Synthesis of Single-Crystalline Hexagonal Graphene Quantum Dots from Solution Chemistry.

Graphene-based carbon nanostructures with nanometer dimensions have been of great interest due to the existence of a bandgap. So far, well-ordered edge structure and uniformly synthesized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with a hexagonal single-crystalline structure have not been directly observed owing to the limited precision of current synthesis approaches. Herein, we report on a novel approach not just for the synthesis of the size-controlled single-crystalline GQDs with hexagonal shape but also for a new discovery on constructing 2D and 3D graphene single crystal structures from d-glucose via catalytic solution chemistry. With size-controlled single-crystalline GQDs, we elucidated the crucial role of edge states on luminescence from the correlation between their crystalline size and exciton lifetime. Furthermore, blue-emissive single-crystalline GQDs were used as an emitter on light-emitting diodes and exhibit stable deep-blue emission regardless of the voltage and doping level.

Functional identification of oleate 12-desaturase and ω-3 fatty acid desaturase genes from Perilla frutescens var. frutescens.

KEY MESSAGE: We described identification, expression, subcellular localization, and functions of genes that encode fatty acid desaturase enzymes in Perilla frutescens var. frutescens. Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) seeds contain approximately 40 % of oil, of which α-linolenic acid (18:3) comprise more than 60 % in seed oil and 56 % of total fatty acids (FAs) in leaf, respectively. In perilla, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized and chloroplast-localized ω-3 FA desaturase genes (PfrFAD3 and PfrFAD7, respectively) have already been reported, however, microsomal oleate 12-desaturase gene (PfrFAD2) has not yet. Here, four perilla FA desaturase genes, PfrFAD2-1, PfrFAD2-2, PfrFAD3-2 and PfrFAD7-2, were newly identified and characterized using random amplification of complementary DNA ends and sequence data from RNAseq analysis, respectively. According to the data of transcriptome and gene cloning, perilla expresses two PfrFAD2 and PfrFAD3 genes, respectively, coding for proteins that possess three histidine boxes, transmembrane domains, and an ER retrieval motif at its C-terminal, and two chloroplast-localized ω-3 FA desaturase genes, PfrFAD7-1 and PfrFAD7-2. Arabidopsis protoplasts transformed with perilla genes fused to green fluorescence protein gene demonstrated that PfrFAD2-1 and PfrFAD3-2 were localized in the ER, and PfrFAD7-1 and PfrFAD7-2 were localized in the chloroplasts. PfrFAD2 and perilla ω-3 FA desaturases were functional in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) indicated by the presence of 18:2 and 16:2 in yeast harboring the PfrFAD2 gene. 18:2 supplementation of yeast harboring ω-3 FA desaturase gene led to the production of 18:3. Therefore, perilla expresses two functional FAD2 and FAD3 genes, and two chloroplast-localized ω-3 FA desaturase genes, which support an evidence that P. frutescens cultivar is allotetraploid plant.

AtERF15 is a positive regulator of ABA response.

KEY MESSAGE: The Arabidopsis AP2/ERF family transcription factor AtERF15 is nuclear-localized and positively regulates ABA and stress responses. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major plant hormone that controls the expression of hundreds genes involved in various aspects of plant growth and development, such as seed development, germination, seedling growth and abiotic stress response. Several cis-elements mediating the ABA-regulated gene expression have been reported, and one of the regulatory elements is Coupling Element 1 (CE1). We previously isolated a group of AP2/ERF family proteins that bind CE1, but their functions are mostly unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that one of the CE1 binding factors (CEBFs), AtERF15, is involved in ABA response. To investigate the AtERF15 function, we generated its overexpression (OX) lines by expressing the AtERF15 coding region under the control of CaMV 35S promoter and analyzed their phenotypes. We found that the AtERF15 OX lines were hypersensitive to ABA at the germination stage. The ABA hypersensitivity was also observed in our root elongation assay of seedlings. Furthermore, the transgenic lines were hypersensitive to high salinity and high osmolarity at the seedling establishment stage, and the transgenic seedlings were drought-tolerant. We also determined the tissue-specific expression pattern and the subcellular localization of AtERF15. Our results indicate that it is highly expressed in roots and embryos and nuclear-localized. Collectively, our data suggest that AtERF15 is a positive regulator of ABA response.

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Waste Achyranthes Root Over Al-MCM-41.

This study examined the thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of waste Achyranthes Root (AR) using pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The non-catalytic pyrolysis of waste AR produced various kinds of oxygenates, such as acetic acid, hydroxy propanone, furfural, phenol, cresol, guaiacols, syringols, and so on. By applying nanoporous Al-MCM-41 with acidic properties and mesopores to the pyrolysis of waste AR, the levels of furan and aromatic hydrocarbons production increased with a concomitant decrease in the other oxygenates. The formation efficiency of furans was improved further by increasing the amount of Al-MCM-41 applied to the catalytic pyrolysis of waste AR.

