Two different casting speeds of 60 and 80mm/min are adopted to determine the effect of casting speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si/Al hybrid material prepared by duo-casting. The obtained hybrid material has a uniform and straight macro-interface between the pure Al side and the Al-Mg-Si alloy side at both casting speeds. When the casting speed is increased to 80mm/min, the size of primary α phases in Al-Mg-Si alloy decreases, without change of shape. Although the Al-Mg-Si alloy produced at higher casting speed of 80mm/min shows much higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 0.2 % proof stress and lower elongation, along with higher bending strength compared to the case of the 60mm/min in casting speed, the tensile properties and bending strength of the hybrid material, which are similar to those of pure Al, are the same regardless of the increase of casting speed. Despite the different casting speeds, deformation and fracturing in hybrid materials are observed only on the pure Al side. This indicates that the macro-interface is well-bonded, allowing it to endure tensile and bending deformation in all hybrid materials.

New triple tungstate phosphors NaPbLa(WO4)3:Yb3+/Ho3+ (x = Yb3+/Ho3+ = 7, 8, 9, 10) are successfully fabricated by microwave assisted sol-gel synthesis and their structural and frequency upconversion (UC) characteristics are investigated. The compounds crystallized in the tetragonal space group I41/a and the NaPbLa(WO4)3 host have unit cell parameters a = 5.3927(1) and c = 11.7961(3) Å, V = 343.05(2) Å3, Z = 4. Under excitation at 980 nm, the phosphors have yellowish green emissions, which are derived from the intense 5S2/ 5F4 → 5I8 transitions of Ho3+ ions in the green spectral range and strong 5F5 → 5I8 transitions in the red spectral range. The optimal Yb3+:Ho3+ ratio is revealed to be x = 9, which is attributed to the quenching effect of Ho3+ ions, as indicated by the composition dependence. The UC characteristics are evaluated in detail under consideration of the pump power dependence and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity. The spectroscopic features of Raman spectra are discussed in terms of the superposition of Ho3+ luminescence and vibrational lines. The possibility of controlling the spectral distribution of UC luminescence by the chemical content of tungstate hosts is demonstrated.

This study aimed to examine the effect of a mild elevation in serum cholesterol level in a porcine coronary overstretch restenosis model using a balloon angioplasty catheter or drug-eluting coronary stent. Pigs were divided into two groups and were fed a commercial normal diet (CND, n = 4) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 4) for 5 weeks. Coronary overstretch injury by balloon angioplasty or stent implantation was induced in the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery after 1 week of feeding. Histopathological analysis was performed at 4 weeks after coronary injury. During the experiment, the total cholesterol level in the HFD group increased by approximately 44.9% (from 65.9 ± 3.21 mg/dL at baseline to 95.5 ± 9.94 mg/dL at 5 weeks). The lumen area in the CND group was reduced in comparison with that in the HFD group after balloon angioplasty. After stent implantation, the injury score showed no significant difference. There were significant differences in the neointimal area (2.7 ± 0.33 mm2 in the CND group vs. 3.3 ± 0.34 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), lumen area (2.6 ± 0.54 mm2 in the CND group vs. 2.0 ± 0.33 mm2 in the HFD group, p<0.05), and percent area stenosis (52.0 ± 7.96% in the CND group vs. 62.4 ± 5.15% in the HFD group, p<0.05). Body weight change was not different between the two groups. Increased serum cholesterol level activated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the porcine coronary overstretch model.

Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride), derived from French lilac (Galega officinalis), is a first-line anti-diabetic drug prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the role of metformin in odontoblastic cell differentiation is still unclear. This study therefore undertook to examine the effect of metformin on regulating odontoblast differentiation in MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells. As compared to controls, metformin significantly accelerated the mineralization, significantly increased and accelerated the expressions of ALP and Col I mRNAs, and significantly increased the accelerated expressions of DSPP and DMP-1 mRNAs, during differentiation of MDPC-23 cells. There was no alteration in cell proliferation of MDPC-23 cells, on exposure to metformin. These results suggest that the effect of metformin on MDPC-23 mouse odontoblastic cells derived from mouse dental papilla cells, facilitates the odontoblast differentiation and mineralization, without altering the cell proliferation.

