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UV-B irradiation has been used to enhance the secondary metabolite content in plants, but its spatial effect on plants has not been considered. The objective of this study was to compare spatial photosynthetic traits and bioactive compound accumulation in kale (Brassica oleracea L. var Acephala) according to the distribution and length of UV-B exposure near harvest. Plants were exposed to UV-B of 0-3, 3-6 and 6-9 W m-2 for 4 h per day at 5 days (Exp. 1) and 4.2 W m-2 at 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 days (Exp. 2) before harvest. In spatial distribution, the higher the UV-B intensity, the lower the mean Fv /Fm (maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII) and the higher the concentration of total flavonoid compound (TFC). With UV-B stress, Fv /Fm and fluorescence transient parameters decreased except for DI0 /CS (dissipated energy flux per cross section) and PIabs (performance index of PSII). When exposed to UV-B radiation for 2 days before harvest, the total phenolic compounds and TFC per plant were highest, not always proportional to the local Fv /Fm but affected by dry weight. Short-term UV-B stress near harvest would be more efficient for the accumulation of bioactive compounds by minimizing the loss of plant weight.

Two new peroxoniobophosphate clusters were isolated as tetramethylammonium (TMA) salts having the stoichiometries: TMA5[HNb4P2O14(O2)4]⋅9 H2O and TMA3[H7Nb6P4O24(O2)6]⋅7 H2O. The former is stable over the pH range: 3

Two new substituted polyoxotantalate clusters, [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) , considerably expand the pH range where tantalates persist in aqueous solution. The structures of [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) are reported as tetramethylammonium salts after synthesis at hydrothermal conditions in aqueous solution. These Ti-substituted polyoxotantalate clusters have analogues among recently discovered niobates, but are slightly larger and more persistent in solution. Most importantly, they exhibit a much wider range of pH stability than the familiar hexatantalate cluster, which is the only other tantalate known to be stable at highly basic pH conditions. These molecules are kinetically stable to near-neutral pH, making them excellent synthons for further development into materials and catalysts, and an significant advance in adapting tantalates for use in aqueous solutions.

Aim An appropriate endometrial condition and vascular supply are usually considered essential for implantation of an embryo. This study was performed to assess the role of endometrial and uterine vascularity status measurement in predicting pregnancy outcome during frozen–thawed embryo transfer cycles. Material and Methods A total of 70 infertile women were recruited with controlled ovarian stimulation followed by oocyte retrieval. After in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryos were cultured to blastocysts and blastocysts with good quality were selected for cryopreservation. After endometrial preparation, vitrified blastocysts were thawed and assisted hatching by zona dissection was performed. On the day of embryo transfer, endometrial thickness (EMT), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of sub-endometrial artery (SEA) and uterine artery (UA) were obtained by transvaginal sonography. The women were divided into the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, and these variables were compared between the two groups. Results Patients' general demographic characteristics were not statistically different between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. The overall implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate were 31.1%, 41.4% and 28.6%, respectively. Twenty-nine patients who conceived had average EMT, RI of SEA, PI of SEA, RI of UA, and PI of UA values of 9.15 mm, 0.91, 2.42, 0.95, and 3.37, respectively. Forty-one patients who did not conceive had average EMT, RI of SEA, PI of SEA, RI of UA, and PI of UA values of 9.31 mm, 1.01, 2.56, 0.94, and 3.00, respectively. In the two groups, none of the variables was statistically different (P > 0.05). Conclusions EMT and blood flow index of endometrium and uterus measured by transvaginal sonography are not an effective predictor of pregnancy outcome in frozen–thawed embryo transfer cycles.

A highly-efficient, flexible piezoelectric PZT thin film nanogenerator is demonstrated using a laser lift-off (LLO) process. The PZT thin film nanogenerator harvests the highest output performance of ∼200 V and ∼150 μA·cm(-2) from regular bending motions. Furthermore, power sources generated from a PZT thin film nanogenerator, driven by slight human finger bending motions, successfully operate over 100 LEDs.

