Particulate counter electrode system for enhanced light harvesting in dye-sensitized solar cells

A particulate counter electrode with photo scattering and redox catalytic properties is applied to dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in order to improve photo conversion efficiency and simplify the assembly process. Our particulate counter electrode acts as both a photo reflecting layer and a catalyst for reduction of electrolyte. The reflective and catalytic properties of the electrode are investigated through optical and electrochemical analysis, respectively. A short circuit current density enhancement is observed in the DSSCs without the need to add an additional reflecting layer to the electrode. This leads to a simplified assembly process. (C) 2013 Optical Society of Americ

A Universal Analysis Pipeline for Hybrid Capture-Based Targeted Sequencing Data with Unique Molecular Indexes

Hybrid capture-based targeted sequencing is being used increasingly for genomic variant profiling in tumor patients. Unique molecular index (UMI) technology has recently been developed and helps to increase the accuracy of variant calling by minimizing polymerase chain reaction biases and sequencing errors. However, UMI-adopted targeted sequencing data analysis is slightly different from the methods for other types of omics data, and its pipeline for variant calling is still being optimized in various study groups for their own purposes. Due to this provincial usage of tools, our group built an analysis pipeline for global application to many studies of targeted sequencing generated with different methods. First, we generated hybrid capture-based data using genomic DNA extracted from tumor tissues of colorectal cancer patients. Sequencing libraries were prepared and pooled together, and an 8-plexed capture library was processed to the enrichment step before 150-bp paired-end sequencing with Illumina HiSeq series. For the analysis, we evaluated several published tools. We focused mainly on the compatibility of the input and output of each tool. Finally, our laboratory built an analysis pipeline specialized for UMI-adopted data. Through this pipeline, we were able to estimate even on-target rates and filtered consensus reads for more accurate variant calling. These results suggest the potential of our analysis pipeline in the precise examination of the quality and efficiency of conducted experiments

In vitro embryo rescue for the production of hypotetraploids after cross between hypotetraploid and tetraploid grape cultivars

Consumer demand for seedless grape with high quality and large berry has been increasing. Breeding of hypotetraploid grape was suggested as one of promising methods to satisfy it, but low frequency of hypotetraploid occurrence and low seed germination by abortive embryo were indicated as the major problem to hamper the development of hypotetraploid grape. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate the basic efficiency of in ovulo embryo culture after the cross between hypotetraploid (‘Hanareum’) and tetraploid (‘Honey Black’ and ‘Kyoho’) grape cultivars on the establishment of hypotetraploid grapes. Embryos and plantlets were hardly obtained in ovules cultured at six after the cross pollination (WAP), but ovules inoculated at 10 WAP produced more embryos as well as plantlets regardless of cross combination. Furthermore, we found that embryo formation was not affected by the basal media in ovules cultured at six WAP, but utilization of specific medium can be more beneficial for embryo formation when ovules were cultured at 10 WAP. A total of 17 plants were obtained from ovules cultured at 10 WAP, and above 50% of plants were identified as hypotetraploid grapes. These results indicate that in vitro embryo rescue after cross pollination between hypotetraploid and tetraploid grape can enhance the efficiency for the breeding of hypotetraploid grapes

유역 공간 강우 산정방법에 따른 Vflo TM 분포형 강우-유출 모형의 매개변수 평가 -금호강 동촌 유역을 대상으로 - Parameter Estimation of Vflo TM Distributed Rainfall-Runoff Model by Areal Rainfall Calculation Methods -For Dongchon Watershed of Geumho River - 김시수 * ․정충길

