Densities of molten salt mixtures of eutectic LiCl-KCl with UCl3, CeCl3, or LaCl3 at various concentrations (up to 13 wt%) were measured using a liquid surface displacement probe. Linear relationships between the mixture density and the concentration of the added salt were observed. For LaCl3 and CeCl3, the measured densities were significantly higher than those previously reported from Archimedes’ method. In the case of LiCl-KCl-UCl3, the data fit the ideal mixture density model very well. For the other salts, the measured densities exceeded the ideal model prediction by about 2%.

Negative effects of insecticides on non-target organism can be reduced by using selective and less toxic insecticides. We assessed the effect of subsequent application of flonicamid and Beauveria bassiana GHA on pests and natural enemies in soybean fields by recording their density in 6-8 d interval. Flonicamid controlled Aphis glycines Matsumura in 6 day after spray (DAS). Nymphs of Riptortus pedestris (F.) were also reduced by 46 and 48% in 12 and 19 DAS, respectively. Application of B. bassiana reduced R. pedestris nymph 50% in 16 DAS whereas adult R. pedestris, Medythia nigrobilineata Motschulsky and A. glycines were not significantly reduced in treated fields. Ladybird beetles, syrphid flies, hymenopteran wasps, and parasitism rate of R. pedestris eggs were not different between the treatment and control. These results suggest that flonicamid and B. bassiana showed less negative effect on the natural enemies and effective against aphids and nymphs stage of R. pedestris.

The recent updates of the North Ecliptic Pole deep (0.5 deg2, NEP-Deep) multi-wavelength survey covering from X-ray to radio-wave is presented. The NEP-Deep provides us with several thousands of 15 μm or 18 μm selected galaxies, which is the largest sample ever made at these wavelengths. A continuous filter coverage in the mid-infrared wavelength (7, 9, 11, 15, 18, and 24 μm) is unique and vital to diagnose the contributions from starbursts and AGNs in the galaxies out to z=2. The new goal of the project is to resolve the nature of the cosmic star formation history at the violent epoch (e.g. z=1{2), and to find a clue to understand its decline from z=1 to present universe by utilizing the unique power of the multiwavelength survey. The progress in this context is brie y mentioned.

La1-xBaxMnO3 (x = 0.30, 0.35 and 0.40) samples have been prepared by solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed that all the samples crystallized in a rhombohedral structure with an R-3c space group. Variation of the magnetization as a function of the temperature and applied magnetic field was carried out. All the samples revealed ferromagnetic to paramagnetic (FM-PM) phase transition at the Curie temperature TC ~ 342 K. The magnetic entropy change was also studied through examination of the measured magnetic isotherms M(H, T) near TC. The magnetocaloric effect was calculated in terms of the isothermal magnetic entropy change. The maximum entropy change reaches a value of 1.192 J/ kgK under a magnetic field change of 2.5T for the La0.6Ba0.4MnO3 composition. The relative cooling power (RCP) is 79.31 J/ kg for the same applied magnetic field.

The term used to describe consumer's valuation of a brand is brand equity. One concept that can be managed and may impact valuation of a prestige brand is “luxuriousness.” As the concept of “luxuriousness” appears to be a key factor contributing to the equity of a prestige brand, the purpose of this study was to examine how luxuriousness is related to the brand equity utilizing a model developed by Yoo, Donthu, and Lee (2000). Yoo et al. (2000) identified three dimensions [brand association with awareness (BA), perceived quality (PQ), brand loyalty (BL)] accounted for the equity (OBE) of a brand. We speculated that the five dimensions of luxuriousness (i.e., quality, extended self, hedonism, accessibility, and tradition) would selectively influence the two dimensions of brand equity (BA, PQ) and that loyalty would mediate the relationship between the two dimensions of brand equity (BA, PQ) and overall brand equity. A total of 502 participants aged from 18 to 74 were surveyed in USA. Using AMOS 18, the path analysis was conducted with the maximum-likelihood estimation procedure. The model exhibited a good fit with the data and all hypotheses were supported except one. Quality, accessibility, and hedonism dimensions of luxuriousness affected perceived quality of the equity of a brand. Hedonism and extended self dimensions affected brand association with awareness. However, tradition dimension did not significantly influence brand association with awareness. Overall, this research expands understanding of brand equity as it documents the contributions of luxuriousness, a component that can be controlled by brand managers.

최근 2차원 나노 물질을 응용하여 수처리 막의 성능을 향상시킬 수 있는가에 대한 연구가 활발하다. 그 노력의 한 가운데에 원자 두께를 가지고 있으면서 손쉽게 구할 수 있고 층으로 쌓을 수도 있는 2차원 물질인 그래핀이 자리하고 있다. 이 총설에서 우리는 그래핀으로부터 만들 수 있는 두 가지 막 구조에 관한 기초 물질 전달 현상을 최근 연구 성과를 중심으 로 다룬다. 그 물질 자체로 이미 물질 전달 차단성을 갖는 그래핀에 정확히 제어된 크기의 구멍을 뚫을 수 있다면 아마도 원 자 크기 수준으로 얇은 두께 때문에 그래핀 막은 같은 기공 크기의 어느 막보다도 빠른 궁극적 투과도를 나타낼 것이며, 이 로부터 선택도를 담보할 수 있다면 다양한 막 분리 공정에 적용할 수 있을 것이다. 그 한 예로, 나노미터 이하의 기공을 가정 한 초박막 침투성 그래핀 막에 대한 분자동역학 연구와 몇몇 초기 실험 결과들이 해수담수화 막으로서의 가능성을 보인 점은 주목할 만하다. 그래핀 물질로부터 다른 구성을 가진 막을 설계할 수 있는데, 이 막은 적당히 산화된 그래핀 마이크로 판들을 무작위로 적층함으로써 구현할 수 있다. 그래핀 판 적층 간격을 나노미터 이하로 쉽게 제어할 수 있기 때문에 이 구조 역시 수처리 및 해수담수화 막으로서의 가능성을 시사한다. 기존 막기술에 존재하지 않던 구조와 물질 전달 성질을 가짐으로써 두 종류의 그래핀 막은 앞으로 수처리 기술을 비롯한 다양한 막 기술의 응용분야에서 효과적으로 기여할 가능성이 충분하다.