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We report an efficient, high-power operation of a fiber laser and a power amplifier at ~ 978 nm incorporating an extra-large-mode-area (XLMA) triple-clad Yb-doped fiber. A simple numerical calculation for the gain of the XLMA Yb fiber shows that robust operation near 978 nm can be achieved due to the high Yb3+ excitation density in the XLMA Yb fiber with a relatively large core-to-cladding area ratio. The XLMA Yb fiber laser in a simple free-running configuration is constructed, yielding 38 W of continuous-wave (cw) output at 978 nm. Moreover, the single-stage XLMA Yb fiber power amplifier, employing the laser diode as a seed source, successfully produced 77 W of the amplified output at 977.2 nm without significant amplified spontaneous emission or parasitic lasing. The prospects for power scaling and applications are considered.

The relationship of free surface area with temperature, power, and oxygen concentration in a silicon ingot grown by Czochralski method for solar cells was investigated by simulating the growing process of 4-, 6-, and 8-inch diameter ingots with a 24-inch quartz crucible. It was confirmed that the temperature at auto-temperature-control (ATC) sensor of 4-inch diameter ingot was higher than 6- and 8-inch diameter ingot due to the longer distance between triple point and ATC sensor, i.e., larger area of the free surface. In addition, it was observed that the power consumption for growing 4-inch diameter ingot was greater than 6-and 8-inch diameter ingot because of its smaller heat capacity resulted from smaller charge size. In particular, it was confirmed that the oxygen concentration of 4-inch diameter ingot was lower than those of 6- and 8-inch diameter ingots since the larger free surface area and weaker melt convection led to the lower oxygen concentration in 4-inch ingot. This understanding of the relationship of free surface area with oxygen concentration in a silicon ingot can be applicable directly to control oxygen concentration in growing different diameter of silicon ingots.

Bitterlings are freshwater fish that have developed morphological adaptations to improve the survival of their embryos in host mussels. The most well-known adaptation is the development of minute tubercles, which develop in the early embryonic stage when the embryos have poor swimming ability, and disappear when the embryos reach the free-swimming stage and leave the host mussels. In this study, the embryonic developmental stages of Acheilognathus signifer were analysed to elucidate the relationship between the changes in the height of the minute tubercles and their movement. The height changes in the minute tubercles in the embryos can be divided into five stages, i.e., formation, growth, peak, reduction and disappearance. The authors found that the embryos lived in the gill demibranch of the host mussel until day 6 after hatching. The movement of embryos to the suprabranchial cavity in the gill demibranch was firstly observed on day 7. At this point, the embryos showed a heartbeat and movement. From day 13, the minute tubercles had almost disappeared, and the hatchlings started swimming outside the host mussels from day 16. These observations highlight the different adaptations of minute tubercles among bitterling groups without wing-like projections.

A Fenton reaction and a corrosion inhibition strategy were designed for enhancing the polishing rate and achieving a corrosion-free Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface during chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) of three-dimensional (3D) cross-point phase-change random-access memory (PCRAM) cells and 3D cross-point synaptic arrays. The Fenton reaction was conducted with 1,3-propylenediamine tetraacetic acid, ferric ammonium salt (PDTA–Fe) and H2O2. The chemical oxidation degree of GeO2, Sb2O3, and TeO2 evidently increased with the PDTA–Fe concentration in the CMP slurry, such that the polishing rate of the Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface linearly increased with the PDTA–Fe concentration. The addition of a corrosion inhibitor having protonated amine functional groups in the CMP slurry remarkably suppressed the corrosion degree of the Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface after CMP; i.e., the corrosion current of the Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface linearly decreased as the corrosion inhibitor concentration increased. Thus, the proposed Fenton reaction and corrosion inhibitor in the Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface CMP slurry could achieve an almost recess-free Ge1Sb4Te5 film surface of the confined-PCRAM cells, having an aspect ratio of 60-nm-height to 4-nm-diameter after CMP.

