Exogenous preculture with sucrose and abscisic acid improves post-cryopreservation survival of eastern bracken fern gametophytes.

Cryopreservation is an important technique used in the conservation of various plant tissues. This study proposes a cryopreservation method for the long-term conservation of eastern bracken fern gametophytes (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum). Encapsulation-dehydration of the gametophytes was performed, and the exogenous sucrose and abscisic acid (ABA) preculture conditions were investigated. Gametophytes are sensitive to dehydration and drying, and the following treatment conditions were applied: encapsulation by alginate containing 0.75 M sucrose, 18-h loading treatment with 0.75 M sucrose, and 6-h drying treatment. The survival rate following cryopreservation was determined. The water content of < 27.5% in the alginate beads after dehydration and drying was found to be appropriate for ensuring survival. Additionally, performing an exogenous sucrose and ABA preculture was essential before encapsulation to achieve a survival of ≥ 90%. The high stress induced by cryopreservation and exogenous preculture regulated the expression of PaSuSy, PaLEA14, and PaABI1b and the endogenous ABA content. In eastern bracken gametophytes, ABI1 appears to be a negative regulator of ABA signaling. These results indicate that the encapsulation-dehydration method is effective for the long-term conservation of eastern bracken fern gametophytes, and exogenous preculture alleviates abiotic stress and increases the survival rate.

Design and Optimization of Composite Cathodes for Solid-State Batteries Using Hybrid Carbon Networks with Facile Electronic and Ionic Percolation Pathways.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional liquid electrolyte batteries due to their potential for higher energy density and improved safety. However, achieving high performance in SSBs is difficult because of inadequate contact and interfacial reactions that generate high interfacial resistance, as well as inadequate solid-solid contact between electrodes. These chronic issues are associated with inhomogeneous ion and electron transport networks owing to imperfect solid-solid interfacial contact. This study developed an optimal interfacial engineering strategy to facilitate an ion-electron transport network by designing an active material (NCM622) uniformly filled with a thin layer of a solid electrolyte (garnet-type Li6.25Ga0.25La3Zr2O12) and conductive additives. The optimal composite electrode architecture enhanced the high capacity, high rate capability, and long-term cycle stability, even at room temperature, owing to the percolating network for facile ionic conduction that assured a homogeneous reaction. In addition to mitigating the mechanical degradation of the cathode electrode, it also reduced the crosstalk effects on the anode-solid electrolyte interface. Effectively optimizing the selection and use of conductive additives in composite electrodes offers a promising approach to addressing key performance-limiting factors in SSBs, including interfacial resistance and solid-solid contact issues. This study underscores the critical importance of cathode architecture design for achieving high-performance SSBs by ensuring that the interfaces are intact with solid electrolytes at both the cathode and anode interfaces while promoting uniform reactions. This study provides valuable insights into the development of SSBs with improved performance, which could have significant implications for a wide range of applications.

N+-Implantation on Nb Coating as Protective Layer for Metal Bipolar Plate in PEMFCs and Their Electrochemical Characteristics.

Nitrogen ions were implanted into the coated Nb layer by plasma immersion ion implantation to improve resistance to corrosion of a metal bipolar plate. Due to nitrogen implantation, the corrosion behavior of the Nb layer was enhanced. The electron microscope observation reveals that the microstructure of the Nb layer became denser and had fewer defects with increasing implantation energy. As a result, the densified structure effectively prevented direct contact with the corrosive electrolyte. In addition, at a higher implantation rate (6.40 × 1017 N2/cm2), a thin amorphous layer was formed on the surface, and the implanted nitrogen ions reacted at neighboring Nb sites, resulting in the localized formation of nitrides. Such phase and structural changes contributed to further improve corrosion resistance. In particular, the implanted Nb layer at bias voltage of 10 kV exhibited a current density more than one order of magnitude smaller with a two times faster stabilization than the as-deposited Nb layer under the PEMFC operating conditions.

QTL Analysis and CAPS Marker Development Linked with Russet in Pear (Pyrus spp.).

