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Lithium–air batteries are highlighted as one of promising next generation battery technology with high gravimetric energy density. To date, however, cyclability of lithium–air batteries has been low, insufficient for commercial use. Many recent research accounts focused on understanding the mechanism of the discharge reaction in attempts to improve the cyclability, and revealed that two structurally distinct lithium peroxide species form during discharge, thin films and toroids, among which toroids formation results in beneficial effects in both cyclability and overall discharge capacity. In this work, scanning electrochemical microscopy was applied to investigate electron transfer dynamics of the two lithium peroxide species, from which a much faster surface electron transfer was observed from lithium peroxide toroids compared to that of thin films. The difference is postulated to stem from the difference in the formation mechanism of the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the journal Endoscopy, presents a retrospective study on the long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for undifferentiated early gastric cancer (EGC). The study analyzed two groups of patients based on tumor size (group A: up to 2 cm, group B: 2-3 cm) and evaluated en bloc resection, R0 resection, and curative resection. The results showed that while the R0 resection rate was lower in group B compared to group A, the recurrence rate was not significantly different between the two groups. The study suggests that ESD is a recommended treatment for undifferentiated EGC with a size of 2 to 3 cm. [Extracted from the article]

This article compares the effectiveness of endoscopic subtumoral dissection (ESD) and surgical resection for the removal of gastric subepithelial tumors (GSETs) originating from the muscularis propria. The study involved 17 patients who underwent ESD and 76 patients who underwent surgical resection. The ESD group had smaller tumor sizes and higher endoluminal ratios compared to the surgery group. While the ESD group had a lower rate of complete resection and higher complication rates, the severity of complications was higher in the surgery group. The study suggests that ESD can be a viable alternative to surgical resection for certain types of GSETs. [Extracted from the article]

As sessile organisms, plants have facilitated to actively protect themselves against biotic and abiotic stresses. For this, plants keep communicating with other organisms including insect and microbes inside and outside plant surface including root surface. In the area around the root referred to as the rhizosphere, diverse root-associated bacteria interact with plants with both positive and negative effects. In the past three decades, a group of rhizosphere bacteria known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been intensively studied for possible use in improving plant health. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the nature of PGPR, their signatures and their roles in plant growth promotion and biological control against plant pathogens, as revealed by classic physiological and morphological observations and recent cutting-edge technology. We also discuss new information on insect-plant-PGPR tritrophic interactions, as well as technology transfer from the laboratory to the field. We use the new concept of the holobiome to help elucidate plant-PGPR interactions. Understanding plant root-bacterial communications in this novel framework may facilitate the improvement of plant health in agricultural production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 conversion to fuel molecules is an attractive strategy towards atmospheric carbon attenuation. In the fuel conversion catalysis of carbon dioxide, surface adsorbed CO was often identified as a key intermediate, and the inherently low concentration of which has recently been highlighted as an important factor in the low yields of C2+ fuels. Here a bipotentiostatic tandem catalysis system was designed such that the loads for electrosynthesis of CO from CO2 and the subsequent C–C coupling reaction were split to two separate working electrodes with independent potential programming. Coulometric tracking of the reaction indicated efficient turnover of the electrosynthetic CO to fuel molecules at the second working electrode, achieving a high C2+ yield of 67.3% and a 6.5% faradaic efficiency towards 1-propanol. Importantly, the unique capability of the tandem catalysis system allowed control of the CO flux to the second working electrode, which enabled the direct quantification of the C–C coupling turnover frequency on a surface copper atom (0.43 ± 0.06 s−1), when the reaction current was electrode-kinetics controlled with sufficient CO mass transport. Furthermore, the bipotentiostatic reaction platform developed here exhibits modular tunability, such that the expansion of the platform to other sequential electrocatalyses is imaginable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study is presented for the oblique propagation of ion acoustic cnoidal waves in a magnetized plasma consisting of cold ions and two temperature superthermal electrons modelled by kappa-type distributions. Using the reductive perturbation method, the nonlinear Korteweg de-Vries equation is derived, which further gives the solutions with a special type of cnoidal elliptical functions. Both compressive and rarefactive structures are found for these cnoidal waves. Nonlinear periodic cnoidal waves are explained in terms of plasma parameters depicting the Sagdeev potential and the phase curves. It is found that the density ratio of hot electrons to ions µ significantly modifies compressive/refractive wave structures. Furthermore, the combined effects of superthermality of cold and hot electrons c,h, cold to hot electron temperature ratio σ, angle of propagation and ion cyclotron frequency ωci have