Nanosized zeolites were prepared in an autoclave using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH), and H2O, at various hydrothermal synthesis temperatures. Using transmission electron microscopy and particle size analysis, the nanopowder particulate sizes were revealed to be 10-300 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the synthesized nanopowder was silicalite-1 zeolite. Using atomic layer deposition, the fabricated zeolite nanopowder particles were coated with nanoscale TiO2 films. The TiO2 films were prepared at 300 oC by using Ti[N(CH3)2]4 and H2O as precursor and reactant gas, respectively. In the TEM analysis, the growth rate was ~0.7 Å/cycle. Zeta potential and sedimentation test results indicated that, owing to the electrostatic repulsion between TiO2-coated layers on the surface of the zeolite nanoparticles, the dispersibility of the coated nanoparticles was higher than that of the uncoated nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of the coated nanoparticles on the photodecomposition was studied for the irradiation time of 240 min; the concentration of methylene blue was found to decrease to 48%.

Insects or insect remains found in beer are one of major issues in consumer claim. Accurate estimation of inflow time isa critical factor for the settlement of such claims related with beer-contaminating insects but no reliable methods have been developed. In an attempt to establish a molecular marker-based diagnostic method, the degradation rates of 18S rRNA genes in the insectssoaked in 500 ml beer were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) over one month period at room temperature. Among the six insect species tested, the house fly (Musca domestica) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) revealed high correlations (r2=0.974-0.990) between the degradation of 18S rRNA gene and inflow time. In these insects, statistically significant distinction was possible between the samples stored in beer less than 14 days and more than 14 days. Other insects, including the fruit fly, common house mosquito, German cockroach and Indian meal moth, displayed poor correlations, which appeared attributed to the inefficient genomic DNA extraction likely due to small sample size or disintegration of body parts during storage in beer. With proper improvement in DNA extraction, this 18S rRNA-based diagnostic method would be applicable for estimating the inflow time of beer-contaminating insects.

The spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatozoa are generated in the testes. The spermatozoa travel male reproductive tract during which they meet many substances secreted from reproductive organs. One of the substances is epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) that is involved in the post-testicular maturation including capability of fertilizing the eggs. The expression of EPPIN gene was investigated in various tissues of sexually mature and regressed male Syrian hamsters by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The EPPIN gene was identified in the testis and epididymis of the male Syrian hamsters and compared to the genes reported previously. There was no expression of EPPIN gene in reproductively and completely regressed testes of Syrian hamster. These results suggest that the expressions of the EPPIN gene are associated with the reproductive capability in the Syrian hamsters.

Genetic study on amy lose content and alkali digestion (AD) Pattern of rice grain was conducted using Fi, BCiFi and Fzpopulations of a reciprocal cross between a high-amylose mutant rice cultivar, Goami 2 and its progenitor variety, Ilpumbyeo. Fiseeds of