Paspalum distichum and P. distichum var. indutum are perennial weeds of the family Poaceae that prefer moist environments such as waterfronts and waterways. The origin of both species is North America. P. distichum is distributed all over the world. However, P. distichum var. indutum occurs only in the United States, Japan, and Korea. For this reason, in many countries, P. distichum and P. distichum var. indutum are classified as the same species. In other words, P. distichum var. indutum is a different ecological type of P. distichum. Both species can reproduce and spread mainly by rhizome fragments rather than seeds. This rhizome has a characteristic that it does not germinate if it is buried in the ground with depth of more than 3 cm. As a management method for P. distichum and P. distichum var. indutum in agricultural lands (paddy fields), it is effective to combine cultural control and chemical control methods. In other words, combining deep plowing and harrowing can suppress the budding of water sparrow that has invaded paddy fields or fallow paddy fields. After that, these two species that germinate can be controlled by spraying soil treatment herbicides such as butachlor and thiobencarb or foliar treatment herbicides such as cyhalofop-butyl and fenoxaprop-pethyl.

Molten salt consisting primarily of eutectic LiCl-KCl is currently being used in electrorefiners in the Fuel Conditioning Facility at Idaho National Laboratory. Options are currently being evaluated for storing this salt outside of the argon atmosphere hot cell. The hygroscopic nature of eutectic LiCl-KCl makes is susceptible to deliquescence in air followed by extreme corrosion of metallic cannisters. In this study, the effect of occluding the salt into a zeolite on water sorption/desorption was tested. Two zeolites were investigated: Na-Y and zeolite 4A. Na-Y was ineffective at occluding a high percentage of the salt at either 10 or 20wt% loading. Zeolite-4A was effective at occluding the salt with high efficiency at both loading levels. Weight gain in salt occluded zeolite-4A (SOZ) from water sorption at 20% relative humidity and 40℃ was 17wt% for 10% SOZ and 10wt% for 20% SOZ. In both cases, neither deliquescence nor corrosion occurred over a period of 31 days. After hydration, most of the water could be driven off by heating the hydrated salt occluded zeolite to 530℃. However, some HCl forms during dehydration due to salt hydrolysis. Over a wide range of temperatures (320–700℃) and ramp rates (5, 10, and 20℃ min−1), HCl formation was no more than 0.6% of the Cl− in the original salt.

This study is intended to determine the antimicrobial resistance properties and class 1 integrons of 30 Citrobacter freundii strains isolated from pet turtles in order to determine their threat to human health. Citrobacter freundii isolates were isolated and identified by employing biochemical tests and 16SrRNA gene sequencing. Disc diffusion test and PCR amplification were employed to detect antimicrobial resistance patterns and genes, respectively. Ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalothin and nalidixic acid resistance were observed among all isolates. Rifampicin and cefoxitin resistance was the second most prevalent and observed in 97% of the isolates, respectively. All isolates scored multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) indices ≥ 0.2. Aminoglycoside resistant genes were the most prevalent. aac(3')-IIa was detected in 80% of the isolates followed by aphAI-IAB and strA-strB genes in 33% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. β-lactamase encoding blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes were detected in 53%, 43% and 17% of the isolates, respectively. tetA and tetB genes were the only tetracycline resistance genes detected in 17% and 10% of the isolates, respectively. Class 1 integron integrase encoding intI1 gene (47%) and dfrA17-aadA5 gene cassette array (7%) were also detected. Pet turtle-borne multidrug-resistant C. freundii is a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the domestic environment which poses a risk of infection.