been studied in detail to analyze the height and width of compressive/refractive cnoidal waves. The findings in the present study could have important implications in understanding the physics of electrostatic wave structures in the Saturn's magnetosphere where two temperature superthermal electrons are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bessel beams are plane waves with amplitude profiles described by Bessel functions. They are important because they propagate ‘diffraction-free’ and because they can carry orbital angular momentum. Here we report the creation of a Bessel beam of de Broglie matter waves. The Bessel beam is produced by the free evolution of a thin toroidal atomic Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) which has been set into rotational motion. By attempting to stir it at different rotation rates, we show that the toroidal BEC can only be made to rotate at discrete, equally spaced frequencies, demonstrating that circulation is quantized in atomic BECs. The method used here can be viewed as a form of wavefunction engineering which might be developed to implement cold atom matter wave holography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the creation of a pair of Josephson junctions on a toroidal dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), a configuration that is the cold atom analog of the well-known dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). We observe Josephson effects, measure the critical current of the junctions, and find dynamic behavior that is in good agreement with the simple Josephson equations for a tunnel junction with the ideal sinusoidal current-phase relation expected for the parameters of the experiment. The junctions and toroidal trap are created with the painted potential, a time-averaged optical dipole potential technique which will allow scaling to more complex BEC circuit geometries than the single atom-SQUID case reported here. Since rotation plays the same role in the atom SQUID as magnetic field does in the dc SQUID magnetometer, the device has potential as a compact rotation sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on first evidence of wave activity during neutral beam heating in KSTAR plasmas: 40 kHz magnetic fluctuations with a toroidal mode number of n = 1. Our analysis suggests this a beta-induced Alfv'en eigenmode (BAE) resonant with the q = 1 surface. A kinetic analysis, when coupled with electron temperature measurements from electron cyclotron emission and ion/electron temperature ratios from crystallography, enables calculation of the frequency evolution, which is in agreement with observations. Complementary detailed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modelling of the magnetic configuration and wave modes supports the BAE conclusion, by locating an n = 1 mode separated from the continuum in the core region. Finally, we have computed the threshold to marginal stability for a range of ion temperature profiles. These suggest the BAE can be driven unstable by energetic ions when the ion temperature radial gradient is sufficiently large. Our findings suggest that mode existence could be used as a form of inference for temperature profile consistency in the radial interval of the mode, thereby extending the tools of MHD spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cancer progression and non-cancer-related morbidities can affect the quality of life and survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for the development of non-cancer health events (NCHEs) in HNSCC. Patients and methods The study involved 465 previously-untreated patients with HNSCC diagnosed between 2005 and 2009 at the Asan Medical Center. Non-cancer-associated morbidity was defined as readmission after treatment of HNSCC due to non-cancer-related causes. NCHEs were defined as the occurrence of non-cancer-associated morbidity or mortality. The incidence and risk factors for NCHEs were analyzed. Results During the median follow-up of 47.6 months, non-cancer morbidity and mortality occurred in 83 (17.8%) and 25 patients (5.4%), respectively. Thirteen patients (52%) died from non-cancer-related causes with no previous admission for non-cancer causes. Multivariate analysis showed that the incidence of NCHEs was significantly associated with a Charlson comorbidity index ≥1 and stage III/IV disease (P < 0.001). Conclusions Patients with comorbidities and advanced diseases may be at higher risk of NCHEs. Because NCHEs are sometimes life-threatening, every effort should be made to avoid unexpected non-cancer-associated mortality in the HNSCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We report the constraints from primordial nucleosynthesis on a possible time-dependent quark mass. The variation may affect binding energies and Q values as well as resonance properties of light elements through the hadron mass variation in the nucleon-nucleon interaction. Updated light-element abundances and uncertainties along with a new detailed analysis of the resonance properties on the crucial He( d, p)He reaction imply a narrower range on the possible quark-mass variations in the early universe. The optimum concordance region reduces to a value consistent with no variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the structure of a proton in free space by using the quark-meson coupling model. In the model, a proton in free space is regarded as a MIT bag with σ, ω and ρ meson fields and the Coulomb potential. With the boundary condition at bag surface, the wave functions of u and d quarks and potentials are calculated self-consistently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the cationic ring-opening polymerizationsof epoxide monomers were controlled through the use of supramolecularproton complexes. α,ω-Diglycidyl oligoethylene oxidesbearing multiple ethyleneoxy spacer groups form metastable supramolecularproton complexes with strong Brønsted acids generated eitherby the