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.

Fam83h is Associated with Intracellular Vesicles and ADHCAI

Ding, Y.,Estrella, M.R.P.,Hu, Y.Y.,Chan, H.L.,Zhang, H.D.,Kim, J.-W.,Simmer, J.P.,Hu, J.C.-C. SAGE Publications 2009 Journal of dental research Vol.88 No.11

<P>Defects in <I>FAM83H</I> on human chromosome 8q24.3 cause autosomal-dominant hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta (ADHCAI). <I>FAM83H</I> does not encode a recognizable signal peptide, so we predicted that the Fam83h protein functions within the cell. We tested this hypothesis by constitutively expressing mouse Fam83h with green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to its C-terminus in HEK293 and HeLa cell lines. Green fluorescent signal from the Fam83h-GFP fusion protein was associated with perinuclear vesicles, usually in the vicinity of the Golgi apparatus. No signal was observed within the nucleus. In addition, we identified <I> FAM83H</I> nonsense mutations in Hispanic (C1330C>T; p.Q444X) and Caucasian (c.1192C>T; p.Q398X) families with ADHCAI. We conclude that Fam83h localizes in the intracellular environment, is associated with vesicles, and plays an important role in dental enamel formation. <I>FAM83H</I> is the first gene involved in the etiology of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) that does not encode a secreted protein.</P>

Variants in hormone-related genes and the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones: a population-based study in China

Park, S. K.,Andreotti, G.,Sakoda, L. C.,Gao, Y.-T.,Rashid, A.,Chen, J.,Chen, B. E.,Rosenberg, P. S.,Shen, M.-C.,Wang, B.-S.,Han, T.-Q.,Zhang, B.-H.,Yeager, M.,Chanock, S.,Hsing, A. W. Oxford University Press 2009 Carcinogenesis Vol.30 No.4

<P>Biliary tract cancers, encompassing gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct and ampulla of Vater cancers, are uncommon but often fatal malignancies. Hormone-related factors, including parity, oral contraceptive use, obesity, and gallstones, have been implicated in the etiology of these cancers. To further clarify the role of hormones in biliary tract cancers and biliary stones, we genotyped 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine genes involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis, metabolism and transport in a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China. This study included subjects who completed an interview and provided blood, which totaled 411 biliary tract cancer and 893 biliary stone patients and 786 healthy Shanghai residents. The CYP1A1 IVS1 + 606 (rs2606345) T allele was associated with gallbladder [odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-3.0] and bile duct cancers (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3.1), whereas the CYP1A1 Ex7 + 131 (rs1048943) G allele was associated with ampulla of Vater cancer (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.5-5.4). After taking into account multiple comparisons for SNPs within each gene, CYP1A1 was significantly associated with gallbladder (P = 0.004) and ampulla of Vater cancers (P = 0.01), but borderline with bile duct cancer (P = 0.06). The effect of CYP1A1 IVS1 + 606 on gallbladder cancer was more pronounced among non-obese (body mass index < 23) (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.8-6.1; P interaction = 0.001). Among women taking oral contraceptives, the effect of SHBG Ex8 + 6 (rs6259) on gallbladder cancer (OR = 6.7, 95% CI = 2.2-20.5; P interaction = 0.001) and stones (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1-4.9; P-interaction = 0.05) was statistically significant. Our findings suggest that common variants in hormone-related genes contribute to the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones, possibly by modulating hormone metabolism.</P>

Effects of Dietary Lysine Levels on Apparent Nutrient Digestibility and Serum Amino Acid Absorption Mode in Growing Pigs

Zeng, P.L.,Yan, H.C.,Wang, X.Q.,Zhang, C.M.,Zhu, C.,Shu, G.,Jiang, Q.Y. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.7

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different dietary lysine levels on the apparent nutrient digestibility, the serum amino acid (AA) concentration, and the biochemical parameters of the precaval and portal vein blood in growing pigs. In Experiment 1, 15 noncannulated pigs received diets with different lysine densities (0.65%, 0.95%, and 1.25% lysine) for 13 d. A total collection digestion test was performed, and blood samples were collected from the precaval vein at the end of the experiment. In Experiment 2, four cannulated pigs were fed the same diets of Experiment 1. The experiment used a self-control experimental design and was divided into three periods. On d 5 of each period, at 0.5 h before feeding and hourly up to 8 h after feeding, single blood samples were collected from catheters placed in the portal vein. In Experiment 1, some serum AAs (including lysine), serum urinary nitrogen (SUN), and total protein (TP) concentrations were significantly affected by the dietary lysine levels (p<0.05). Moreover, the 0.65% lysine treatment showed a significant lower apparent digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, crude protein, and phosphorus than the other treatments (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, serum lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, isoleucine (p = 0.0588), triglyceride, and SUN (p = 0.0572) concentrations were significantly affected by the dietary lysine levels (p<0.05). Additionally, almost all of the determined serum AA and total AA concentrations reached their lowest values at 0.5 h before feeding and their highest values at 2 h after feeding (p<0.05). These findings indicate that the greatest absorption of AA occurred at 2 h after feeding and that the dynamic profile of serum AA is affected by the dietary lysine levels. Moreover, when the dietary lysine content was 0.95%, the growing pigs achieved a better nutrient digestibility and serum metabolites levels.