The fruit skin types of pear (Pyrus spp.) are divided into russet, smooth, and intermediate. One of the important traits in pear breeding programs is russet on pear fruit skin because it affects the commercial value. In the present study, a high-density genetic linkage map of 'Whangkeumbae' (smooth) × 'Minibae' (russet) was constructed. In addition, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed to identify russet related QTL and develop a cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence (CAPS) marker. Together with SNPs derived from Axiom Pear 70K Genotyping Array and genotyping-by-sequencing derived SNPs and SSRs generated in previous study, an integrated genetic linkage map of 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' was constructed. A total of 1263 markers were anchored in 17 linkage groups (LGs) with a total genetic distance of 1894.02 cM and an average marker density of 1.48 cM. The chromosome coverage of 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' map was improved because the SNPs derived from Axiom Pear 70K Genotyping Array were anchored. QTL analysis was performed using previous russet phenotype data evaluated with russet coverage and Hunter a. As a result of QTL analysis, russet coverage- and Hunter a-related QTLs were identified in LG8 of the 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' map, and SNPs located in the QTL region were heterozygous in the 'Minibae'. Although the russet coverage- and Hunter a-related QTLs were commonly detected in LG8, the logarithm of odds values of SNPs in the QTL region were higher in QTL related to russet coverage than to Hunter a. The CAPS marker (CBp08ca01) was developed using an array SNP located in the russet coverage related QTL, and the genotype of CBp08ca01 showed a 1:1 ratio in 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' (χ2 = 0.65, p > 0.05). 'Whangkeumbae' and 'Minibae' were thought to have rr and Rr genotypes, respectively, and the genetic factors controlling the russet formation might be located in chromosome 8. The CBp08ca01 was able to select F1 individuals with less than 30% russet coverage. Thus, it will be a useful tool for marker-assisted selection in pears.

Complete Chloroplast Genome of the Inverted Repeat-Lacking Species Vicia bungei and Development of Polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat Markers.

Background: Vicia bungei is an economically important forage crop in South Korea and China. Although detailed genetic and genomic data can improve population genetic studies, conservation efforts, and improved breeding of crops, few such data are available for Vicia species in general and none at all for V. bungei. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to sequence, assemble, and annotate V. bungei chloroplast genome and to identify simple sequence repeats (SSRs) as polymorphic genetic markers. Results: The whole-genome sequence of V. bungei was generated using an Illumina MiSeq platform. De novo assembly of complete chloroplast genome sequences was performed for the low-coverage sequence using CLC Genome Assembler with a 200-600-bp overlap size. Vicia bungei chloroplast genome was 130,796-bp long. The genome lacked an inverted repeat unit and thus resembled those of species in the inverted repeat-lacking clade within Fabaceae. Genome annotation using Dual OrganellarGenoMe Annotator (DOGMA) identified 107 genes, comprising 75 protein-coding, 28 transfer RNA, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. In total, 432 SSRs were detected in V. bungei chloroplast genome, including 64 mononucleotides, 14 dinucleotides, 5 trinucleotides, 4 tetranucleotides, 233 pentanucleotides, 90 hexanucleotides, and 14 complex repeated motifs. These were used to develop 232 novel chloroplast SSR markers, 39 of which were chosen at random to test amplification and genetic diversity in Vicia species (20 accessions from seven species). The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster analysis identified seven clusters at the interspecies level and intraspecific differences within clusters. Conclusion: The complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. bungei was determined. This reference genome should facilitate chloroplast resequencing and future searches for additional genetic markers using population samples. The novel chloroplast genome resources and SSR markers will greatly contribute to the conservation of the genus Vicia and facilitate genetic and evolutionary studies of this genus and of other higher plants.

A Novel Pear Scab (Venturia nashicola) Resistance Gene, Rvn3, from Interspecific Hybrid Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia × P. communis).

Asian pear scab is a fungal disease caused by Venturia nashicola. The identification of genes conferring scab resistance could facilitate the breeding of disease-resistant cultivars. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify a scab-resistance gene using an interspecific hybrid population ((Pyrus pyrifolia × P. communis) × P. pyrifolia). Artificial inoculation of V. nashicola was carried out for two years. The segregation ratio (1:1) of resistant to susceptible individuals indicated that resistance to V. nashicola was inherited from P. communis and controlled by a single dominant gene. Based on two years phenotypic data with the Kruskal-Wallis test and interval mapping, 12 common markers were significantly associated with scab resistance. A novel scab resistance gene, Rvn3, was mapped in linkage group 6 of the interspecific hybrid pear, and co-linearity between Rvn3 and one of the apple scab resistance genes, Rvi14, was confirmed. Notably, an insertion in pseudo-chromosome 6 of the interspecific hybrid cultivar showed homology with apple scab resistance genes. Hence, the newly discovered Rvn3 was considered an ortholog of the apple scab resistance gene. Since the mapping population used in the present study is a pseudo-BC1 population, pyramiding of multiple resistance genes to pseudo-BC1 could facilitate the breeding of pear cultivars with durable resistance.

Corrosion Behavior of Niobium-Coated 316L Stainless Steels as Metal Bipolar Plates for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.