photolysis of onium salts or by their redox reactions withreducing agents. Trapping of the Brønsted acids by insitucomplex formation results in a delay of the onset ofcationic ring-opening. However, once polymerization begins, the epoxidegroups of the monomer are very rapidly consumed resulting in characteristicallyhighly exothermic autoaccelerated polymerization reactions. Crownethers can also form supramolecular complexes with hydronium ionsderived from the reaction of protonic acids with water and these complexescan be used to modify the kinetic behavior of the cationic ring-openingthermal and photopolymerizations of a variety of epoxide monomers.The ring size of a crown ether has a strong influence on the stabilityof the supramolecular complex formed, and this was shown to have amajor impact on the kinetics of the cationic ring-opening polymerizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle simulations and a pseudopotential method were used to study ion-acoustic solitary waves in a plasma composed of Boltzmann electrons and kinetic beam ions. Pseudopotential theory was first applied to determine how ion-acoustic solitary waves can exist in a two-component plasma. Then, particle simulations were carried out, wherein ion-acoustic solitary waves were excited by modulating the bias grid voltage in a double plasma model. For the modulation, the potential of the grid bias was rapidly decreased, such that hump-type ion-acoustic solitary waves with good Gaussian shape were excited one after another, forming a train of waves. The simulation also showed that the phase velocities of ions decrease sharply when the solitary wave occurs, which indicates that the solitary ion-acoustic wave is excited via the inverse Landau damping process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the structure of a proto-neutron star with trapped neutrinos by using quantum hadrodynamics. Ratios of the trapped neutrinos and corresponding leptons to the baryons are usually assumed to be constant. But relevant reactions associated with the β equilibrium could be sensitive to the given density and temperature. By adopting a phenomenological lepton density that is smeared near the surface, we calculate and discuss populations of baryons and leptons, equations of state, and the mass-radius relation of a proto-neutron star in an isentropic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endovascular trapping is the preferred treatment method for a vertebral dissecting aneurysm. We describe a case of ruptured dissecting aneurysms located just proximal to the vertebro-basilar junction treated by trapping the dissecting segment and barricading the basilar artery with a stent to protect against coil protrusion. Modified parent artery trapping with a stent barricade allows preservation of the adjoining confluent zone or side branch during endovascular trapping of the vertebral dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An obliquely propagating solitary kinetic Alfven wave in a low beta dusty plasma (βNd, where lz is the directional cosine and Nd is the dust particle charge density. In the collisional case, the same upper limit of the Mach velocity is found, and the solitary wave turns into an oscillating double layer. The damping scale and the size of the oscillation structure increase with increasing dust particle charge density. The damping scale and the size of the oscillation structure are estimated by using the virial theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate mass differences between a neutron and a proton, and between a charged and a neutral meson by using a gauged linear sigma model retaining the chiral SU(2)L × SU(2)R × U(1)V symmetry. Masses of nucleons and relevant mesons are generated through the spontaneous and the explicit chiral symmetry breaking. Since our Lagrangian includes explicitly SU(2) isospin symmetry breaking term, it enables us to simultaneously consider the mass differences of a neutron and a proton, and a charged meson and a neutral one. Their reciprocal relations of the mass differences are also derived, where radiative corrections due to electromagnetic interactions are deliberately taken into account to exactly obtain the isospin symmetry breaking effect in the particle mass differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the diagnostic performance of non-enhanced MRI and fatsuppressed contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI) in diagnosing intravertebral clefts in benign vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). We retrospectively reviewed 99 consecutive patients who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty for VCFs. A cleft was defined as a signal void or hyperintense area on non-enhanced MRI (T1 and T2 weighted imaging) or as a hypointense area within a diffusely enhanced vertebra on CEMRI. A cleft was confirmed as a solid opacification on post-procedural radiographs. The interobserver reliability and MRI diagnostic performance were evaluated. The interobserver reliability of non-enhanced MRI was substantial (k=0.698) and the interobserver reliability of CEMRI was almost perfect (k=0.836). Post-procedural radiographs showed solid cleft opacification in 32 out of the 99 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of non-enhanced MRI were 0.72 and 0.82 (observer 1) and 0.63 and 0.87 (observer 2), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CEMRI were 0.94 and 0.63 (observer 1) and 0.85 and 0.60 (observer 2), respectively. The sensitivity of CEMRI was significantly higher than that of non-enhanced MRI, and the specificity of nonenhanced MRI was higher than that of CEMRI. CEMRI was highly reliable and sensitive, and non-enhanced MRI was specific for intravertebral clefts. Therefore, spine MRIs, including CEMRI, could provide useful information about intravertebral clefts before percutaneous vertebroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The behaviour of pyrolysis vapours over