Aqueous dispersion of 1D van der Waals Mo6S3I6 crystal using biocompatible tri-block copolymer

To achieve the stable dispersion of 1D van der Waals crystal Mo₆S₃I₆ in aqueous media, the tri-block copolymer (Poloxamer) is used as dispersant. The head group of Poloxamer, hydrophobic polypropylene oxide parts can be adsorbed to Mo₆S₃I₆ surface by hydrophobic interaction and the tail group with hydrophilic polyethylene oxide exposed to the outside of the Mo₆S₃I₆ is soluble in water and can form sufficient steric hindrance, resulting in stable aqueous dispersion in nm scale. The excellent biocompatibility of aqueous dispersed nm scale 1D Mo₆S₃I₆ was demonstrated by effective proliferation of C2C12 cells.     

Estimation of Antenna Correlation Coefficient of N-Port Lossy MIMO Array

This paper proposes a simple yet accurate method for estimating the antenna correlation coefficient (ACC) of a high-order multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. The conventional method employed to obtain the ACC from three-dimensional radiation patterns is costly and difficult to measure. An alternate method is to use the S-parameters, which can be easily measured using a network analyzer. However, this method assumes that the antennas are highly efficient, and it is therefore not suitable for lossy MIMO antenna arrays. To overcome this limitation, we define and utilize the non-coupled radiation efficiency in the S-parameter-based ACC formula. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified by the simulation results of a 4-port highly coupled lossy MIMO array. Further, the proposed method can be applied to N-port arrays by expanding the calculation matrix.     

Experimental Animal Model Systems for Understanding Salivary Secretory Disorders

Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians frequently feel helpless and get frustrated by the currently available therapeutic strategies, which consist mainly of palliative managements. Accordingly, to unravel the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective and curative strategies, several animal models have been developed and introduced. Experimental findings from these models have contributed to answer biological and biomedical questions. This review aims to provide various methodological considerations used for the examination of pathological fundamentals in salivary disorders using animal models and to summarize the obtained findings. The information provided in this review could provide plausible solutions for overcoming salivary disorders and also suggest purpose-specific experimental animal systems.     

Cyclic behavior of prefabricated circular composite columns with low steel ratio

Improved economy and speed of construction can be achieved through the use of prefabricated structural members. As a step toward the advancement of prefabricated substructures, a precast composite column for seismic regions is proposed in this paper. Concrete-encased composite columns with core structural steel can be utilized for a fast construction method using steel connections. Six concrete-encased composite specimens with low steel ratio were fabricated. Quasi-static tests were conducted to investigate the cyclic response of the prefabricated composite columns. For composite columns with bolt connections, the cyclic behavior in terms of ultimate load and post-cracking behavior was enhanced significantly as the transverse reinforcement ratio increases. Higher prestressing gave greater flexural strength to the composite columns with prestressing and better energy absorption capacity, while displacement ductility of the prestressed composite column was decreased as the prestressing increased.     

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated soil in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor

A two-phase partitioning bioreactor was employed to remediate soil contaminated by a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons consisting of phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene. In this study, the transfer of three PAHs into the water-immiscible liquid phase (silicone oil or paraffine oil) from the soil was investigated during the first 24 h. And then, phenanthrene and anthracene were degraded by approximately 90% and 80%, respectively, compared with initial concentration in soil, but pyrene was not degraded during seven days of operation period. In addition, the feasibility of a soil slurry sequencing batch reactor system in terms of continuously operating a two-phase partitioning bioreactor was investigated. Phenanthrene and anthracene were degraded semi-continuously and repeatedly during two operating cycles. Pyrene was still not degraded and was just transferred into the water-immiscible liquid phase considering its solubility.     

Leaf-to-Whole Plant Spread Bioassay for Pepper and Ralstonia solanacearum Interaction Determines Inheritance of Resistance to Bacterial Wilt for Further Breeding

Bacterial wilt (BW) disease from Ralstonia solanacearum is a serious disease and causes severe yield losses in chili peppers worldwide. Resistant cultivar breeding is the most effective in controlling BW. Thus, a simple and reliable evaluation method is required to assess disease severity and to investigate the inheritance of resistance for further breeding programs. Here, we developed a reliable leaf-to-whole plant spread bioassay for evaluating BW disease and then, using this, determined the inheritance of resistance to R. solanacearum in peppers. Capsicum annuum ‘MC4′ displayed a completely resistant response with fewer disease symptoms, a low level of bacterial cell growth, and significant up-regulations of defense genes in infected leaves compared to those in susceptible ‘Subicho’. We also observed the spreading of wilt symptoms from the leaves to the whole susceptible plant, which denotes the normal BW wilt symptoms, similar to the drenching method. Through this, we optimized the evaluation method of the resistance to BW. Additionally, we performed genetic analysis for resistance inheritance. The parents, F₁ and 90 F₂ progenies, were evaluated, and the two major complementary genes involved in the BW resistance trait were confirmed. These could provide an accurate evaluation to improve resistant pepper breeding efficiency against BW.     

Effect of hydrogen partial pressure on a polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance

We first investigated the effect of partial pressure of hydrogen (H₂) on the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) by controlling the ratio of hydrogen and nitrogen (N₂). The cell performance with Pt/C anode was significantly decreased with reduction of the partial pressure of H₂ in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO), while the performance variation was negligible in the absence of CO. Severe CO poisoning on Pt/C electrode at low partial pressure of H₂ might be attributed to the hindering effect by N₂ and CO. On the other hand, PtRu/C anode showed consistent power performance even at low partial pressure of H₂.