Niobium was coated on 316L stainless steel by pulsed direct-current (DC) magnetron sputtering to improve corrosion behavior. The applied bias voltage highly affected the microstructure and crystallographic features, which lead to improved corrosion behavior. Due to the increased bias voltage, the microstructure of the niobium coating layer presented a smaller crystallite size and a densified structure, which obviously reduced the number of pinholes in the coated layer. Additionally, an increase in the degree of orientation toward the (110) plane, the most densely packed plane, lead to reduced dissolution of metal ions. Therefore, a pure niobium coating layer effectively protected the metal bipolar plate from a highly corrosive environment of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks. In particular, higher bias voltages of 600 and 800 V induced improved corrosion resistance, which satisfied the demand for the bipolar plate.

Oxidation Behavior of Ti-Al-Si-N-O Nanocomposite Films Deposited by Filtered Arc Ion Plating Technique.

Oxidation behavior of nanocomposite films is very important characteristics for application of machining and cutting tools. In this study, Ti-Al-Si-N-O nanocomposite films were fabricated onto WC-Co and Si wafer substrates. The composition of the Ti-Al-Si-N-O films was analyzed by X-ray photo-electron spectroscope (XPS). Also X-ray diffactometer (XRD) analysis was conducted to investigate the crystallinity and phase transformation of the films. As a result of XRD, Ti-Al(18 at.%)-Si-N-O films showed the great oxidation resistance of 950 °C for 30 min in air. Based on glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) depth profiles, Ti-Al(18 at.%)- Si-N-O film annealed at 950 °C for 30 min shows formation of aluminum oxide layer on the film surface. On the other hand, Ti-Al(7.56 at.%)-Si-N-O film had a titanium oxide layer on the surface after annealing at 950 °C for 30 min.

High performance flexible double-sided micro-supercapacitors with an organic gel electrolyte containing a redox-active additive.

In this study, we report the fabrication of a high performance flexible micro-supercapacitor (MSC) with an organic gel electrolyte containing a redox-active additive, referred to as poly(methyl methacrylate)-propylene carbonate-lithium perchlorate-hydroquinone (PMMA-PC-LiClO4-HQ). Hexagonal MSCs fabricated on thin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films had interdigitated electrodes made of spray-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on Au. The addition of HQ as a redox-active additive enhanced not only the specific capacitance but also the energy density of the MSCs dramatically, which is approximately 35 times higher than that of MSCs without the HQ additive. In addition, both areal capacitance and areal energy density could be doubled by fabrication of double-sided MSCs, where two MSCs are connected in parallel. The double-sided MSCs exhibited stable electrochemical performance during repeated deformation by bending. By dry-transferring the double-sided MSCs based on PMMA-PC-LiClO4-HQ on a deformable polymer substrate, we fabricated a stretchable MSC array, which also retained its electrochemical performance during a uniaxial strain of 40%. Furthermore, a wearable energy storage bracelet made of such an MSC array could operate a µ-LED on the wrist.

Encapsulated, High-Performance, Stretchable Array of Stacked Planar Micro-Supercapacitors as Waterproof Wearable Energy Storage Devices.

We report the fabrication of an encapsulated, high-performance, stretchable array of stacked planar micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) as a wearable energy storage device for waterproof applications. A pair of planar all-solid-state MSCs with spray-coated multiwalled carbon nanotube electrodes and a drop-cast UV-patternable ion-gel electrolyte was fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate film using serial connection to increase the operation voltage of the MSC. Additionally, multiple MSCs could be vertically stacked with parallel connections to increase both the total capacitance and the areal capacitance owing to the use of a solid-state patterned electrolyte. The overall device of five parallel-connected stacked MSCs, a microlight-emitting diode (µ-LED), and a switch was encapsulated in thin Ecoflex film so that the capacitance remained at 82% of its initial value even after 4 d in water; the µ-LED was lit without noticeable decrease in brightness under deformation including bending and stretching. Furthermore, an Ecoflex encapsulated oximeter wound around a finger was operated using the stored energy of the MSC array attached to the hand (even in water) to give information on arterial pulse rate and oxygen saturation in the blood. This study suggests potential applications of our encapsulated MSC array in wearable energy storage devices especially in water.

Compact RF ion source for industrial electrostatic ion accelerator.

Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex is developing a single-ended electrostatic ion accelerator to irradiate gaseous ions, such as hydrogen and nitrogen, on materials for industrial applications. ELV type high voltage power supply has been selected. Because of the limited space, electrical power, and robust operation, a 200 MHz RF ion source has been developed. In this paper, the accelerator system, test stand of the ion source, and its test results are described.

