Kangwon National University

About: Kangwon National University is a education organization based out in Chuncheon, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 9836 authors who have published 20002 publications receiving 393562 citations. The organization is also known as: KNU.

Radar Vegetation Index for Estimating the Vegetation Water Content of Rice and Soybean

Abstract: Vegetation water content (VWC) is an important biophysical parameter and has a significant role in the retrieval of soil moisture using microwave remote sensing. Here, the radar vegetation index (RVI) was evaluated for estimating VWC. Analysis utilized a data set obtained by a ground-based multifrequency polarimetric scatterometer system, with a single incidence angle of 40°, during an entire growth period of rice and soybean. Temporal variations of the backscattering coefficients for the L-, C-, and X-bands, RVI, VWC, leaf area index, and normalized difference vegetation index were analyzed. The L-band RVI was found to be correlated to the different vegetation indices. Prediction equations for the estimation of VWC from the RVI were developed. The results indicated that it was possible to estimate VWC with an accuracy of 0.21 kg·m-2 using L-band RVI observations. These results demonstrate that valuable new information can be extracted from current and future radar satellite systems on the vegetation condition of two globally important crop types. The results are directly applicable to systems such as the proposed NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite.

Body Distribution of Inhaled Fluorescent Magnetic Nanoparticles in the Mice

Abstract: Reducing the particle size of materials is an efficient and reliable tool for improving the bioavailability of a gene or drug delivery system. In fact, nanotechnology helps in overcoming the limitations of size and can change the outlook of the world regarding science. However, a potential harmful effect of nanomaterial on workers manufacturing nanoparticles is expected in the workplace and the lack of information regarding body distribution of inhaled nanoparticles may pose serious problem. In this study, we addressed this question by studying the body distribution of inhaled nanoparticles in mice using approximately 50-nm fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) as a model of nanoparticles through nose-only exposure chamber system developed by our group. Scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) analysis revealed that the mice were exposed to FMNPs with a total particle number of 4.89 x 10(5) +/- 2.37 x 10(4)/cm(3) (low concentration) and 9.34 x 10(5) +/- 5.11 x 10(4)/cm(3) (high concentration) for 4 wk (4 h/d, 5 d/wk). The body distribution of FMNPs was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) analysis. FMNPs were distributed in various organs, including the liver, testis, spleen, lung and brain. T2-weighted spin-echo MR images showed that FMNPs could penetrate the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Application of nanotechnologies should not produce adverse effects on human health and the environment. To predict and prevent the potential toxicity of nanomaterials, therefore, extensive studies should be performed under different routes of exposure with different sizes and shapes of nanomaterials.

The C-Fern (Ceratopteris richardii) genome: insights into plant genome evolution with the first partial homosporous fern genome assembly

Abstract: Ferns are notorious for possessing large genomes and numerous chromosomes. Despite decades of speculation, the processes underlying the expansive genomes of ferns are unclear, largely due to the absence of a sequenced homosporous fern genome. The lack of this crucial resource has not only hindered investigations of evolutionary processes responsible for the unusual genome characteristics of homosporous ferns, but also impeded synthesis of genome evolution across land plants. Here, we used the model fern species Ceratopteris richardii to address the processes (e.g., polyploidy, spread of repeat elements) by which the large genomes and high chromosome numbers typical of homosporous ferns may have evolved and have been maintained. We directly compared repeat compositions in species spanning the green plant tree of life and a diversity of genome sizes, as well as both short- and long-read-based assemblies of Ceratopteris. We found evidence consistent with a single ancient polyploidy event in the evolutionary history of Ceratopteris based on both genomic and cytogenetic data, and on repeat proportions similar to those found in large flowering plant genomes. This study provides a major stepping-stone in the understanding of land plant evolutionary genomics by providing the first homosporous fern reference genome, as well as insights into the processes underlying the formation of these massive genomes.

Effect of Substitution of Methyl Groups on the Luminescence Performance of Ir(III) Complexes: Preparation, Structures, Electrochemistry, Photophysical Properties and Their Applications in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)

Abstract: A series of dimethyl-substituted tris(pyridylphenyl)iridium(III) derivatives [(n-MePy−n′-MePh)3Ir] [n = 3, n′ = 4 (1); n = 4, n′ = 4 (2); n = 4, n′ = 5 (3); n = 5, n′ = 4 (4); n = 5, n′ = 5 (5)] have been synthesized and characterized to investigate the effect of the substitution of methyl groups on the solid-state structure and photo- and electroluminescence. The absorption, emission, cyclic voltammetry and electroluminescent performance of 1−5 have also been systematically evaluated. The structures of 2 and 4 have been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Under reflux (> 200 °C) in glycerol solution, fac-type complexes with a distorted octahedral geometry are predominantly formed as the major components in all cases. Electrochemical studies showed much smaller oxidation potentials relative to Ir(ppy)3 (Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine). All complexes exhibit intense green photoluminescence (PL), which has been attributed to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) triplet emission. The maximum emission wavelengths of thin films of 1, 3, 4 and 5 at room temperature are in the range 529−536 nm, while 2 displays a blue-shifted emission band (λmax = 512 nm) with a higher PL quantum efficiency (ΦPL = 0.52) than those of complexes 1 and 3−5; this is attributed to a decrease of the intermolecular interactions. Multilayered organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated by using three (2, 3 and 4) of these IrIII derivatives as dopant materials. The electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the devices, which have the maximum peaks at 509−522 nm, with shoulder peaks near 552 nm, are consistent with the PL spectra in solution at 298 K. The devices show operating voltages at 1 mA/cm2 of 4.9, 5.6, 5.1, and 4.6 V for Ir(ppy)3, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In particular, the device with 2 shows a higher external quantum efficiency (ηext = 11% at 1 mA/cm2) and brightness (4543 cd/m2 at 20 mA/cm2) than Ir(ppy)3 (ηext = 6.0% at 1 mA/cm2; 3156 cd/m2 at 20 mA/cm2) and other Ir(dmppy)3 derivatives, (dmppy = dimethyl-substituted ppy), under the same conditions. The methyl groups at the meta (Ph) and para (Py) positions to the Ir metal atom have a great influence on absorption, emission, redox potentials and electroluminescence. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)

ABA promotes quiescence of the quiescent centre and suppresses stem cell differentiation in the Arabidopsis primary root meristem

Abstract: It is well known that abscisic acid (ABA) can halt meristems for long periods without loss of meristem function, and can also promote root growth at low concentrations, but the mechanisms underlying such regulation are largely unknown. Here we show that ABA promotes stem cell maintenance in Arabidopsis root meristems by both promoting the quiescence of the quiescent centre (QC) and suppressing the differentiation of stem cells and their daughters. We demonstrate that these two mechanisms of regulation by ABA involve distinct pathways, and identify components in each pathway. Our findings demonstrate a cellular mechanism for a positive role for ABA in promoting root meristem maintenance and root growth in Arabidopsis.