Although nuclear transfer (NT) techniques are used to clone animals, its efficiency is very low. Moreover, nuclear transfer has resulted in offspring with severe developmental problems, probably due to incomplete nuclear reprogramming. Nuclear reprogramming is characterized by functional modification of the transferred nucleus to allow it to direct normal embryo development with the potential to grow to term. Although the nature of the reprogramming factor(s) in mammals is not clear, various nuclear as well as cytoplasmic components are involved in the processes. In this article we review recent data on factors involved in the nuclear reprogramming of cloned embryos.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were produced using the arc-discharge graphite evaporation technique. Composite films were developed using MWNT dispersed in polystirol polymer. In the present work, various properties of the polymeric thin film containing carbon nanotubes were investigated by optical absorption, electrical resistivity and the same have been discussed.

Ceramic based nanocomposite, in which nano-sized ceramics and metals were dispersed within matrix grains and/or at grain boundaries, were successfully fabricated in the ceramic/cerarnic and ceramic/metal composite systems such as /SiC, /, MgO/SiC, mullite/SiC, /SiC, /B, /W, /Mo, /Ni and /Mo systems. In these systems, the ceramiclceramic composites were fabricated from homogeneously mixed powders, powders with thin coatings of the second phases and amorphous precursor composite powders by usual powder metallurgical methods. The ceramiclmetal nanocomposites were prepared by combination of H2 reduction of metal oxides in the early stage of sinterings and usual powder metallurgical processes. The transmission electron microscopic observation for the /SiC nanocomposite indicated that the second phases less than 70nm were mainly located within matrix grains and the larger particles were dispersed at the grain boundaries. The similar observation was also identified for other cerarnic/ceramic and ceramiclmetal nanocornposites. The striking findings in these nanocomposites were that mechanical properties were significantly improved by the nano-sized dispersion from 5 to 10 vol% even at high temperatures. For example, the improvement in hcture strength by 2 to 5 times and in creep resistance by 2 to 4 orders was observed not only for the ceramidceramic nanocomposites but also for the ceramiclmetal nanocomposites with only 5~01%se cond phase. The newly developed silicon nitride/boron nitride nanocomposites, in which nano-sized hexagonal BN particulates with low Young's modulus and fracture strength were dispersed mainly within matrix grains, gave also the strong improvement in fracture strength and thermal shock fracture resistance. In presentation, the process-rnicro/nanostructure-properties relationship will be presented in detail. The special emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the roles of nano-sized dispersions on mechanical properties.

Environment friendly agricultural material products (EFAMs) in current market were evaluated for their insecticidal or acaricidal activities. EFAMs were evaluated against Tetranychus urticae, Plutella xylostella, Myzus persicae and Nilaparvata lugens in spray method. Several EFAMs indicated high control value in spray method. Hatchability of T. urticae was relatively high after EFAM treatment. some materials show high insecticidal activities against P. xylostella larvae but not against eggs. Few meterials showed more than 80% insecticidal activities against M. persicae and N. lugen. The control value of more than half the materials for pest control was lower than 60%. EFAMs containing S. flavescens, neem oil and Rape showed higher control value

In organic Chinese cabbage fields, Commercial Bacillus thuringiensis products are used widely against diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella. We conducted the study to determine the effective spray-interval of commercialized B. thuringiensis against diamond back moth on Chinese cabbages. Chinese cabbage leaves were collected 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10days after treatment in first trial and 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11days after treatment. We compared the insecticidal property of sprayed B. thuringiensis and the density of it on surface of Chinese cabbages using collected leaves. The insecticidal property maintained high until nine days after commercial B. thuringiensis products sprayed.