Body-Attachable and Stretchable Multisensors Integrated with Wirelessly Rechargeable Energy Storage Devices.

A stretchable multisensor system is successfully demonstrated with an integrated energy-storage device, an array of microsupercapacitors that can be repeatedly charged via a wireless radio-frequency power receiver on the same stretchable polymer substrate. The integrated devices are interconnected by a liquid-metal interconnection and operate stably without noticeable performance degradation under strain due to the skin attachment, and a uniaxial strain up to 50%.

Air-stable, high-performance, flexible microsupercapacitor with patterned ionogel electrolyte.

We describe the fabrication of air-stable, high-performance, planar microsupercapacitors (MSCs) on a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate with patterned ionogel electrolyte, i.e., poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and electrodes of spray-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The flexible MSC showed good cyclability, retaining ∼80% of initial capacitance after 30 000 cycles, and good mechanical stability down to a bending diameter of 3 mm under compressive stress; 95% of the initial capacitance was retained after 1000 bending cycles. The MSC had high electrochemical stability with retaining 90% of its initial capacitance for 8 weeks in air. Furthermore, vertical stacking of MSCs with patterned solid film of ionogel electrolyte could increase the areal capacitance dramatically. This flexible MSC has potential applications as an energy-storage device in micro/nanoelectronics, without encapsulation for air stability.

Differences in cold hardiness, carbohydrates, dehydrins and related gene expressions under an experimental deacclimation and reacclimation in Prunus persica.

To boost our understanding of a recent outbreak of freezing injury, we sought to confirm distinctive features between the shoot tissues of the peach (Prunus persica) cultivars Daewol and Kiraranokiwami by mimicking unseasonable changes of temperatures that occur in the early spring through repeated deacclimation and reacclimation treatments. Patterns of cold hardiness declined dramatically during the deacclimation and rose during the reacclimation in both cultivars. Our results indicated that 'Daewol' possessed higher capacity in response to repeated deacclimation and reacclimation treatments than 'Kiraranokiwami'. 'Daewol' showed more sensitive changes in the carbohydrates in response to warm and low temperatures compared with 'Kiraranokiwami'. 'Daewol' indicated almost similar repeated down- and up-patterns in soluble sugar content in response to repeated deacclimation and reacclimation, whereas it indicated repeated up- and down-patterns in starch content. However, 'Kiraranokiwami' showed a progressive increase in the soluble sugar content and a progressive decrease in starch content. Notably, patterns of accumulation of a 60-kDa dehydrin protein encoded by the PpDhn1 gene were confirmed through western blotting and paralleled fluctuations of cold hardiness in both cultivars. Expression of this dehydrin was weak in both cultivars during deacclimation but its band intensity increased during reacclimation. Changes in related genes (ß-amylase, PpDhn1, PpDhn2 and PpDhn3) were positively correlated with changes in cold hardiness throughout the experiment. Our results indicate that recent repeated warm periods may cause premature deacclimation in the early spring, and that more cold-tolerant cultivar may be more resilient to freezing injury caused by unstable temperature conditions.

Biaxially stretchable, integrated array of high performance microsupercapacitors.

We report on the fabrication of a biaxially stretchable array of high performance microsupercapacitors (MSCs) on a deformable substrate. The deformable substrate is designed to suppress local strain applied to active devices by locally implanting pieces of stiff polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films within the soft elastomer of Ecoflex. A strain suppressed region is formed on the top surface of the deformable substrate, below which PET films are implanted. Active devices placed within this region can be isolated from the strain. Analysis of strain distribution by finite element method confirms that the maximum strain applied to MSC in the strain suppressed region is smaller than 0.02%, while that on the Ecoflex film is larger than 250% under both uniaxial strain of 70% and biaxial strain of 50%. The all-solid-state planar MSCs, fabricated with layer-by-layer deposited multiwalled carbon nanotube electrodes and patterned ionogel electrolyte of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide having high-potential windows, are dry-transferred onto the deformable substrate and electrically connected in series and parallel via embedded liquid metal interconnection and Ag nanowire contacts. Liquid metal interconnection, formed by injecting liquid metal into the microchannel embedded within the substrate, can endure severe strains and requires no additional encapsulation process. This formed MSC array exhibits high energy and power density of 25 mWh/cm(3) and 32 W/cm(3), and stable electrochemical performance up to 100% uniaxial and 50% biaxial stretching. The high output voltage of the MSC array is used to light micro-light-emitting diode (µ-LED) arrays, even under strain conditions. This work demonstrates the potential application of our stretchable MSC arrays to wearable and bioimplantable electronics with a self-powered system.

