Tin oxide nanoparticles (n-SnO and ) were synthesized by the inert gas condensation (IGC) method under dynamic gas flow of oxygen and argon at various conditions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method were used to analysis the size, shape and crystal structure of the produced powders. The synthesized particles were mostly amorphous and their size increased with increasing the partial pressure of oxygen in the processing chamber. The particles also became broader in size when higher oxygen pressures were applied. Low temperature annealing at in air resulted to crystallization of the amorphous n-SnO particles to .

Cellular metals based on Iron have been intensively investigated during the last two decades. Because of the significant decreasing of the structural density of Iron based cellular structures, numerous technologies have been developed for their manufacturing. Besides the tremendous weight reduction a combination with other properties like energy and noise absorption, heat insulation and mechanical damping can be achieved. This contribution will give an overview about the latest state in Iron based cellular materials, including technologies in manufacturing, properties and potential applications.

Stainless steel sludge is generated as a waste in the grinding process, and the possibility of recycling stainless steel is considered here. In this study, we considered the possibility of using the stainless steel sludge as metal powder for MIM or raw material for metal foam. For the MIM process, the metal powder will need some improvement, and flotation and spheroidizing processes of the sludge are necessary. For fabrication of the metal foam, untreated sludge can be used, and steel foam about 90% porosity is produced.

In this contribution, we attempted a theoretical analysis on the validity of the widely-accepted idea that rough and singular surfaces can coexist in a crystal at equilibrium. By manipulating the Cahn and Hoffman capillarity vector, the conclusion that a crystal at equilibrium should be composed either of singular surfaces or of rough ones was reached.

Hybrid atomization is a new atomization technique that combines gas atomization with centrifugal atomization. This process can produce fine, spherical powders economically with a mean size of about 10 m diameter and a tight size distribution.

Periodontopathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis interact with host periodontal cells and the excessive subsequent host responses contribute a major part to the development of periodontal diseases. Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2-synthesized has detrimental activities in terms of periodontal pathogenesis. The present study investigated induction of COX-2 expression by P. gingivalis in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Live P. gingivalis increased expression of COX-2, but not that of COX-1, which was demonstrated at both mRNA and protein levels. Elevated levels of were released from P. gingivalis-infected THP-1 cells. Pharma-cological inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) substantially attenuated P. gingivalis-induced COX-2 mRNA expression. Indeed, activation of p38 MAPK and ERK was observed in P. gingivalis-infected THP-1 cells. Also, P. gingivalis induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)which is an important transcription factor for COX-2. These results suggest that COX-2 expression is up regulated in P. gingivalis-infected monocytic cells, at least in part, via p38 MAPK, ERK, and NF-κB.

The present study explores the effect of topic interest and knowledge on comprehension and their relationship in L2 reading. Given this issue has been studied almost exclusively with fluent L1 readers, it seems necessary to investigate the applicability of the findings from previous studies to L2 reading. In order to enhance the generalizability, the present study employed multiple texts and tasks. The subjects were 126 Korean adult EFL learners representing various academic backgrounds and wide range of English proficiency. Results showed that the effect of knowledge and interest on L2 reading comprehension varied greatly depending on task type, suggesting that any conclusion drawn about the effect of prior knowledge or interest on reading comprehension could be biased depending on the task used to assess the construct. In addition, knowledge of topic vocabulary was the most stable factor of reading comprehension regardless of text structure or measure of reading comprehension. The association between topic interest and topic knowledge proved very weak in general unlike in L1 reading, not supporting schema-theoretic views about the effect of topic interest and its relationship with topic knowledge. More results and discussions are presented along with the statement of limitations and implications both theoretical and practical.