A Comparison of Natural (D-α-tocopherol) and Synthetic (DL-α-tocopherol Acetate) Vitamin E Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Oxidative Status of Broilers

Cheng, K.,Niu, Y.,Zheng, X.C.,Zhang, H.,Chen, Y.P.,Zhang, M.,Huang, X.X.,Zhang, L.L.,Zhou, Y.M.,Wang, T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.5

The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

Effects of Adding Super Dose Phytase to the Phosphorus-deficient Diets of Young Pigs on Growth Performance, Bone Quality, Minerals and Amino Acids Digestibilities

Zeng, Z.K.,Wang, D.,Piao, X.S.,Li, P.F.,Zhang, H.Y.,Shi, C.X.,Yu, S.K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding an Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived phytase to pigs fed P deficient, corn-soybean meal diets. In Exp. 1, one hundred and twenty crossbred piglets ($9.53{\pm}0.84$ kg) were allocated to one of five treatments which consisted of four low P diets (0.61% Ca, 0.46% total P and 0.24% non-phytate P) supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 20,000 FTU/kg E. coli phytase as well as a positive control formulated to be adequate in all nutrients (0.77% Ca, 0.62% total P and 0.42% non-phytate P). The treatments were applied to six pens with four pigs per pen for 28 days. In Exp. 2, ten crossbred pigs ($19.66{\pm}1.16$ kg) fitted with ileal T-cannula were used in a nutrient balance study. The pigs were assigned to treatments similar to those used in Exp. 1 in a doubly replicated $5{\pm}4$ incomplete Latin square design (5 diets with 4 periods). Each period consisted of a 5-d adjustment period followed by a 3-d total collection of feces and urine and then a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. Supplementation with phytase linearly increased (p<0.05) weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, bone breaking strength and fat-free dry and ash bone weight. There were linear increases (p<0.01) in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM, GE, CP, Ca, total P, inositol hexaphosphate ($IP_6$) and some AA with increasing dose of E. coli phytase. Pigs fed 20,000 FTU/kg had a greater (p<0.05) AID of IP6 (80% vs 59% or 64%, respectively) than pigs fed diets with 500 or 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. There were linear increases (p<0.05) in the total tract digestibility of Ca, total P, Na, K, Mg, and Zn as well as in the retention of Mg and Zn with increased phytase dose. The retention and utilization of Cu, and the total tract digestibility of CP and Cu quadratic increased (p<0.05) with increased phytase dose. In conclusion, supplementation of 500 FTU of phytase/kg and above effectively hydrolyzed phytate in low-P corn-soybean diets for pigs. In addition, a super dose of phytase (20,000 FTU/kg) hydrolyzed most of the IP6 and consequently further improved mineral use, protein utilization and performance.

Thermoelectric performance in pseudo-ternary (PbTe)0.95-x(Sb2Se3)x(PbS)0.05 system with ultra-low thermal conductivity via multi-scale phonon scattering

C.C. Zhang,Y. Zhao,P. Gu,L.M. Peng 한국물리학회 2020 Current Applied Physics Vol.20 No.9

Among the intermediate temperature (500–900 K) thermoelectric materials, both the p- and n-type lead telluride (PbTe) compounds have attracted extensive interests. Till date various approaches were adopted to enhance the thermoelectric performance of n-type PbTe-based materials as they show greater potential space for further improvement compared to p-type ones. Herein, a pseudo-ternary n-type (PbTe)0.95-x(Sb2Se3)x(PbS)0.05 system was designed and a large value of ZT ¼ 1.61 at 850 K in case of x ¼ 0.01 was achieved. Two factors are responsible for the improved thermoelectric performance. The incorporation of lead sulfide is the key factor to maintain a high level of power factor above 700 K and the multi-scale hierarchical architectures yield ultra-low thermal conductivity.

THE TAOS PROJECT: RESULTS FROM SEVEN YEARS OF SURVEY DATA

Zhang, Z.-W.,Lehner, M. J.,Wang, J.-H.,Wen, C.-Y.,Wang, S.-Y.,King, S.-K.,Granados, Á,. P.,Alcock, C.,Axelrod, T.,Bianco, F. B.,Byun, Y.-I.,Chen, W. P.,Coehlo, N. K.,Cook, K. H.,de Pater, I.,Kim American Institute of Physics 2013 The Astronomical journal Vol.146 No.1

<P>The Taiwanese-American Occultation Survey (TAOS) aims to detect serendipitous occultations of stars by small (~1 km diameter) objects in the Kuiper Belt and beyond. Such events are very rare (<10<SUP>–3</SUP> events per star per year) and short in duration (~200 ms), so many stars must be monitored at a high readout cadence. TAOS monitors typically ~500 stars simultaneously at a 5 Hz readout cadence with four telescopes located at Lulin Observatory in central Taiwan. In this paper, we report the results of the search for small Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) in seven years of data. No occultation events were found, resulting in a 95% c.l. upper limit on the slope of the faint end of the KBO size distribution of q = 3.34-3.82, depending on the surface density at the break in the size distribution at a diameter of about 90 km.</P>

p-Type and n-type quaterthiophene based semiconductors for thin film transistors operating in air?