BACKGROUND The production of high-quality crops based on phytochemicals is a strategy for accelerating the practical use of plant factories. Previous studies have demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) light is effective in improving phytochemical production. This study aimed to determine the effect of various UV wavelengths on growth and phenolic compound accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in a closed-type plant production system. RESULTS Seven days, 1 day and 0.25 day were determined as the upper limit of the irradiation periods for UV-A, -B, and -C, respectively, in the lettuce based on physiological disorders and the fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm. Continuous UV-A treatment significantly induced the accumulation of phenolic compounds and antioxidants until 4 days of treatment without growth inhibition, consistent with an increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene expression and PAL activity. Repeated or gradual UV-B exposure yielded approximately 1.4–3.6 times more total phenolics and antioxidants, respectively, than the controls did 2 days after the treatments, although both treatments inhibited lettuce growth. Repeated UV-C exposure increased phenolics but severely inhibited the growth of lettuce plants. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that UV irradiation can improve the accumulation of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties in lettuce cultivated in plant factories. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

A water-soluble tetramethylammonium (TMA) salt of a novel Keggin-type polyoxoniobate has been isolated as TMA9[PV2Nb12O42]·19H2O (1). This species contains a central phosphorus site and two capping vanadyl sites. Previously only a single example of a phosphorus-containing polyoxoniobate, [(PO2)3PNb9O34](15-), was known, which is a lacunary Keggin ion decorated with three PO2 units. However, that cluster was isolated as an insoluble structure consisting of chains linked by sodium counterions. In contrast, the [PV2Nb12O42](9-) cluster in 1 is stable over a wide pH range, as evident by (31)P and (51)V NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and ESI-MS spectrometry. The ease of substitution of phosphate into the central tetrahedral position suggests that other oxoanions can be similarly substituted, promising a richer set of structures in this class.

Two new substituted polyoxotantalate clusters, [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) , considerably expand the pH range where tantalates persist in aqueous solution. The structures of [Ti2 Ta8 O28 ](8-) and [Ti12 Ta6 O44 ](10-) are reported as tetramethylammonium salts after synthesis at hydrothermal conditions in aqueous solution. These Ti-substituted polyoxotantalate clusters have analogues among recently discovered niobates, but are slightly larger and more persistent in solution. Most importantly, they exhibit a much wider range of pH stability than the familiar hexatantalate cluster, which is the only other tantalate known to be stable at highly basic pH conditions. These molecules are kinetically stable to near-neutral pH, making them excellent synthons for further development into materials and catalysts, and an significant advance in adapting tantalates for use in aqueous solutions.

The vanadium-containing heteropolyoxoniobate (TMA)9[V3Nb12O42]center dot 18H2O was synthesised by hydrothermal reaction of V2O5 and hydrous niobium oxide in tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution. ...

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in blood pressure and pulse rate after a meal for elders living in a nursing home. Background. Postprandial hypotension is a major health issue for older persons, because it has been shown to cause increased incidence of falls, syncope, coronary disease, strokes and deterioration in the quality of life. However, there has been little systematic investigation into blood pressure changes after meals in older people. Design. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to identify postprandial blood pressure and pulse rate changes in residents of a nursing home. Method. Blood pressure and pulse rates of 121 people aged 65 and above were measured before and after a meal and at 15-minute intervals for six more measurements. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, repeated measures anova and paired t-tests using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results. There were significant differences in systolic and diastolic pressure by time. The biggest drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred at 45 minutes after the meal. There was no significant change in pulse rates except for immediately after the meal. Conclusions. To prevent complications from drops in postprandial blood pressure, nurses should carefully monitor blood pressure of elders at least from 30–90 minutes after meals. Further study of drops in postprandial blood pressure should be conducted for various types and times of meals. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses caring for older persons can identify drops in the postprandial blood pressure to manage the incidence of falls, syncope and stroke more effectively, especially in nursing homes.