char was investigated in order to maximise tar conversion for the development of a new fixed bed gasifier. Wood samples were decomposed at a typical pyrolysis temperature (500°C) and the pyrolysis vapours were then passed directly through a tar cracking zone in a tubular reactor. The product yields and properties of the condensable phases and non-condensable gases were studied for different bed lengths of char (0–450mm), temperatures (500–800°C), particle sizes (10 and 15mm) and nitrogen purge rates (1.84–14.70mm/s). The carbon in the condensable phases showed about 66% reduction by a 300mm long char section at 800°C, compared to that for pyrolysis at 500°C. The amount of heavy condensable phase decreased with increasing temperature from about 18.4wt% of the biomass input at 500°C to 8.0wt% at 800°C, forming CO, H2 and other light molecules. The main mode of tar conversion was found to be in the vapour phase when compared to the results without the presence of char. The composition of the heavy condensable phase was simplified into much fewer secondary and tertiary tar components at 800°C. Additional measures were required to maximise the heterogeneous effect of char for tar reduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Straw, sawdust and other herbaceous crops benefit from pelletisation, as the process increases the materials bulk density therefore reducing transportation and storage costs; providing better material feeding with less dust formation. This study investigated a pressure pelletisation method of switchgrass for five types of material preparation: raw cut switchgrass, raw shredded switchgrass, torrefied switchgrass, switchgrass combined with heavy pyrolysis oil and wheat straw. The effects of pelletisation pressure and temperature on the quality of pellets were evaluated in terms of density, mechanical strength and durability. Temperature had a greater effect than pressure on pellet quality, where at elevated temperatures, the lignin present in the biomass softened and acted as a binding agent. The cut switchgrass produced more desirable pellets over shredded switchgrass due to an additional binding effect of intertwined fibres. The torrefaction of grass was not an attractive pre-process as the pellets were very brittle and possessed little mechanical strength and reduced bulk density. At elevated temperatures, with a grass to tar ratio of 2:1, the pellets were twice as strong as pellets made by cut switchgrass. The increased durability was a result of lignin present in the biomass and the heavy oil dispersing inside the pelletiser, which filled in the gaps between the switchgrass fibres upon heating. Finally, the pellets were burnt in a fixed bed combustor and the ignition rate and average burning rates were evaluated. The results have provided an indication to how the pellets would perform compared to other fuels. Future work should focus on the standardisation of herbaceous crop pelletisation and in particular, upper and lower bound limits for the moisture content should be investigated, as moisture was found to have a significant impact on pellet quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a recent paper it was suggested on the basis of weak turbulence theory that the collisionality of a plasma, coupled with nonlinear wave-particle interaction, is crucial for the acceleration of electrons by Langmuir turbulence to a superthermal energy level. In this Letter, fully nonlinear Vlasov and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation techniques are employed to further verify this potentially important finding. The previous conclusion is fully confirmed by observing the expected difference between the Vlasov and PIC simulation results in the weak beam regime. However, in the strong beam regime, both the Vlasov and PIC simulations are found to produce a high-energy tail population, which indicates that there may be other mechanisms in the high beam speed situation, that are responsible for the generation the superthermal electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To demonstrate the diffusion‐weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and the follow‐up MRI findings, of cerebral fat embolism in the acute stage. Material and Methods: The initial DWI and clinical findings of six patients with cerebral fat embolism were retrospectively evaluated. The finding of DWI with a b‐value of 1000 s/mm 2 (b = 1000) was compared with that of DWI with a b‐value of 0 s/mm 2 (b = 0). In three patients who underwent follow‐up MRI, the interval change of the lesion on T2‐weighted images was investigated. Results: The characteristic DWI finding of cerebral fat embolism in the acute stage was multiple, hyperintense, dot‐like lesions disseminated in the brain. These lesions were distributed dominantly in the bilateral border‐zone areas. Some lesions had an ancillary location including the cortex, deep white matter, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. The lesions were more intense and numerous in DWI (b = 1000) than in DWI (b = 0). The findings on the follow‐up T2‐weighted images were multiple confluent hyperintense lesions in the white matter with progression since the initial MRI. Conclusion: DWI could be a sensitive tool for detecting cerebral fat embolism in the acute phase. It is recommended that DWI be included in the initial evaluation of cerebral fat embolism with MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a number of geotechnical investigations that have been carried out in the Busan new port area of South Korea, the local practicing engineers have been unable to deduce successfully the geotechnical properties of the clays due to their spatial variation. In the area, clay deposits, so-called Pusan clays, are unusually thick, varying from 20 m to 70 m in thickness. For this study, comprehensive geological and geotechnical investigations were carried out with sophisticated sampling techniques, in situ and laboratory tests