ABSTRACT This study is to evaluate the parameter behavior of VfloTM distributed rainfall-runoff model by applying 3 kinds of rainfall interpolation methods viz. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Kriging (KRI), and Thiessen network (THI). For the 1,544 km 2 Dongcheon watershed of Nakdong river, the model was calibrated using 4 storm events in 2007 and 2009, and validated using 2 storm events in 2010. The model was calibrated with Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency of 0.97 for IDW, 0.94 for KRI, and 0.95 for THI respectively. For the sensitive parameters, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) for IDW, KRI, and THI were 0.33, 0.31, and 0.43 cm/hr, and the soil suction head at the wetting front (Ψf) were 4.10, 3.96, and 5.19 cm H2O respectively. These parameters affected the infiltration process by the spatial distribution of antecedent moisture condition before a storm

Deep Level in Heavily Zn-doped InP Layers Implanted with Ti and Ti/P

We have investigated deep level peaks observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of heavily Zn-doped InP layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition at energies centered at 0.89 and 0.94 eV. These peaks are enhanced when the samples are implanted with Ti. When P is co-implanted, however, the intensity of these peaks decrease, and at an increased dosage, the peaks disappear from the spectrum. The peaks are, therefore, dependent on the phosphorus vacancy produced by the excessive Zn doping or the implant damage. Hall measurement data show that the Ti/P-implanted p-type InP layer is converted to n type with its sheet resistance decreasing and the donor activation of Ti increasing for higher P co-implant dose. In addition, the photoluminescence intensity of the deep level peaks is highly correlated with the sheet resistance.This work was financially supported in part by KOSEF through OERC Grant No. 97K3-0809-02-06-1 and by the Ministry of Education of Korea through Grant No. ISRC-97- E-3205

Low Temperature Photoluminescence Characteristics of Zn-doped InP Grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Zn-doped InP layers were obtained by two different doping techniques: in situ doping by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, and thermal diffusion from a Zn-containing film. Their low temperature photoluminescence ~PL! characteristics were studied, and compared. In Zn-diffused InP, the deep donor to acceptor transition was the most dominant transition and other transitions such as the band edge transition and the band to band or shallow donor to acceptor transition were not observed at the excitation power of 10 mW. On the other hand, well resolved band edge peaks and the band or shallow donor to acceptor transition peak were observed for in situ Zn doped InP, implying that less interstitial Zn atoms were generated during in situ doping. Saturation of the hole concentration at 1.531018 cm3 was observed in in situ Zn doped InP, and the changes in PL characteristics at the saturation level were extensively studied. Two new deep bands at 0.88–1.0 eV and 1.21–1.27 eV were observed, and the intensity of the lower energy band increased with diethylzinc flow rate. The lower energy band was observed even at room temperature, and it is presumed to be related with the saturation of hole concentration.This work was supported by the Ministry of Education through the Interuniversity Semiconductor Research Center ~ISRC 94-E-3142! and Korea Science and Engineering Foundation ~KOSEF 93-01-00-17!. One of the authors ~S.J.K.! would like to acknowledge the support by the Ministry of Education through the Interuniversity Semiconductor Research Center ~ISRC 97-E-3205!

Single-step genome-wide association study for social genetic effects and direct genetic effects on growth in Landrace pigs