In this study, the chemical decomposition of a polyimide-film (i.e., a PI-film)-surface into a soft-film-surface containing negatively charged pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and neutral 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) was successfully performed. The chemical decomposition was conducted by designing the slurry containing 350 nm colloidal silica abrasive and small molecules with amine functional groups (i.e., ethylenediamine: EDA) for chemical–mechanical planarization (CMP). This chemical decomposition was performed through two types of hydrolysis reactions, that is, a hydrolysis reaction between OH− ions or R-NH3+ (i.e., EDA with a positively charged amine groups) and oxygen atoms covalently bonded with pyromellitimide on the PI-film-surface. In particular, the degree of slurry adsorption of the PI-film-surface was determined by the EDA concentration in the slurry because of the presence of R-NH3+, that is, a higher EDA concentration resulted in a higher degree of slurry adsorption. In addition, during CMP, the chemical decomposition degree of the PI-film-surface was principally determined by the EDA concentration; that is, the degree of chemical composition was increased noticeably and linearly with the EDA concentration. Thus, the polishing-rate of the PI-film-surface increased notably with the EDA concentration in the CMP slurry.

We report experimental investigation of PD in Yb-doped fibers. From fluorescence spectra while pumping at 1018 nm and 976 nm, we can attribute the PD to existence of oxygen deficiency centers and its strong dependence on the excited Yb3+ ion density. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of PD on the laser amplification experiment, demonstrating that the tandem pumping at 1018 nm could dramatically reduce the PD-induced background loss compared to the LD pumping at 976 nm due to the low excited Yb3+ density. We will discuss the way to mitigate the PD in high power Yb fiber lasers.

Air pollution contains sulfur dioxide (SO2) of 31.1%, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 27.2%, carbon oxide (COx) of 16.8%, and mineral particles of 6.3% according to the ministry of environment, Korea. Since air pollution has been harmfully affecting the health of people, the importance of controlling gas concentration and air pollution have been increased greatly and socially. To measure those gases the conventional gas detectors used by ultraviolet (UV) absorption method cannot display the image for total distribution of the gas and use public in daily life. In addition, the gas detectors used mainly at coal-fired power plant are installed in the chimney and a length of detecting probe in a detector is about 1 to 2 meters, which analyze quantitatively the gas passing through the hole with a diameter of 5-10 cm. Furthermore, since the conventional gas detectors measure only a small amount of gas coming out from chimney and their accuracies are not precise, thus, the more precise method is required for measuring the emitted gas quantitatively. In this study, therefore, we propose ultraviolet CMOS image sensor (UV-CIS) which can detect NO2 and SO2 gases quantitatively to enhance the sensitivity in detecting such gases. In particular, we investigated the characteristics of UV-CIS. We fabricated the UV-CIS embedded with blue-light emitting QD films. The structure of the UV-CIS consists of blue QDs film and blue color filter placed on conventional Si-CIS. The fabricated UV-CIS demonstrated much higher sensitivity in detecting both NO2 and SO2 gases at whole range of concentrations than conventional CIS. In particular, the sensitivity of the UV-CIS increased 1.9 times higher in detecting NO2 and 9.4 times higher in detecting SO2 than conventional CIS, respectively. It was conformed that the QD film converted UV into visible light through energy-down-conversion mechanism, which led to enhancing a sensitivity to UV light in CIS. Finally, we present energy-down-conversion characteristics of QDs synthesized, UV absorption characteristics of NO2 and SO2 gases, and the mechanism on sensing UV-light of UV-CIS to analyze an air environment.

7,3′,4′-Trihydroxyisoflavone (7,3′,4′-THIF) is a metabolite of daidzein which is a representative isoflavone found in soybean. Recent studies suggested that 7,3′,4′-THIF exerts a hypopigmentary effect in B16F10 cells, however, its underlying molecular mechanisms and specific target protein remain unknown. Here, we found that 7,3′,4′-THIF, but not daidzein, inhibited α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced intracellular and extracellular melanin production in B16F10 cells by directly targeting melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R). Western blot data showed that 7,3′,4′-THIF inhibited α-MSH-induced tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TYRP-2) expressions through the inhibition of Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression and cAMP response element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation. 7,3′,4′-THIF also inhibited α-MSH-induced dephosphorylation of AKT and phosphorylation of p38 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). cAMP and Pull-down assays indicated that 7,3′,4′-THIF strongly inhibited forskolin-induced intracellular cAMP production and bound MC1R directly by competing with α-MSH. Moreover, 7,3′,4′-THIF inhibited α-MSH-induced intracellular melanin production in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs). Collectively, these results demonstrate that 7,3′,4′-THIF targets MC1R, resulting in the suppression of melanin production, suggesting a protective role for 7,3′,4′-THIF against melanogenesis.