본 연구과제는 아시아지역 AFACI(Asian Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative) 회원 13개국을 대상으로 토마토 또는 고추 품종육성 기술을 지원하기 위해 수행 되었다. AFACI 회원국 별 채소 육종 및 종자 생산, 가공, 유통 기술 수준 차이가 크다. 라오스, 미얀마, 캄보디아 등의 회원국에서는 자가 종자 생산이 어려워 필 요 종자의 70~80%를 다른 나라에서 수입하여 활용하고 있다. AFACI 회원국들의 자가 종자 생산기술 향상을 통한 자체 종자 생산을 지원하기 위해 회원국들의 요 청을 받아 고추 또는 토마토 작목의 품종육성 기술지원을 수행하였다. 회원국에서 보유하고 있는 다양한 재래종 자원들의 수집, 평가 및 선발과 세계채소센터에서 육성한 자원들을 공급받아 육종 재료로 활용하였다. 본 과제는 2019년 11월부터 2022년 10월까지 1단계 과정을 통해 회원국별로 다양한 성과들을 창출하고 있다. 효율적인 기술지원을 위해 세계채소센터 전문가들을 활용하여 육종 기술과 재료 들을 공급하였다. 2단계에서는 1단계에서 확보된 다양한 자원들을 활용한 우수 고 정종 품종 등록과 일대잡종 품종육성 기술을 지원할 계획이다. 육성된 품종들은 국가별 품종 등록 절차에 따라 품종보호출원 및 농가 보급을 추진할 계획이다. 1 단계에서는 코로나 19로 인한 대면 교육이 불가능하여 국내 종자회사들과의 소통 이 어려웠다. 하지만 2단계에서는 대면 교육 기회를 확대하고, 국내 채소 종자 업 체와 회원국의 연구원들 간의 소통을 확대하여 국내 종자 기업들의 해외 진출에 도 기여 할 수 있도록 노력할 계획이다.

본 연구에서 Periphyllus acerihabitans를 국내에서 최초로 보고한다. 이 종의 분포지역, 기주식물, 무시성충의 형태학적 정보와 분류키를 제공 하였다.

Carbon fibers are commonly used in many specialized, high-performance applications such as race cars and aircraft due to their lightweight and high durability. The most important stage in the production of carbon fibers is the carbonization process. During this process, carbon fibers are subjected to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to prevent fibers from burning. Labyrinth seals are attached to a carbonization furnace to prevent airflow into the furnace and to assist in the elimination of off-gases. This study investigated flow characteristics inside a carbonization furnace and the effects of different geometric parameters of labyrinth seals such as labyrinth tooth shape, number of teeth, and tooth clearance. Varying carbonization furnace operating conditions were also studied in regard to flow behavior, including fiber movement and outlet vacuum pressure. A high working gas flow rate at the furnace inlet resulted in recirculation zones. Properly regulated gas flow from the main and labyrinth inlets enabled uniform flow around the fibers’ inlet and outlet which prevented air from being trapped in the reactor. Flow behavior was minimally effected by changes to labyrinth seal geometry such as tooth length, tooth clearance, and outlet pressure. However, the movement of fibers had a clear effect on flow characteristics in the furnace.

Food toxins are regarded as a major source of health risks, serious illnesses susceptible to even death. These dangerous pathogens may lead to significant economic impact worldwide. The food production chain undergoes different stages like harvesting, processing, storage, packaging, distribution, and lastly preparation, and consumption. Therefore, each step is susceptible to risks of environmental contamination. Nowadays, the carbon quantum dots (CDs) are regarded as one of the most widely used hybrid carbon nanomaterials due to their different magical physical and chemical properties. The CDs have a size below 10 nm and show the fluorescent property. The CDs find vast applications in different fields like sensing, food safety, drug delivery, bioimaging, catalyst, energy conversion, etc. Compared to other available methods, the fluorescence detection techniques have low cost, easy handling, and safe operating system. There is a need for a review to compile the fluorescence properties of carbon nanodots used to detect food pathogens. This brief review is addressed in that direction and mostly focused on the synthesis of carbon dots-based fluorescence sensors for detecting pathogens and toxins in foods and beverages. The detailed mechanisms and origin of fluorescence properties of carbon quantum dots are also highlighted herewith.

We present the analysis of a planetary microlensing event OGLE-2019-BLG-0362 with a shortduration anomaly (∼0.4 days) near the peak of the light curve, which is caused by the resonant caustic. The event has a severe degeneracy with Δχ2 = 0.9 between the close and the wide binary lens models both with planet-host mass ratio q ≃ 0.007. We measure the angular Einstein radius but not the microlens parallax, and thus we perform a Bayesian analysis to estimate the physical parameters of the lens. We find that the OGLE-2019-BLG-0362L system is a super-Jovian-mass planet Mp = 3.26+0.83 −0.58 MJ orbiting an M dwarf Mh = 0.42+0.34 −0.23 M⊙ at a distance DL = 5.83+1.04 −1.55 kpc. The projected star-planet separation is a⊥ = 2.18+0.58 −0.72 AU, which indicates that the planet lies beyond the snow line of the host star.