Production of value-added aromatics from wasted COVID-19 mask via catalytic pyrolysis.

In this study, wasted mask is chosen as a pyrolysis feedstock whose generation has incredibly increased these days due to COVID-19. We suggest a way to produce value-added chemicals (e.g., aromatic compounds) from the mask with high amounts through catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP). To this end, the effects of zeolite catalyst properties on the upgradation efficiency of pyrolytic products produced from pyrolysis of wasted mask were investigated. The compositions and yields of pyrolytic gases and oils were characterized as functions of pyrolysis temperature and the type of zeolite catalyst (HBeta, HY, and HZSM-5), including the mesoporous catalyst of Al-MCM-41. The mask was pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor, and the pyrolysis gases evolved in the reactor was routed to a secondary reactor inside which the zeolite catalyst was loaded. It was chosen 550 °C as the CFP temperature to compare the catalyst performance for the production of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) because this temperature gave the highest oil yield (80.7 wt%) during the non-catalytic pyrolysis process. The large pore zeolite group of HBeta and HY led to 134% and 67% higher BTEX concentrations than HZSM-5, respectively, likely because they had larger pores, higher surface areas, and higher acid site density than the HZSM-5. This is the first report of the effect of zeolite characteristics on BTEX production via CFP.

Both CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ human CD4+ T cells drive direct xenogeneic T-cell responses against porcine aortic endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Xenogeneic cellular immune responses are mediated by either direct or indirect pathways depending on the participation of donor or host antigen presenting cells, respectively. The contribution of direct response of human T cells, especially memory T cells, to porcine antigen presenting cells is currently unknown. Here, we sought to determine whether human peripheral blood memory/activated phenotype T cells are directly responsive to porcine endothelial cells. METHODS: Porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) were prepared from Yorkshire or miniature pigs. Highly purified human T cells, including naïve and memory/activated phenotype cells, were incubated with PAECs with or without the addition of exogenous cytokines. T-cell proliferation and T-cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta usage in response to PAECs were analyzed. RESULTS: Both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells responded directly to PAECs and exhibited exclusive responsiveness to SLA class I and class II molecules, respectively. Naïve and memory/activated phenotype CD4(+) T cells responded against PAECs, whereas only naïve phenotype CD8(+) T cells contributed to such a response. In addition, both populations of xenogeneic human CD4(+) T cells exhibited similar and diverse V beta usage. CONCLUSION: Due to the considerable contribution of human CD45RO(+)CD4(+) T cells to the xenoreactivity against PAECs, effective control of xenogeneic memory/activated T-cell responses would significantly affect long-term survival of transplanted grafts.

4-Diphenylaminocarbazole: Switching Substituent Position for Voltage Reduction and Efficiency Enhancement of OLEDs.

Simple but exceptionally efficient 4-diphenylaminocarbazole host material, 4-DPACz, is presented and compared with its positional isomer, 1-DPACz. The shift of diphenylamino substituent from the 1-position to 4-position of carbazole resulted in an increase in the HOMO energy level as well as an increase in triplet energy level. Having a high triplet energy level (2.76 eV) and well-matched HOMO energy level (-5.61 eV), 4-DPACz showed reduced driving voltage and higher efficiencies for solution-processed green PhOLEDs compated to PVK as well as 1-DPACz. Maximum luminous, power, and external quantum efficiencies reaching to 47.9 cd A-1, 25.2 lm W-1, and 14.3%, respectively, were achieved with a device configuration of [ITO/PEDOT:PSS/4-DPACz:Ir(mppy)3/TPBi/CsF/Al]. Additional enhancement of efficiencies of 4-DPACz was verified when incorporating another dopant, Ir(Si-bppy)2(acac), resulting in 59.1 cd A-1, 29.5 lm W-1, and 15.8%. Furthermore, reduced efficiency roll-off was clearly observed for 4-DPACz compared with PVK. Such improved device characteristics of 4-DPACz were attributed to its high hole mobility and charge balance inside the emitting layer therof. The excellent results using such a simple-structured 4-DPACz could promote various applications of this 4-DPACz unit as a building block structure for further possible oligomeric, dendritic, and polymeric materials.

