3Y-TZP (3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals) ceramics have excellent mechanical properties including high fracture toughness, good abrasion resistance as well as chemical and biological stability. As a result, they are widely used in mechanical and medical components such as bearings, grinding balls, and hip implants. In addition, they provide excellent light transmittance, biocompatibility, and can match tooth color when used as a dental implant. Recently, given the materials’ resemblance to human teeth, these ceramics have emerged as an alternative to titanium implants. Since the introduction of CAD/CAM in the manufacture of ceramic implants, they’ve been increasingly used for prosthetic restoration where aesthetics and strength are required. In this study, to improve the surface roughness of zirconia implants, we modified the 3YTZP surface with a biocomposite of hydroxyapatite and forsterite using room temperature spray coating methods, and investigated the mixed effect of the two powders on the evolution of surface microstructure, i.e., coating thickness and roughness, and biological interaction during the in vitro test in SBF solution. We compared improvement in bioactivity by observing dissolution and re-precipitation on the specimen surface. From the results of in vitro testing in SBF solution, we confirmed improvement in the bioactivity of the 3Y-TZP substrate after surface modification with a biocomposite of hydroxyapatite and forsterite. Surface dissolution of the coating layer and the precipitation of new hydroxyapatite particles was observed on the modified surface, indicating the improvement in bioactivity of the zirconia substrate.

This study was conducted to investigate the altitudinal distribution of the ground beetle community in a mountain area during 2007 to 2009, and to examine what habitat characters are most relevant to the distribution of mountain ground beetle species, and finally to identify potential biological indicators for monitoring in forest. The study area was Mt. Sobaeksan National Park (1439 m elevation), in Punggi-up, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps, which were installed along the altitudinal gradient 437, 757, 1100 and 1420 m. In total, 3,259 individuals were identified as 32 species in 18 genera. The dominant species were Synuchus cycloderus (29.4%), Eucarabus sternbergi sobaeksanensis (15.4%) and Pterostichus orientalis (9.7%) in order. Overall, the ground beetle community structure was different along the altitude (similarity 65.2%) by NMDS ordination, but also were clustered into 2 groups, 437 and 757 m, and 1100 and 1420 m (similarity 57.9%). Therefore, the ground beetle assemblage could provide basic information for forest management. In this study, some ground beetle species were suggested to potential biological indicators along altitudinal gradient.