Background: The traditional treatment protocol in adhesive capsulitis cases is physical therapy agents and a home exercise program. The extensive majority of patients respond to conservative treatment, but the painful rehabilitation program makes it inconvenient for individuals to fully comply with the treatment. In order to reduce pain and spasm, intraarticular injections or suprascapular nerve block may be effective before the rehabilitation program. Objectives: To investigated the effect of suprascapular nerve block (SNB), which is added to standard physical therapy on pain, functionality and range of motion in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). Design: Retrospective study. Methods: This study included 46 patients who were treated for AC. Patients in both groups were given 15 season physical therapy and home exercise. The treatment group consisted of patients who underwent multiple SNB in addition to physical therapy and home exercise. Datas were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ROM, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and Constant scores in both groups after treatment and at the third month follow-up (P<.001). In the comparison between the groups, it was determined that the improvement in VAS, ROM and SPADI scores in the treatment group at the 3-month control was statistically significant (P<.05). Conclusion: Multiple SNB added to physical therapy and home exercise program in cases of AC may be effective in terms of pain control, increasing joint range of motion and improving functionality.

This study assessed the changes in the fiber properties of virgin and recovered fibers from lab-scale and pilot-scale depolymerization reactors based on the thermal air oxidation-resistance characteristics. Lab-scale and pilot-scale depolymerization reactors had different depolymerization volumes. Results showed that the lab-scale and pilot-scale peak solvent temperatures were 185 °C and 151 °C, respectively. The lab-scale had highest solvent temperature rate increase because of the small depolymerization volume and the dominant role of the cavitation volume. The structural properties of the recovered and virgin fibers were intact even after the depolymerization and after the pretreatment and oxidation-resistance test. We observed 1.213%, 1.027% and 0.842% weight loss for the recovered (lab-scale), the recovered (pilot-scale) and virgin fibers because of the removal of impurities from the surface and chemisorbed gases. Further, we observed 0.8% mass loss of the recovered fibers (lab-scale) after the oxidative-onset temperature because of the “cavitation erosion effect” from the dominant of the cavitation bubbles. The “cavitation erosion effect” was subdued because of the increased depolymerization volume in the pilot-scale reactor. Therefore, negligible impact of the pilot-scale mechanochemical recycling process on the structure and surface characteristics of the fibers and the possibility of reusing the recovered fibers recycling process were characteristic. Representative functional groups were affected by the thermal oxidation process. We conducted HPLC, HT-XRD, TGA– DSC, XPS, SEM, and AFM analysis and provided an extensive discussion of the test thereof. This study highlighted how misleading and insufficient small-lab-scale results could be in developing viable CFRP depolymerization process.

Nitrophenol sensors have garnered interest in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, environment safety and explosives. Various methods have been proposed to detect 4-nitrophenol, but nitrophenol isomers such as 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol have been comparatively less studied. For the first time, the present work explores graphitic nanocarbon, i.e., carbon black (CB) interface for sensing of DNP. Two reduction potentials were noted at − 0.48 and − 0.64 V for o-NO2 and p-NO2 moieties, respectively, at CB/GCE. At the same time, bare GCE (glassy carbon electrode) shows a single reduction potential at − 0.7 V. The electrocatalytic effect and adsorption ability of the interface was studied from the DNP concentration effect. Scan rate and pH studies suggest that the CB acquires four electrons for NO2 reduction by the diffusion phenomenon. A broad detection range of 10–250 μM DNP with a very low detection limit of 0.13 (o-form) and 0.15 μM (p-form) was achieved using the CB interface. The real-time applicability of the fabricated sensor was evaluated using commercially available beverages with excellent recovery values. The stability, repeatability and reproducibility of the CB interface were successfully confirmed. Comparison of the sensing parameters of the developed sensor with those reported in literature reveals excellent detection limit and response time for the CB-interfaced DNP sensor, indicating its potential for environmental and commercial applications.