Aberrant Neural Activation Underlying Idiom Comprehension in Korean Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PURPOSE: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication impairments and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. Impaired pragmatic language comprehension is a universal feature in individuals with ASD. However, the underlying neural basis of pragmatic language is poorly understood. In the present study, we examined neural activation patterns associated with impaired pragmatic language comprehension in ASD, compared to typically developing children (TDC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was applied to 15 children with ASD and 18 TDC using the Korean pragmatic language task. RESULTS: Children with ASD were less accurate than TDC at comprehending idioms, particularly when they were required to interpret idioms with mismatched images (mismatched condition). Children with ASD also showed different patterns of neural activity than TDC in all three conditions (neutral, matched, and mismatched). Specifically, children with ASD showed decreased activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (Brodmann area 47) in the mismatched condition, compared with TDC (IFG; t(31)=3.17, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that children with ASD face difficulties in comprehending pragmatic expressions and apply different pragmatic language processes at the neural level.

Arabidopsis MAP3K16 and Other Salt-Inducible MAP3Ks Regulate ABA Response Redundantly.

In the Arabidopsis genome, approximately 80 MAP3Ks (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases) have been identified. However, only a few of them have been characterized, and the functions of most MAP3Ks are largely unknown. In this paper, we report the function of MAP3K16 and several other MAP3Ks, MAP3K14/15/17/18, whose expression is salt-inducible. We prepared MAP3K16 overexpression (OX) lines and analyzed their phenotypes. The result showed that the transgenic plants were ABA-insensitive during seed germination and cotyledon greening stage but their root growth was ABA-hypersensitive. The OX lines were more susceptible to water-deficit condition at later growth stage in soil. A MAP3K16 knockout (KO) line, on the other hand, exhibited opposite phenotypes. In similar transgenic analyses, we found that MAP3K14/15/17/18 OX and KO lines displayed similar phenotypes to those of MA3K16, suggesting the functional redundancy among them. MAP3K16 possesses in vitro kinase activity, and we carried out two-hybrid analyses to identify MAP3K16 substrates. Our results indicate that MAP3K16 interacts with MKK3 and the negative regulator of ABA response, ABR1, in yeast. Furthermore, MAP3K16 recombinant protein could phosphorylate MKK3 and ABR1, suggesting that they might be MAP3K16 substrates. Collectively, our results demonstrate that MAP3K16 and MAP3K14/15/17/18 are involved in ABA response, playing negative or positive roles depending on developmental stage and that MAP3K16 may function via MKK3 and ABR1.

Quinoline-Substituted 10-(naphthalene-7-yl)anthracene Derivatives for Blue Fluorescent Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

In this study, we have designed and synthesized blue emitters based on quinoline-substituted 10-(naphthalene-7-yl)anthracene. Particularly, a material exhibited highly efficient blue electroluminescence with CIE coordinates of (0.15, 0.18).

Cardiac Function in Kawasaki Disease Patients with Respiratory Symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Respiratory symptoms are often observed in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) during the acute phase. The association of respiratory viruses in children with KD was investigated using multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and tissue Doppler echocardiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 138 KD patients were included from January 2010 to June 2013. We compared 3 groups (group 1: n=94, KD without respiratory symptoms; group 2: n=44, KD with respiratory symptoms; and group 3: n=50, febrile patients with respiratory symptoms). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Echocardiographic measurements were compared between group 1 and group 2. RT-PCR was performed using nasopharyngeal secretion to screen for the presence of 14 viruses in groups 2 and 3. RESULTS: The incidence of KD with respiratory symptoms was 31.8%. The duration of fever was significantly longer, and coronary artery diameter was larger in group 2 than in group 1. Tei index was significantly higher and coronary artery diameter larger in group 2 than group 1. Coronary artery diameter, C-reactive protein levels, platelet count, alanine aminotransferase levels, and NT-pro BNP levels were significantly higher and albumin levels lower in group 2 compared with group 3. CONCLUSION: NT-pro BNP was a valuable diagnostic tool in differentiating KD from other febrile viral respiratory infections. Some viruses were more frequently observed in KD patients than in febrile controls. Tei index using tissue Doppler imaging was increased in KD patients with respiratory symptoms.

Highly Efficient Blue Organic-Light Emitting Diodes Based on 9,10-Diphenylanthracene End-Capped 5H-Pyrido[3,2-b]lndole Groups.

In this study, two blue emitters based on 9,10-diphenylanthracene and 5H-pyrido[3,2-b]indole were designed and synthesized for OLEDs. Among those, a device using 5-(9,10-diphenyl-2-(5H-pyrido[3,2-b]indol-5-yl)anthracen-6-yl)-5H-pyrido[3,2-b]indole (2) exhibited efficient blue emission with a luminous, power and external quantum efficiency of 5.99 cd/A, 2.70 lm/W and 3.94% at 20 mA/cm2, respectively. The CIE coordinates of this device were (x = 0.15, y = 0.21) at 6.0 V.