as well as geological analyses at an additional three locations. As a result of the investigations, it was found that depositional environments are closely related to the relative changes in sea level and have different features depending on location and depth. The clays consist of soft and stiff clays in the upper and the lower layers, respectively, which are classified as normally consolidated and cemented clay. Moreover, most of the geotechnical properties undergo small changes due to their depositional environment. Information about these effects would be quite helpful to understand the spatial variation of geotechnical properties as well as the effect of sample disturbance. Some correlations which reflect the geological history of the deposts were conducted for physical indexes and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified soft-decision demapping algorithm for digital video broadcasting via satellite, second generation (DVB-S2), is presented. The proposed algorithm can reduce the computational complexity required to compute the log likelihood ratio values between the received noisy symbol and possible constellation points compared to conventional algorithms. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has negligible performance degradation compared with conventional algorithms. Compared with the maximum algorithm, the proposed algorithm can reduce the hardware resources required by about 81%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a structural study of metallic alloy liquids from high temperature through the glass transition. We use high energy X-ray scattering and electro-static levitation in combination with molecular dynamics simulation and show that the height of the first peak of the structure function, S(Q) − 1, follows the Curie-Weiss law. The structural coherence length is proportional to the height of the first peak, and we suggest that its increase with cooling may be related to the rapid increase in viscosity. The Curie temperature is negative, implying an analogy with spin-glass. The Curie-Weiss behavior provides a pathway to an ideal glass state, a state with long-range correlation without lattice periodicity, which is characterized by highly diverse local structures, reminiscent of spin-glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the relationship between organic acid contents in total mixed ration (TMR) and rumen volatile fatty acid production. TMR for lactating dairy cow was used. Organic acid production in TMR was modified by inoculation of different starter cultures. Five lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were used as a starter culture, and 12 different blends of those strains were designed based on Plackett-Burman experimental design. TMRs with different inoculants were fermented for 3 days at room temperature, and organic acid profiles (lactate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate) were examined. Fermented TMR was then air-dried at 60°C and ground for in vitro rumen fermentation. Rumen fluid from a cannulated Holstein cow was mixed with McDoughal solution. In vitro rumen fermentation with TMR was performed for 24 hours, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was measured. Significant effects of LAB were found for lactate, propionate, and butyrate of TMR (P < 0.05). On lactate, L. paracasei HNB34 showed a significant positive effect (PE) (P < 0.05). A significant PE on propionate was detected for L. paracasei HNB31 (P < 0.05). On butyrate, HNB34 and L. parabuchneri HNB35 showed a significant PE (P < 0.05). Significant alterations of nutrients (DM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF) in TMR by LAB were not found. Then, the correlation between volatile fatty acid profiles from in vitro rumen fermentation with TMRs and organic acids used in TMR was investigated. Lactate in TMR showed a significant positive correlation (PC) with propionate in the rumen fluid (P < 0.05). Ruminal propionate was found to be negatively correlated with acetic acid in TMR, significantly (P < 0.05). Propionate in TMR showed significant correlation with all ruminal VFAs (P < 0.05). All ruminal VFAs, except valerate, showed PC with propionate in TMR. Butyrate in TMR showed a significant PC with valerate (P < 0.05) and significant negative correlations with acetate and propionate (P < 0.05). In conclusion, propionate and butyrate were detected as influencing factors toward rumen VFAs profiles. More propionate and less butyrate production in TMR could be beneficial in terms of more propionate production in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the feed value of a new forage resource, kenaf, for the ruminant animal. Rumen fermentation characteristics and digestibilities of kenaf (K) and its silage (KS) were compared with those of rice straw (RS) and ryegrass (RG) in an in vitro study. The effects of KS feeding on growth performance of Hanwoo steer were also investigated. In vitro rumen fermentation using 0.5 g of dried and ground forage and 50 mL of rumen inoculum was performed for 72 hours. For rumen fermentation characteristics, total gas production of KS was significantly higher than that of others at 48 h. Gas productions of RG and K were significantly higher than others at 72 h. Ammonia nitrogen did not differ among groups at both of 48 and 72 h. For IVDMD, K showed significantly higher values than others at 48 h (P < 0.05). At 72 h, RG and K showed significantly greater IVDMD than the others treatments (P < 0.05). No difference between RG and K for IVDMD was found. Total volatile fatty acid and acetate production were significantly higher in the order of K > RG > KS > RS, regardless of incubation time (P < 0.05). In propionate production, RG was significantly higher than others at 48 and 72 h (P < 0.05). Thirty-six Hanwoo steers were assigned into three groups (RS, RG, and KS) based on a complete randomized design for a feeding trial. Growth performances were measured for 