This work reported the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of a new photoelectrode based on hematite Co-Fe2O3@NiO, a photoactive semiconductor, was prepared using a process involving a combination of the co-precipitation and microwave-assisted synthesis of Fe2O3, Co-Fe2O3 and Co-Fe2O3@NiO, respectively. The obtained products were characterized by X-Ray powder Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–vis) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the sample determined the crystal structure of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The SEM image shows spherical nanoparticles. FTIR spectrospy spectrum confirmed the phase purity and chemical bond for the sample. Optical studies show a variation of band gap from 2.118 to 2.07 eV. The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the films were examined by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The electrochemical oxidation of water achieved by Cobalt-doped Fe2O3@ GCE modified electrode exhibited the current density of 21 mA/g at 0.5 V vs. SCE for 5 at% of Co and reveals enhanced specific capacitance of 352.11 F/g. The catalytic performance of urea oxidation was measured by cyclic voltammetry on Co-Fe2O3@NiO nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in alkaline medium. The electrode Co-Fe2O3@NiO without annealing showed a peak current density of 1.59 mA/cm2 at 0.1 M urea in 1.0 M NaOH, which was 3.6 fold higher than that of Co-Fe2O3@NiO with annealing. In another part, this work reported the photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of photoanode prepared by spin coating. The highest photocurrent 0.042 mA/cm2 at 0.5 V Vs SCE was obtained for 5% Co-Fe2O3@NiO while the photocatalytic oxidation of urea.

Due to its capacity to manufacture low-cost 3D-printed structures, 3D-printing technology offers a unique opportunity for the fast epitome of various applications. Using a typical fused deposition modeling 3D printer along with a Discovery extruder, a graphene-ink can be 3D printed to produce an interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrangement. This work fabricated a 3D-printed planar supercapacitor from pristine graphene-ink without using high-temperature processing or functional additives. The printable ink (89%) is formulated from pristine graphene without the addition of any functional additives. The symmetric flexible supercapacitor is demonstrated with an excellent specific capacitance of 137.50 F/g at 0.5 A/g and an energy density of 12.23 Wh/kg. The obtained gravimetric energy density beats reported earlier carbon-based supercapacitors that are 3D or inkjet printed. The flexibility and robustness of 3D-printed devices are achieved up to 150° folding angles. This work demonstrates an efficient and easy method for fabricating practical energy storage devices featuring a customizable shape and excellent flexibility.

Abstract Biosensors are a group of measurement systems and their design is based on the selective identification of analyses based on biological components and physical and chemical detectors. Biosensors consist of three components: biological element, detector, and converter. The design of biosensors in various fields of biological sciences, medicine has expanded significantly. Biosensor technology actually represents a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, electronics, and telecommunications. A biosensor actually consists of a small sensor and biological material fixed on it. Because biosensors are a powerful tool for identifying biological molecules, today they are used in various medical sciences, chemical industry, food industry, environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical production, health, etc. In fact, these sensors are a powerful tool to identify biological molecules. In fact, biosensors are analytical tools that can use biological intelligence to detect and react with a compound or compounds, and thus create a chemical, optical, or electrical message. The basis of a biosensor is to convert a biological response into a message. In this category, the use of telecommunication engineering technology and electromagnetic waves and frequency and radio spectrum is growing more and more to detect, measure, and determine the desired parameters in microbiology and laboratory sciences. The use of radio, optical, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and infrared wave detection technology is part of the applications of telecommunication science in this field. Even image and audio processing systems have been instrumental in the discussion of biosensors in microbiology. The science of using fiber optics and waveguides, micro-strip antennas, and microelectromechanical technology is also very efficient in the construction and design of these biosensors.

A compacted bentonite buffer is a major component of engineered barrier systems, which are designed for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In most countries, the target temperature required to maintain safe functioning is below 100°C. If the target temperature of the compacted bentonite buffer can be increased above 100°C, the disposal area can be dramatically reduced. To increase the target temperature of the buffer, it is necessary to investigate its properties at temperatures above 100°C. Although some studies have investigated thermal-hydraulic properties above 100°C, few have evaluated the water suction of compacted bentonite. This study addresses that knowledge gap by evaluating the water suction variation for compacted Korean bentonite in the 25–150°C range, with initial saturations of 0 and 0.22 under constant saturation conditions. We found that water suction decreased by 5–20% for a temperature increase of 100–150°C.