Changes in the electric parameters and the charge-transport mechanism in a mesoporous silicon under adsorption of TORSV (tomato ringspot virus) and GFLV (grapevine fan leaf virus) NEPO-viruses are analyzed. The mechanism influencing the electric characteristics of the mesoporous silicon under adsorption of the plant viruses is related with the changes in parameters of a potential-barrier system due to redistribution of voltages at the silicon structure. The mechanism of charge transport in the mesoporous silicon is more likely connected to the changes in parameters of isotopic heterojunction barriers under small bias voltages, and it can be interpreted as Poole–Frenkel and tunnel conductivity for large bias. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In this paper, we propose a novel electrode structure, which exhibits high-aperture ratio, in the super in-plane switching (SIPS) liquid crystal (LC) cell for high transmittance. Generally, the transmittance of the S-IPS LC cell is not superior to other LC mode using the multi domain effect because of the low aperture ratio. To improve the aperture ratio of the S-IPS cell, we found the method to minimize the black matrix (BM) area by applying the novel electrode structure which can move the disclination from the active area. As a result, we found that the proposed electrode structure could provide higher aperture ratio than that of the conventional type by reducing the BM area, so that we could achieve the high transmittance compared to the conventional structure. We used the commercial software ‘TechWiz LCD’ for calculation of the director configuration, which applies Q-tensor method.

Polyoxoniobate clusters that are stable in acidic solutions are rare and particularly useful in industrial processes. Here we report a new pentaphosphate niobate polyoxometalate cluster (TMA)9H3Nb9P5O41·28H2O (Nb9P5) that is stable over a wide pH range and that can be converted reversibly into the peroxo form.

(Me4N)5 [HNb4P2O14(O2)4] ·9H2O (I) is prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Nb2O5, Me4NOH, and H3PO4 (autoclave, 130 °C, 16 h) followed by addition of 30% aq.

Background: We previously showed that an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid, pEBVGFP, exerts prolonged gene expression in porcine neonatal pancreatic cell clusters (NPCCs). In this study, the mechanism underlying this was investigated. Methods: GFP expression was analyzed in porcine cells transfected with pEBVGFP by FACS analysis and confocal microscopy. The possible integration of pEBVGFP into the chromosomal DNA was analyzed by Southern blot. Self-replication of the EBV-based plasmid in porcine cells was investigated by PCR. The NPCCs were immunostained to characterize cells transfected with pEBVGFP. Results: The EBV based plasmid provided prolonged GFP expression in porcine cells and duct cells were the main cells transfected among NPCCs. Southern blot showed that the transfected pEBVGFP stayed for a long time as an episome rather than integrating into the chromosomal DNA. pEBVGFP isolated from the transfected porcine cells had methylated CpG suggesting that they self-replicated in those cells. Conclusions: The EBV-based plasmid may be useful for genetically manipulating porcine cells to enhance their value as xenotransplantation sources.

Two sperm neurotransmitter receptor/channels, the glycine receptor (GlyR) and a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor containing an alpha7 subunit (alpha7nAChR) were previously shown to be important to the mouse acrosome reaction (AR) initiated by solubilized egg zona pellucida (ZP). Here, we investigated whether sperm from homozygous mutant mice with a single amino acid mutation in the alpha subunit of their GlyR and sperm from homozygous mutant mice with an engineered disruption of the gene for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 subunit could undergo the AR on ZP-intact eggs. Wild-type and mutant sperm were treated with 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB), known to be an inhibitor of the ZP-initiated AR (but shown in the present work not to inhibit the acetylcholine-initiated AR). The ZP-initiated AR on ZP-intact eggs should occur only in sperm not treated with QNB. The absence of such an increase in the untreated mutant sperm would demonstrate that such sperm were unable to respond to the intact ZP. The results demonstrated for the first time that GlyR mutant sperm do not undergo the AR on ZP-intact mouse eggs, and that their ability to fertilize is inhibited by 63% in vitro. Moreover, we found that GlyR mutant sperm exhibited normal capacitation and confirmed that they not undergo the AR initiated by solubilized mouse ZP. Our studies demonstrated for the first time that sperm from mutant alpha7nAChR mice exhibit normal capacitation, do not undergo the AR in response to acetylcholine, solubilized ZP or on ZP-intact eggs, and display a 25% reduction in fertilization in vitro. This is the first genetic evidence for the importance of the alpha7nAChR in the ZP-initiated AR. While defects in either the GlyR or the alpha7nAChR completely inhibit the ZP-initiated AR, fertilization by these mutant sperm can still occur in vitro, probably due to sperm that complete spontaneous AR on the ZP.