C. Videlot-Ackermann,J. Zhang,J. Ackermann,H. Brisset,Y. Didane,P. Raynal,A. El Kassmi,F. Fages 한국물리학회 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.1

The solution and solid-state properties as well as the organic thin film transistor (OTFT) behavior of α,ω-perfluorohexyl-quaterthiophene (DFH-4T) are presented and compared to those of quaterthiophene (4T) and α,ω-hexyl-quaterthiophene (DH-4T). UV/visible and fluorescence data showed the same weak effect of hexyl and perfluorohexyl substitutions on the optical properties of 4T core. Growth mechanism of DFH-4T based thin films deposited by vacuum deposition on heated Si/SiO2 substrates has been investigated in details and demonstrated to be identical to that of DH-4T. The characterization in air of the charge transport properties of thin films based on DH- 4T and DFH-4T revealed a switch from p- to n-type, respectively, depending on the nature of alkyl chains. A qualitative Schottky-type charge injection barrier model, based on HOMO and LUMO energy levels estimated from cyclic voltammograms and optical absorption spectra of DFH-4T relative to those of 4T and DH-4T, was introduced to explain such change in semiconducting properties observed under ambient conditions (temperature, light, air). In an attempt to answer to the question of ‘‘are p-type and n-type quaterthiophene derivatives appropriate semiconductors for thin film transistors operating in air?” we investigated the influence of the nature of the dielectrics to obtain OTFTs operating in air and showing environmentally stable mobility. The solution and solid-state properties as well as the organic thin film transistor (OTFT) behavior of α,ω-perfluorohexyl-quaterthiophene (DFH-4T) are presented and compared to those of quaterthiophene (4T) and α,ω-hexyl-quaterthiophene (DH-4T). UV/visible and fluorescence data showed the same weak effect of hexyl and perfluorohexyl substitutions on the optical properties of 4T core. Growth mechanism of DFH-4T based thin films deposited by vacuum deposition on heated Si/SiO2 substrates has been investigated in details and demonstrated to be identical to that of DH-4T. The characterization in air of the charge transport properties of thin films based on DH- 4T and DFH-4T revealed a switch from p- to n-type, respectively, depending on the nature of alkyl chains. A qualitative Schottky-type charge injection barrier model, based on HOMO and LUMO energy levels estimated from cyclic voltammograms and optical absorption spectra of DFH-4T relative to those of 4T and DH-4T, was introduced to explain such change in semiconducting properties observed under ambient conditions (temperature, light, air). In an attempt to answer to the question of ‘‘are p-type and n-type quaterthiophene derivatives appropriate semiconductors for thin film transistors operating in air?” we investigated the influence of the nature of the dielectrics to obtain OTFTs operating in air and showing environmentally stable mobility.

Effects of Isoleucine Supplementation of a Low Protein, Corn-Soybean Meal Diet on the Performance and Immune Function of Weanling Pigs

Zheng, C.T.,Li, D.F.,Qiao, S.Y.,Gong, L.M.,Zhang, D.F.,Thacker, P.,Han, In K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.1

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of crystalline isoleucine supplementation of a low protein, corn-soybean meal diet on the performance and immune function of weanling pigs. Forty-five crossbred ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Large\;White$) piglets, weighing an average of $11.00{\pm}0.07kg$, were assigned to either a control diet containing 20% crude protein (0.64% isoleucine), a 16% crude protein diet without isoleucine supplementation (0.41% isoleucine) or a 16% crude protein diet supplemented with isoleucine (0.64% isoleucine). Reducing the crude protein content of the diet from 20 to 16% significantly (p<0.05) reduced both average daily gain and feed intake. Feed conversion also tended (p=0.07) to be poorer for a low protein diet without isoleucine supplementation. Isoleucine supplementation of the 16% crude protein diet increased both gain and feed intake to a level similar to that obtained by pigs fed the 20% crude protein diet (p>0.05). Blood urea nitrogen, serum total protein and serum globulin were significantly (p<0.05) higher for pigs fed the unsupplemented 16% crude protein diet than for pigs fed the isoleucine-supplemented diet or the control. Egg albumin antibody titre decreased significantly (p<0.05) in pigs fed the diet with isoleucine supplementation, whereas the antibody titre of pigs fed the low protein and low isoleucine diet was similar to that of pigs fed the diet containing 20% crude protein and 0.64% isoleucine. It was suggested that crystalline isoleucine supplementation of a low protein and low isoleucine diet improved pig performance but suppressed humoral immune function.