In livestock social interactions, social genetic effects (SGE) represent associations between phenotype of one individual and genotype of another. Such associations occur when the trait of interest is affected by transmissible phenotypes of social partners. The aim of this study was to estimate SGE and direct genetic effects (DGE, genetic effects of an individual on its own phenotype) on average daily gain (ADG) in Landrace pigs, and to conduct single-step genome-wide association study using SGE and DGE as dependent variables to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and their positional candidate genes. A total of 1,041 Landrace pigs were genotyped using the Porcine SNP 60K BeadChip. Estimates of the two effects were obtained using an extended animal model. The SGE contributed 16% of the total heritable variation of ADG. The total heritability estimated by the extended animal model including both SGE and DGE was 0.52. The single-step genome-wide association study identified a total of 23 QTL windows for the SGE on ADG distributed across three chromosomes (i.e., SSC1, SSC2, and SSC6). Positional candidate genes within these QTL regions included PRDM13, MAP3K7, CNR1, HTR1E, IL4, IL5, IL13, KIF3A, EFHD2, SLC38A7, mTOR, CNOT1, PLCB2, GABRR1, and GABRR2, which have biological roles in neuropsychiatric processes. The results of biological pathway and gene network analyses also support the association of the neuropsychiatric processes with SGE on ADG in pigs. Additionally, a total of 11 QTL windows for DGE on ADG in SSC2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 17 were detected with positional candidate genes such as ARL15. We found a putative pleotropic QTL for both SGE and DGE on ADG on SSC6. Our results in this study provide important insights that can help facilitate a better understanding of the molecular basis of SGE for socially affected traits.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Long-Term Survival in a Patient With Ruptured Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A 57-yr-old woman previously diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B was admitted via the emergency room because she suddenly developed epigastric pain with abdominal distension. On computed tomography (CT), a round enhancing mass was found on the left hepatic lobe with ascites in the peritoneal space. Bloody ascites were found upon tapping the ascites, and this led to the diagnosis of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient was immediately treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) including 50 mg of adriamycin and 10 mL of lipiodol, and then we performed left lateral segmentectomy 20 days later. To prevent recurrence of HCC by any micrometastasis, the patient subsequently received 8 cycles of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy (a regimen of epirubicin (50 mg/m2), cisplatin (60 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (200 mg/m2)) at monthly intervals. After this, the patient has been regularly followed up and she shows no signs of tumor recurrence 7 years later. This case suggests that surgical resection and subsequent adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with using an ECF regimen may provide long-term survival for patients ruptured HCC

Detection of ureaplasmas by the polymerase chain reaction in the amniotic fluid of patients with cervical insufficiency

