In this study, graphite composites were fabricated by warm press molding method to realize commercialization of PEM fuel cells. Graphite composites have been considered as alternative economic materials for bipolar plate of PEM fuel cells. Graphite powder that enables to provide electrical conductivity was selected as the main substance. The graphite powder was mixed with phenolic resin and the mixture was pressed using a warm press method. First of all, the graphite powder was pulverized with a ball mill for the dense packing of composite. As the ball milling time increases, the average size of particles decreases and the size distribution becomes narrow. This allows for improvement of the uniformity of graphite composite. However, the surface electrical resistivity of graphite composite increases as the ball milling time increases. It is due to that graphite particles with amorphous phase are generated on the surface due to the friction and collision of particles during pulverizing. We found that the contact electrical resistivity of graphite particles increases as the particle size decreases. The contact electrical resistivity of graphite powders was reduced due to high molding pressure by warm press molding. This leads to improvement of the mechanical properties of graphite composite. Hydrogen gas impermeability was measured with the graphite composite, showing a possibility of the application for bipolar plate in fuel cell. And, I-V curves of the graphite composite bipolar plate exhibit a similar performance to the graphite bipolar plate.

In the present study, electrospun PAN precursor webs and the stabilized and carbonized nanofiber webs processed under different heat-treatment conditions were characterized by means of weight loss measurement, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimentric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The result indicated that stabilization and carbonization processes with different temperatures and heating rates significantly influenced the chemical and morphological characteristics as well as the thermal properties of the stabilized and then subsequently carbonized nanofiber webs from PAN precursor webs. It was noted that the filament diameter and the carbon content of a carbonized nanofiber web as well as its weight change may be effectively monitored by controlling both stabilization and carbonization processes.

Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE)와 poly(styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) (PSSA-co-PMA)을 고분자 블렌딩 방법으로 50 : 50의 무게비율로써 수소이온 전도성 가교형 전해질막을 제조하였다. PSSA와 PMA이 3 : 1과 1 : 1의 몰 구성비로 되이 있는 두 가지 종류의 PSSA-co-PMA 고분자를 수소이온 전도성 고분자로 사용하였으며, PVA-co-PE 고분자는 에틸렌의 함량이 0, 27 그리고 44 mol%인 고분자를 사용하였다. 전해질 막은 PVA의 히드록실 그룹과 PMA의 카르복시릭 그룹 사이의 에스테르화 반응을 통한 열가교를 통해 제조하였고, FT-IR을 통하여 이를 확인하였다. PSSA-co-PMA의 몰비율이 3 : 1로 구성되어 제조된 전해질막은 몰비율 1 : 1로 구성되어 제조된 막보다 더 낮은 이온교환용량과 더 높은 함수율, 수소이온 전도도를 나타내었다. 또한, 전해질막에서 PE의 함량이 증가할수록 이온교환용량, 함수율, 수소이온 전도도가 계속해서 감소하는 경향성을 보였다. 전해질막의 이러한 물성들은 술폰산기의 함량과 친수성, 막의 가교구조 사이의 경쟁적인 효과로써 설명하였다.

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo and have the capacity to differentiate into various types of cells in the body. Hence, these cells may potentially be an indefinite source of cells for cell therapy in various degenerative diseases including neuronal disorders. For clinical applications of human ES cells, directed differentiation of these cells would be necessary. The objective of this study is to develop the culture condition for the expansion of neural precursor cells derived from human ES cells. Human ES cells were able to differentiate into neural precursor cells upon a stepwise culture condition. Neural precursor cells were propagated up to 5000-fold in cell numbers over 12-week period of culture and evaluated for their characteristics. Expressions of sox1 and pax6 transcripts were dramatically up-regulated along the differentiation stages by RT-PCR analysis. In contrast, expressions of oct4 and nanog transcripts were completely disappeared in neural precursor cells. Expressions of nestin, pax6 and sox1 were also confirmed in neural precursor cells by immunocytochemical analysis. Upon differentiation, the expanded neural precursor cells differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. In immunocytochemical analysis, expressions of type III β-tubulin and MAP2ab were observed. Presence of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were also confirmed by expressions of GFAP and O4, respectively. Results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of long-term expansion of human ES cell-derived neural precursor cells in vitro, which can be a potential source of the cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of administration of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on semen collection training and semen characteristics in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars were moved individually to a semen collection pen and were trained to mount dummy sow. During the first and second semen collection secessions, 4 out of 17 boars and 4 out of remaining 13 boars allowed collection of semen. The 9 boars that failed semen collection from first 2 attempts received immediately 15 mg of PGF2α i.m. (intramuscular injection) upon entering the collection pen for semen collection resulted in successful semen collection from all 9 boars. Total numbers of spermatozoa were higher in PGF2α treated boars but there was no significant difference in % motility kinematics characteristics between control and PGF2α treated groups during 72 hr period. Overall, administration of PGF2α in sexually inexperienced boars increased the sex drive and facilitated the mounting activity to the dummy sow for semen collection.

This study was conducted to examine the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related and imprinted genes and methylation pattern of the differentially methylated region (DMR) of H19 gene in day 35 of SCNT pig fetuses. The day 35 of natural mating (control) or cloned (clone) pig fetuses were recovered from uterus. Endometrium from dam and liver from fetus were obtained, respectively. mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR and methylation pattern was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing method. The Bcl-2 mRNA expression in clone was significantly lower than that of control (p<0.05). The mRNA expression of H19 gene in both endometrium and liver was significantly higher in clone than that of control, respectively (p<0.05). The level of IGF-2 mRNA in liver of clone was significantly lower than that of control (p<0.05), whereas the mRNA expression of IGF2-R gene in liver of clone was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.05). The DMR of H19 was lower methylation pattern in clone than that of control. These results suggest that the aberrant mRNA expression of apoptosis-related and imprinted genes and the lower DMR methylation pattern of imprinted gene may be closely related to the inadequate fetal development of cloned fetus.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are known to have an infinite proliferation and pluripotency that are associated with complex processes. The objective of this study was to examine expression of genes differentially regulated during differentiation of human ES cells by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Human ES cells were induced to differentiate into neural precursor cells via embryoid body. Neural precursor cells were isolated physically based on morphological criteria. Immunocytochemical analysis showed expression of pax6 in neural precursor cells, confirming that the isolated cells were neural precursor cells. Undifferentiated human ES cells and neural precursor cells were subject to the SSH. TPX2 (Targeting Protein for Xklp2 (Xenopus centrosomal kinesin-like protein 2)) was identified, cloned and analyzed during differentiation of human ES cells into neural lineages. Expression of TPX2 was gradually down-regulated in embryoid bodies and neural precursor cells relative to undifferentiated ES cells. Targeting Protein for Xklp2 has been shown to be involved in cell division by interaction with microtubule development in cancer cells. Taken together, result of this study suggests that TPX2 may be involved in proliferation and differentiation of human ES cells.

The objective of this study was to prepare bioactive ginseng yogurts containing compound K, which is transformed from ginsenosides, and to investigate the compound’s cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Milk containng ginseng was fermented by Bifidobacteria KK-l and KK-2, and their activities for transforming ginsenosides to compound K were measured. Among the tested concentrations of ginseng in the milk, compound K was effectively produced in the 3% and 6% ginseng yogurts fermented for 48 hrs. These fermented ginseng yogurts were extracted with BuOH, and their cytotoxicities against tumor cells were examined. The BuOH extract of the yogurt made from the 3% ginseng milk showed cytotooxic activity against P388 and HeLa tumor cells. However, the nonfermented ginseng milk did not exhibit cytotoxicity against these cells. Therefore, we deem that the ginseng yogurt, which contained compound K, could be developed as a potential fermented drink product.

This case study examined 10 Korean English teachers who were involved in small group work (SGW) for the purpose of improving their own English language proficiency. Their beliefs about and practices of SGW were closely observed as they actually went through a SGW. A total of 10 teachers (three groups) teaching at elementary or middle schools participated in the SGWs for one year. In the SGWs they were supposed to meet once a week in groups, give a presentation in English on a selected topic, and discuss the topics presented. Throughout the research period, they were interviewed and surveyed periodically. The result of the study showed that teachers generally had positive beliefs about SGWs and were very willing to go on with it in the same way they used to or in a little modified way. Especially, the teachers revealed strong conviction that the most powerful aspect of SGW was that it kept them motivated to continue learning, which has rarely been the case when they tried to study individually.

The bi-materials with Al-Mg alloy and its composites reinforced with SiC and particles were prepared by conventional powder metallurgy method. The A1-5 wt%Mg and composite mixtures were compacted under , and then the mixtures compacted under 400 MPa were sintered at for 5h. The obtained bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiCp composite showed the higher relative density than those with composite after compaction and sintering. Based on the results, the bi-materials compacted under 400 MPa and sintered at 873K for 5h were used for mechanical tests. In the composite side of bi-materials, the SiC particles were densely distributed compared to the particles. The bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiC composite showed the higher micro-hardness than those with composite. The mechanical properties were evaluated by the compressive test. The bi-materials revealed almost the same value of 0.2% proof stress with Al-Mg alloy. Their compressive strength was lower than that of Al-Mg alloy. Moreover, impact absorbed energy of bi-materials was smaller than that of composite. However, the bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiCp composite particularly showed almost similar impact absorbed energy to composite. From the observation of microstructure, it was deduced that the bi-materials was preferentially fractured through micro-interface between matrix and composite in the vicinity of macro-interface.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of serratus anterior strengthening exercises on scapular position and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain measurements taken at the resting position in young adults with adducted scapular. The exercise program included stretching of the scapular retractor and strengthening of the serratus anterior muscle. We measured the distance from the midline of the thorax to the vertebral border of the scapular with a tape line (Superior Kibler), and the distance from the 7th cervical spinous process to the acromial angle with 3-dimension motion analysis system, to compare the resting scapular position before and after exercise. Fifteen subjects with adducted scapular were recruited to compare the resting scapular position and VAS. The distance from 7th cervical spine process to acromial angle of the scapular and VAS decreased significantly (p<.01) after exercise, while the distance from the midline of the thorax to vertebral border of the scapular increased (p<.05). The conclusion is that the serratus anterior exercise program altered the resting scapular position and decreased VAS.

To improve abdominal muscles strengthening, double straight leg lowering (DSLL) has been widely used in physical therapy, fitness program, and athletic program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the lumbar stabilization maneuver with a pressure biofeedback unit on the muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during DSLL. Fourteen healthy young men were recruited from university population. The electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the RA, EO, and IO of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a paired t-test. The study showed that EMG activity in the RA, EO, and IO was significantly higher during DSLL with lumbar stabilization (DSLL-LS) compared to performed DSLL (p<.05). These results suggest that DSLL-LS is recommended as an effective method for strengthening exercise for the abdominal muscles.

PDT is an established cancer treatment modality, This can be attri buted to the attractive basic concept of PDT; the combination 0 1' two therapeutic agents , a photosensiti zing drug and light, which are relatively harmless by themselves but combined ultimately cause more 0 1' less selective tumor destruction, The bacteri ochlorophyll - derivatived photosensitizer s are known to be s tabl e and highly effïcient, ln thí s study, we conducted a seríes of experiments to develope the light induced anticancer drugs against oral cancer cell , We tested the cytotoxi city of the hydroxybacteriochlorine by MTT assay and observed the cell death pattern(apoptosis or necrosis) after PDT by hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide s taining methods, lC50 value of the hydroxybac teriochlorine was 3 1 ， 3 ng/ n띠， At higher doses of hydroxybacteriochlori ne () 60ng/ rnQ) , cancer cells died exclus ively by necrosis after PDT By contrast, at lC50 value, hydroxybacteri ochlorine induced cancer cell to undergo apop totic c e ll death, The induct ion begins approximately 6 hours a fter PDT, We inves tigates intrace l1 ular localization of hydroxybacte riochlorine by oral cancel‘ cell via confocal laser scanning mi croscopy, Oral cancer cells dua l-stained with hydrox ybacteriochlo1' ine and organelle-specific flu orescence probes (Mi totracker , Lysotracke1', ER- Tracker) revealed an intracellular f1 uores c ence dis tribution restricted to cyt oplasmic compartments with no det ectable fluorescence in the nucleus, Confocal im ages of cells containing hydroxybacte1'iochl orine were never overla p to mitochondria, lysosome . endoplasmic reticulum when digita lly overla pped with tqe organel1e-specific f1 uorescence p1'obe images o{' the same cells These results demons trated tha t the hydroxybacte1' iochlorine may have a fun ction as a photosensitizer and cytotoxicity hydroxy bacteriochlo1'ine for o1'al cancer cell is more sensitive than head & neck cancer cell 0 1' ce1'vical cancer cell Therefore PDT using hydroxybacte1'iochl orine is suita ble treatment for oral cavity carcinoma patients

Cancer cure and survival rate related directly to the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. New techniques fOl ea rly screen system and diagnosis of normal and cancer a re required. Here, we investigate optical properties-based optical s igna tures of normal and cancer tissues that are different chemica lly and physically. At least 7 cases of each tissue type‘ including epidermis. dermis . subcutaneous fat. keratin pearl ‘ muscle, bone. skin. normal and cance r. were measured. As a result. difference in absorption, transmi ssion and reflectance of normal and cancer in oral tissue have the potential to pro vide for cancer screening. In particular. measuring transrnission in 400 nm to 800 nm (inclusive of 450 nmfor NADH. 540 nm 1'0 1' collagen) ‘ t his group noted a difference in auto-fluorescence spectra between normal and cancer specimens . We also noted that normal specimens are cha racterized by a slightly higher reflectance than cancer specimens in the 400 to 800nm And a bsorpt ion of normal is lower than cancer specimens. The diffe rences in transmission. refl ectance and absorpti on between normal and cancer s pecimens were statistically analyzed using student t-test. [n t his study. absor ption. t ransmi ssion and reflectance have been suggested as optimal for best discrirnination between normal and oral cancer specimen. We suggest that a optical integrating sphere is a useful tool for cancer sc reening. The results suggests the potentia l of an effec tive diagnosis system and accurate normal and cancerous tissue's optical coeffi cient

For many years, experience has been accumulated on embryo and gamete manipulation in mammals, The present work is an introduction of these techniques and their possible application in human embryology in s pecific cases, Mammalian c1on ing has been studied by many groups, but the success rate is sti ll low‘ Removal of maternal chromosomes from unfertil ized oocytes and injection of donor cells into enucleated oocytes are the most important factors for the improvement of cloning effi cien cy, Here, we introduce a novel one-step rnicromanipulation (OSM) system and laser-assisted zona pellucida piel'cing technique (LAZP) , 1n genera l, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is completed by many processes including enucleation and donor cell fusion , Howevel', OSM is a simple method because donor cell is directly injected into ooplasm without fusion pl'ocess, 1n addition, chromosomal enucleation and donor cell inj ec tion are perfOl‘med simultaneously in OSM, While OSM was a pplied to porcine SCNT, LAZP was a pplied to murine SCNT, This rninirni zed the use of piezo-dri ven micromanipul ator (P1EZO) , I'educing chances 0 1' problems caused by P1EZO pulses, LAZP reduced time that took to pierce zona pellucida in removal of nucleus fl'om oocyte and somatic cell injection, which might have taken longer time with P1EZO, The simple , new OSM and LAZP system may help to enable large scale cloning by reduction of procedural steps, Pa l'thenogenesis de scribes the growth and development of an embryo without fertilization by a male Parthenogenetic ES cell s (PESCs) can be a useful cell source for tissue I'epail‘ and I'egeneration , Moreover , the defects in full-term developrnent of this PESCs enable researc hers to avoid the ethical concern , Here, the author showed that PESCs can differentiate into osteogenic lineage, The PESCs were induced osteogenic dlfferentlatlon The osteoblas t-specific gene expression such as osteocalcine, osteopontine, osteonectin, bone-sialo protein‘ coll agen type-l and alka line phos phatase showed osteogenic potential of differentiated PESCs, The author also focused on the neuronal induction of murine PESCs by simplified neurona l induction system to generate doparninergic (DA) neurons , As a result , PESCs were differentiated into nestin and Tuj-l positive cell s successfully, a lthough t he generation of DA neuron was Illruted For murine embryo cul ture, novel oil-free microtube cul tu re system was applied , This new culture system provides oil-free cu ltu re condi t ions and is easy to handle It was also associated with faster development and mOl'e t l'ophectodel'mal cells , which will enhance the development of murine embl'Yos to fur t hel' stages ,