Ho3+/Yb3+/Tm3+ tri-doped NaY1-x(WO4)2 phosphors with proper doping concentrations of Ho3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ (x = Ho3+ +Yb3+ +Tm3+, Ho3+ = 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01, Yb3+ = 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50 and Tm3+ = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04) were successfully synthesized via the microwave sol-gel route, and their upconversion properties were investigated. Well-crystallized microcrystalline particles showed fine and homogeneous microcrystalline morphology with particle sizes of 1-2 μm. The optical properties were comparatively examined using photoluminescence emission and Raman spectroscopy. Under excitation at 980 nm, the doped particles exhibited white emissions based on blue, green and red emission bands, which correspond to the 1G4→ 3H6 transitions of Tm3+ in the blue region, the 5S2/ 5F4→ 5I8 transitions of Ho3+ in the green region, the 5F5→ 5I8 transitions of Ho3+, and the 1G4→ 3F4 and 3H4→ 3H6 transitions of Tm3+ in the red region. The pump power dependence of the upconversion emission intensity and the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of the phosphors were evaluated in detail.

NaCaLa1-x(MoO4)3:Ho3+/Yb3+ ternary molybdates with proper doping concentrations of Ho3+ and Yb3+ (x = Ho3+ +Yb3+, Ho3+ = 0.05 and Yb3+ = 0.35, 0.40, 0.45 and 0.50) were successfully synthesized by microwave sol-gel method. Well-crystallized particles formed after heat-treatment at 900 oC for 16 h showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 3-5 μm. Under excitation at 980 nm, the UC intensities of the doped samples exhibited strong yellow emissions based on the combination of strong emission bands at 520-nm and 630-nm emission bands in the green and red spectral regions, respectively. The optimal Yb3+:Ho3+ ratios were obtained at 9:1 and 10:1, as indicated by the compositiondependent quenching effect of the Ho3+ ions. The pump power dependence of the upconversion emission intensity and the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates of the phosphors were evaluated in detail.

NaLa1-x(MoO4)2:Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphors with the correct doping concentrations of Ho3+ and Yb3+ (x = Ho3++Yb3+, Ho3+ = 0.05 and Yb3+ = 0.35, 0.40, 0.45 and 0.50) were successfully synthesized by the microwave-modified sol-gel method. Well-crystallized particles formed after heat-treatment at 900 oC for 16 h showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 3-5 μm. The optical properties were examined using photoluminescence emission and Raman spectroscopy. Under excitation at 980 nm, the UC intensities of the doped samples exhibited strong yellow emissions based on the combination of strong emission bands at 545-nm and 655-nm emission bands in green and red spectral regions, respectively. The strong 545-nm emission band in the green region corresponds to the 5S2/5F4→ 5I8 transition in Ho3+ ions, while the strong emission 655-nm band in the red region appears due to the 5F5→ 5I8 transition in Ho3+ ions. Pump power dependence and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity of the upconversion emission intensity were evaluated in detail.

Pb1-xMoO4:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors with various doping concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3+ (x = Er3++Yb3+, Er3+ = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and Yb3+ = 0.2, 0.45) are successfully synthesized using a microwave sol-gel method, and the up-conversion photoluminescence properties are investigated. Well-crystallized particles, which are formed after heat treatment at 900 oC for 16 h, exhibit a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 2-5 μm. Under excitation at 980 nm, the Pb0.7MoO4: Er0.1Yb0.2 and Pb0.5MoO4:Er0.05Yb0.45 particles exhibit a strong 525 nm emission band, a weak 550 nm emission band in the green region, and a very weak 655 nm emission band in the red region. The Raman spectra of the doped particles indicate the presence of strong peaks at higher and lower frequencies induced by the disordered structures of Pb1-xMoO4 through the incorporation of the Er3+ and Yb3+ ions into the crystal lattice, which results in the unit cell shrinkage accompanying the new phase formation of the MoO4-x group.

