth indices of calves. Thirty-two Limousin calves (280±20 kg) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8 for each group) according to the bedding system used: i) control with soil only (CTR); ii) mixture with 50% paddy hulls (PH), 30% saw dusts (SD), 10% peat moss (PM) and 10% corn cobs (CC) (TRT1); iii) mixture with 15% PH, 15% SD, 10% PM, 40% CC, and 20% corn stover (CS) (TRT2); iv) mixture with 30% PH, 10% PM, 40% CC, and 20% CS (TRT3). The litter material combinations of different treatments were based on the cost of bedding system materials in China. The cost of four treatments from low to high: Control<TRT1<TRT2<TRT3. The control was no-cost treatment. The diet consisted of 60.8% silage and 39.2% concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis). The NH3-N level (271.83 to 894.72 mg/kg) was lowest for TRT1 (p<0.0001) and highest for TRT2 (p<0.0001). The acetate, propionate and butyrate levels were highest for the control group (p<0.0001). In all the groups, the pH value (6.90 to 9.09) increased at the beginning and later remained stable at below 9.09. The temperature of deep litter increased at the first week and reached the maximum (42.1°C) on day 38. 3,5,3′-Triiodothyronine (T3) levels in the TRT1 group animals (p<0.0001) were lower than those in the control and TRT2 animals. 3,5,3′,5′-Tetraiodothyronine (T4) in the TRT1 group (p = 0.006) was lower than that in the other treatment groups. Cortisol (COR) in the control and TRT1 group was lower (p<0.0001) than that in the TRT2 and TRT3 groups. Corticosterone (CORt) in the control group was higher (p<0.0001) than that in the treatment groups. The findings indicate that the deep litter bedding systems provided better conditions for animal health and growth performance compared with the control system. Furthermore, the litter composition of TRT1 was found to be optimal among the three treatment groups.

Functional Characterization of Mammary Gland of Holstein Cows under Humid Tropical Summer Climates

Lu, C.H.,Chang, C.J.,Lee, P.N.,Wu, C.P.,Chen, M.T.,Zhao, X. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.7

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

Species identification of Dyers woad leaf by DNA sequence of 5S-rRNA spacer domain and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis

Zhao, K.J.,Dong, T.T.X.,Wong, Y.C.,Tu, P.F.,Tsim, K.W.K. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2005 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.5 No.2

Dyers woad leaf (Daqingye) is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used as anti-pyretic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent against infectious diseases. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005) records that Dyers woad leaf should be derived from the leaves of Isatis indigotica Fort., but the leaves of Polygonum tinctorium Ait., Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek. and Clerodendron cyrtophyllum Turcz. have also been used as substitutes of Dyers woad leaf in different regions of China. The leaf morphologies of these four species show a close resemblance, and based on their morphological appearance, it is difficult to identify them. Here, molecular genetic methods were developed as a target to identify different members of Dyers woad leaf. The 5S-rRNA spacer domain was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNAs isolated from I. indigotica, P. tinctorium, B. cusia and C. cyrtophyllum, and the nucleotide sequences showed a great diversity. In addition, random amplification of polymorphic DNA analysis was also used to distinguish the members of Dyers woad leaf. These molecular methods could be used as a tool in authentic identification of Dyers woad leaf.

Unusual magnetic order in the pseudogap region of the superconductor HgBa₂CuO_4+δ

Li, Y.,Balé,dent, V.,Bari&#x161,i&#x107,, N.,Cho, Y.,Fauqué,, B.,Sidis, Y.,Yu, G.,Zhao, X.,Bourges, P.,Greven, M. Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved 2008 Nature Vol.455 No.7211

The pseudogap region of the phase diagram is an important unsolved puzzle in the field of high-transition-temperature (high-T<SUB>c</SUB>) superconductivity, characterized by anomalous physical properties. There are open questions about the number of distinct phases and the possible presence of a quantum-critical point underneath the superconducting dome. The picture has remained unclear because there has not been conclusive evidence for a new type of order. Neutron scattering measurements for YBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>6+δ</SUB> (YBCO) resulted in contradictory claims of no and weak magnetic order, and the interpretation of muon spin relaxation measurements on YBCO and of circularly polarized photoemission experiments on Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Sr<SUB>2</SUB>CaCu<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>8+δ</SUB>(refs 12, 13) has been controversial. Here we use polarized neutron diffraction to demonstrate for the model superconductor HgBa<SUB>2</SUB>CuO<SUB>4+δ</SUB> (Hg1201) that the characteristic temperature T* marks the onset of an unusual magnetic order. Together with recent results for YBCO, this observation constitutes a demonstration of the universal existence of such a state. The findings appear to rule out theories that regard T* as a crossover temperature rather than a phase transition temperature. Instead, they are consistent with a variant of previously proposed charge-current-loop order that involves apical oxygen orbitals, and with the notion that many of the unusual properties arise from the presence of a quantum-critical point.