In this study, the seasonality of the biofouling behavior of pilot-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) run in parallel with vacant sheets and quorum quenching (QQ) sheets using real municipal wastewater was investigated. QQ media delayed fouling, but low temperatures caused severe biofouling. The greater amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) produced in cold weather was responsible for the faster biofouling of a membrane, even with QQ media. There were significant negative relationships between EPS levels and water temperature. Cold weather was detrimental to the degradation of quorum sensing signal molecules by QQ sheets, whose activity was restored with a higher dose of QQ bacteria. The QQ bacteria in the sheets experienced a slight loss in activity during the early stage of the field test, but survived in the pilot-scale MBR fed with real wastewater. There were no significant discrepancies in treatment efficiency among conventional, vacant, and QQ MBRs.

Ginsenoside compound K is an essential ingredient in nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and traditional medicines. However, cultivation for the production of enzymes involved in ginsenoside biotransformation has not been attempted in a fermenter. The host strain Escherichia coli ER2566 and the constitutive pHCE vector were selected for the efficient production of β-D-glycosidase, and expression medium composition to produce Sulfolobus solfataricus β-glycosidase expressed in E. coli was optimized in flask and batch cultures. The total activity of β-Dglycosidase in fed-batch culture using a fermenter increased 14-fold before optimization. S. solfataricus β-D-glycosidase and Thermotoga petrophila α-L-arabinofuranosidase were produced in a fed-batch culture. These two enzymes completely converted protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides in ginseng leaf extract obtained from discarded ginseng leaves as a renewable substrate to compound K. The effective bioprocess for compound K production developed here will contribute to the industrial biological production of compound K.

In a two-terminal-electrode vertical thyristor, the latch-up and latch-down voltages are decreased when the memory operation temperature of the memory cells increases, resulting in a severe reliability issue (i.e. thermal instability). This study fundamentally solves the thermal instability of a vertical-thyristor by achieving a cross-point memory-cell array using a vertical-thyristor with a structure of vertical n++-emitter, p+-base, n+-base, and p++-emitter. The vertical-thyristor using a Schottky contact metal emitter instead of an n++-Si emitter significantly improves the thermal stability between 293 K and 373 K. Particularly, the improvement degree of the thermal stability is increased significantly with the use of the Schottky contact metal work function. Because the thermal instability (i.e. degree of latch-up voltage decrement vs. memory operation temperature) decreases with an increase in the Schottky contact metal work function, the dependency of the forward current density between the Schottky contact metal and p+-Si based on the memory operation temperature reduces with increase in the Schottky contact metal work function. Consequently, a higher Schottky contact metal work function produces a higher degree of improvement in the thermal stability, i.e. W (4.50 eV), Ti (4.33 eV), Ta (4.25 eV), and Al (4.12 eV). Further research on the fabrication process of a Schottky contact metal emitter vertical-thyristor is essential for the fabrication of a 3D cross-point memory-cell.

Numerous studies have investigated the bioactive properties of compounds present in soybean (Glycine max) that may have beneficial effects on the health of human skin. Several such compounds have already been introduced into commercial cosmetic products to promote functional properties such as skin whitening, anti-wrinkle activity and skin hydration. However, a significantly greater understanding of the application of soybean ingredients in these types of products is needed before optimal benefits can be realized. In this review, we aim to summarize some of the biological properties of soybean constituents and the underlying mechanisms of action responsible for beneficial effects in skin. In addition, we will discuss future directions for studies that may help to expand the applications for soybean compounds.

