Study on Hydrogen Ion-Implanted Characteristic of Thin-Film Green Resonant-Cavity Light-Emitting Diodes

This letter investigates the effects of hydrogen ion implantation on the characteristics of InGaN-based green resonantcavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs). RCLEDs with ion implantation were fabricated by implanting hydrogen ion (H(+)) in a selective area. The implanted region was used to form current-confinement layers due to an existing deep-level (similar to 512 nm, 2.4 eV). Superior directionality was also obtained because the selective area of p-GaN layer of RCLEDs with ion implantation provided a low refractive index. The light emission enhancement was due to the high current density increasing and the total reflection of the emission ray. The electroluminescence spectrum exhibited narrow fullwidth at half-maximum of 45 nm for the RCLEDs with ion implantation. The fiber-coupled power of RCLEDs with H implantation was 2.2 times greater than that of a similar structure without H implantation at an injection current of 20 mA

Identification of Escherichia coli Genes Associated with Urinary Tract Infections

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). E. coli genes epidemiologically associated with UTIs are potentially valuable in developing strategies for treating and/or preventing such infections as well as differentiating uropathogenic E. coli from nonuropathogenic E. coli. To identify E. coli genes associated with UTIs in humans, we combined microarray-based and PCR-based analyses to investigate different E. coli source groups derived from feces of healthy humans and from patients with cystitis, pyelonephritis, or urosepsis. The cjrABC-senB gene cluster, sivH, sisA, sisB, eco274, and fbpB, were identified to be associated with UTIs. Of these, cjrABC-senB, sisA, sisB, and fbpB are known to be involved in urovirulence in the mouse model of ascending UTI. Our results provide evidence to support their roles as urovirulence factors in human UTIs. In addition, the newly identified UTI-associated genes were mainly found in members of phylogenetic groups B2 and/or D

Porcine Lactoferrin Expression in Transgenic Rice and Its Effects as a Feed Additive on Early Weaned Piglets

The purpose of this study is to determine the growth performance and immune characteristics of early weaned piglets receiving rice bran expressing porcine lactoferrin as a feed additive. Full-length cDNA encoding porcine lactoferrin (LF) driven by a rice actin promoter was transformed into rice plants, and its integration into the rice genome was verified by Southern blot analysis. The expression of recombinant LF (rLF) in whole grains and rice bran was also confirmed, and the amount of rLF accumulated in rice bran was estimated by immunoblot assay to be approximately 0.1% of rice bran weight. An iron-binding assay showed that the rLF retained iron-binding activity and the binding capacity of 1 mg/mL rLF would be saturated by 100 mu M of FeCl(3). Thirty-six early weaned piglets at 21 days old were randomly selected into two groups and fed a diet containing 5% transgenic rice bran containing 50 mg/kg rLF (rLF group) and 5% rice bran (control group) to investigate the piglets' growth performance and immune characteristics. The results showed no significant difference in growth performance between the groups during the feeding period. However, the aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and coliform counts in the cecal contents of the rLF-fed group were significantly lower than those of the control group. Additional immune characteristics such as the IgG concentration in the rLF group was higher than the control group at the 28th day, but leukocyte counts and the peripheral lymphocyte ratio remained similar. In summary, porcine LF expressed in rice bran, a byproduct of rice, can be used as a functional additive to improve antimicrobial capabilities and IgG concentration of early weaned piglets

GaN/AlN quantum disc single-nanowire photodetectors

International audienceWe demonstrate single-nanowire photodetectors based on nanowires containing GaN/AlN quantum disc heterostructures. The structural and electronic properties are investigated by photocurrent and microphotoluminescence spectroscopy, as well as scanning transmission electron microscopy. Single-nanowire photodetectors are visible-blind with photoresponse in the ultraviolet spectral range arising from interband absorption in the multi-quantum disc GaN/AlN heterostructure. The photoconductive gain as high as 10(4) is measured. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei