The objective of this study is the removal of chromium from tannery wastewater by electrosorption on carbon prepared from lignocellulosic natural residue "peach stones' thermally treated. The followed steps for obtaining coal in chronological order were: cleaning, drying, crushing and finally its carbonization at 900°C. The characterization of the carbon material resulted in properties comparable to those of many coals industrially manufactured. The study of the dynamic adsorption of chromium on the obtained material resulted in a low removal rate (33.7%) without applied potential. The application of negative potentials of -0.7 V and -1.4 increases the adsorption of chromium up to 90% and 96% respectively. Whereas a positive potential of +1.4V allows desorption of the contaminant of 138%.

A black nickel oxide powder, one of the commercial nickel oxide ores, was reduced by hydrogen gas in a batchtype fluidized-bed reactor in a temperature range of 350 to 500 oC and in a residence time range of 5 to 120 min. The hydrogen reduction behavior of the black nickel oxide was found to be somewhat different from that of green nickel oxide ore. For the black nickel oxide, the maximum temperature (below which nickel oxide particles can be reduced without any agglomeration) was significantly lower than that observed for the green nickel oxide. In addition, the best curve fittings of the Avrami model were obtained at higher values of the overall rate constant “k” and at lower values of the exponent “m”, compared to those values for the green nickel oxide. It may be inferred from these results that the hydrogen reduction rate of the black nickel oxide is faster than that of the green nickel oxide in the early stages, but the situation reverses in the later stages. For the black nickel oxide ore, in spite of the low temperature sintering, it was possible to achieve a high degree fluidized-bed reduction at lower temperatures and at lower gas consumption rates than was possible for the green nickel oxide. In this regard, the use of black nickel oxide is expected to yield a benefit if its ore price is sufficiently lower than that of the green nickel oxide.

Isotropic pitch-based fibers produced from coal tar pitch with the melt-blowing method were carbonized at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1600oC to investigate their crystalline structure and physical properties as a function of the carbonization temperature. The in-plane crystallite size (La) of the carbonized pitch fiber from X-ray diffraction increased monotonously by increasing the carbonization temperature resulting in a gradual increase in the electrical conductivity from 169 to 3800 S/cm. However, the variation in the d002 spacing and stacking height of the crystallite (Lc) showed that the structural order perpendicular to the graphene planes got worse in carbonization temperatures from 800 to 1200oC probably due to randomization through the process of gas evolution; however, structural ordering eventually occurred at around 1400oC. For the carbonized pitch powder without stabilization, structural ordering perpendicular to the graphene planes occurred at around 800–900oC indicating that oxygen was inserted during the stabilization process. Additionally, the shear stress that occurred during the melt-blowing process might interfere with the crystallization of the CPF.

The release profiles of nisin from nisin-incorporating gel foods and the antimicrobial activities of the gels on the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta in an aqueous system containing the gels have been investigated. A linear regression model was applied to determine the diffusion coefficient (D) for the diffusion of nisin in the gel. The antimicrobial activities of nisin released from 1, 2 and 3% (w/v) agar gels on the growth of B. thermosphacta in a broth medium with and without nisin were investigated. The D decreased from 1.2×10 -2 to 8.2×10 -3 and 6.4×10 -3 cm 2 /s as the agar concentration in the gel increased from 1 to 2 and 3% (w/v), demonstrating the diffusion rate in the gels can be controlled by the agar concentration in gel. The agar gel incorporating nisin inhibited the B. thermosphacta growth in the broth medium by prolonging the lag phase. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the addition of nisin in the medium. The results of this study exhibited that the gel food is a feasible nisin delivery system with a controlled release achieved by the adjustment of agar concentration in the system, demonstrating the potential of nisin-incorporating gel for preserving particulate-containing drinks.

Binary Ti-Al alloys containing 50 to 60 atomic percent aluminum are rapidly solidified by hammer anvil method under an argon atmosphere. Constituent phases in each alloy are identified by X-ray diffractometry and microstructures of the alloys are investigated using a transmission electron microscope. In alloys with aluminum content between 50 and 54 percent, a second phase exists besides TiAl(γ); this second phase is identified as Ti3Al(α2). The α2 phase is observed in two types of morphology. One is as fine lamellar alternating with γ and the other is as a particle. It is concluded that the existence of a metastable phase with the morphologies stated above should arise from a higher quenching rate attained by the hammer anvil method as compared to the conventional roll or splat-quench method. Implications of the above observation are discussed with respect to the phase relations in the Ti-Al binary system; these implications are still controversial in many respects.

In this study, we used activated carbon(AC) as a carbon source, along with zeolite, to prepare spherical carbons using sucrose, starch and phenolic resin(PR) as binder material. The physicochemical characteristics of the three samples(AZ4P, AZ6P and AZ8P) were examined by BET, XRD, SEM, EDX, H2S/NH3 gas adsorption, compressive strength and ignition test techniques. Through comparative analysis of the compressive strength and ignition test results the AZ8P sample was found to have the best hardness and the highest temperature resistance capacity. After activation, the AZ8P sample had the best H2S adsorption capacity, and AZ6P was the most suitable for the adsorption of ammonia.

In the Korean fashion industry, 3D printing systems are considered as new technology and a new opportunity. With 3D printers, consumers can be manufacturers and individuals can develop businesses with little upfront capital. In this study, a dress form for the typical Korean women’s body shape was developed using 3D technology (3D scanning, 3D modeling, and 3D printing). Ten women with apparel sizes 85-91-160 were selected from 3D body-scan data collected by SizeKorea of 201 women aged 25 to 34 (2010). First, 15 horizontal cross-sections were collected from the 3D scan data of the 10 subjects. Then, inside lines of those cross-sections were drawn at 15-degree intervals, and the lengths were measured. The average of the inside lines was connected to the internal spline curve, and the curves were used as the average cross-sections. The average torso body and the dress form of Korean women were developed into a 3D solid model using a 3D CAD program (Solidworks 2012). An output mockup was printed by the FDM type’s 3D printing system (Bonbot 1200, Bonbot 3-H4) using PLA material. The dimensions comparing the 3D solid modeling to the 3D printed mockup of the dress form were measured, and minor differences were between 0.00cm and 0.40cm. In the future, 3D printing systems are expected to be in use for various personalized dress forms.

Grain morphology, phase stability and mechanical properties in binary Ti-Al alloys containing 43-52 mo1% Al have been investigated. Isothermal forging was used to control the grain sizes of these alloys in the range of 5 to 350 μm. Grain morphology and volume fraction of α2 phase were observed by optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. Compressive properties were evaluated at room temperature, 1070 K, and 1270 K in an argon atmosphere. Work hardening is significant at room temperature, but it hardly took place at 1070 K and 1270 K because of dynamical recrystallization. The grain morphologies were determined as functions of aluminum content and processing conditions. The transus curve of α and α+γ shifted more to the aluminum-rich side than was the case in McCullough’s phase diagram. Flow stress at room temperature depends strongly on the volume fraction of the α2 phase and the grain size, whereas flow stress at 1070 K is insensitive to the alloy composition or the grain size, and flow stress at 1270 K depends mainly on the grain size. The α2 phase in the alloys does not increase the proof stress at high temperatures. These observations indicate that improvement of both the proof stress at high temperature and the room temperature ductility should be achieved to obtain slightly Ti-rich TiAl base alloys.

Electrical wire explosion in liquid media is a promising method for producing metallic nanopowders. It is possible to obtain high-purity metallic nanoparticles and uniform-sized nanopowder with excellent dispersion stability using this electrical wire explosion method. In this study, Ni-Fe alloy nanopowders with core-shell structures are fabricated via the electrical explosion of Ni-Fe alloy wires 0.1 mm in diameter and 20 mm in length in de-ionized water. The size and shape of the powders are investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and laser particle size analysis. Phase analysis and grain size determination are conducted by X-ray diffraction. The result indicate that a core-shell structured Ni-Fe nanopowder is synthesized with an average particle size of approximately 28 nm, and nanosized Ni core particles are encapsulated by an Fe nanolayer.

본 연구는 수박 접목묘의 활착에 미치는 상대습도의 영향을 알아보고자 수행하였다. 2품종(‘스피드’, ‘삼복꿀’)의 수박(Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.)을 ‘RS-동장군’ 박 대목(Lagenaria siceraria Stanld.)에 접목하고, 접목묘는 주간 25oC/야간 18oC, 광주기는 1일 16시간 기준으로 몰리어다이어그램을 따라 3수준의 상대습도, 95-96%[1.1-0.8(주간) 또는 0.8-0.6(야간) g·m-3수분부족분(VPD)], 97-98%[0.7-0.4(주간) 또는 0.5-0.3(야간) g·m-3 VPD], 또는 99-100%[0.3-0.0(주간) 또는 0.2-0.0(야간) g·m-3 VPD]로 유지하였다. 상대습도 처리 중 97-98% 처리는 대목과 ‘스피드’ 접수의 생체중과 초장을 가장 크게 증가시키며 접목 2일 후에 접합부의 연결을 향상시켰다. 그러나 ‘삼복꿀’의 경우 상대습도 99-100% 처리에서 경경과 초장이 증가하였다. 또한 상대습도 95-96%와 97-98% 처리에서 재배한 2 품종 모두 과산화수소가 덜 발생하고 산화적 스트레스의 지표인 항산화 효소의 활성이 덜 나타났다. 따라서 이 연구의 결과는 수박묘의 접목활착에 가장 적절한 상대습도는 97-98%였다.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL1B), IL6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), are known to play important roles in regulating the endometrial function in the uterus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in several species. However, the expression and function of these cytokines and their receptors in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle have not been studied in pigs. Thus, this study determined the expression and regulation of IL1B, IL6, TNF and their respective receptors, IL1R1, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B during the estrous cycle in pigs. To analyze levels of each gene expression in the uterine endometrium we obtained from endometrial tissues on Days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 of the estrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that levels of IL1B, IL1RAP, IL6R, GP130, TNF, TNFRSF1A, and TNFRSF1B mRNAs were highest on Day 15 or 18 of the estrous cycle, which corresponds to the proestrus period. Levels of IL1R1 were highest on Day 0, while levels of IL6 were biphasic with high levels on Day 6 and Day 15. The abundance of IL1B, IL6, IL6R, and TNF mRNAs was decreased by progesterone, while levels of GP130 were increased by progesterone in endometrial tissue explants. These results showed that expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors changed stage-specifically during the estrous cycle and regulated by progesterone in the uterine endometrium in pigs, suggesting that these pro-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the regulation endometrial function during the estrous cycle in pigs.

CD26, also known as Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4), is a cell surface glycoprotein that belongs to the serine protease family and has wide spread organ distribution throughout the body. CD26 was previously characterized in immune cells but also has important metabolic functions which are not yet fully understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of CD26 in porcine parthenogenetic embryos. We attempted CD26 downregulation of porcine embryos by siRNA, and evaluated CD26 suppression of developmental competencies. Although the porcine embryos injected with CD26 siRNA were able to develop to the early stage, these embryos were decreased to form blastocysts. Our results indicated that CD26 is one of factors for the regulation of development of porcine embryos.

We present the results of BV time-series photometry of the globular cluster NGC 288. Ob- servations were carried out to search for variable stars using the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) 1.6-m telescopes and a 4k pre-science CCD camera during a test observation from August to December, 2014. We found a new SX Phe star and confirmed twelve previously known variable stars in NGC 288. For the semi-regular variable star V1, we newly determined a period of 37.3 days from light curves spanning 137 days. The light-curve solution of the eclipsing binary V10 indicates that the system is probably a detached system. The pulsation properties of nine SX Phe stars were examined by applying multiple frequency analysis to their light curves. We derived a new Period-Luminosity (P-L) relation, hMV i = −2.476(±0.300) logP − 0.354(±0.385), from six SX Phe stars showing the fundamental mode. Additionally, the period ratios of three SX Phe stars that probably have a double-radial mode were investigated; PFO/PF = 0.779 for V5, PTO/PFO = 0.685 for V9, PSO/PFO = 0.811 for V11. This paper is the first contribution in a series assessing the detections and properties of variable stars in six southern globular clusters with the KMTNet system.

This study was undertaken to achieve a high bleaching efficacy with plasma, through longer application and reparative bleaching processes, by different shade evaluation methods. Extracted human teeth were divided into 6 groups (n=10). All teeth were treated in pairs. Low concentration of 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) was applied, with and without plasma, for 10, 20, and 30-min tooth bleaching, respectively. The bleaching procedure was repeated once daily for four days. The teeth were maintained in a moist environment provided by artificial saliva. The Vitapan Classical shade guide and Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIELAB) color system were collectively used to measure the bleaching efficacy. Color evaluation was statistically analyzed using Student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by Tukey’s test. Combining the plasma with 15% CP showed significantly greater color changes compared to bleaching without plasma (p<0.05). A high bleaching efficacy with plasma is proportional to the repetitive application and the treatment time. A 30-min application with plasma provided the best bleaching. Repetitive bleaching showed lower probability of color relapse of the bleached tooth. The color change by shade guide correlated with the changes in CIELAB color system. A value of 1 color change units (CCU) conversion factor for overall color change (ΔE) values comparisons was 3.724 values. The two measuring methods provide a more accurate correspondence of color change. The repetitive and longer application for tooth bleaching, combined with plasma, has a strong bleaching effect and produces whiter teeth.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are primary candidates for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications. A two-dimensional (2D) culture system is typically used for cell growth, but that method affects the characteristics of stem cells. The physiological cell environment connects cells not only to each other, but also to the extracellular matrix providing mechanical support, exposing the entire cell surface, and opening signaling pathways. The hanging drop method is the most widely used 3D culture method for spheroid formation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between spheroid size and changes in gene expression to determine the optimum spheroid size for use in tissue engineering. The expression levels of stemness factors such as NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2, angiogenic factors such as VEGF and IL-8, and osteogenic factors such as COX2 and TGF-β1 increased with spheroid size in the respective spheroid formation groups unlike the responses in their monolayer groups. Therefore, our results indicate that spheroid formation through the hanging drop method can increase the efficiency of MSCs-based tissue engineering over that obtained via traditional 2D cell culture systems.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been researched for use in biomedical applications, particularly for cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine due to their self-renewing capacity and ability to differentiate into multiple cell types such as adipose, bone, and tendon tissues. Cryopreservation of MSCs is a common preservation method that is advantageous for cellular therapies in human and veterinary medicine. Adipose tissue-derived cells have been shown to maintain their properties after cryopreservation. In this study, we investigated the morphology, proliferation (cumulative population doubling level and doubling time), cell surface markers (CD34, CD90, and CD105), and ability to differentiate into adipose, bone, and cartilage tissues in vitro of equine adipose tissue-derived MSCs (eAD-MSCs) and miniature pig adipose tissue-derived MSCs (mpAD-MSCs) with and without long-term cryopreservation. The eAD-MSCs and mpAD-MSCs were analyzed immediately and after being frozen in liquid nitrogen for 3 years and 2 years, respectively. Cryopreserved eAD-MSCs maintained their morphology, proliferation rate, and cell surface markers compared with fresh cells. With the exception of proliferation rate, cryopreserved mpAD-MSCs also maintained their fresh cell characteristics. The proliferation rate of cryopreserved mpAD-MSCs was higher than that for fresh cells. Cryopreservation did not change the adipogenic, chondrogenic, or osteogenic differentiation potentials of eAD-MSCs and mpAD-MSCs. In summary, long-term cryopreservation maintains the cell phenotype and differentiation ability of eAD-MSCs and mpAD-MSCs. These results might be useful when developing veterinary medicine and clinical applications.

Earthworms, especially Eisenia andrei, are cultivated for a variety of purposes including waste disposal and compost production. In this study, bacteria from earthworm gut were cultured and the dominant species identified. Subsequently, we isolated bacteriophages able to lyse the isolated gut bacteria. Two dominant genera of gut bacteria, Aeromonas sp. and Citrobacter sp. were identified by using MALDI-TOF MS analysis and a library was constructed to find lytic phages. Phage EF1 showed lytic activity for C. freundii and two Citrobacter isolates, C. braakii and C. murliniae. These 3 species have similar sensitivities to EF1. Several aspects of the life cycle of EF1 were investigated by using C. freundii under optimal growth conditions. EF1 infects C. freundii with a moderate latent period, approximately 25 min, and a large burst size averaging 5 × 109 per infected cell. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of EF1 was well maintained under diverse conditions including a broad temperature range of 40°C to 50°C and a wide pH range of 4 to 11. In conclusion, the results indicate that earthworm casting contain a wide range of bacteria species, for which there are various corresponding bacteriophages.

Prion diseases are a class of transmissible fatal disorders. In order to identify alterations associated with the pathogenesis of prion diseases, several studies have been conducted involving differential gene expression analysis using cDNA libraries, mRNA differential displays, and gene microarrays. These genomic approaches may be useful for identifying genes that are differentially expressed in prion diseases and that may participate directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of normal and CWD-infected TgElk mice using the GeneFishing differentially expressed gene (DEG) screening system and real-time PCR analysis. DEGs were screened using the ACP-based PCR method with GeneFishing synthesis. In order to validate candidate genes, we used quantitative PCR (qPCR), and eleven DEGs were identified. Five of these eleven DEGs were upregulated and two were downregulated in the CWD mice. The DEGs newly identified in this study may be useful for diagnosing and studying the pathogenesis of prion diseases.

Previous research developed lists of the most frequently used phrasal verbs in native English corpora. This study aims to discover how these high frequency phrasal verbs were presented in high school English textbooks in Korea. A high school English textbook corpus comprising 189,203 words taken from the listening scripts and reading passages of eight different textbook series was developed for the study. A corpus-based analysis of phrasal verbs revealed that each textbook series covered only 30% of most commonly used phrasal verbs in native corpora. In addition, the phrasal verbs used in the different textbook series rarely overlapped, suggesting a lack of systematic selection process. Among the recursive phrasal verbs appearing in the textbook series, high frequency phrasal verbs were more likely to be recursive and evenly distributed. A comparative analysis conducted with a referential corpus revealed that the textbooks employed fewer phrasal verbs than their comparative counterparts. In terms of meaning, 91% of high frequency phrasal verbs in the textbooks delivered their most frequent meanings while the rest 9% did not. The results of this study support the necessity of pedagogical guidelines for phrasal verbs.