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of detecting microbial footprints of ureaplasmas in amniotic fluid (AF) using specific primers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients presenting with cervical insufficiency. Methods: Amniocentesis was performed in 58 patients with acute cervical insufficiency (cervical dilatation, >= 1.5 cm) and intact membranes, and without regular contractions (gestational age, 16-29 weeks). AF was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as genital mycoplasmas. Ureaplasmas (Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum) were detected by PCR using specific primers. Patients were divided into three groups according to the results of AF culture and PCR for ureaplasmas: those with a negative AF culture and a negative PCR (n = 44), those with a negative AF culture and a positive PCR (n = 10), and those with a positive AF culture regardless of PCR result (n = 4). Results: 1) Ureaplasmas were detected by PCR in 19.0% (11/58) of patients, by culture in 5.2% (3/58), and by culture and/or PCR in 22.4% (13/58); 2) Among the 11 patients with a positive PCR for ureaplasmas, the AF culture was negative in 91% (10/11); 3) Patients with a negative AF culture and a positive PCR for ureaplasmas had a significantly higher median AF matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) concentration and white blood cell (WBC) count than those with a negative AF culture and a negative PCR (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively); 4) Patients with a positive PCR for ureaplasmas but a negative AF culture had a higher rate of spontaneous preterm birth within two weeks of amniocentesis than those with a negative AF culture and a negative PCR (P < 0.05 after adjusting for gestational age at amniocentesis); 5) Of the patients who delivered within two weeks of amniocentesis, those with a positive PCR for ureaplasmas and a negative AF culture had higher rates of histologic amnionitis and funisitis than those with a negative AF culture and a negative PCR (P < 0.05 after adjusting for gestational age at amniocentesis, for each); 6) However, no significant differences in the intensity of the intra-amniotic inflammatory response and perinatal outcome were found between patients with a positive AF culture and those with a negative AF culture and a positive PCR. Conclusions: 1) Cultivation techniques for ureaplasmas did not detect most cases of intra-amniotic infection caused by these microorganisms (91% of cases with cervical insufficiency and microbial footprints for ureaplasmas in the amniotic cavity had a negative AF culture); 2) Patients with a negative AF culture and a positive PCR assay were at risk for intra-amniotic and fetal inflammation as well as spontaneous preterm birth.Park CW, 2009, PLACENTA, V30, P56, DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2008.09.017KIEFER DG, 2009, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V200Mazaki-Tovi S, 2008, J PERINAT MED, V36, P485, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2008.084Park CW, 2008, J PERINAT MED, V36, P497, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2008.079Viscardi RM, 2008, J PERINATOL, V28, P759, DOI 10.1038/jp.2008.98Lee SE, 2008, J PERINAT MED, V36, P316, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2008.067Gotsch F, 2008, J MATERN-FETAL NEO M, V21, P529, DOI 10.1080/14767050802127349Hamill N, 2008, J PERINAT MED, V36, P217, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2008.034Gotsch F, 2008, J MATERN-FETAL NEO M, V21, P605, DOI 10.1080/14767050802212109Nhan-Chang CL, 2008, J MATERN-FETAL NEO M, V21, P763, DOI 10.1080/14767050802244946Kusanovic JP, 2008, J MATERN-FETAL NEO M, V21, P902, DOI 10.1080/14767050802320357BUJOLD E, 2008, J OBSTET GYNAECOL CA, V30, P882ONDERDONK AB, 2008, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V199, pNI114Erez O, 2008, J PERINAT MED, V36, P377, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2008.082LEE SE, 2008, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V198Holst RM, 2007, J MATERN-FETAL NEO M, V20, P885, DOI 10.1080/14767050701752601Aaltonen R, 2007, BJOG-INT J OBSTET GY, V114, P1432, DOI 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01410.xFriel LA, 2007, J PERINAT MED, V35, P385, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2007.101LEE SE, 2007, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V197Hassan S, 2006, J PERINAT MED, V34, P13, DOI 10.1515/JPM.2006.002Waites KB, 2005, CLIN MICROBIOL REV, V18, P757, DOI 10.1128/CMR.18.4.757-789.2005Biggio JR, 2005, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V192, P109, DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.06.103Shim SS, 2004, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V191, P1339, DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.06.085Perni SC, 2004, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V191, P1382, DOI 10.1016/j.ajog.2004.05.070Yoon BH, 2003, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V189, P919, DOI 10.1067/S0002-9378(03)00839-1Jacobsson B, 2003, ACTA OBSTET GYN SCAN, V82, P423Gerber S, 2003, J INFECT DIS, V187, P518Fortunato SJ, 2002, J ASSIST REPROD GEN, V19, P483Viscardi RM, 2002, PEDIATR DEVEL PATHOL, V5, P141, DOI 10.1007/s10021-001-0134-yYoon BH, 2001, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V185, P1130Park JS, 2001, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V185, P1156Yoon BH, 2000, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V183, P1130, DOI 10.1067/mob.2000.109036Maymon E, 2000, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V183, P94, DOI 10.1067/mob.2000.105344Li YH, 2000, PEDIATR RES, V48, P114Mays JK, 2000, OBSTET GYNECOL, V95, P652Yoon BH, 2000, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V182, P675BASHIRI N, 1999, PRIMARY CARE UPDATE, V6, P82Luki N, 1998, EUR J CLIN MICROBIOL, V17, P255Yoon BH, 1997, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V177, P19Cunliffe NA, 1996, J MED MICROBIOL, V45, P27AbeleHorn M, 1996, EUR J CLIN MICROBIOL, V15, P595YOON BH, 1995, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V172, P960TENG K, 1994, J CLIN MICROBIOL, V32, P2232BLANCHARD A, 1993, CLIN INFECT DIS S1, V17, P148ROMERO R, 1992, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V167, P1086GRAY DJ, 1992, PRENATAL DIAG, V12, P111TREADWELL MC, 1991, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V165, P555ROMERO R, 1989, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V161, P817CHARLES D, 1981, AM J OBSTET GYNECOL, V141, P1065