Lu3Al5-xGaxO12:Ce3+,Cr3+ powders are prepared using a solid-state reaction method. To determine the crystal structure, Rietveld refinement is performed. The results indicate that Ga3+ ions preferentially occupied tetrahedral rather than octahedral sites. The lattice constant linearly increases, obeying Vegard’s law, despite the strong preference of Ga3+ for the tetrahedral sites. Increasing x led to a blue-shift of the Ce3+ emission band in the green region and a change in the emission intensity. Persistent luminescence is observed from the powders prepared with x = 2–3, occurring through a trapping and detrapping process between Ce3+ and Cr3+ ions. The longest persistent luminescence is achieved for x = 2; its lifetime is at least 30 min. The findings are explained using crystal structure refinement, crystal field splitting, optical band gap, and electron trapping mechanism.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play essential roles in normal and pathophysiological function in liver. In steady state, HSCs contribute to retinoid storage, immune tolerance, and extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. Upon liver injury, they become activated and lead to morphological and functional changes. Studies have demonstrated that activation of HSCs by various stimuli such as toxins, microbial infection, or metabolic overload can promote the fibrotic changes in liver by production of ECM. Herein, we provide current knowledge about the basic characteristics of HSCs and the mechanism by which they are activated.

Lu(Nb,Ta)O4:Eu3+ powders are synthesized by a solid-state reaction process using LiCl and Li2SO4 fluxes. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra of the synthesized powders consist of broad bands at approximately 270 nm and sharp peaks in the near ultraviolet region, which are assigned to the Nb5+-O2− charge transfer of [NbO4]3− niobates and the f-f transition of Eu3+, respectively. The PL emission spectra exhibit red peaks assigned to the 5D0 → 7FJ transitions of Eu3+. The strongest peak is obtained at 614 nm (5D0 → 7F2), indicating that the Eu3+ ions are incorporated into the Lu3+ asymmetric sites. The addition of fluxes causes the increase in emission intensity, and Li2SO4 flux is more effective for enhancement in emission intensity than is LiCl flux. The substitution of Ta5+ for Nb5+ results in an increase or decrease in the emission intensity of LuNb1-xTaxO4:Eu3+ powders, depending on amount and kind of flux. The findings are explained using particle morphology, modification of the [NbO4]3− structure, formation of substructure of LuTaO4, and change in the crystal field surrounding the Eu3+ ions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mulberry leaf mixed diet on larval growth of Protaetia brevitarsis. As a result of adding mulberry leaves to oak fermented sawdust, the survival rate of P. brevitarsis larvae were higher than those of the control when mass rearing larvae. When fed oak fermented sawdust with 5%, 10% and 20% of mulberry leaves, the cumulative proportion of larvae over 2.5g was 93.1% at 65 days, 95.6% at 55 days, and 93.9% at 55 days after rearing at 25±1℃, respectively. Also, heavy metals were not detected in larvae of P. brevitarsis fed on mulberry leaves.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of mulberry cake mixed diet on larval growth of Protaetia brevitarsis. As a result of adding mulberry cake to oak fermented sawdust and mulberry fermented sawdust, the survival rate of P. brevitarsis larvae were higher than those of the control when mass rearing larvae. When fed oak fermented sawdust with 3, 5% and 10% of mulberry cake, the cumulative proportion of larvae over 2.5g was 92.9% at 65 days, 90.8% at 55 days, and 96.3% at 45 days after rearing at 25±1℃, respectively. When fed mulberry fermented sawdust with 3%, 5% and 10% of mulberry cake, the cumulative proportion of larvae over 2.5g was 86.2% at 85 days, 90.7% at 75 days, and 91.5% at 75 days after rearing at 25±1℃, respectively.

Melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a worldwide polyphagous pest. The management of this pest have mainly relied on chemical agents. However, the overuse is harmful to the environment and results in insects resistance. Therefore, alternative eco-friendly control methods that have different mode of action, such as biological control, are necessary to overcome the current issue. In this study, we isolated entomopathogenic fungi from Korean soil, and characterized them via morphological and molecular techniques and pathogenicity assay against Tenebrio molitor larvae. The isolated fungi were screened for virulence against T. palmi under laboratory conditions and the results were used to establish a thrips-pathogenic fungal library. The highly virulent isolates were selected and further characterized for optimum culture conditions and application as biopesticide in the field.

Developmental characteristics of immature stages of Ostrinia scapulalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which is a main insect pest against legume crops, were investigated at constant temperatures to prepare fundamental data for integrated pest management. Egg, larva and pupa could survive at temperatures from 16oC to 36oC. Developmental periods of those stages became shorter with increasing temperature between 16 and 31oC, 16 and 36oC, and 16 and 34oC, respectively. The lower developmental thresholds and degree-days(DD) were determined as 13.0oC and 56.9DD, 13.8oC and 277.5DD, and 14.2oC and 90.8DD using a linear regression model between temperature and development rate. Other parameters for explaining development of this species were estimated using a few non-linear models for developmental rate, distribution, and survivorship.