172 days. During the early period (0 ~ 43 days), average daily gain (ADG) of K was significantly lower than that of other treatments (P < 0.05). However, during the following days, no significant differences in ADG between groups were detected. At the end of trial, a significantly decreased feed requirement (feed/gain) was found in the KS group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results of ruminal fermentation characteristics and feeding trial showed that kenaf and its silage can be used as forage resource for ruminants, and these resources could be beneficial for farm in terms of nutrition for animal and economics for farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As sessile organisms, plants have facilitated to actively protect themselves against biotic and abiotic stresses. For this, plants keep communicating with other organisms including insect and microbes inside and outside plant surface including root surface. In the area around the root referred to as the rhizosphere, diverse root-associated bacteria interact with plants with both positive and negative effects. In the past three decades, a group of rhizosphere bacteria known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been intensively studied for possible use in improving plant health. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the nature of PGPR, their signatures and their roles in plant growth promotion and biological control against plant pathogens, as revealed by classic physiological and morphological observations and recent cutting-edge technology. We also discuss new information on insect–plant–PGPR tritrophic interactions, as well as technology transfer from the laboratory to the field. We use the new concept of the holobiome to help elucidate plant–PGPR interactions. Understanding plant root–bacterial communications in this novel framework may facilitate the improvement of plant health in agricultural production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method to enhance terahertz radiation by mixing a continuous-wave (CW) laser with a femtosecond pump laser beam in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is presented. Experiment results show that the peak-to-peak amplitude of THz radiation is enhanced by 17% when a CW laser of 15 mW is employed. THz radiation increases as the power of the CW laser grows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the electron viscosity on the kinetic Alfven solitary wave is investigated. It is found that small electron viscosity changes the electron motion along the magnetic field producing a boundary layer, and thus that in a low beta electron-ion plasma(β

Objectives This program is designed to designate a dedicated doctor for each childcare facility, together with local medical institutes, childcare facilities and the public health centre. It also involves medical institutes providing various safety education for injury treatment and prevention, thereby performing a pivotal role in the local community's safety network aimed at reducing infant injury occurrence at daycare facilities. Method For project implementation, the Songpa District Office, Songpa Health Office, Songpa District Medical Association and Childcare Facility Association concluded an agreement on mutual cooperation, and chose medical institutes and childcare facilities that wanted to voluntarily participate in the project. Safety doctors conduct regular health checkups for infants at childcare facilities, provide education on injury prevention to teachers, provide advice on measures that should be taken in the event of an injury, and also provide first aid. The medical institutes display safety products, promotional materials and booklets in the waiting room. They thus operate a ‘local safety centre’ that provides information on the health and safety of children to their parents who are visiting the hospital. Results and conclusion In January 2010, a connection was made between 261 childcare facilities and 69 safety doctors. Children at childcare facilities are actively receiving health checkups and safety education. There are reported cases of injury prevention activities and immediate measures taken in the event of emergency situations. In addition. there is an increased level of satisfaction among childcare facilities and parents towards the safety doctor program. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to develop a new natural preservative system making up for the weak points of chitosan as a preservative. As reported in a previous manuscript (20th IFSCC Congress, Cannes, France, 1998), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of water-soluble chitosan against bacteria and yeast were 0.9–3.0 mg mL-1 , whereas MICs of chitosan against Aspergillus niger were over 5.0 mg mL-1 . However, the result of recent study showed that the MICs of Inula helenium L. extract against A. niger were below 1.0 mg mL-1 . Thus, we could develop a new preservative system containing both chitosan and I. helenium L. extract named CI-mixture. MICs of CI-mixture against bacteria and fungi (yeast and mould) were 2.0–4.0 mg mL-1 . When 10.0% of the mixture (the ratio of chitosan to I. helenium L. extract = 7.5% : 2.5%) was applied to cosmetic formulae such as skin lotion, milk lotion, cream and pack, it revealed appropriate preservative efficacy. Our result of the patch test also showed that this preservative system reduced skin irritation by about 30–50%, as compared to the organic preservative system. Therefore, the good natural preservative system including chitosan and Inula helenium L. extract could be incorporated in cosmetic formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the combined simulation of combustion and gas flow in grate-type incinerator. Computational fluid dynamic analysis of the thermal flow in the combustion chamber of a solid waste incinerator; Physical processes of the waste combustion; Nature of combustion and gas flow phenomena.