Proanthocyanidins are oligomeric or polymeric end products of flavonoid metabolic pathways starting with the central phenylpropanoid pathway. Although soybean (Glycine spp.) seeds represent a major source of nutrients for the human diet, as well as components for the cosmetics industry as a result of their high levels of flavonoid metabolites, including isoflavonoids, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in soybean remain unclear.; Results: We evaluated interspecific and intraspecific variability in flavonoid components in soybean using 43 cultivars, landraces and wild soybean accessions. We performed transcriptomic profiling of genes encoding enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis using three soybean genotypes, Hwangkeum (elite cultivar), IT109098 (landrace) and IT182932 (wild accession), in seeds. We identified a Glycine max landrace, IT109098, with a proanthocyanidin content as high as that of wild soybean. Different homologous genes for anthocyanidin reductase, which is involved in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis, were detected as differentially expressed genes between IT109098 and IT182932 compared to Hwangkeum.; Conclusion: We detected major differences in the transcriptional levels of genes involved in the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin among genotypes beginning at the early stage of seed development. The results of the present study provide insights into the underlying genetic variation in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis among soybean genotypes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Statement of problem Post space size and cement thickness can differ because of variations in root canal morphology, such as an oval shape, and because the entire canal space cannot be included in the post space preparation. As a result, increased cement thickness around the post may affect the bond strength between the post and the dentin. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the push-out bond strength of fiber-reinforced composite resin posts to root dentin with cement layers of varying thickness. Material and methods Thirty human premolars were endodontically treated and restored with fiber-reinforced composite resin posts. Post space was prepared using a drill with a 1.5-mm diameter and diameters of 1.25 mm (small [S] group), 1.375 mm (medium [M] group), and 1.5 mm (large [L] group) were cemented. The specimens were sectioned horizontally into 1-mm-thick slices, and the push-out bond strengths of the apical and coronal fragments were evaluated. Bond strength was compared using analysis of variance and 2-sample t tests (α=.05). Results No significant differences were found in the debonding force and push-out bond strength among fiber-reinforced composite posts of different sizes ( P >.05). The mean debonding force and standard deviation of the posts were 25.05 ±9.52 N for the S group, 28.17 ±11.38 N for the M group, and 33.78 ±12.47 N for the L group. The corresponding push-out bond strength values were 3.11 ±1.54 MPa, 3.39 ±1.4 MPa, and 4.15 ±1.75 MPa. The differences in debonding force between the apical (26.43 ±10.72 N) and coronal (31.57 ±12.03 N) areas were not significant ( P >.05). However, the differences in push-out bond strength between the apical (4.27 ±1.73 MPa) and coronal areas (2.83 ±1.08 MPa) were significant ( P Conclusions The widening of post spaces and, consequently, the increased cement thickness do not significantly affect the bond strength of fiber-reinforced composite resin posts to root dentin.

Steviol glucosides (SGs) such as rubusoside (Ru), stevioside (Ste), rebaudioside A (RebA) and stevioside glucosides (SG) are herbal tea sweeteners that enhance the solubility and stability of a number of pharmaceutically important compounds. The complex of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with 10% (w/v) each Ru, Ste, RebA or SG enhanced the water solubility of EGCG over 15 times to 345, 312, 341, or 320 mg/mL, respectively. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (SC50) activities of EGCG, EGCG-Ru, EGCG-Ste, EGCG-RebA, and EGCG-SG in water were 5.88, 6.03, 6.52, 4.89, and 4.23 μg/mL, respectively. EGCGs complexed with different SGs maintained inhibitory activities against human intestinal maltase, human pancreatic α-amylase, and the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium difficile. In glucose tolerance test using C57BL/6 mice, plasma glucose levels in mice treated with EGCG or EGCG-Ste complex were decreased by 9.34%, which was 31.08% lower than those treated with maltose. The efficient and cost-effective EGCG-SGs production method might be applicable to produce water soluble bioactive nutraceuticals in large scale.

Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β- d -glucopyranoside, Ast) is a kind of flavonoid known to have anti-oxidant, anti-HIV, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has low solubility in water. In this study, novel astragalin galactosides (Ast-Gals) were synthesized using β-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans and reaction conditions were optimized to increase the conversion yield of astragallin. Purified Ast-Gal1 (11.6% of Ast used, w/w) and Ast-Gal2 (6.7% of Ast used, w/w) were obtained by medium pressure chromatography (MPLC) with silica C18 column and open column packed with Sephadex LH-20. The structures of Ast-Gal1 and Ast-Gal2 were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to be kaempferol-3-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -galactopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β- d -galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β- d -galactopyranoside, respectively. The water solubility of Ast, Ast-Gal1, and Ast-Gal2 were 28.2 ± 1.2 mg/L, 38,300 ± 3.5 mg/L, and 38,800 ± 2.8 mg/L, respectively. The SC50 value (the concentration required to scavenge 50% of the ABTS + ) of Ast, Ast-Gal1, and Ast-Gal2 were 5.1 ± 1.6 μM, 6.5 ± 0.4 μM, and 4.9 ± 1.1 μM, respectively. The IC50 values (the half maximal inhibitory concentration) of Ast, Ast-Gal1, and Ast-Gal2 against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were 171.0 ± 1.2 μM, 186.0 μM, and 139.0 ± 0.2 μM, respectively.

