Anderson-type polyoxometalate (POM) with general formula of [Hy(XO6)M6O18]n- (y=0-6, n=2-8, M=addenda atom, X=heteroatom) represents one of the basic topological structures among POM-type family. Anderson-type POMs have a planar arrangement and two terminal oxygen atoms attached to each addenda metal atom unlike other type. Thus, the Anderson-type POMs have high reactivity and various coordination modes. The various multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid materials can be synthesized using the Anderson-type POMs as an inorganic building block. Another important feature of the Anderson-type POMs is the incorporation of the heteroatoms with various sizes and oxidation states, which can lead to tune chemical properties. No Anderson-type POMs with early transition metal ions in the heteroatom site have been reported previously. Recently, we reported the synthesis of titanium-containing Anderson-type POM, Na2K6Ti0.92W6.08O24∙12H2O (Ti-POM), which consists of pure inorganic framework built from a central Ti atom surrounded by six WO6 inorganic scaffold. Herein, in-depth studies were conducted to find optimal synthesis conditions such as composition and pH. The success of synthesis was confirmed with Powder X-ray Diffraction that the Ti-POM has a rhombohedral structure with space group of R-3m (No. 166) when the TiOSO4·xH2SO4∙yH2O/ Na2WO4∙2H2O molar ratio is in the range of 0.07 to 0.33. But outside of this range, other unwanted phases coexist. In a basic condition (pH=12), a single-phase Ti-POM with good crystallinity can be obtained, while a Keggin-type POM, NaxK10-x(H2W12O42), was formed through the decomposition of Ti-POM at pH lower than 7.

This study aimed to examine the changes in dry matter yield and growth characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to variations in sowing dates during the autumn season of 2021-22 in a dry paddy field of Chilbo-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do. Treatments comprised four sowing dates at 10-day intervals, i.e., October 8, October 18, October 28, and November 8, 2021. The winter survival rate of alfalfa showed a significant difference between different treatments but was at a satisfactory level for all (p<0.05). The winter survival rate for the fourth sowing date, a month later than the first sowing date, was approximately 11.7% lower than that for the first sowing date. The plant height ranged between 82.3–93.1 cm and 60.5–63.7 cm at the first and second harvest, respectively, smaller at the second harvest than at the first harvest. The total dry matter yield of alfalfa was the highest at 13,316 kg/ha for the first sowing date, and the later the sowing date, the lower the dry matter yield. The protein content of alfalfa ranged between 13.6–17.3% in the first harvest, lower than the standard alfalfa protein content of 20% or more. In relative feed value, the first sowing (Oct. 8) was the most significantly higher in the first harvest (p<0.05). These results suggest that the early and mid-October sowing dates are optimum for sowing alfalfa during autumn and result in improved plant growth, dry matter yield, protein content, and winter survival compared to those at later sowing dates. Therefore, dry paddy fields can be safely employed for alfalfa cultivation with sowing dates in early and mid-October during autumn.

This study examines the surface characteristics, electrical conductivity, electromagnetic wave blocking characteristics, infrared (IR) transmittance, stealth function, thermal characteristics, and moisture characteristics of IR thermal imaging cameras. Nylon film (NFi), nylon fabric (NFa), and 5 types of nylon mesh were selected as the base materials for aluminum sputtering, and aluminum sputtering was performed to study IR thermal imaging, color difference, temperature change, and so on, and the relationship with infrared transmittance was assessed. The electrical conductivity was measured and the aluminum-sputtered nylon film demonstrated 25.6kΩ of surface resistance and high electrical conductivity. In addition, the electromagnetic wave shielding characteristics of the sputtering-treated nylon film samples were noticeably increased as a result of aluminum sputtering treatment as measured by the electromagnetic wave blocking characteristics. When NFi and NFa samples with single-sided sputtering were placed on the human body (sputtering layer faced the outside air) and imaged using IR thermographic cameras, the sputtering layer displayed a color similar to the surroundings, showing a stealth effect. Moreover, the tighter the sample density, the better the stealth function. According to the L, a, b measurements, when the sputtering layer of NFi and NFa samples faced the outside air, the value of a was generally high, thereby demonstrating a concealing effect, and the E value was also high at 124.2 and 93.9, revealing a significant difference between the treated and untreated samples. This research may be applicable to various fields, such as the military wear, conductive sensors, electromagnetic wave shielding film, and others.

Iris laevigata, which belongs to the Iridaceae, is now designated as an “endangered” (EN) grade by Korea Forest Service because it does not have many natural sites known for its reckless development and damage to its natural habitats. This study was carried out to establish the propagation protocol from seed to restore the native habitat of the I. laevigata and to utilize it for ornamental purposes. Basically, the appearance and internal structure of seeds were observed and imbibition experiments were conducted. Germination rate was measured by cold stratification experiment, after warm followed by cold stratification experiment, and GA3 treatment experiment. The seeds had underdeveloped embryos, which had grown to about 25% of those of fully matured seed before germination. In the controlled laboratory experiment, after cold stratification at 5°C for 0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks, the seeds germinated to 0, 11.7, 43.4, or 51.7%, respectively, after 4 weeks of incubation at 25°C. After warm stratification (25°C, 8 weeks) followed by cold stratification for 0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks, the seeds germinated to 0, 51.7, 85.0, or 88.3%, respectively, after 4 weeks of incubation at 25°C. GA3 treatment did not overcome the dormancy. Our study determined the dormancy type of I. laevigata seed. Imbibition experiments showed that there was no physical dormancy, and it was also found that there was an underdeveloped embryo when it was observed that the embryo was growing according to the period of incubation. A nd t he e m bryo grew a t relatively w arm temperatures. It is concluded that the seeds of I. laevigata have morphophysiological dormancy (deep simple MPD). This is the first report to determine the dormancy type in seeds of this valuable ornamental plant.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are nanoclusters composed of transition metals with high oxidation states. Owing to their redox properties and structural diversity, POMs have been applied to broad fields, such as catalysis, materials, and medicine. Among various fields of application, POMs play an important role in radiochemistry. POMs can form complexes with tri- and tetravalent lanthanides and actinides (radioactive elements), which may be good sequestrators or agents for separating nuclear wastes. Among the most prominent POM structures, Anderson-type POMs with a general formula of [Hy(XO6)M6O18]n− (y=0–6, n=2–8, M=addenda atom, X=heteroatom) represent one of the basic topological structures of the POM family. An important feature of Anderson type POMs is incorporating a large number of various heteroatoms with different size and oxidation states, which can lead to tune chemical properties. Interestingly, no example of Anderson type POMs with early transition metal ions in the heteroatom site has been reported to date. Herein, we discovered that the Anderson POM Na2K6Ti0.92W6.08O24·12H2O, which consists of pure inorganic framework built from a central Ti core supported by six WO6 inorganic scaffold, and the crystal structure was confirmed and refined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). In addition, structural characterizations, including, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) were performed.