Nutritive value analysis of feed is very important for the growth of livestock, and ensures the efficiency of feeds as well as economic status. However, general laboratory analyses require considerable time and high cost. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a spectroscopic technique used to analyze the nutritive values of seeds. It is very effective and less costly than the conventional method. The sample used in this study was a corn kernel and the partial least square regression method was used for evaluating nutrient composition, digestibility, and energy value based on the calibration equation. The evaluation methods employed were the coefficient of determination (R2) and the root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP). The results showed the moisture content (R2val=0.97, RMSEP=0.109), crude protein content (R2val=0.94, RMSEP=0.212), neutral detergent fiber content (R2val=0.96, RMSEP=0.763), acid detergent fiber content (R2val=0.96, RMSEP=0.142), gross energy (R2val=0.82, RMSEP=23.249), in vitro dry matter digestibility (R2val=0.68, RMSEP=1.69), and metabolizable energy (approximately R2val >0.80). This study confirmed that the nutritive components of corn kernels can be predicted using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

NaLa1-x(MoO4)2:Eu3+/Yb3 phosphors with doping concentrations of Eu3+ and Yb3+ (x=Eu3++Yb3+, Eu3+=0.05, 0.1,0.2 and Yb3+=0.2, 0.45) were successfully synthesized by the microwave-modified sol-gel method, and the upconversion andspectroscopic properties were investigated. Well-crystallized particles showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particlesizes of 2-5µm. Under excitation at 980nm, NaLa0.5(MoO4)2:Eu0.05Yb0.45 particles exhibited a strong 525-nm emission bandand a weak 550-nm emission band in the green region, and a very weak 665-nm emission band in the red region. The strong525-nm emission in the green region corresponds to the 7F1→5D1 transition and the weak 550-nm emission in the green regioncorresponds to the 7F0→5D2 transition, while the very weak emission 665-nm band in the red region corresponds to the5D0→7F3 transition. The Raman spectra of the doped particles indicated the domination of strong peaks at higher frequenciesof 762, 890, 1358 and 1430cm−1 and weak peaks at lower frequencies of 323, 388 and 450cm−1 induced by the disorder ofthe [MoO4]2− groups with the incorporation of the Eu3+ and Yb3+ elements into the crystal lattice or by a new phase formation.

선충절대기생세균(Pasteuria penetrans)이 감염되어 있는 온실토양을 이용하여 세균의 내생포자가 땅콩뿌리혹선충(Meloidogyne arenaria) 유충 표면에 부착하는데 대한 온도의 영향에 대해 시험하였다. 갓 부화된 뿌리혹선충 2령충(J2)을 페트리디쉬 내의 토양에 접종한 후 20℃, 25℃, 30℃, 35℃에서 7일간 처리하였다. 모든 온도에서 내생포자의 J2 부착률은 모두 100%로 나타났으나 J2당 내생포자 부착수는 25℃에서 28.3개로 가장 많았으며 30℃, 20℃ 및 35℃에서 각각 J2 당 20.2, 18.6 및 13.6개로 낮아졌다. J2를 접종하기 전에 세균이 있는 토양을 온도 별로 10일간 전처리하였을 때 내생포자 부착률은 실온에서의 60%에 비해 -30℃, 4℃, 40℃, 50℃ 및 100℃에서 각각 25.0, 31.7, 8.3, 5.0 및 0%로 현저하게 낮아졌다. J2 당 내생포자 부착수도 실온에서의 5.3개에 비해 -30℃, 4℃, 40℃, 50℃ 및 100℃에서 각각 3.5, 4.3, 1, 1, 0개로 적었다. P. penetrans 세균의 내생포자를 뿌리혹선충 종별로 J2에 부착 시험한 결과 땅콩뿌리혹선충에서는 100%였으나 당근뿌리혹선충(M. hapla)과 고구마뿌리혹선충(M. incognita)에서는 모두 0%로 본 균주는 뿌리혹선충 종에 대해 기주선호성을 가진 것으로 나타났다.

Korea is not considered to be one of the safe zones for earthquakes any more. According to the records of the historical records and recent earthquake events in Korea, the possibillty of disastrous seismic hazards cannot be ignored, Korea Earthquake Engineering Research Center (KEERC) and Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea(EESK) have been established by that consensus. In this paper, historical earthquake records and seismicity in Korea are reviewed. And the research activities and the research system for the earthquake hazards mitigation of KEERC are introduced and the efforts of ESSK to renovate seismic design code system and to optimize the protection levels against earthquake disasters is explained.