Fabrication of high performance flexible micro-supercapacitor arrays with hybrid electrodes of MWNT/V2O5 nanowires integrated with a SnO2 nanowire UV sensor.

We report on the on-chip fabrication of high performance flexible micro-supercapacitor (MSC) arrays with hybrid electrodes of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/V2O5 nanowire (NW) composites and a solid electrolyte, which could power the SnO2 NW UV sensor integrated on the same flexible substrate. The patterned MSC using hybrid electrodes of MWNT/V2O5 NW composites with 10 vol% of V2O5 NWs exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with a high volume capacitance of 80 F cm(-3) at a scan rate of 10 mV s(-1) in a PVA-LiCl electrolyte and good cycle performance to maintain 82% of the capacitance after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 11.6 A cm(-3). The patterned MSC also showed an excellent energy density of 6.8 mW h cm(-3), comparable to that of a Li-thin film battery (1-10 mW h cm(-3)), and a power density of 80.8 W cm(-3) comparable to that of state-of-the-art MSCs. In addition, the flexible MSC array on a PET substrate showed mechanical stability over bending with a bending radius down to 1.5 mm under both compressive and tensile stress. Even after 1000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 7 mm, 94% of the initial capacitance was maintained. Furthermore, we have shown the operation of a SnO2 NW UV sensor using such a fabricated MSC array integrated into the same circuit on the PET substrate.

High-performance all-solid-state flexible micro-supercapacitor arrays with layer-by-layer assembled MWNT/MnO(x) nanocomposite electrodes.

In this study, we report on the fabrication of high performance planar-type flexible micro-supercapacitor (MSC) arrays using Au electrodes coated with a functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) film and a layer of MWNT-COOH/MnOx nanoparticle (NP) composite on top. The MWNT thin film was formed via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of MWNTs functionalized with amine groups and MWNTs with carboxylic acid groups in water. The hydrothermally synthesized composite of MWNT-COOH/MnOx NPs was coated on top of the MWNT film (LbL-MWNT). The addition of MWNT-COOH/MnOx NP composite as a top layer enhanced the performance of the MSCs dramatically, resulting in a volumetric capacitance of 50 F cm(-3) at a scan rate of 10 mV s(-1) and a coulombic efficiency of ∼100%. By contrast, a volumetric capacitance of 3.6 F cm(-3) was obtained when using only the LbL-MWNT film. After repetitive operation up to ∼10(4) times, the capacitance remained at ∼88.3% of the original value. With a deliberate circuit design consisting of serially connected MSC arrays, various light-emitting diodes operating at different bias voltages could be lit. The MSC circuit fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film showed stable electrochemical properties upon 1000 cycles of bending deformation.

Black rice extract protected HepG2 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death via ERK1/2 and Akt activation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of black rice extract (BRE) on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Methanolic extract from black rice was evaluated for the protective effect on TBHP-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. Several biomarkers that modulate cell survival and death including reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-3 activity, and related cellular kinases were determined. RESULTS: TBHP induced cell death and apoptosis by a rapid increase in ROS generation and caspase-3 activity. Moreover, TBHP-induced oxidative stress resulted in a transient ERK1/2 activation and a sustained increase of JNK1/2 activation. While, BRE pretreatment protects the cells against oxidative stress by reducing cell death, caspase-3 activity, and ROS generation and also by preventing ERKs deactivation and the prolonged JNKs activation. Moreover, pretreatment of BRE increased the activation of ERKs and Akt which are pro-survival signal proteins. However, this effect was blunted in the presence of ERKs and Akt inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that activation of ERKs and Akt pathway might be involved in the cytoprotective effect of BRE against oxidative stress. Our findings provide new insights into the cytoprotective effects and its possible mechanism of black rice against oxidative stress.

Fabrication of a stretchable solid-state micro-supercapacitor array.

We fabricated a stretchable micro-supercapacitor array with planar SWCNT electrodes and an ionic liquid-based triblock copolymer electrolyte. The mechanical stability of the entire supercapacitor array upon stretching was obtained by adopting strategic design concepts. First, the narrow and long serpentine metallic interconnections were encapsulated with polyimide thin film to ensure that they were within the mechanical neutral plane. Second, an array of two-dimensional planar micro-supercapacitor with SWCNT electrodes and an ion-gel-type electrolyte was made to achieve all-solid-state energy storage devices. The formed micro-supercapacitor array showed excellent performances which were stable over stretching up to 30% without any noticeable degradation. This work shows the strong potential of a stretchable micro-supercapacitor array in applications such as wearable computers, power dressing, electronic newspapers, paper-like mobile phones, and other easily collapsible gadgets.