In this paper, we report two metal-organic frameworks [Co 3 (ndc) 3 -(bipyen) 1 5 ].H 2 O (1) and [Co 2 (ndc) 2 (bipyen)].C 6 H 6 .H 2 O (2) (bipyen = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, H 2 ndc=2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid). These compounds were both synthesized from identical hydrothermal reaction conditions except that benzene was added to the reaction for 2. Crystal structures show that the two compounds have triply interpenetrated three-dimensional frameworks and these frameworks have the same primary structure of a two-dimensional network of interconnected [Co 2 -(O 2 CR) 4 / 2 ] (R=naphthalene group) paddle-wheels and bridging bipyen ligands. Both compounds have guest water molecules and, in addition, 2 has guest benzene molecules. Structural transformations of the host accompanied guest removal, which can be monitored by powder X-ray diffraction. N 2 adsorption data of 2 show that there are two different types of pores corresponding to the benzene and water pores. Upon exposure to vapors of several organic molecules, the heat-treated sample of 2 adsorbs benzene and cyclohexene, but does not adsorb toluene, (o-, m-, and p-)xylenes, cycloheptatriene, or cyclohexane.

The Lindqvist-type compound (NMe4)5 [H2TeNb5O19]·20H2O is prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Te(OH)6, Nb2O3, and (NMe4)OH (autoclave, 110 °C, 5 d).

The effect of paper sludge's particle size and extrusion temperature on the physical and mechanical properties of paper sludge–thermoplastic polymer composites was investigated. In the experiment three levels of particle sizes for the paper sludge and four extrusion temperatures were designed to examine the physical and mechanical properties of these composites. The ash contents of the paper sludge were about 73.7, 46.2, and 38.1% with particle sizes of below 0.15, 0.18–0.25, and 0.42–0.84 mm, respectively, which meant lower ash content and higher cellulose fiber content, in the larger particle size of paper sludge. As the particle size of the paper sludge decreased, the swelling thickness, water absorption, and tensile and flexural strengths of the composite improved; but the particle size of the paper sludge had no effect on its unnotched impact strength. With the increase of the extrusion temperature the thickness swelling and water absorption of the composites were slightly improved but not statistically different. A rise of the extrusion temperature generally had a positive effect on the tensile and flexural properties of the composite. The notched and unnotched impact strengths of the composite increased with the increase of the extrusion temperature from 190 to 230°C, but they decreased slightly at an extrusion temperature of 250°C. This low impact energy at an extrusion temperature of 250°C may be attributed to the excessively brittle fibers from thermal decomposition. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2709–2718, 2001