In mass-burning municipal solid waste incinerators, overfire air injection plays a key role in the improvement of mixing and reaction between oxygen and incomplete combustion products and/or pollutants. However, the design parameters of overfire air nozzles are not well understood and sometimes confusing. In this paper, major design parameters concerning cross jet air nozzles are discussed along with flow simulation results for simplified furnace geometry. The overall performance of jet air mixing and the effects of design parameters are quantitatively evaluated. The flow simulation results are interpreted in terms of the penetration depth of the jet into the main flow, the size of the recirculation zone and the ratio of the unmixed portion of the gas flow. The momentum flux ratio J of the jet to the cross flow strongly affects the penetration depth of the jet and the mixing of two flow streams. As the inter-nozzle distance S (in non-dimensional form)decreases, the penetration depth decreases but the size of the recirculation zone increases and the resultant mixing deteriorates. The degree of mixing of the jet with the cross gas stream is evaluated in terms of the mass-averaged probability distribution of the relative concentration. Fresh air disperses more efficiently into the gas streamas J and S increase. The momentum flux ratio and the inter-nozzle distance are considered as important design parameters, and optimum values of these variables can be chosen for the given furnace conditions. This numerical evaluation also provides a basis for similarity considerations in cold flow model tests and the validity of the two-dimensional idealization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyrolysis of two waste wood samples with block polypropylene were investigated for the reaction characteristics and properties of the pyrolytic oil. The thermal decomposition of the mixture led to an increase in the temperature range for the decomposition of polypropylene, which implied an interaction in the mixture. New tar compounds were also identified from the copyrolysis using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The oil produced from the mixtures in a batch type reactor had an increase in the mass yield, with higher C and H, and lower moisture contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sagdeev's technique is used to study the large amplitude compressional Alfvenic double layers in a magnetohydrodynamic plasma taking into account the small plasma β and small values of kinematic viscosity. Dispersive effect raised by non-ideal electron inertia currents perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The range of allowed values of the soliton speed, M (Mach number), plasma β (ratio of the plasma thermal pressure to the pressure in the confining magnetic field), and viscosity coefficient, wherein double layer may exist, are determined. In the absence of collisions, viscous dissipation modifies the Sagdeev potential and results in large amplitude compressional Alfvenic double layers. The depth of Sagdeev potential increases with the increasing Mach number and plasma β, however, decreases with the increasing viscosity. The double layer structure increases with the increasing plasma β, but decreases with increasing viscous dissipation μ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providencia alcalifaciensis a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family that occasionally causes diarrheagenic illness in humans via the intake of contaminated foods. Despite the epidemiological importance ofP. alcalifaciens, little is known about its pathobiology. Here we report thatP. alcalifacienscauses barrier dysfunction in Caco-2 cell monolayers and induces apoptosis in calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells.P. alcalifaciensinfection caused a 30% reduction in transepithelial resistance in Caco-2 cell monolayers, which was greater than that for cells infected withShigella flexnerior non-pathogenicEscherichia coli. As with viable bacteria, bacterial lysates treated with heat, benzonase or proteinase, but not with polymixin B, were also involved in the cellular response. TLR4 antibody neutralisation significantly restored theP. alcalifaciens-induced transepithelial resistance reduction in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) might play a central role in this cellular response. Western blotting further indicated thatP. alcalifaciensLPSs reduced occludin levels, whereas LPSs fromShigellaorE. colidid not. Although the viability of Caco-2 cells was not altered significantly, the calf pulmonary artery endothelial cell line was highly sensitive toP. alcalifaciensinfection. This sensitivity was indeed dependent on LPS, which induced rapid apoptosis. Together, these data show thatP. alcalifaciensLPSs participate in epithelial barrier dysfunction and endothelial apoptosis. The findings give insight into the LPS-dependent cell signal events affecting diarrheagenicity during infection withP. alcalifaciens. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Generation of compressional Alfvénic rogue and solitary waves in magnetohydrodynamic plasmas is investigated. Dispersive effect caused by non-ideal electron inertia currents perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field can balance the nonlinear steepening of waves leading to the formation of a soliton. The reductive perturbation method is used to obtain a Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation describing the evolution of the solitary wave. The height of a soliton is proportional to the soliton speed 'U' and inversely proportional to plasma 'β' (ratio of plasma thermal pressure to pressure of the confining magnetic field) and the width of soliton is proportional to the electron inertial length. KdV equation is used to study the nonlinear evolution of modulationally unstable compressional Alfvénic wavepackets via the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The characteristics of rogue wave influenced by plasma 'β' and the electron inertial length are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amplitude inertial compressional Alfvénic shock and solitary waves in magnetohydrodynamic plasmas are investigated. Dispersive effect caused by non-ideal electron inertia currents perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field can balance the nonlinear steepening of waves leading to the formation of a soliton. A Sagdeev-potential formalism is employed to derive an energy-balance like equation. The range of allowed values of the soliton speed, M (Mach number), plasma β (ratio of the plasma thermal pressure to the pressure in the confining magnetic field), and electron inertia, wherein solitary waves may exist, are determined. Depth of the potential increases with increasing the Mach number and plasma β, however decreases with the increasing electron inertia. The height of soliton increases with increasing in Mach number and decreases with plasma β. And with increasing electron inertial length, the width of soliton increases. The electron-ion collisional dissipation results a dissipative inertial compressional Alfvén wave, which can produce a shock like structure and can efficiently accelerate ions to the order of the local Alfvén velocity. The shock height increases with the increasing collision frequency, but shock height decreases with increasing plasma β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic strategies for unruptured aneurysms in elective procedures must be carefully planned with respect to safety. We describe the case of a patient who presented with an unruptured aneurysm associated with a double origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (DOPICA), a rare variant of aberrant origin. A threedimensional rotational angiogram clearly showed that the aneurysm incorporated the origin of the DOPICA caudal channel which was more dominant than the cranial one. The aneurysm was completely obliterated using detachable coils after a balloon occlusion test (BOT) of the caudal channel was conducted to confirm the tolerance of the patient following sudden interruption of the more prominent flow coming from the caudal channel of the DOPICA. This report affirms the need to suspect anomalies associated with a DOPICA that predispose to intracranial aneurysms and highlights the potential role of a BOT in pretreatment hemodynamic evaluations of unusual aneurysms accompanying a particular developmental anomaly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device aims to demonstrating the steady-state operation of high-performance advanced tokamak (AT) modes. In order to meet this research goal it is critical to have a good magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability, so that KSTAR adopted a strong plasma shape and a conducting wall close to plasma for such stability. An early calculation during the KSTAR design phase had shown that a target AT mode stable up to above 5 can be then obtained. A recent work by Katsuro-Hopkins et al. [O. Katsuro-Hopkins, S.A. Sabbagh, J.M. Bialek, H.K. Park, J.G. Bak, J. Chung, et al., Equilibrium and global MHD stability study of KSTAR high beta plasmas under passive and active mode control, Nucl. Fusion 50(2010) 025019] showed, however, that the maximum value can be substantially lower than 5, unlike the earlier result. In this work, we present a more detailed study on the MHD stability limit of the KSTAR target AT mode and try to clarify the discrepancy observed in the previous two works. It is shown that in the reverse-shear plasma the target mode with above 5 can be obtained if the pressure profile is relatively peaked, but the maximum value is substantially reduced below 5 if the pressure profile becomes broader. This result suggests the importance of a proper control of the pressure profile to get the high-beta AT mode in KSTAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]