The soy isoflavone daidzein is bioconverted to 7,8,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (7,8,4'-THIF) by microorganisms. Here, we investigated the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 inhibitory properties of 7,8,4'-THIF that arise through the suppression of UVB-induced MMP-1 expression. 7,8,4'-THIF reduced UVB-induced MMP-1 expression at the transcriptional level in primary human dermal fibroblasts and inhibited UVB-induced transcriptional activity of AP-1, a major activator of MMP-1 expression. Additionally, it was observed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, a crucial signalling cascade for MMP-1 expression, was suppressed by 7,8,4'-THIF. Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) was suspected to be a direct target of 7,8,4'-THIF. The direct interaction between 7,8,4'-THIF and PKCι was confirmed using pull-down assays and immobilized metal ion affinity-based fluorescence polarization assays. Finally, we observed that 7,8,4'-THIF inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1 expression in a human skin equivalent model. Taken together, these results suggest that 7,8,4'-THIF, a bioconversion product of daidzein, suppresses UVB-induced MMP-1 expression.

Si CMOS image-sensor (CIS) cells were designed by implementing proximity relaxation gettering sites of hydrogen-ion implantation-induced nanocavities (20–35 nm in diameter) underneath Si photodiode regions to enhance the sensing margin of output voltage in CIS cells. They enabled almost no degradation in the output voltage sensing margin, although ~ $ 10^{{\mathsf {14}}}$ cm $^{{\mathsf {-2}}}$ of Fe, Cu, Ni, and Co contaminants were introduced in the photodiode regions of CIS cells, demonstrating an excellent relaxation gettering ability. However, Si CIS cells designed with p/p++ epitaxial wafers, which are widely used, showed that the sensing margin of the CIS cells significantly decreased as the concentration of Cu and Ni contaminants in the Si photodiode regions increased, indicating no segregation gettering ability.

The dry reforming of methane (DRM; CH 4 + CO 2 ↔ 2H 2 + 2CO) can be a good way to utilize greenhouse gases for the production of valuable syn-gas. Ni-based catalysts have been used for this reaction; however, the Ni size effect and support effect were highly coupled and therefore could not be observed separately. Here, a unique catalyst in which the Ni nanoparticle size and support can be varied independently was devised. Highly uniform Ni nanoparticles with sizes of 2.6, 5.2, 9.0, and 17.3 nm were tested for DRM at 800 °C without a significant change in the Ni size, and overlayers of various metal oxides, including SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , MgO, ZrO 2 , TiO 2 , were tested with the 5.2 nm of Ni nanoparticles. The dependence of the CH 4 or CO 2 turnover frequency on the Ni size and support was evaluated separately. The 2.6 nm Ni nanoparticles showed 4.1 times higher methane turnover frequency than those with a size of 17.3 nm. When various metal oxide overlayers were tested with the same 5.2 nm Ni, Al 2 O 3 exhibited 4.3 times higher methane turnover frequency than SiO 2 . The independent observation of the effects of the Ni nanoparticle size and support will provide valuable guidelines for designing effective methane dry reforming catalysts.

We proposed a dislocation sink technology for achieving Si

Low temperatures produce more biopolymers, leading to severe biofouling. Moving QQ sheets mitigate biofouling under cold weather conditions. QQ activities drop sharply with decreasing water temperatures. QQ sheets remain active during long-term field tests using real wastewater. QQ sheets have no impact on activated sludge treatment performance.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin found in the leaves of green tea, Camellia sinensis. In this study, novel epigallocatechin gallate-glucocides (EGCG-Gs) were synthesized by using dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-1299CB4. Response surface methodology was adopted to optimize the conversion of EGCG to EGCG-Gs, resulting in a 91.43% conversion rate of EGCG. Each EGCG-G was purified using a C18 column. Of nine EGCG-Gs identified by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, five EGCG-Gs (2 and 4–7) were novel compounds with yields of 2.2–22.6%. The water solubility of the five novel compounds ranged from 229.7 to 1878.5 mM. The 5′-OH group of EGCG-Gs expressed higher antioxidant activities than the 4′-OH group of EGCG-Gs. Furthermore, glucosylation at 7-OH group of EGCG-Gs was found to be responsible for maintaining tyrosinase inhibitory activity and increasing browning-resistant activities.

