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Aim To examine the inhibition effects of rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91 on the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea and sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Methods and Results Rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91 and its metabolites suppressed the in vitro mycelial growth of R. solani. The inhibitory effect of the metabolites was affected by incubation temperature, lighting time, initial pH and incubation time of rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91. The in vitro mycelial growth of M. grisea was insignificantly inhibited by rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91 and its metabolites. The metabolites of rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91 significantly inhibited the conidial germination and appressorium formation of M. grisea. Moreover, the metabolites reduced the disease index of rice sheath blight by 35·02% in a greenhouse and 57·81% in a field as well as reduced the disease index of rice blast by 66·07% in a field. Rhizosphere fungal strain MF-91 was identified as Chaetomium aureum based on the morphological observation, the analysis of 18S ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequence and its physiological characteristics, such as the optimal medium, temperature and initial pH for mycelial growth and sporulation production. Conclusions Rhizosphere fungus C. aureum is effective in the biocontrolling of rice blast pathogen M. grisea and sheath blight pathogen R. solani both in in vitro and in vivo conditions. Significance and Impact of the Study This study is the first to show that rhizosphere fungus C. aureum is a potential fungicide against rice blast and sheath blight pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a method for modelling the degradation of solar cells in space, induced by electron or proton irradiations. It applies to modern cells, single, double or triple junctions made of GaInP, GaAs and Ge materials. It is based on classical semiconductor equations, after the values of all the various material parameters involved, as well as the electronic characteristics of irradiation induced defects, which act as recombination centers, have been experimentally determined. Because the nature of the irradiation induced defects in GaAs and GaInP is independent of the concentration and nature of the native defects and doping impurities, the method does not introduce empirical parameters and is valid for all types of cells. Modelling the degradation of 3J cells, as well as the associated top and middle subcells, of two origins (Emcore and Azurspace), has been performed and the results are confronted successfully with experimental data for the case of 1MeV electron irradiation. Modelling has also been performed for several types of GaAs and GaInP, n/p and p/n, single cells, using the same electronic characteristics for the irradiation induced defects. The fits with experimental data are correct in all cases, thus illustrating the generic character of the method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Studies on microwave annealing enhanced Al-induced lateral crystallization of amorphous silicon thin films are reported. The crystallized Si films were examined by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and transmission electron diffraction microscopy. After microwave annealing at 480°C for 50min, the amorphous Si is completely crystallized with large grains having the main (111) orientation. The rate of lateral crystallization is 0.04μm/min. Compared with the conventional annealing and rapid thermal annealing, metal-induced lateral crystallized by microwave annealing, labeled MILC-MA, not only lowers the temperature but also reduces the time of crystallization. We have also analyzed the crystallization mechanism during microwave annealing. This MILC-MA process has potential applications in large area electronics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Investigates the influence of the helix parameters on the reflectance of microwave energy by chiral composites. Components of the helix parameters; Factors use to calculate the reflectance of the microwave by metal backed chiral samples; Limited adjustable scale of the electromagnetic properties of materials.

Abstract: A diode-pumped high-power continuous-wave (cw) dual-wavelength Yb:CaNb2O6 lasers at 1003nm and 1038nm is reported. By using an end-pumped structure and employing a 978nm diode-laser as the pump source. As a result, the total output power of 803mW dual-wavelength lasers at 1003nm and 1038nm is obtained at an incident pump power of 17.8W. Furthermore, intracavity sum-frequency mixing at 1003 and 1038nm was then realized in a LBO crystal to reach the green range. We obtained a total cw output power of 94mW at 510nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult elements that have recently been shown to have profound immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Herein we have examined the impact of intravenous infusion of donor MSCs on the survival of transplanted hearts in a rat allograft model. Methods: Recipient Fisher344 rats were transplanted with hearts from inbred Wistar rats. Wistar rat MSCs were infused via the tail vein at designated intervals. In vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assays were performed to assess whether MSCs downregulated T-cell responses in vivo. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze the Th1/Th2 balance in MSC-treated and control groups. Results: The MSCs cultured in vitro exhibited multipotential for differentiation. Survival of the allografts was markedly prolonged by administration of MSCs compared with the controls, namely mean survivals of 12.4 vs 6.4 days, respectively. Real-time PCR showed a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2. By MLR and CML assays, untreated control rats showed greater alloreactivity than did MSC-treated rats. Conclusion: Our results indicated that MSCs suppressed allogeneic T-cell responses both in vitro and in vivo. Intravenous administration of MSCs prolonged the survival of transplanted hearts, possibly by induction of allograft tolerance through changing the Th1/Th2 balance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]