Epididymal sperm cryopreservation provides a potential method for preserving genetic material from males of endangered species. This pilot study was conducted to develop a freezing method for tiger epididymal sperm. We evaluated post-thaw sperm condition using testes with intact epididymides obtained from a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica ) after castration. The epididymis was chopped in Tyrode's albumin-lactate-pyruvate 1x and incubated at 5% CO2, 95% air for 10 min. The Percoll separation density gradient method was used for selective recovery of motile spermatozoa after sperm collection using a cell strainer. The spermatozoa were diluted with modified Norwegian extender supplemented with 20 mM trehalose (extender 1) and subsequent extender 2 (extender 1 with 10% glycerol) and frozen using LN2 vapor. After thawing at 37℃ for 25 s, Isolate® solution was used for more effective recovery of live sperm. Sperm motility (computerized assisted sperm analysis, CASA), viability (SYBR-14 and Propidium Iodide) and acrosome integrity (Pisum sativum agglutinin with FITC) were evaluated. The motility of tiger epididymal spermatozoa was 40.1 ± 2.0%, and progressively motile sperm comprised 32.7 ± 2.3%. Viability was 56.3 ± 1.6% and acrosome integrity was 62.3 ± 4.4%. Cryopreservation of tiger epididymal sperm using a modified Norwegian extender and density gradient method could be effective to obtain functional spermatozoa for future assisted reproductive practices in endangered species.

The ovary undergoes substantial physiological changes along with estrus phase to mediate negative/positive feedback to the upstream reproductive tissues and to play a role in producing a fertilizable oocyte in the developing follicles. However, the disorder of estrus cycle in female can lead to diseases, such as cystic ovary which is directly associated with decline of overall reproductive performance. In gene expression studies of ovaries, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay has been widely applied. During this assay, although normalization of target genes against reference genes (RGs) has been indispensably conducted, the expression of RGs is also variable in each experimental condition which can result in false conclusion. Because the understanding for stable RG in porcine ovaries was still limited, we attempted to assess the stability of RGs from the pool of ten commonly used RGs (18S, B2M, PPIA, RPL4, SDHA, ACTB, GAPDH, HPRT1, YWHAZ, and TBP) in the porcine ovaries under different estrus phase (follicular and luteal phase) and cystic condition, using stable RG-finding programs (geNorm, Normfinder, and BestKeeper). The significant (p < 0.01) differences in Ct values of RGs in the porcine ovaries under different conditions were identified. In assessing the stability of RGs, three programs comprehensively agreed that TBP and YWHAZ were suitable RGs to study porcine ovaries under different conditions but ACTB and GAPDH were inappropriate RGs in this experimental condition. We hope that these results contribute to plan the experiment design in the field of reproductive physiology in pigs as reference data.

Abstract In the present study, the effect of nickel nitrate addition as a catalytic precursor for the in situ formation of Ni nanoparticles during the heating process has been investigated on the modification of microstructure and graphitization of amorphous carbon resulting from pyrolysis of phenolic resin. For this purpose, the prepared resin samples were cured in carbon substrate with and without additives at temperatures of 800, 1000, and 1250 °C. XRD, FESEM, and TEM studies were performed to investigate the phase and microstructural changes in the samples during the heating process. In addition to phase and microstructural studies, thermodynamic calculations of the reactions performed for the in situ formation of nickel nanoparticles and their effective factors during the curing process were performed. The results indicated that nickel nitrate is transformed to nickel nanoparticles of different sizes during the reduction process in a reduced atmosphere. The in situ formation of nickel nanoparticles and its catalytic effect led to the graphitization of carbon resulting from the pyrolysis of phenolic resin at a temperature of 800 °C and above. By increasing temperature, the morphology of the formed graphite changed and hollow carbon nanotubes, carbon cells, and onion skin carbon were formed in the microstructure. It was also observed that by increasing the temperature and the amount of additive, carbon nanotubes and their size are increased. A noteworthy point from thermodynamic calculations during the formation of nickel nanoparticles was that the nickel nanoparticles themselves acted as accelerators of nickel oxide reduction reactions and the formation of nickel nanoparticles. This increases the amount of amorphous carbon graphitization resulting from the pyrolysis of phenolic resin which leads to the formation of more carbon nanotubes at higher temperatures.

Transparent thin films of pure and nickel-doped ZrO2 are grown successfully by sol-gel dip-coating technique. The structural and optical properties according to the different annealing temperatures (300 oC, 400 oC and 500 oC) are investigated. Analysis of crystallographic properties through X-ray diffraction pattern reveals an increase in crystallite size due to increase in crystallinity with temperature. All fabricated thin films are highly-oriented along (101) planes, which enhances the increase in nickel doping. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy are employed to confirm the homogeneity in surface morphology as well as the doping configuration of films. The extinction coefficient is found to be on the order of 102, showing the surface smoothness of deposited thin films. UV-visible spectroscopy reveals a decrease in the optical band gap with the increase in annealing temperature due to the increase in crystallite size. The variation in Urbach energy and defect density with doping and the change in annealing temperature are also studied.