Objectives To determine the inhibitory activities of flavonoids against NS2B-NS3 protease of ZIKA virus (ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro) expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and their structure activity relationship. Results ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) as a 35 kDa protein. It had a K m of 26 µM with the fluorogenic peptide Dabcyl-KTSAVLQSGFRKME-Edan. The purified ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro was used for inhibition and kinetic assays to determine the activities of 22 polyphenol compounds. These polyphenol compounds at 100 µM inhibited the activity of ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro by 6.2–88%. Seven polyphenol compounds had IC50 ranging from 22 ± 0.2 to 112 ± 5.5 µM. Myricetin showed a mixed type inhibitory pattern against ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro protease. Its IC50 value was 22 ± 0.2 µM with a K i value of 8.9 ± 1.9 µM. Conclusion The chemical structure of a polyphenol compound and its inhibitory activity against ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro can be explored to develop highly selective inhibitors against ZIKV NS2B-NS3pro. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10529-016-2261-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Production of wheat bran (WB) for human consumption is estimated to be about 90 million tons per year. WB contains an abundant source of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. WB is a by-product of milling and contains an abundant source of carbohydrate (60%), protein (12%), fat (0.5%), minerals (2%), and bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, arabinoxylans, flavonoids, caroteinoids alkylresorcinol and phytosterols. These are known for health promoting properties such as controlling glycemic index, reducing plasma cholesterol level, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities. Several terpene glycosides such as mogroside V, paenoiflorin, geniposide, rubusoside (Ru), stevioside (Ste), rebaudioside A (RebA), steviol monoside, and stevioside glucoside have been discovered to enhance the solubility of a number of pharmaceutically and medically important compounds that normally show poor solubility in water. Context and purpose of this study: In this study, in order to increase soluble extraction of polyphenol compounds of WB using Ru, the expression of β-galactosidase from Thermus thermophilus (T. thermophilus) was optimized using different E. coli hosts and a different concentration of lactose inducer rather than of isopropyl-1- thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (IPTG) for industrial production. Additionally, the effect of different steviol glucosides (Ru, Ste, RebA, and SG) on the enhancement of polyphenol compounds extraction from wheat bran was studied. Results: β-galactosidase from T. thermophilus was used for the specific conversion of stevioside (Ste) to rubusoside (Ru) with 92% productivity. The enzyme was optimized to be expressed in E. coli. With 7 mM lactose, the β-galactosidase activity expressed was 34.3, 14.2, or 34.4 ± 0.5 U/mL in E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS, Rosetta(DE3)pLysS, or BL21(DE3) at 37°C, and 9.8 ± 0.2, 7.0 ± 0.5, or 7.4 ± 0.2 U/mL at 28°C respectively. The expression of β-galactosidase was dependent on the lactose concentration and the highest activity was obtained with the conditions of 5 mM lactose in E. coli Rosetta(DE3)pLysS, 53.3 ± 1.5 U/mL. 78% of the mesophilic proteins was eliminated by heating at 70°C for 15 min with 89% β-galactosidase activity recovery. The total polyphenol content of WB extracted by water, Ru, Ste, rebaudioside A (RebA), and steviol glucosides (SG) were 533.8 ± 9.6 µg/mL, 633.3 ± 1.25 µg/mL, 604.4 ± 10.1 µg/mL, 654.8 ± 26.5 µg/mL, and 601.2 ± 33.4 µg/mL, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity prepared by water, Ru, Ste, RebA, and SG extraction were 8.76 ± 0.3 mg/mL, 4.87 ± 0.3 mg/mL, 5.34 ± 0.22 mg/mL, 7.27 ± 0.1 mg/mL, and 7.82 ± 0.02 mg/mL respectively. Conclusions: To increase soluble extraction of polyphenol compounds of WB using Ru, the expression of β-galactosidase from T. thermophilus was optimized using different E. coli hosts and a different concentration of lactose inducer rather than isopropyl-1- thio-β-D- galactopyranoside (IPTG) for industrial production of the enzyme. The highest antioxidant activity was shown in WB extracted by Ru. The number of glucosyl units attached to steviol can possibly affect the efficiency of antioxidant activity of WB extracted by steviol glucosides.