color transmission type holographic screen having a size of 40cm X 60cm are developed recently at Korea Institute of Science and Technology. This screen can be operated in reflection mode by adding a mirror at its back. This operation extends viewing angle of the screen to be more than 30degree. This wide viewing angle permits the screen to be operated in viewer tracking regime. By mosaicking the screens, a 120cm X 80cm screen is made. The mosaicked screen shows a good image performance. Introduction screen has been developed to use as an image projection screen for forming viewing zones for the projected images(1). It is a kind of holographic optical element(HOE)s which has the properties of a spherical mirror or a lens + a diffuser. Since HOE is basically a spectral selective component, full color images can not be projected on the holographic screen(2), unless a specific optical recording set-up is used or a special development process is developed. One good example of the screen is the image combiner in Head Up Display for airplanes(3). It is tuned to have the maximum diffraction efficiency for the spectral range corresponding to that of the image display device used for the Display, i.e., CRT. This means that the screen has an uniform period fringe structure. To make the screen has a wide spectral response comparable to visible spectral range, it is necessary to make the screen have a variable period fringe structure. Based on this concept, Korea Institute of Science and Technology(KIST) developed a full color transmission type holographic screen with use of a long slit type diffuser as an object(4). The screen creates a full color viewing zone for images projected from a projector by making the reconstructed diffuser image for each spectral com ponent of the images overlap partially in space. The viewers can perceive the full color images displayed on the screen through the viewing zone. The advantages of the holographic screen compared with popularly used optical plates to form viewing zones, such as Lenticular, Parallax Barrier and Integral Photography plates and Fresnel lens(5) are such that resolution and depth of the viewing zone of the screen are higher and more, respectively. However, making larger size screen with full color capability is difficult due to problems related with optimizing the recording set-up to minimize aberrations and exposition time, and changing viewing zones following to the viewer's movement. It found that the problems could be solved by mosaicking smaller size screens and by operating the screen in a reflection mode. This reflection mode operation allows the angular selectivity of the screen to be two times of that of transmission mode. In this paper, some features of the full color transmission type holographic screens developed at KIST are described.

(NMe4)9 [PV2Nb12O42]·19H2O is synthesized from an aqueous mixture of Nb2O5, Me4NOH, V2O5, and H3PO4 (autoclave, 130 °C, 16 h, 35% yield).

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-clavosolide A and B was reported in full including the synthesis of proposed structure of (-)-clavosoldie A (1), revised structure of (-)-clavosoldie A (5), and revised structure of (-)-clavosoldie B (6). The relative and absolute stereochemistries of the natural products were confirmed unambiguously by comparing the optical rotation values and 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra of them.

groupsof the clusters as well as the ionic interactions between the oppositely charged cluster ions.Keywords : Polyoxometalate, Nanocomposite, Cluster, Crystal structure.IntroductionMaterials with nanometer sized features are attracting everincreasing attention. Many different approaches like sol-gel,template and intercalation have been adapted for this pur-pose.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2, a revised structure for (-)-clavosolide B, was accomplished by a convergent approach, where syn-selective aldol, hydroxy-directed cyclopropanation, Mitsunobu inversion, Schmidt-type glycosylation, and macrolactonization reactions were utilized as key reactions. Comparison of 1H and 13C NMR spectra and optical rotation measurement confirmed the relative and absolute stereochemistry of clavosolide B (2).

[reaction: see text] Enantioselective synthesis of 3, a revised structure for clavosolide A, was completed. Both (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the natural and synthetic compounds were identical, and optical rotation measurements identified the absolute configuration of the natural clavosolide A as [corrected] 3.

A new intercluster salt crystal [e-Al13O4(OH)24(H2O)12]2[V2W4O19]3(OH)2·27H2O (1) was synthesized from the reaction of octahedral Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate [V2W4O19]4- and truncated tetrahedral Keggin-type [e-Al13O4(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ cluster ions. The crystal structure shows that the oppositely charged cluster ions are arranged alternately and have their contacting faces parallel to each other for maximal interactions, both electrostatic and hydrogen bonding. The face-to-face interaction mode of the clusters allows analysis of the crystal structure in an analogy to the bond directionality of conventional inorganic crystals. Therefore, the packing of clusters in 1 is that of As2O3 (Claudetite-II). With the bond directionality, the crystal has large one-dimensional channels with a cross-sectional area of 14.17 × 13.88 A2 that are filled by lattice water and charge-balancing OH-.

— Diffusers with different characteristics were inserted between the viewing-zone forming optics and the image display panel of a contact-type multiview 3-D imaging system to examine their effects on moire and cross-talk in the system. The diffusers are effective in reducing the moire but induce an increase in cross-talk in most cases. However, a diffuser with the characteristics of a 200-μm-pitch lenticular diffuser or a scatter plate used in mobile phones can be used to reduce moire because it does not cause any noticeable increase in the cross-talk but still preserves the image properties without using a diffuser. This means that a diffuser can be used to reduce moire in a contact-type multiview 3-D imaging system without significantly sacrificing image quality.