Ni-coated ZnO was prepared by electroless nickel plating as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The microstructure of the Ni-coated ZnO was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the anodes were measured by galvanostatic charge-discharge tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the Ni-coated ZnO delivered a higher reversible discharge capacity ͑490 mAh g −1 ͒ than the raw ZnO ͑130 mAh g −1 ͒, exhibited good cyclability, and the initial coulombic efficiency of the ZnO was significantly improved after coating ͑from 49.5% to 75%͒. The presence of the nickel membrane plays three important roles in the improvement of initial coulombic efficiency and the cycling performance of ZnO. First, nickel as a conductor can improve the high rate properties of ZnO. Second, nickel acts as a buffer to alleviate the stress during cycling. Third, nickel also has the catalytic activity to facilitate Li 2 O decomposition.

Between 2004 and 2006, 228 isolates of Botrytis cinerea from two regions in China were characterized for baseline sensitivity to boscalid, a new active ingredient that interferes with succinate ubiquinone reductase in the electron transport chain. The isolates showed similar sensitivity in different years and regions. Baseline sensitivities were distributed as unimodal curves with mean EC 50 values of 1·07 ( ± 0·11) and 0·42 ( ± 0·05) mg L − 1 for inhibition of mycelial growth and conidial germination, respectively. Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the risk of development of resistance to boscalid. Boscalid-resistant mutants were obtained by UV-treatment at lower frequencies and with smaller resistance factors than pyrimethanil-resistant mutants. All boscalid-resistant mutants were also significantly more sensitive to Qo inhibitors than their wild-type parents and showed reduced sporulation in vitro and pathogenicity on aubergine leaves. The results suggested that the risk of resistance developing for boscalid was lower than for pyrimethanil. However, as B. cinerea is a high-risk pathogen, appropriate precautions against resistance development should be taken. Synergism between the activity of boscalid and that of kresoxim-methyl was observed.

From 2003 to 2006, a total of 426 singleconidial isolates of B. cinerea collected from greenhouse vegetables in China were characterized for resistance to benzimidazole fungicides and diethofencarb according to inhibition of mycelial growth. Rapid development of double-resistance to benzimidazoles and diethofencarb was observed. Three types of benzimidazole-resistant isolates, Ben R1, Ben R2 and Ben R3 were detected. A new phenotype, Ben R3, which showed low level of resistance to benzimidazole fungicides and resistance to diethofencarb, was detected with frequencies of 6.8%, 10.0%, 13.2% and 12.4% from 2003 to 2006, respectively. Further studies indicated that Ben R3 was caused by a point mutation from GAG in sensitive(S) isolates to GTG at codon 198 in the β-tubulin gene, predicted to cause a change from glutamic acid to valine. Ben R3 isolates had comparable growth, sporulation and pathogenicity ability as isolates of other phenotypes but were more sensitive at lower temperatures.

Effects of daidzein on expression of mRNA of gonadotropin receptors [follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR)] were evaluated in ovarian follicles of ISA laying hens that were 13 mo old in the postpeak period of egg laying. The hens were randomly allocated as control and daidzein-treated groups, with daidzein supplemented to the basal diet at the level of 10 mg/kg for 7 wk. The granulosa layers of preovulatory follicles (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5) and follicular layers of the small yellow follicle (SYF), large white follicle (LWF), and atretic follicle were collected. The mRNA expression of related genes was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results showed that daidzein significantly increased the egg-laying rate (P < 0.05) and the number of SYF and LWF (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of the FSHR mRNA decreased in the granulosa layers from F5 to F1, but LHR mRNA displayed the opposite trend in developmental changes. Treatment with daidzein resulted in increased expression of FSHR mRNA in LWF, SYF, and granulosa layers of F4 to F2 and LHR mRNA in granulosa layers of F4 and F1 (P < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation of daidzein upregulated mRNA expression of gonadotropin receptors to improve follicle development in chicken developing follicles and laying performance after the peak laying period.

Electrodes F 3000Preparation and Electrochemical Performances of Cubic Shape Cu2O as Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries. -Cubic and star-shaped Cu 2 O particles are synthesized from a solution containing CuSO4, sodium citrate, Na2CO3, and glucose (80°C, 1-4 h). The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, and electrochemical measurements. The cubic Cu2O particles used as anode material for lithium ion batteries exhibit a higher reversible discharge capacity (390 mAh/g) than the star-shaped particles, and also show good cyclability. The star-shaped Cu 2 O particles present poor cyclability due to pulverization and deterioration after cycling. -(ZHANG, C. Q.; TU*, J. P.; HUANG, X. H.; YUAN, Y. F.; CHEN, X. T.; MAO, F.; J.