This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro influence of ethylene on shoot branching and leaf yellowing in the rose cultivar Tineke by using different compounds that regulate ethylene inhibition and stimulation. Aminoethoxy vinyl glycine (AVG), silver thiosulfate (STS), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) caused enhanced apical shoot initiation and reduced leaf yellowing, via inhibition of ethylene production, in the following order: AVG > SNP > STS. In contrast, the addition of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) or 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) stimulated ethylene production and had greater negative effects on the studied parameters than the control; the negative effects of IAA were further confirmed in combination with AVG, STS, or SNP. The effects of ethylene on apical shoot initiation and leaf yellowing in Tineke were confirmed in another rose cultivar, Innocence. Hence, this study provides strong support for the hypothesis that ethylene-inhibiting agents have beneficial effects on apical shoot initiation and reduction of leaf yellowing in other rose cultivars.

The effects of supplementary lighting with high-pressure sodium (HSP) lamps alone or in combination with carbon dioxide (CO2) on the growth, yield, and flower stem quality of two rose cultivars (‘Loving Heart’ and ‘Top Grace’) were studied. Compared to natural lighting (control), supplementary lighting alone was beneficial for plant growth, and it increased plant height, stem diameter, and the number of axillary shoots. Furthermore, increases in flower stem yield (>70 cm), flower stem diameter, fresh weight, and the number of petals per flower were also observed. The combination of supplementary lighting and CO2 significantly enhanced all of the studied parameters compared to supplementary lighting alone. Moreover, stomatal density and chlorophyll fluorescence were seemingly affected by either supplementary lighting alone or in combination with CO2. This is the first study to examine the beneficial effects of combined supplementary lighting and CO2 conditions, and the resulting information is essential to rose growers and commercial production.

The oligosaccharides in human milk constitute a major innate immunological mechanism by which breastfed infants gain protection against infectious diarrhea. Clostridium difficile is the most important cause of nosocomial diarrhea, and the C-terminus of toxin A with its carbohydrate binding site, TcdA-f2, demonstrates specific abolishment of cytotoxicity and receptor binding activity upon diethylpyrocarbonate modification of the histidine residues in TcdA. TcdA-f2 was cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). A human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) mixture displayed binding with TcdA-f2 at 38.2 respond units (RU) at the concentration of 20 μg/ml, whereas the eight purified HMOs showed binding with the carbohydrate binding site of TcdA-f2 at 3.3 to 14 RU depending on their structures via a surface plasma resonance biosensor. Among them, Lacto-N-fucopentaose V (LNFPV) and Lacto-N-neohexaose (LNnH) demonstrated tight binding to TcdA-f2 with docking energy of -9.48 kcal/mol and -12.81 kcal/mol, respectively. It displayed numerous hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues of TcdA-f2.

We proposed a dislocation sink technology for achieving Si1−x Ge x multi-bridge-channel field-effect-transistor beyond 5 nm transistor design-rule that essentially needs an almost crystalline-defect-free Si1−x Ge x channel. A generation of a dislocation sink via H+ implantations in a strain-relaxed Si0.7Ge0.3 layer grown on a Si substrate and a following annealing almost annihilate completely misfit and threading dislocations located near the interface between a relaxed Si0.7Ge0.3 layer and a Si substrate. A real-time (continuous heating from room temperature to 600 °C) in situ high-resolution-transmission-electron-microscopy and inverse-fast-Fourier-transform image observation at 1.25 MV acceleration voltage obviously demonstrated the annihilation process between dislocation sinks and remaining misfit and threading dislocations during a thermal annealing, called the [SiI or GeI + V Si or V Ge → Si1−x Ge x ] annihilation process, where SiI, GeI, V Si, and V Ge are interstitial Si, interstitial Ge, Si vacancy, and Ge vacancy, respectively. In particular, the annihilation process efficiency greatly depended on the dose of H+ implantation and annealing temperature; i.e. a maximum annihilation process efficiency achieved at 5 × 1015 atoms cm−2 and 800 °C.