Blue Fluorescent Materials Composed of Anthracene-Aryl Amine-Anthracene Derivatives for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Blue fluorescent emitters based on anthracene-aryl amine-anthracene derivatives were studied for efficient OLEDs. Compound 1 exhibited efficient EL propereties with luminous and power efficien- cies of 4.50 cd/A and 1.75 lm/W at 200 mA/cm2, respectively and CIE coordinates of (0.18, 0.26) at 7.0 V.

Idiom Comprehension Deficits in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Using a Korean Autism Social Language Task.

PURPOSE: High-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves pragmatic impairment of language skills. Among numerous tasks for assessing pragmatic linguistic skills, idioms are important to evaluating high-functioning ASD. Nevertheless, no assessment tool has been developed with specific consideration of Korean culture. Therefore, we designed the Korean Autism Social Language Task (KASLAT) to test idiom comprehension in ASD. The aim of the current study was to introduce this novel psychological tool and evaluate idiom comprehension deficits in high-functioning ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants included 42 children, ages 6-11 years, who visited our child psychiatric clinic between April 2014 and May 2015. The ASD group comprised 16 children; the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) group consisted of 16 children. An additional 10 normal control children who had not been diagnosed with either disorder participated in this study. Idiom comprehension ability was assessed in these three groups using the KASLAT. RESULTS: Both ASD and ADHD groups had significantly lower scores on the matched and mismatched tasks, compared to the normal control children (matched tasks mean score: ASD 11.56, ADHD 11.56, normal control 14.30; mismatched tasks mean score: ASD 6.50, ADHD 4.31, normal control 11.30). However, no significant differences were found in scores of KASLAT between the ADHD and ASD groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that children with ASD exhibit greater impairment in idiom comprehension, compared to normal control children. The KASLAT may be useful in evaluating idiom comprehension ability.

Uveitis as an important ocular sign to help early diagnosis in Kawasaki disease.

PURPOSE: Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Delayed diagnosis leads to increasing risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Anterior uveitis is an important ocular sign of KD. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in laboratory findings, including echocardiographic measurements, clinical characteristics such as fever duration and treatment responses between KD patients with and those without uveitis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study with 110 KD patients from January 2008 to June 2013. The study group (n=32, KD with uveitis) was compared with the control group (n=78, KD without uveitis). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet count, and level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Echocardiographic measurements and intravenous immunoglobulin responses were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of uveitis was 29.0%. Neutrophil counts and patient age were higher in the uveitis group than in the control group. ESR and CRP level were slightly increased in the uveitis group compared with the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No significant differences in coronary arterial complication and treatment responses were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Uveitis is an important ocular sign in the diagnosis of incomplete KD. It is significantly associated with patient age and neutrophil count.

Dual-Wavelength Light Emission from CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots on Blue Light-Emitting Diodes.

We fabricated light-emitting device by using CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on InGaN/GaN blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for converting blue emission into green emission. By adding Au nanoparticles (ANPs) to generate localized surface plasmon mode, the integrated intensity of green emission of LEDs with CdSe/ZnS QDs on ANPs is enhanced by about 55%, without any drawback in electrical characteristics of LEDs. This result is attributed to an increased conversion efficiency by resonance coupling between localized surface plasmons in ANPs and excitons in CdSe/ZnS QDs.

Theory of mind as a mediator of reasoning and facial emotion recognition: findings from 200 healthy people.

OBJECTIVE: It was proposed that the ability to recognize facial emotions is closely related to complex neurocognitive processes and/or skills related to theory of mind (ToM). This study examines whether ToM skills mediate the relationship between higher neurocognitive functions, such as reasoning ability, and facial emotion recognition. METHODS: A total of 200 healthy subjects (101 males, 99 females) were recruited. Facial emotion recognition was measured through the use of 64 facial emotional stimuli that were selected from photographs from the Korean Facial Expressions of Emotion (KOFEE). Participants were requested to complete the Theory of Mind Picture Stories task and Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM). RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that the SPM score (t=3.19, p=0.002, ß=0.22) and the overall ToM score (t=2.56, p=0.011, ß=0.18) were primarily associated with a total hit rate (%) of the emotion recognition task. Hierarchical regression analysis through a three-step mediation model showed that ToM may partially mediate the relationship between SPM and performance on facial emotion recognition. CONCLUSION: These findings imply that higher neurocognitive functioning, inclusive of reasoning, may not only directly contribute towards facial emotion recognition but also influence ToM, which in turn, influences facial emotion recognition. These findings are particularly true for healthy young people.